5 Easy Ways to Wreck Your Life - Addiction
Sermon Discussion Guide for the week of February 19th, 2017
Primary Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-24
Relationships
As you begin the study portion of your gathering ask a few of these questions to help your group focus
their attention.
What is the fanciest set of clothes you own? When was the last time you wore them?
What is the dirtiest you have ever been? Describe the circumstances that led to you being that
dirty.
How much “screen time” (smart phone, TV, computer) do you think you have in a typical day?
Scripture
Have a volunteer Read Ephesians 4:17-19
What are the four characteristics of Gentiles Paul describes in verse 18?
Paul does not use the word Gentile in the traditional sense of a non-Jew, but rather someone
who does not know the Lord. How would you describe the Gentiles in our world today?
Is everyone, even your moral friends who don’t know the Lord, experiencing what Paul
describes? Explain.
If the world is really like Paul describes it for the Gentiles, why do you think they continue in
their actions?
We often think of addictions in terms of drug or alcohol abuse or sexuality. What are other
things that can be addictive?
Have a volunteer read Ephesians 4: 20-24
Which do you believe — that right conduct leads to right thinking, or that right thinking leads
to right conduct? Why?
How does acting like Jesus come from Jesus being in us?
What were your old “clothes” like? How did you act, talk and think before you met Jesus?
How were you like the Gentiles in Ephesians 4:17-19?
If you had continued to live in your old ways, where do you think you would be now?
Mission
Explain how you personally have seen God’s grace taking part in your own life.
What area of Christian growth have you most struggled with? Explain.
Who is someone you can share this story with this week?
Development
If someone were to compare your life to that of your neighbors who do not know the Lord,
would you look like you had on different clothes?
Going back to the list of things that can be addictive, which of these is the biggest struggle for
you at this time in your life?
Taking off the old self, and putting on the new is something that must be done daily. What are
some practical ways you can do that this week?
Pray