Discussion Questions
Chapter 1:1-14
1. Who is Paul writing this letter to?
2. Read v.3-14 and circle all of the verbs listed. Who is responsible for the actions of these verbs?
3. What are some of the ways that God speaks about you in verses 3-14?
4. What are some reasons we can praise God based on verses 3-14?
5. What do the words grace, forgiveness, and redemption mean to you?
6. What really spoke to you out of verses 1-14?
Chapter 1:15-23
1. What two things does Paul give thanks for in the beginning of his prayer?
2. What does Paul pray for? What is the result of their enlightment?
3. How often do you pray? About what? Is it a struggle to make prayer a part of your daily life?
4. How do you feel reading through v.19-23, knowing Christ's power and authority over all things?
5. Does this change your perspective on prayer? God's power? Does it compel you to pray differently? For other believers?
6. What stood out to you in verses 15-23?
Chapter 2:1-10
1. What was life like before Christ redeemed you? (v.1-3)
2. Reading through v.4-9, how do you feel knowing Christ saved you and you had nothing to do with it? Do you believe that?
3. How do you live in response to that truth? (Saved by faith)
4. How do you live in response to being God's "workmanship"?
5. What do you think are the "good works" God has created you for? Are you walking in them? Obeying Him?
6. What stood out to you in verses 1-10?
Chapter 2:11-22
1. List where/how you were, according to v.12, before Christ reconciled us.
2. What did Christ's reconcilation do for us, our relationship with God, and our relationship with others?
3. How can we live differently towards others within the church knowing these truths?
4. Describe our relationship to each person of the trinity as mentioned in verses 18-22.
5. How do you feel knowing that when we gather with other believers, we are being built together as a dwelling place for God's Holy Spirit?
6. What really spoke to you in verses 11-22?
Chapter 3:1-13
1. What is the mystery Paul is speaking of in verse 1-6?
2. How did Paul become a minister of God?
3. What two things was Paul ordained to do in verses 8-9?
4. What are the 3 encouragements we can take from verses 11-13?
5. Has there been a time when you have "lost heart" in your ministry?
6. How can you live differently after reading these verses?
Chapter 3:14-21
1. Why was Paul praying for the Ephesians?
2. What did Paul petition the LORD for on behalf of the Ephesians?
3. What 4 ways did Paul pray for believers to receive help form God during times of discouregement?
4. How can reading Paul's prayer help you in times of discouragement?
5. What do verses 20-21 say about the extent of God's power?
6. How can you pray differently for yourself and believers after reading verse 20?
Chapter 4:1-16
1. What does Paul command the believers to do in verse 1? What 5 words does he use in verse 2 to describe this walk?
2. If we were to live out just one of these principles, how would we stand out from others?
3. What are the gifts listed in verse 11?
4. Read Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:8-10, 28-30, and 1 Peter 4:10-11 and list any additional gifts you find.
5. What gifts do you think you have and how are you using them to minister to others?
6. According to verses 14-16, why is important to "speak truth in love"?
Chapter 4:17-24
1. What did Paul say to do with the old self? What are the results?
2. What did he tell believers to do with the new self? What are the results?
3. How consistent are you in living according to the new self? (Scale of 1 to 5)
4. What in your life needs the most work to live more consistently in the new life, dwell in holiness and righteousness?
5. What 5 areas of sins are mentioned in verses 25-32?
6. What do you need to do improve in any of these areas? Confessions? Conversations? Breaking old habits?
Chapter 5:1-21
1. Think about what it means to imitate God. What kind of qualities would we emulate?
2. How are you doing with purity? What areas in v.3-4 do you struggle with the most?
3. List the characteristics Paul mentions in v.6-14 of being in darkness vs. being in light. How are they different?
4. How can you flee from darkness and live in the light?
5. In verses 15-21, Chuck Swindoll calls this "Christianity 101". What are the 5 fundamentals of Christian living listed in these verses?
6. How are you doing on these 5? Are you following them carefully and consistently?
Chapter 5:21-33
1. What does verse 21 tell us to do one another?
2. Based on these verses, how would you define the biblical view of submission? Leadership?
3. As a wife (or future wife) how do you feel knowing you serve Christ by submitting to and serving your husband?
4. Do you treat your husband with respect, even when you disagree with him? Do you seek his highest good?
5. What does this passage say are the 4 ways Christ loves the church?
6. How does does understanding Christ's love for the church help you live differently within your own marraige?
Chapter 6
1. What does it mean to "train up" a child (Eph 6:4, Prov 22:6)
2. How will your work habits change knowing your are working not for people but for the LORD (v.7)
3. What does it mean to be "strong in the LORD"?
4. What is the full "armor of God" (v.14-17)? Why do we need it (v.11-13)?
5. According to verse 18, how often are we supposed to pray? For what kinds of things?
6. What does Paul ask believers to pray for? Does it bring you comfort knowing even the apostle Paul asked for prayer in that area?
