ELNORA’S BIBLE STUDY WITH FRIENDS, Ephesians 2, Friday, May 30, 2025
The first three chapters of Ephesians focus on doctrinal issues; the last three show how those principles should be applied in real life. Chapter 2 makes a pair of related points about our status as saved believers. First, salvation is entirely dependent on the grace of God, not human efforts. Second, this means all Christians are part of the same family, Jew and Gentile alike. This bridges chapter 1's explanation of God's awesome glory to chapter 3's discussion of God bringing His long-awaited plan into action. (Source: https://www.bibleref.com/Ephesians/2/Ephesians-chapter-2.html)
Made Alive with Christ, Verses 1-10, KITTY
Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world.[a] He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3 All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. 4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. 8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
SECTION QUESTIONS
1. What would you say is the theme of this section of scripture?
2. What contrast does Paul make between the saved and the unsaved?
Oneness and Peace in Christ, Verses 11-22, DESTINY
Don’t forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders. You were called “uncircumcised heathens” by the Jews, who were proud of their circumcision, even though it affected only their bodies and not their hearts. 12 In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope. 13 But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ. 14 For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. 15 He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. 16 Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death. 17 He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near. 18 Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us. 19 So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. 20 Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. 21 We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. 22 Through him, you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.
SECTION QUESTIONS
3. What do you see as the theme for this section of scripture?
Confessions for Ephesians, Chapter 2
"Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world.[a] He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. (Ephesians 2:1-2)
Heavenly Father, I praise You for Your wonderful grace that made me alive in Christ when I was dead in trespasses and sins and without hope in the world. I pray that Your Spirit will more and more open my understanding to this indescribable gift that I have been given. Make me bold in proclaiming the saving blood of Jesus to those who are born dead in their sins. Heavenly Father, thank You that I have been released from bondage to sin and death. Thank you that I have been set free from walking according to the course of this world. Thank you that I have been delivered from slavery to sin, the world, the flesh, and the devil. Thank you that I am no longer a son of disobedience and estranged from You, but that in Christ, the Spirit of God now works in me and is conforming me into the likeness of Your dearly beloved Son. May I live each day to Your praise and glory. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.
"All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature, we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much," (Ephesians 2:3-4)
Heavenly Father, how I praise and thank You for Your goodness and grace toward me. I pray that I may never forget the amazing grace that I received, in that while I was yet a sinner, fulfilling the desires of my mind and flesh, Christ died for me. Thank You that You have not judged me according to my own sin, for I would not stand the scrutiny of Your perfect righteousness, but Christ was judged in my place and punished for my sin. Just as He was identified with all my sin, so I am identified with His perfect righteousness, through time and into eternity, simply by trusting in Him. I pray that may I live the rest of my life, with a grateful heart of thanksgiving and praise. Heavenly Father, thank You that You are a God of love Who is rich in mercy toward me. Thank You that You loved me so much, You sent Your precious Son to die in my place and pay the price for my sins. Praise Your name forever and ever. In Jesus' name, AMEN.
"For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God." (Ephesians 2:6-8)
Loving Father, what an honour and blessing that I am seated with Christ in heavenly places. I pray that as I view my life from my heavenly position, everything would be put into proper perspective. Help me to always set my mind on things above, rather than things on the earth. Loving Father, I am astonished at the abounding and overflowing riches of Your amazing grace, which for so long I have taken for granted. Thank You that I will be one of the myriad of voices that will be singing in thanksgiving for Your amazing grace and unconditional love for me, a sinner, saved by grace. Thank You dear Father, for Your free gift of salvation. I am not worthy to receive such a gift, but I thank You in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, my Saviour in Whom I trust. It is in Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.
We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. 22 Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit. (Ephesians 2:21-22)
Heavenly Father, thank You that I have been brought near by the blood of Christ and have been made one with Him, by means of His death, burial, and Resurrection. Thank You that You have brought together into one Body, all who have trusted Jesus as Saviour, and that we are all being built-up and fitted together as Your holy residence. Help me to walk worthy of my calling, and may You be glorified in all I say and do, until that glorious day when You come to take us to be with Yourself in the clouds of glory. Heavenly Father, thank You that Christ is building His Church, stone by living stone, into a holy Temple of God. Thank You that I too have become part of it and have the indwelling Spirit of God as a guarantee. You started a good work in me, and I pray that You will continue to fashion, form, and transform me into the likeness of Christ, with every passing day. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.
Source: https://prayer.knowing-jesus.com/Ephesians/2#
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