All For One and One For All discussion Questions

All For One-One for All - Sermon 1/9/2011
Text Eph. 1:1-2 - Small Group Discussion Questions

1. Read Ephesians 1:1: When you think about the fact that you too are a disciple “by the will of God,” how does that make you feel and what responsibilities does that place on you?

See also Romans 8:28-30 and Eph. 2:10: How does this factor in?

2. If you were in prison, what would your priorities be? What would you be thinking about? What were Paul’s priorities? In what circumstances do you fell justified in dismissing God’s priorities?

3. Does God only call us to do things that “feel” good? What are some things that God put the Apostles through that did not “feel” good? What are some things you have gone through that did not “feel” good but built your faith? See James 1: 2-3, 2 Timothy 3:12

4. When someone sets out to run a marathon is it best to just go to the marathon and run, or to train and practice first? If we know that we will experience trials that test our faith, how best can we prepare for them?

5. Paul refers to the Christians in Ephesus as “saints” and other biblical authors refer to Christians as “priests,” what does this imply for the everyday believer?

6. What does it mean to be “in Christ” and “with Christ” in our daily living?
See also Rom. 8:1, 8:39, 2 Cor. 5:17, Gal. 3:26-28, Eph. 2:13

7. Why is the city and book of Ephesus relevant to us today?

8. Read Ephesians 4:17-20: What activities, causes, or entertainment do we need to reconsider in our life that might be futile in our walk with Christ?
What things are bringing us closer to Christ and what things are dragging us away from Christ? Our most valuable commodity in this culture is time. How do we waste time on things not important to eternity? How might our reprioritizing our lives change the world for Christ?

9. How can I find joy in “living righteously” without becoming annoyingly legalistic?