June 19, 2023
Ephesians 4:17-32
THE LIFE YOU’VE LEARNED
All of us are shaped by the family stories we heard growing up. My dad stole a comic book from a convenience store that slid down his pant leg and onto the floor before he could get out of the store. My dad told the store owner he had no idea how it got there. My grandmother was called and came to the store. She listened to my dad’s pathetic lie, and she BELIEVED HIM! When my father became a Christian at 16, he told my grandmother the truth. Needless to say, I never tried the comic book down my pants stunt. The Ephesians grew up in the ‘shadow of the Temple of Artemis.’ How would you describe where you grew up? What pagan (or otherwise) lies did you and your family believe and live from?
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Ephesians 4:17-32
- The Ephesians grew up in the ‘shadow of the Temple of Artemis.’ How would you describe where you grew up? What pagan (or otherwise) lies did you and your family believe and live from?
- What does it mean to ‘put off our old selves’? What has that meant in your life?
- Notice how putting off lying, stealing, and having a potty mouth’ each has a second half. Identify each ‘put on’ command and explain how those build community. Which of those is most challenging for you?
- What do you think it means to ‘grieve the Holy Spirit’? How do we avoid doing that?
- Verse 32 tells us to be kind, compassionate and forgive each other as Jesus forgave us. Which one of those are you going to do (and for whom) this week specifically?
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