Sit. Walk. Stand.
A Study in the Book of Ephesians
Standing Firm in Prayer
September 3, 2023 • Rob Bustin • Ephesians 6:18–20
"Standing Firm in Prayer" Digital Bulletin - https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/standing-firm-in-prayer Questions for Personal Reflection: 1. How would you describe your current prayer life? 2. How would it change your current prayer life to know that The Holy Spirit is helping you and that you are not doing it alone? 3. What is hindering you from experiencing the full help of the Holy Spirit in your prayer Life? 4. How could our world be impacted if we began to pray earnestly with prayers of Intercession for the Brother’s and Sister’s around the world who are working hard in spreading the Gospel, especially those in prison and who are being persecuted? 5. How could our local church be changed if we were to be in constant prayer for each other throughout the week?
The Armor of God
August 27, 2023 • Doug Bradnick • Ephesians 6:10–18
"The Armor of God" Digital Bulletin - https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/the-armor-of-god Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion: 1. What causes a Christian to drift from God? 2. Who is involved in the battle with our enemy? How does someone engage the enemy? 3. Analyze your life, your desires, your habits. Are they godly? How do you reject ungodliness? 4. What does it mean to stand? 5. How can you be restored if you have fallen?
"Watch Your Step!"
August 20, 2023 • Jim Moynihan • Ephesians 5:18–21
"Walking Under Authority" Digital Bulletin - https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/walking-under-authority Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion 1. In what ways have you been walking carelessly, even foolishly? 2. What are the possible land mines in your life right now? 3. What would change in your life if you began living in light of eternity? 4. What is your relationship to the Word of God and the people of God right now? 5. Take time to prayerfully review the suggested Scriptures and process for being filled with the Holy Spirit.
"Walk in Love, Live in Light"
August 13, 2023 • Jim Moynihan • Ephesians 4:29—5:20
"Walk in Love, Live in Light" Digital Bulletin - https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/walk-in-love-live-in-light Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion: 1. Why does Paul insist on us no longer living like the world? 2. In practical terms what does it mean to “walk in love” and “live in light”? 3. As you review the list of exhortations, which one(s) stand out to you as most challenging and why? 4. What is the relationship between your spirit, soul, and body? 5. What does it mean to be filled with the Spirit? 6. How does your spirit partner with the Holy Spirit to mortify (not manage) the misdeeds of your broken soul/body (Romans 8:12-13)?
"Be Filled with The Spirit"
August 6, 2023 • Jim Moynihan • Ephesians 5:18
"Be Filled with The Spirit" Digital Bulletin - https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/be-filled-with-the-spirit Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion: 1. What comes to mind when you realize that all the fullness of God is in Christ (Colossians 1:19) and Christ is in you (Colossians 1:27)? 2. How does it impact you to think that your flesh was dealt a mortal wound at the cross? Why does it still seem so strong sometimes? 3. What areas of your flesh are you still feeding, comforting, even enjoying? 4. What might it look like to “no longer make provision for the flesh” (Romans 13:14) in these areas? Get very practical in answering this question. 5. Review the theological truths surrounding our present-tense salvation. Which ones are the hardest for you to move from a head-knowledge belief to heart-felt faith? Ask God for faith to believe and meditate on Scriptures that teach this truth. 6. If you haven’t already, consider getting some alone time with God and ask to be filled with the Holy Spirit. You may consider this progression of thought and heart: · Hunger to be filled (this may require a season of fasting from media, food, etc) · Confess, repent, and grieve your sin (Psalm 51) · Ask Him to fill you (Luke 11:13) · Receive this by faith (Galatians 2:20) · Obey everything He tells you to do
"Stop Being Worldly!"
July 30, 2023 • Jim Moynihan, Jeremy Freimark • Ephesians 4:17–32
"Stop Being Worldly!" Digital Bulletin - https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/stop-being-worldly Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion: 1. How does the concept of "putting off" the old self and "putting on" the new self resonate with your own journey as a follower of Christ? 2. How does understanding that our salvation is a gift from God, not based on our works, impact your perspective on carry out the command to “put off’ and “put on”? 3. How do you think others perceive you based on the "uniform" you wear as a follower of Christ? Are there areas in your life where you may still be wearing the "old self" uniform, and how can you intentionally "put on" the characteristics of Christ in those areas? 4. What areas of your life need to Put Off? (think through patterns of thoughts, words, deeds) 5. What does holiness look like in these situations? (think negative and positive holiness) 6. Ask Jesus to share His life with you in those areas (Romans 13:14—“PUT ON the Lord Jesus Christ”)
Gifted to Serve
July 23, 2023 • Brecken Musser • Ephesians 4:7–16
"Gifted to Serve" Digital Bulletin-- https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/gifted-to-serve Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion: 1. What are your Gifts? 2. Would you consider volunteering to serve the needs of the church? 3. What are ways you can serve the church and others?
"You ARE One, So BE One"
July 16, 2023 • Jim Moynihan • Ephesians 4:1–6
"You are One, So Be One" Digital Bulletin - https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/you-are-one-so-be-one Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion: 1. Why do you think Paul starts off with this powerful call to unity as the first way to walk worthy of the calling we have received? 2. WHY are we to pursue unity? (vs. 4-6) 3. HOW are we to pursue unity? (vs. 2-3) 4. Of the graces outlined in verse 2-3, which ones are the most challenging for you right now? 5. Who is your life do you need to make every effort (“Yours is the initiative! Do it now!) to pursue the unity of the Spirit because Peace is your address together?
"Immeasurably More"
July 9, 2023 • Jim Moynihan • Ephesians 3:7–21
"Immeasurably More" Digital Bulletin - https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/immeasurably-more Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion: 1. Why is Paul so serious about this particular prayer? 2. How might it change your day-to-day if you really grasped that Jesus is IN you? 3. Why do you think we struggle to understand how wide, and long, and high, and deep is the love of God for us in Christ? 4. What happens when we fail to understand more deeply His love? 5. How does it impact you to think that just as the fullness of God was in the physical body of Jesus of Nazareth, so too the fullness of Christ is in His spiritual body the church? 6. What ministries of Jesus might begin to happen through THIS church if we continue to mature into the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way (Ephesians 1:23)?
Speak Up
July 2, 2023
"Speak Up" Digital Bulletin--https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/speak-up Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion 1. Brainstorm other ways that our church may pursue both justice and mercy in regard to the issue of abortion. Share ideas, resources, etc. 2. As you consider the tragedy of abortion, what might be “next steps” for YOU to consider as you reflect on the biblical call for justice and mercy?
The Manifold Wisdom of God
June 25, 2023 • Jeremy Freimark • Ephesians 3:1–13
"The Manifold Wisdom of God" Digital Bulletin--https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/the-manifold-wisdom-of-god Questions of Personal Reflection/Group Discussion 1. What are some of the pressing issues in the world today that make you feel disheartened? How do these challenges affect your faith and hope? 2. How does the knowledge of being part of Christ's body, along with other believers, impact your understanding of your identity and purpose as a Christian? 3. In what ways do you personally relate to Paul's experience of suffering, pressure from persecution, or discouragement? How did he respond to those challenges? 4. Discuss the three elements of Paul's message: (1) We are God's people, (2) Christ's victory over the demonic realms, and (3) our full access to God, our Father. How do these elements bring hope and encouragement to us today? 5. How does the progressive unveiling of God's wisdom throughout history, culminating in Christ's death, resurrection, and the establishment of the Church, impact your understanding of God's plan and purpose? 6. How can we apply the knowledge of Christ's victory over the demonic realms and our role as partakers of God's grace to overcome discouragement and stand firm in our faith?
God's Masterpiece
June 18, 2023 • Ephesians 2:8–22
"God's Masterpiece" Digital Bulletin--https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/gods-masterpiece Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion 1. What does it mean that we are saved by grace and through faith? 2. Why is it completely ridiculous to boast regarding our righteousness before God or man? 3. Describe the relationship between Jews and Gentiles before Christ? 4. How has God made us one in Christ? 5. Why is the Church uniquely God’s “masterpiece”?
"BUT GOD..."
June 11, 2023 • Jim Moynihan • Ephesians 2:1–7
"But God..." Digital Bulletin - https://mailchi.mp/alliancechurch/but-god-nve41dp4nn Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion: 1. What does it look like when a Christian is casual in their view of evilness and power in sin? 2. If you are willing, describe your current attitude toward sin? Perhaps the following terms will be helpful: apathetic, concerned but not doing much about it, trying to manage it, but not super serious about it, grieving over it, putting it to death regularly and daily, etc. 3. How does it impact you to know that God has so shared the victory of Christ with you that you are no longer dead in your sins, but alive in your spirit as a child of God? 4. How does it impact you to know that God has raised you up with Christ and seated you with Him, where He sits in authority over the world, the flesh, and the devil?
