Small Group Resources

March 9 - 15 : Ephesians - Inheritance

Ice Breaker, If Needed: 
Have you taken a spiritual gifts or APEST test? If so, what did it reveal?

1. Read Ephesians 4:1-3. What are the characteristics of a believer who is living out his or her calling? Why is the “calling” to be treated with care? How are you making “every effort” to keep in a state of unity with other believers? What is the biggest threat to unity within the body?

2. Read Ephesians 4:4-7. List the “ones” Paul wrote about in verses 4-6. You are part of an “all”. What does V.7 say about you as an individual? What is the difference between “unity” and “uniformity”?

3. Read Ephesians 4:11. Who gives the gifts of these ministry roles? To whom are they given? How did you learn your calling? If you don’t know, pray for God to reveal it! If you struggle to believe you have a calling, why?

4. Read Ephesians 4:11-13. What is the mission of these gifts? How does working as a unified body lead to more unity? How does it lead to knowing Christ more fully? How does it lead to the fullness of maturity? How do you envision this growth in your own life and in the life of the body of Christ? Why are they connected?

5. What is maturity? What area of your life do you most cling to childish ideas? Why? Read Ephesians 4:14. What happens to a spiritual infant? What happens to a body who persists in this infancy? How might living in your calling help yourself and the body to guard against the pitfalls of immaturity?

6. Read Ephesians 4:15-16. Share a time when someone spoke truth into your life with love. How did you receive it? What did you do with the truth? Why are truth and purpose entwined?