ACTS - WEEK 22
Ephesians 2
From Death to Life
READ EPHESIANS 2:1-10
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body[a] and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.[b] 4 But[c] God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
DISCUSS
1. In what ways could our condition before salvation be described as ‘dead’?
2. Paul describes 3 forces at work in the lives of those who are spiritually dead. “The world”, “the prince of the power of the air” (the devil) and “the flesh”
a )How do each of these terms add to our understanding of our spiritual status before coming to faith in Christ?
b) How do you see each of these forces at work in your life prior to your own faith?
3. How is God’s character described in verses 4-7?
4. How do these verses link our salvation with the miracle of Jesus being raised from the dead?
5. How is being ‘made alive’ a fitting description of coming to faith?
6. Paul says that salvation by grace gives no grounds for boasting. How might we be tempted to boast?
7. What does verse 10 tell us about our new identity and purpose?
Reflect and pray?
As you reflect on your own movement from death to life… at what points was God’s mercy and Grace most evident to you?
Spend some time in prayers of gratitude for his mercy in giving us the gift of life.