Made New: The New is Now
Week Eight • October 27, 2024 • Ephesians 5:6-21
Open in Prayer
Use Paul’s prayer below to guide and direct your opening prayer for one another, focusing on our desire for God to bring light to our hearts and discussion around his word:
I ask the glorious Father and God of our Lord Jesus Christ to give you his Spirit. The Spirit will make you wise and let you understand what it means to know God. My prayer is that light will flood your hearts and you will understand the hope given to you when God chose you. I pray that you will discover the glorious blessings that will be yours together with all God's people. I want you to know about the great and mighty power that God has for us followers.
Ephesians 1:17-19, CEV
Read Ephesians 5:5-21
6 Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. 7 Don’t participate in the things these people do. 8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.
10 Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. 11 Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. 12 It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. 13 But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, 14 for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said,
“Awake, O sleeper,
rise up from the dead,
and Christ will give you light.”Living by the Spirit’s Power
15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. 18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, 19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. 20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Discuss Together
According to Ephesians 5:1-14, what specific behaviors and attitudes characterize "darkness"? How are these contrasted with the characteristics of "light"?
How does Paul use the imagery of "exposure" in verses 13-14 to illustrate the difference between darkness and light?
What are some specific ways we can "expose" the unfruitful works of darkness in our own lives and in the world around us?
Ephesians 5:15-17 emphasizes the importance of "walking wisely" and "making the most of every opportunity." How does understanding the contrast between darkness and light help us to live more purposefully?
In what ways can we be more intentional about redeeming the time in our daily lives?
Choose one specific area of your life where you want to "walk in the light" more intentionally this week. What practical steps can you take to make that happen?
Close in Prayer
Close in prayer, asking the Lord to open our hearts to greater surrender so as to allow for the Spirit to fill us in new ways this week.
