Ephesians 4 Day Three

1. Last week we talked about our "ministry", and we all shared what we thought our ministry was, and why we chose to be in a small group. How does what you've read in Chapter 4 refine or change your thoughts? 

- In reading chapter 4 it seems pretty clear that we can't do this on our own. There is strength in numbers, as long as the numbers are marching to His beat. I think it prudent to march together in the word and spend time seeking the truth, rather than our truth. 

2. How would you explain verse 14? What do you think Paul was thinking of when he warned against being "tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes"? Write down some common wrong teachings that you've heard taught -- or know people believe today. 

Love wins. 

Ephesians 4 Day Two

1. Write down all of the command that you can find in this chapter. 

• Live a life worth of the calling you have received. 
• Be completely humble and gentle
• Be patient bearing with one another in love
• Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit
• No longer live as the Gentiles do
• Put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor
• Be Kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. 

2. Of all the commands that you've written down, which is the easiest for you? Which is the most challenging?

• I think I'm more humble than boastful, unless I'm playing games with my wife and I'm winning. Then I'm insufferable. 
• Keeping the unity of the Spirit is also "easy" in thought, not always in practice. 
• The hardest is to be kind and compassionate rather than angry and vengeful. 

3. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. 

Kayleigh's Birthday

We went to Wicked at the Oriental Theatre in Chicago for Kayleigh's fifth birthday.

Ephesians 3 Day Four

1. Paul was a prisoner because he preached the gospel. Why did Paul encourage the Ephesians not to lose heart over his suffering? How was his suffering for their glory? Paul's suffering was for their glory and salvation. He suffered so that he could bring them the good news and save them. I was not at the church on Sunday but I've read things and feel that simply being a Christian is something that is falling out of favor in the USA to the point where you can be "anything" you want and be accepted as long as you are not a Christian... Actually perhaps you can be anything you want as long as you don't have an opinion that might impose your beliefs on someone else. I'm beginning to wonder when and where I will face real persecution and if I will have the strength to combat it head on. 
2. The book of Acts shows us that sometimes Paul escaped persecution and sometimes he did not. How do you explain why God sometimes delivers you out of a hardship, but at other times He allows you go go through them? How are you responding to His perfect control of your circumstances? To quote a secular podcast "The only way out is through". Sure you might get around or over or under or run away entirely but the only way out is through. I think God is giving us what we can handle and nothing more. Sometimes we might need to have a "break" or a pass and other times we have to grin and bear it. Right now I'm restless and I don't know why. I keep getting hints that I need to be doing something different with my life, but I can't pinpoint what just yet. I need to pray about that.  
3. Ken taught that persecution follows powerful and effective ministry. What is my ministry in the church? Are you seeing the Lord? Are you serving His Church? Is your service done in the power of the Spirit or in the power of the flesh? How can you tell the difference between the two? I have no ministry in the church so I'm serving no one? Which leads me to think I'm serving the power of the flesh. The difference is in the impetus, am I doing it for me? Or am I doing it for Him? Is it to make me glorified or Him?