5 One new house Ephesians 2:11–22
Purpose: To see that Christ's death not only reconciled us to God but also to each other, and to consider the implications of this.
1. Read Ephesians 2:11–22. Paul uses analogies and metaphors imagery in this passage. What are some of these?
What are they intended to communicate?
2. How does verse 11 emphasize the ill feeling between the Jews and the Gentiles?
3. What similar issues do we encounter today?
4. Besides some superficial differences between Jews and Gentiles, there were also some very real divisions. What are some of the things that divided Gentiles from Jews (v. 12)?
5. How does the bond we have in the blood (death) of Christ supersede all that divides us from other Christians (v. 13)?
6. According to 2:14–18, what two reconciliations does Christ achieve?
How are they related?
7. There was a literal “dividing wall of hostility” (2:14) in Jerusalem. The Court of the Gentiles was separated from the Temple proper by a stone wall. This wall had a sign on it forbidding entrance to any foreigner on pain of death. Paul says Christ destroyed this barrier “by abolishing in his flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in the ordinances” (2:15). In what sense did the cross abolish the enmity?
What rules and requirements do we enforce which might cause enmity between Christians or between believers and unbelievers?
8. We still see divisions among Christians today even though Christ himself is our peace (vv. 14–18). How can those who are united in Christ still be divided?
9. How do the images Paul uses in 2:19–22 emphasize the unity Christians have with one another?
10. How is the reconciliation of Jews and Gentiles to each other and to God (2:11–22) one fulfillment of God's will and purpose in Christ (1:9–10)?
11. What practical first step toward unity can you take in the next week to promote greater unity within this group and the larger body of Christ?
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