Parkside Mission

Alive Together   Alive! together alive Together!  Religion and even secular philosophy constantly ask whether we are wrong or right. But the Apostle Paul (and Jesus too for that matter) gave first importance to whether we are dead or alive. The New Testament letter of  Ephesians is one of the clearest accounts of how the Gospel offers us the gift of life in Christ.  American life in the early 21st century has made an idol out of individualism. As a result, even the well adjusted among us tend to live for our own little kingdom instead of living faithfully in the covenant community that God brings together in Christ. These are two of the great purposes of the letter to the Ephesians. I hope you enjoy the Alive Together series of talks and will benefit from studying the book together in your discipleship groups. Study (Written and Edited by Trent and Emily McEntyre for GT cru) Welcome Disciples,   We have an amazing privilege to help one another fo...

12 Looking Over the Letter Again   Ephesians 1–6 Purpose: To review the whole letter, looking for its main themes and the main application Ephesians has for us. At the end of a journey we can look back with satisfaction at having reached our destination and at having learned much along the way. We may also have painful memories, however, of problems or obstacles we had to overcome. But whether the trip was easy or difficult, we are different for having made the trek. Likewise with Paul's letter to the Ephesians, whether our study was easy or difficult, we are different now. This last study offers an opportunity to reflect on the major themes of the book and on how we have changed (and will change) because of it. 1.   Look throughout the letter for the words “in Christ” or “in him” (referring to Christ). From these passages, what do you learn about being “in Christ“? 2.   How do you feel about being in union with Christ in so many ways? 3.   Often in thi...

11 Prayer Wars Ephesians 6:10–24 Purpose: To grasp how the ultimate battle is fought and how it can be won. In a war of bullets, careful aim and heavy armor win battles. In a war of words, eloquent speech and sharp pens overcome the opposition. But if the fight is outside the realm of sight, sound and touch, how are victories won? 1.   How do you respond to the idea that there are spiritual forces in the universe that are working against God's will? 2.   Read Ephesians 6:10–24. In 6:10–12 Paul emphasizes that our struggle is not with flesh and blood. How has he emphasized this same point elsewhere in his letter? 3.   How do you sense a battle around you with more than physical forces and foes? 4.   Four times in verses 11–14 Paul urges his readers to stand firm in the battle against the devil's stratagems. How do we fail to stand firm as Christians? 5.   When Paul wrote Ephesians, he may have been chained to a Roman soldier (see 6:20). Th...

10 Submit to One Another Ephesians 5:21–6:9 Purpose: To consider how the relationship between Christ and the church can be a model for wives and husbands. Hang onto your hats; there's a good chance this will be your most controversial study. But don't be afraid of controversy itself or of strong differences of opinion. Try to present an atmosphere of openness and willingness to hear all sides. However, don't be afraid to ask people to root their contentions in the passage. Your purpose is to see what Paul says here and not to bring in a myriad of outside resources and opinions. You may want to remind everyone before you start to stick to the passage! A lot of emotion and misunderstanding surrounds the word submit . So try to come to this text as if you had never seen it before. Try to set aside your own biases and see what Paul really has to say on the subject of submission. 1.   How do you react to the idea of being told to submit to someone? 2.   Read Ephesian...

9 Live in Love, Live in Light Ephesians 5:1–21 Purpose: To continue to examine what it means for us to live worthy of our calling. Not doing what is wrong is one thing. But sometimes it can be even more difficult to do what is right. In Ephesians 5 Paul continues to outline what it means “to live a life worthy of the calling you have received” (4:1). He does this by considering ways we shouldn't act and ways we should. 1.   How do children imitate? (Give some examples from your own observations of small children.) 2.   Read Ephesians 5:1–21. In verses 1–2 Paul says that just as children imitate their parents, so we are to imitate God. What have you observed about God which you have begun or could begin to imitate? 3.   How is Christ the perfect example of what Paul asks of us (v. 2)? 4.   How does having an inheritance   in the kingdom of God enable us to abide by v. 4? How can you use thanksgiving to replace improper behavior in your l...