Parkside Mission

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 Cour...

1 The New Community - Christ and the Church    Ephesians 1–3 Purpose: To gain an overview of the main aspects of Paul's letter to the Ephesians. To gain a greater love for God's word. Everyone needs community. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit have enjoyed community in their relationship for all eternity. Paul's Epistle to the Ephesians reveals the amazing fulfillment of the once hidden plan of God for His glory through His beloved people, the church…the new community of God. In this study we'll look over the first half of the letter to orient us to some of the basic issues that will come up in later studies. Most importantly, it will help us put those issues in the context. 1.   What do you think real community should be like? What have been your experiences with community?   2.   Read Ephesians 1–3. What are some of the main topics Paul covers in this letter? 3.   Although virtually nothing is stated directly about the people...

4 Amazing Grace Ephesians 2:1–10 Purpose: To see how God has brought us from death to life by the riches of his grace. To be gripped by the Gospel. One of the best-known verses in the book of Ephesians is 2:8, “By grace you have been saved, through faith.” Probably the most famous Christian hymn of all time is "Amazing Grace" but unfortunately we usually live like it might be "Decent" grace, "If all else fails" grace, or sadly "cheap" grace. In this study we want to rediscover what is so amazing about grace. 1.   Read Ephesians2:1–10. In verse 1 Paul says, “You were dead in your transgressions and sins.” How do dead people function? What must this mean about our spiritual state before we knew Christ? 2.   In verses 2–3 Paul mentions three deadly forces on our lives. According to Paul, how did each of these affect our lives as non-Christians? 3.   How have you seen these influences at work? 4.   According to verses 4–7, what mo...