Ephesians Week 8

A New Walk

Ephesians 5:1–18 ESV

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

Be Imitators of God

What does it mean to imitate God?

Are we called to imitate everything God does? Are there things that are God’s alone? If so, what?

2. Walk in Love

What type of love are we called to walk in?

How did Christ demonstrate His love during his life?

What does that mean for us today and what does that look like?

3. Walk in Light

i. Purity

At what level are we called to pursue purity?

ii. Thanksgiving

What are the dangers of coveting?

How do we embrace thanksgiving?

iii. Encouraging Speech

Why is our speech so important?

How do we practice intentionality in our daily speech?

iv. Live with fruits of the light

a. Avoid the Darkness

How can be avoid being deceived by the darkness in our world today?

What does it mean to become partners with them?

Does that mean we should cut off all ties with people in darkness? Where is the line?

Is there a difference between accidental darkness and habitual darkness?

b. Display Light

What does it mean to walk in all that is good, right, and true?

How does our obedience work in conjuction with walking in the light?

4. Expose the Darkness

What is our role in exposing darkness?

How do we balance grace and love with exposing darkness?

Does redemption play a part in this process?

What is the primary purpose for exposing the darkness?

5. Walk in Wisdom

What are aspects of walking in wisdom?

i. Make the most of our time

How do we know what the best use of our time is?

ii. Understand what the Lord’s Will is

How do we know the Lord’s Will?

How do we live out that knowledge?