Neighborhood Study Guide

Ephesians 4:17-28 Introduction

"That's not a very Christian thing to do!" It's not a phrase we hear very often any more... but perhaps you have heard it. It seems to suggest a certain moral conduct befitting of a Christian. It's not the way we talk anymore. Nowadays, you are more likely to here something like 'I don't care what you believe - it only matters what you do." What should Christians be like? What should distinguish us and our behavior? If God is at work in our lives, what should our lives look like? This is a tricky question in some ways. Christians come from all walks of life and all kinds of backgrounds. We look very different from one another. Should there be common behavior amongst us that distinguishes? Moreover, when we look at the world around us, there are lots of people who do 'good and moral' things. Are Christians supposed to be better? In this passage, we see the way that Christians should live - but more than that - how we should get there. In the last study on Ephesians 3:17-24, we saw that Paul laid out a pattern for transformation. He lists these steps; 1. Put off the Old Self: Decisively say no to those things which are against the will of God. 2. Put on the New Self: - See a clearer vision of what our future in Christ is (created in true righteousness and holiness.) 3. Be Renewed in the Spirit of our Mind: We need to draw closer and closer to the one with authority to change us -- or as Paul says in verse 20 -- 'learn Christ'. Now we take a more focused look at how to do this in particular situations. (In this study don't feel an obligation to hit every issue.Take up the issues that are most pressing for you. I would only pick one or two.) Read Ephesians 4:17-28

Ephesians 3:17-28
17 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. 19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. 20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!- 21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.

26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil.

28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.

Introductory Question

In which of these categories could our church make the most powerful distinction from the world around us? Questions

Which kind of behavior do you see doing the most damage in your world right now? In your workplace? In your family? - Lying - Anger - Theft

On verse 25 (Lying) 1. Where do you see lying and deceit at work in our world? What are the effects? 2. Why is 'lying' such a popular strategy in our lives? Why do we do it? 3. In his sermon, Larry said that the reason we lie is because we cannot face the truth before God. If we understand that God no longer judges us in Christ, we have the freedom to be honest about our selves. If we no longer fear the judgement of God or others, then our desire to lie will be put to death. ~ How does the gospel help us stop lying?

On verse 26-27 (Anger) 1. When have you most recently experienced anger (towards you or from you)? 2. Have you seen an example of anger 'without sin'? How was it different from other forms of anger? 3. In his sermon, Carlos said that the sun should not go down with us being angry (even if it righteous anger!) - because anger is never a permanent place to stay. Even God, in his righteous anger, does not stay angry - but satisfied his anger at the cross ~ How does the gospel help us 'satisfy our anger' - even when we are right?

On verse 28 (Theft) 1. When have you experienced theft? How did it change the way you felt about your world/community? 2. Why does Paul go beyond 'not stealing' and say that we should also be generous? Is it not enough just to stop stealing? 3. Basil the Great says "When someone steals a man's clothes we call him a thief. Should we not give the same name to one who would clothe the naked and does not? The bread in your cupboard belongs to the hungry man who needs it; the shoes rotting in your closet belong to the man who has no shoes; the money which you hoard belongs to the poor.You are not making a gift of your possessions to the poor man; you are handing over to him what is his." Do you agree? 4. In his sermon, Josh said that God did not give us talents or possessions to be free from God. God gave us talents and gifts so that we can be like God! ~ How does the gospel help us understand what generosity looks like?

Practical Question

How can your group encourage our church in honesty, forgiveness and generosity? How can you help us 1. Put off the old self, 2. Put on the new self, and 3. Renew our minds?