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Ephesians 5:1-21
“Texas Switch”
Unlike Tom Cruise, most actors rely on a professional stunt double to perform their dangerous on-screen feats. To fool the audience, a cinematographer might employ the "Texas Switch," where the actor and stunt person swap places while the camera is still rolling. The actor vanishes behind something, revealing their replacement for the rest of the shot. It's a trick that's hard to unsee once you know what's happening.
Continuing from the last chapter, Paul begins this section in Ephesians 5:1-21 with some switcheroos of his own. Rather than living lives of anger and bitterness (Eph. 4:26, 31), we walk in love (Eph 5:2). Instead of spending our days hiding in the darkness of sin, we walk in the light (Eph. 5:8). No more foolish choices, we walk in wisdom as we seek God's guidance (Eph. 5:15-16).
God wants us to follow his lead by replacing destructive sinful activities with wholesome ones.
THE BIG IDEA
As with many of the sections before this one, Paul starts with a conversation about our walk — this time encouraging us to "walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us" (Eph. 5:2). We're God's children, imitating his leadership each step of the way (Eph. 5:1).
And if we're God's heirs and not "sons of disobedience" (Eph. 5:6), we're walking in the light rather than in the darkness (5:7-8). We aim to please our Father by our lives (Eph. 5:10), shining his revealing truth into the shadows of sin in and around us (Eph. 5:11). Practically speaking, instead of filthy jokes, we speak words of thanksgiving (Eph. 5:4). Instead of sexual immorality or idolatry, we stay pure (Eph. 5:5).
It's not hard to see people making foolish decisions all around us. We once made them, too! But now we walk in wisdom, allowing God to define a new standard for right and wrong (Eph. 5:17). Rather than stumbling around in drunkenness, we fill ourselves with the Spirit and sing our unending praise and thanks to God (Eph. 5:18-20).
What choices mark your new walk with the Lord?
THE BIG QUESTION
A New Walk
Swap Your Steps for the Lord’s
INTRODUCTION
Launch the study with a CONVERSATION STARTER on the Big Idea.
Read or watch “Texas Switch” (above). What do you take from that Big Idea and Big Question? ICE BREAKER — Get everyone engaged and talking.
What healthy alternative food do you reach for over the original?ACT I
FINDING JESUS — Ephesians 5:1-21
What does this passage teach you about Jesus?Of all that Paul tells us about Christ’s work and character, what strikes you the most?Why?How can reflecting on and applying this passage draw us closer to Christ?
ACT II
Scripture du Jour — Eph. 5:1-21
Summarize each paragraph, noting any major takeaways.• Eph. 5:1-2 • Eph. 5:3-14• Eph. 5:15-21Reading through this whole passage (5:1-21), what phrases and ideas stand out to you? What insight do you take from it?ACT III
REACH OUT — Connect with each other with this question.
Which aspects of this new walk might you over-emphasize and which should you pay more attention?WRAP UP
THE CHALLENGE — Ready to put it into practice?
Note three times you've chosen wisely today in your journal or to a close friend.
REQUEST — Go to God in a closing prayer.
"Lead me to imitate your love and holiness today" (cf. Eph 5:1-2).NEXT SESSION — The Household
Prepare by reading Ephesians 5:22-6:9