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Ephesians 2:1-10
“The Walking Dead”
What’s the deal with our culture’s zombie obsession today? From big-budget blockbusters to B movies, people seem to have an insatiable appetite for the undead. Maybe it's the way they stumble around with their twisted and dark desires that resonates with us on a deeper level. But as Paul begins the second chapter of Ephesians, we learn a far more frightening fact: YOU were the walking dead!
Without God's love and grace, we'd still stumble through our days, dead in our sins.
THE BIG IDEA
Whether we knew it or not, we were living our lives — going to school, sitting in traffic, eating dinner with our families — without actually being alive! We followed our passions and did what felt good, all under the direction of "the prince of the power of the air" (Eph. 2:2). "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ ..." (Eph. 2:4-5).
In a shocking twist, through Christ, we've been reanimated! Where we once wandered selfishly and aimlessly, now we live new lives honoring our King (Eph. 2:6-7). It's a transformation only God could do — the way he did when he raised Christ from the grave (Eph. 1:19-20). There's no room for pride about our newfound life — God saved us when we couldn't save ourselves (Eph. 2:5, 8-9). We deserved death (Rom. 3:23), but God gracefully "does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities" (Psalm 103:10).
Now we're God's workmanship, created for his purposes (Eph. 2:10). We walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:4), doing good as we gratefully rejoice in his mercy and love for us!
How will you respond now that God has brought you back to life?
THE BIG QUESTION
By Grace
Live with Renewed Purpose
INTRODUCTION
Launch the study with a CONVERSATION STARTER on the Big Idea.
Read or watch “The Walking Dead” (above). What do you take from that Big Idea and Big Question? ICE BREAKER — Get everyone engaged and talking.
What embarrassing fashion trend from your past do you hope never comes back?
ACT I
FINDING JESUS — Ephesians 2:1-10
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
Deep Thoughts — Phil. 2:1-11
The goal of this exercise is to dive a bit deeper into the big ideas of this profound passage. Use the following questions to help you explore these concepts and prepare for a meaningful conversation. No pressure to be a “deep thinker” — whatever that even means! But these themes benefit from some reflection and meditation on Scripture.1. Notice two different truths about our “works” in verses 9 and 10. How would you explain to someone what it means that we are now “created for good works” (Eph. 2:10), but we’re not saved “as a result of works” (Eph. 2:9)?Why does this distinction matter, and how can misunderstanding either of those truths hinder our walk with Christ?2. List the change from verses 1-3 to verses 4-10.Status Before (Eph. 2:1-3)Status After (Eph. 2:4-10)What stands out to you about this change?3. What does this passage say about what God did, and what does it say about what you did?How do these truths affect your view of yourself, your salvation, and God?4. What do you think it means that Christ has “seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:6)? ACT III
REACH OUT — Connect with each other with this question.
What changes for you when you see yourself as God's workmanship?WRAP UP
THE CHALLENGE — Ready to put it into practice?
Write out all the verses with the word "walk" in Ephesians.REQUEST — Go to God in a closing prayer.
"Dear Savior, bless you for bringing me back to life" (cf. Eph. 2:4-5).
NEXT SESSION — One New Humanity
Prepare by reading Ephesians 2:11-22