Big Idea: You can’t know how to live until you know who you are.

Ephesians 1:1-3

• Who we are in Christ:

  1. We are adopted.

     Ephesians 1:4-6

     Deuteronomy 29:29

      

  2. We are forgiven.

     Ephesians 1:7-8

      

  3. We are enlightened.

     Ephesians 1:9-10

      

  4. We are secure.

     Ephesians 1:11-14

• You can’t know how to live until you know who you are.

MESSAGE QUESTIONS

We are beginning an 11-week series of Ephesians called Welcome Home. The climax of God’s story is the resurrection of Jesus that seals God’s victory over sin and death and promises new life to all who follow Jesus. But the story isn’t over yet—one day, God will make all things new and we will live with him forever. In the meantime, we live in the “already but not yet.” We’ve been forgiven, adopted, and given God’s spirit. But we still live in a fallen world and have to deal with sin and darkness. How should we live as a community in the middle of that reality? That’s what Ephesians is about – following Jesus as a community as we long together for his eventual return. This Sunday, we will be in Ephesians 1:1‑14, and the big idea is, “You can’t know how to live until you know who you are.”

Use these questions to discuss the message from Sunday, focusing on how you can grow as an everyday follower of Jesus and how you can go accomplish what Jesus calls you to do.

1. Have someone read Ephesians 1:1-2. What do you observe about who this letter is for? Who is Paul referring to when he says, “faithful saints”?

2. Read Ephesians 1:3-14. How many plural words do you see in this text? What identifying words do you notice in this text? How does the emphasis on community and identity impact your relationship with Jesus and others?

3. Have someone read Ephesians 1:7-8 again. What do you observe about the forgiveness that we have when we are “in Christ”? How does knowing this forgiveness change the way you forgive others?

4. In an uncertain world, we can be certain that Jesus has the final say. The reality is that those who know Jesus can be confident our identity is in him. How does that help you pursue growing in your relationship with Jesus? In Christ, we are secure.

5. You can’t know how to live until you know who you are. How does knowing who you are in Christ give you confidence to go to relationships Jesus has put around you?

Summer Break: Have a great summer! LifeGroup questions will resume Sunday, September 10.