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Love
Teaching Text: Ephesians 5: 8-20
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the lightbecomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said:
“Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Themes
Consider these themes and ask your group what else they see in the passage:
Walk in the light
Presence
Watch or listen to the sermon. Then take a moment of silence and think about these questions:
Ask God to open your heart and mind to understand Ephesians anew as we start this season.
Thank Him for the blessings He has given you already, even those you might be unaware of.
FOR YOU WERE ONCE...
BUT NOW YOU ARE...
Throughout the letter so far we have seen Paul use this pattern of description of the believers. Have a look at what we have heard so far and thank God for how he transforms us:
You were dead in transgressions and sins
but you have been made alive by the grace of being united to Jesus
You were far away (cut off from Christ, excluded from citizenship, without hope, without God)
but you have been brought near by the blood of Christ (He is our Peace)
You were strangers and foreigners
but now you are citizens, members of the household, built together as a temple
You were infants (unstable, misled)
but you are growing into a mature body in community
You had an old life of futile thinking and deceitful desires
but now you have a new life shaped by the Holy character of God to join in making the world right
You once were partners in the way of selfishness
but know you are learning to walk in the way of love
Prayer:
I am so grateful God that you do not only accept me as I am but your great love does not leave me like that. You are always inviting me to be transformed into your likeness, inot the person you have created me to be. I confess at times I do not eagerly pursue this change. I shy away from that which you have for me. Forgive me Lord and help me embrace you Love that desires better for me.
Formation
Thoughts and notes you can use for discussion:
BIG QUESTION:
What does it mean to walk in the light?
Another question to consider: Can I change? And How can I change?
Faith is experienced as:
Surrender
Renewal
Ongoing Filling
In Ephesians, Paul uses this pattern to describe what changes happen to us:
For you were once …
But now you are …
Now in this text:
You were once darkness
But now you are light in the Lord (live as children of the light)
“You are light, live as children of the light”
What is it to live as light?
How can we do that?
What it is to live as light?
Light is visible and makes things visible - We make God and true reality visible through our lives.
Light causes certain things to grow and contributes to the divine happiness - Kingdom fruit, justice, mercy, grow in and through our lives
The Light shares in what is true of Christ - we display the truth of Jesus
How can we do that?
Make the most of your time (v 15-16)
Take back your time from the values of the world and give it to the true way of abundant life
Live what you know of God’s will - God is not keeping His will a mystery. He may be keeping the future of your circumstances a mystery though. (v 17)
Do confidently what you do know if his will - this will remove some of the agony pf the things in his will that you do not know.
Be filled with the Holy Spirit (not a substitute) (v 18)
Dont be filled with a cheap substitute for the joy and fulness of the Spirit
If sin is “escape from reality” then beware of things that offer you an escape from reality
Pass on what you receive (v 19-20)
Pass on his gift of listening, being present, showing kindness, serving one another, forgiving one another, fighting against injustice etc.
Where is your time captured by the vales of the world?
What parts of God’s will can you do right now?
What distractions from real life are you tempted by?
Love
Read these notes and discuss the questions below:
In Vs 19 and 20 Paul calls us to use our language to be grateful and encouraging to others. Living in the Light means to “Pass on what you receive
Who has God put in your life that you can love this week through encouragement?
How can you pass on encouragement this week?
