For Sunday, November 7, 2010

Lesson prep for Sunday, November 7, 2010. Also posted on nabc-prepared.blogspot.com.

1) Ephesians 5:15-21
What stands out to you in these verses? What questions do you have? Which of these instructions is easy for you? Which is hardest?

2) Ephesians 5:15-17
Why does it matter how we choose to live? What does Paul mean by "making the most of every opportunity?" How can you understand what the Lord's will is? What is the difference between God's general will for all people and God's specific will of reach situation or individual?

3) Ephesians 5:18-20
How is being filled with the Holy Spirit different than being drunk? Why do you think Paul contrasted the two? When was the last time you encouraged someone like it is described in verse 19? How is your thankfulness rating today? this week? What are you having difficulty giving thanks for?

4) Ephesians 5:21
What does it mean to submit to one another? Who is it talking about? Why should we?
Romans 12:10; Galatians 5:13; Philippians 2:3-4; 1 Peter 5:5

For Sunday, October 31, 2010

Lesson prep for Sunday, October 31, 2010.

1) Ephesians 5:1-2
What does it mean to be an imitator of God? How are children imitators? How well does that describe how we imitate God?
Matthew 5:48; Leviticus 19:8
Are these commands encouraging or discouraging to you? Why?

2) Ephesians 5:3-7
What does Paul say to avoid in this passage? Why? What does he say we should replace these things with? How does being immoral, impure or greedy make a person an idolater?

3) Ephesians 5:8-14
What does it mean to live as children of the light?
1 John 1:5-7; 2:9-11; John 3:19-21; Matthew 5:14-16
What characterizes the life of light? The life of darkness?

4) Ephesians 5:1-14
What are the difficulties of following Paul’s instructions in this passage in our culture today? What does the passage say about humor?
Proverbs 17:22
Does God approve of humor? What kinds? How does the humor you participate in match God’s standards?

　

　

　

Class Gathering -- Service Project

Class Gathering -- Service Project

Friday, October 22, 2010
Meet at the church at 7pm
Packing party for the Ethiopia Mission Trip team

Come and help them pack the donations into suitcases! A project for the entire family!

Hope to see you there!
Any questions? Call Joy or Leanne, or comment below.

For Sunday, October 24, 2010

Lesson prep for Sunday, October 24, 2010.

1) Ephesians 4:17-19
How did Paul describe the lifestyles of the Gentiles that don’t have relationship with God? What made them lose all sensitivity to questions of right and wrong? What features of your lifestyle might others point to as evidence that you are a Christian, no longer following the way Paul described?

2) Ephesians 4:20-24
How did you come to know Christ? In what way has God made a new attitude in your mind since you’ve been following Him? What does it mean that you were created to be like God in true righteousness? In holiness?

3) Ephesians 4:25-28
What “do not” instructions does Paul give in these 4 verses? Which is hardest for you? What reasoning does he give as to why you should get rid of these things in your life?

4) Ephesians 4:29-32
What is unwholesome talk? What standard measurement of effects did Paul give for deciding if talk is unwholesome? What does it mean to grieve the Holy Spirit? In verse 31, what does this list of behaviors have in common? Which is hardest for you to get rid of? Who does verse 32 point us to as a guide for how to treat each other?

For Sunday, October 17, 2010

Reading selections and questions for Sunday, October 17, 2010

1)Ephesians 4:1-6
What does it mean to live a life worthy of your calling? Which of the characteristics in verse 2 is hardest for you? How does knowledge of the issues mentioned in verses 4-5 help us follow through with the instruction in verse 3? When is this hard? When is it easiest?

2) Ephesians 4:7-10
Who is Paul talking about? What is the main point of these verses? Draw a picture of his explanation in these verses to get a clearer idea of what he meant.
Ephesians 4:11-13
What is the goal of the spiritual gifts God has distributed to Christians? What is the difference between unity in faith and unity in knowledge? How should we measure Christian maturity, according to Paul? What builds up God’s people? What tears us down?

3) Ephesians 4:14-16
When do you feel like an infant in your spiritual life? What issues or people feel like the winds that toss you around? How does speaking the truth in love help us grow up in Christ? What holds the Body of Christ (the Church – Christians) together?

4)Psalm 133:1; Acts 4:32; Philippians 2:2-4
What is Christian unity? Why is it so important? What does our witness say about the character of God and Jesus when the church is full of disunity? How is unity accomplished? See the following verses for more ideas about participating in Christian unity.
Colossians 3:15; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Romans 12:3-6

For Sunday, October 10, 2010

Reading selections and questions for Sunday, October 10, 2010

1) Ephesians 3:14-21
What did Paul pray for them? What does this passage say about each of the following: strength? Power? Faith? Love?

2) Ephesians 3:14-21
According to Paul, how does God strengthen Christians? IN what areas of your life do you need spiritual strengthening most right now? IN verse 14, Paul says “for this reason.” For what reason? Read over Ephesians 3:10-13 and identify the reason Paul choose to pray this passage for the Ephesian Christians.

3) Ephesians 3:14-21
How does God’s love surpass knowledge? What measurements describe God’s love? Can you think of other Bible passages that describe God’s love? What does it mean to be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God?

4) Ephesians 3:20-21
Meditate on these verses, thinking of the meaning of one phrase at a time:

God is able.

God is able to do.

God is able to do immeasurably (above and beyond).

God is able to do immeasurably (above and beyond) all that we ask.

God is able to do immeasurably (above and beyond) all that we ask or imagine.

What are the implications of this on our prayer lives? Do you pray like you believe this is true? (See Ephesians 3:12)