Ephesians 2: Seeing More Clearly One New Humanity In Christ

Sermon Notes:

1. Jesus is not only the anticipated Messiah of the Jews, but the Savior of ALL.
2. Christ is both peace with God and peacemaker with each other.
3. In Christ we are all one family!

Follow-up Questions from Sunday’s Message:

Getting to Know You:

What ancestry does your family come from?

Quick Review:
Looking back on last Sunday’s message and your notes, what was the most meaningful part for you?

Digging Deeper:

1. As a group, Read Ephesians 2:11-22. How would you summarize what these verses are trying to say?
2. In vs 15 Paul highlights that in Jesus God is creating one new “Humanity”. What do you think is wrong with humanity today?  How do you see Jesus changing humanity?  How did He and is He changing you?
3. What do you think is the root cause of racism in a person? How do you think Ephesians 2:8-9 should affect a person struggling with racism?
4. Read vs 14-18. How has Christ’s work in your life affected how you see and value other believers?  What “dividing wall” in our world would you most like to see Jesus take down?
5. Read Acts 10:23-48. In Acts 10, Peter and the Jews that are with him realize that Jesus is for all people and that God doesn’t show favoritism (34-35).  How did they react to this truth?  When did you first understand that God doesn’t favor one race over another?  Please share.
6. During the civil rights movement, Martin Luther King was quoted as saying that the most segregated hour in America is 11:00 am on Sunday. Do you still think this is true?
7. If your child one day asked you, “Why doesn’t racism belong in the church?”, what would you say?

Taking it Home:

Memorize Ephesians 2:14

What relationships in your life do you need to let Christ knock down walls and do a work of reconciliation?

Prayer request:

Pray for your group that the eyes of their hearts would be enlightened to see other believers as one family In Christ.