Series Companion for Switch: Easter Changes Everything

For your convenience, this material is also offered in printer-friendly form.

Introduction

It can be easy to think that Easter is all about something that happened a long, long time ago, and might make a difference a long, long time from now. Jesus rose from the dead over 2,000 years ago, and because of this Christians hope to experience eternal life one day. But what does that have to do with today? As it turns out - everything!

Jesus' victory over death and evil was like a switch that changed the world as we know it, and it has implications for every single aspect of our lives: our relationships, our sense of self and purpose, our families, our character, and how we engage with darkness in the world. In the years right after the resurrection of Jesus, a young Christian community was learning all about this. And this spring, we'll join them in learning how Easter is more than a once-a-year celebration. It's a change for a lifetime and beyond!

If you would like to go deeper, we highly recommend reading N.T. Wright’s Ephesians: 11 studies for individuals and groups.

Series Schedule

Week 1 - Excluded to Included

Week 2 - Death to Life

Week 3 - Divided to United

Week 4 - Darkness to Light

Week 5 - Household Chores

Week 6 - Vulnerable to Prepared

Overview

This is a discussion guide for Highrock’s Switch: Easter Changes Everything sermon series that walks through the New Testament book of Ephesians. It is best used collectively with a small group. You are invited to take notes on each sermon and Scripture text and then use the reflection questions and prompts to discuss your reflection with others. You will also find a closing prayer for each week.

When considering the reflection questions: notice those that resonate with you and spend some time wrestling with them. The goal is not to answer everything or have all the “right” answers―instead, let these questions serve as a starting point for your conversation with God and others. See the Appendix of this guide for more resources and opportunities to engage with this study.

Facilitator Guide

For your convenience, this facilitator guide is also offered in printer-friendly form.

What is this guide?

Tips, tricks, and additional context for facilitators who are directing small group discussion week to week. Corresponds with Switch: Easter Changes Everything Sermon Series Companion.

What is it for?

For group facilitation or use on your own. The Weekly Session Guide section gives facilitators an outline to work from during small group discussions.

Introduction to Series Companion

Overview of Switch: Easter Changes Everything

This is a facilitator’s guide that corresponds with the Switch: Easter Changes Everything sermon series companion, which is a six-week small group study that corresponds with Highrock’s six-week Switch: Easter Changes Everything sermon series. Sermons can be viewed on Highrock Online’s YouTube channel.

Week 1: Excluded to Included

Week 2: Death to Life

Week 3: Divided to United

Week 4: Darkness to Light

Week 5: Household Chores

Week 6: Vulnerable to Prepared

In the Sermon Series Companion, there are four main components: LISTEN, READ, REFLECT, and RELATE. The Listen and Read sections are intended to be done by individuals prior to a small group meeting. Participants should come to the small group meeting prepared to share their thoughts/observations from the Listen and Read sections.

Overarching Goals

The primary objective of the Switch sermon series companion is that people will engage with the scripture text and the sermon individually, deepen/explore that engagement further through conversation with small group partners, and apply their reflection(s) to their lived faith out in the community.

Suggested Meeting Parameters

Meeting Length: 60 minutes

Kickoff (5-8 min)
Opening prayer (1 min)
(Re)read, optional (1-2 min)
Reflect (30-35 min)
Relate (15-20 min)
Closing prayer (1 min)

Materials Needed

Switch: Easter Changes Everything Sermon Series Companion
Bible
Writing utensil

Conversation Covenant

We hope that all small group discussions are lively and enriching, but sometimes conversation topics that are tough will be discussed, too. The Conversation Covenant* is an agreement to hold respect and grace toward all participants within a small group, no matter the conversation. Please adhere to the Conversation Covenant, or think about how to create one that fits your context.

I pledge:

To act in good faith, with curiosity. I will assume the best about my conversation partners when entering into our groups. I will give the benefit of the doubt, recognizing that they may know something I don’t.
To show respect. I will show respect. I will be polite and give due regard for the feelings and traditions of others. I understand that I do not have to agree with someone to show them respect.
To speak the truth. I won’t use rhetorical tricks to try to win an argument. I will speak what I genuinely believe is the nuanced truth.
To aim to discover the truth. I will not enter into a conversation with the purpose of changing the mind of anyone to my way of thinking.
To focus on what we can change. I will focus on what we can do differently in the future since we cannot change what we did in the past.
To take responsibility for the conversation. I will take responsibility for the quality of the conversation and the abidance of the rules both in principle and in spirit.
To follow the covenant even when others fail to do so. I will abide by the rules regardless of whether another person breaks them.
To lighten-up and approach the conversation in good humor. I recognize that humor is a hallmark of a constructive, generative conversation and take the conversation in good humor.

Conversation Covenant adapted from https://conversational-leadership.net/conversation-covenant/

General Tips for Guiding Conversations

Allow everyone space to share.

It’s ok to ask what people are thinking even if they don’t volunteer to share right away. But always give people the option to decline to share. Example: “Hey, Fred, you’ve been a little quiet and I’m curious to know what you think. Would you like to share anything?”

Remember there aren’t necessarily “right” answers.

Encourage participants to simply be curious about what came up for them or others without the pressure of feeling like they “should” have thought or felt anything in particular. Example: Instead of asking “what is this story supposed to be communicating?” ask “what did you notice?”

Embrace the differences.

Affirm that different people can come to different conclusions regarding the same thing. Example: “It is really interesting that the text reminded Susie of ABC, while it reminded José of XYZ. Both can be present and true.”

Adapt to suit your group’s needs.

Sometimes conversation is free-flowing and sometimes it’s easier to move through discussion questions one at a time. Do what feels right for your group, but don’t feel pressured to answer/discuss every single question.

Encourage curiosity by modeling curiosity!

Asking someone “Tell me more about XYZ” can be a really simple but effective tool to go deeper in conversation.

Don’t be afraid of silence.

It’s natural to want to fill silences or pauses in a conversation. But don’t be afraid to sit in silence with your group members. Sometimes thoughts just need time to percolate, so don’t feel like you have to rush to another question if no one shares immediately.

Refer back to the Conversation Covenant.

This is the posture that we as Highrock hold as we gather in groups. When the conversation gets tough, you can always refer back to the Conversation Covenant to remind the group that everyone has agreed to abide by this covenant in small group meetings

Weekly Session Guide

Kickoff

Jumpstart your time together with one of these “icebreaker” questions

What was a small win from your week?
On a scale of 1-10, how are you doing coming into this meeting?
If you were to describe yourself as a weather forecast today, what would you be? Example: sunny, partly cloudy, rainy with a chance of snow, etc.
Share a High/Low from your day or week.
If there were a soundtrack to your day, what would the music be?

Opening Prayer

Begin with this prayer or one of your own:

Holy and gracious God, we thank you for this time of discussion and fellowship. We invite you into this space, even as we know that you are already here before us preparing our way. May our conversation be pleasing and glorifying to you. Amen.

(re)READ (optional)

If the group finds it helpful, take a couple of minutes to read aloud the Ephesians scripture passage for that week. You can have one reader or break up the text with multiple readers.

Week 1: Ephesians 1:1-14 0

Week 2: Ephesians 2:1-10

Week 3: Ephesians 2:11-22

Week 4: Ephesians 4:1 - 5:2

Week 5: Ephesians 5:21 - 6:10

Week 6: Ephesians 6:10-17

Reflect

Spend the majority of your time discussing the following prompts. You may have time to only discuss 3 or 4 of them, which is ok! Also, see “General Tips for Guiding Conversations.”

1. Discuss with the group the observations/curiosities/ questions that came up during the Listen and Read sections. People can share their one-sentence summaries.

Here are the questions from the LISTEN and READ sections that you can go over/share together:

What are your initial reactions to the sermon? Note any curiosities, questions, or interesting points (anything surprising? controversial? mysterious? life-giving?):
Themes (What were the main topics touched upon?):
My one-sentence summary of the sermon/text:______________

Objective: For group members to show what they have been able to identify, interpret, and summarize from both that week’s sermon and scripture passage.

2. Are there connections between this scripture and your life today? What are they?

Tip: You can use what people have already named as themes of the text (what stood out to them) as a jumping-off point to begin drawing connections.

Objective: For group members to identify and relate aspects of that week’s scripture text with aspects of their present-day life.

3. Are there connections between the themes of the sermon and your life today? What are they?

Tip: You can use what people have already named as the "main point" or what stood out to them as a jumping-off point to begin drawing connections.

Objective: For group members to identify and relate aspects of that week’s sermon with aspects of their present-day life.

4. Sermon-Specific Question

Week 1: Share your own experiences of inclusion and/or exclusion.
Tip: Saying “Thanks for sharing” can go a long way to fostering an environment where people feel comfortable sharing/listening.

Week 2: What leads to death (either literal or figurative/spiritual)? What leads to life?
Tip: Different people might have different answers to this question – that’s ok!

Week 3: Share experiences of both division and unity. What was it like to be divided? What was it like to be united?
Tip: If people are struggling to answer the “what was it like…” questions, try reframing the question as “how did YOU feel in the moment of division/unity?”

Week 4: In what way(s) have you experienced transformation personally? Can you name a way you hope to grow in maturity in the future?
Tip: The discussion from this question could be great to revisit during the RELATE section.

Week 5: In this passage, Paul is writing about what it means to be faithful to the vision of the Kingdom of God in a particular context. What does it mean to be faithful to the vision of the Kingdom of God in your own context?
Tip: This particular passage may generate a lot of feelings in people. Historically, it has sometimes been used in oppressive ways that do not fully honor the image of God in everyone – and it might even be helpful for you to explicitly acknowledge that. Be gentle in this discussion and always refer back to the Conversation Covenant if/when things get tough.

Week 6: How do you understand Paul’s final call at the end of this letter? What attitudes and actions is Paul encouraging the Ephesians to take? What do you think Paul would say to your community of faith?
Tip: Remember there isn’t necessarily a “right” answer.

Objective: For group members to identify, explain, and/or interpret aspects of the themes brought out in the sermon and/or scripture text.

5. Does this week’s scripture, sermon, or discussion shift/expand/change your picture of God? of others? of yourself? If so, how?

Tip: If there is something particular that has generated a lot of discussion within your group, reference that topic/theme and then ask if that has caused people’s view of God/others/themself to shift, expand, or change.

Objective: For group members to 1) identify aspects of the scripture text, sermon, and/or discussion and apply those aspects of their understanding of God, others, and/or themself; and 2) analyze and conclude if those aspects shift, expand, or change their understanding of God, others, and/or themself.

Big Questions?

Discussions in small groups can often bring up some big questions theologically, personally, and biblically. Highrock pastors and staff are available to listen and talk through any of these with you and or your group. There may not be clear answers, but we are here with you on the journey! Don’t hesitate to reach out!

Relate

Transition the group to the following prompts to conclude your small group time. You can discuss them aloud or give participants a few minutes on their own to consider their response and then share. Remember, the aim is to intentionally consider any real implications of the text, sermon, or discussion in our daily lives as people of faith.

1. What might God be inviting you to do/pray/consider through this week’s reading, sermon, or discussion? A next step might be:________________

Tip: If people are struggling to come up with something, remind the group of something (a theme, topic, or question) that came up during discussion and then ask people to consider how God may be moving in that.

Tip: A “next step” is not about ticking off a box. Rather, it is an invitation to remember that because our faith is a lived reality it’s important to think of how that might manifest in concrete ways in our lives.

Objective: For group members to 1) assess and conclude what actionable items God might be inviting them into; and 2) formulate a plan for concrete steps to take.

2. What is the implication of this text for our lives? How do we think, feel, and act in light of this text?

Tip: It’s ok to struggle with finding the real-life implication of scripture for our lives. Sometimes it jumps out at us and sometimes it doesn’t. Affirm that it’s also ok to still wrestle with a text.

Objective: For group members to 1) determine concrete implications of the scripture text to everyday life; and 2) imagine how to think, feel, and act because of those implications.

3. Someone (else) I’d like to talk to about this with is: _________

Tip: It might be helpful to frame this step not as a “You have to do this” but as an “Out of an abundance of your own joy, who would you want to share this with? Who might the Spirit be leading you to?”

Objective: For group members to identify and plan to talk to a person outside their small group with whom they would like to further discuss their learnings.

Closing Prayer

Conclude with this prayer or one of your own.

Week 1

Inhale: God, may we draw in others
Exhale: As you draw us in

Week 2

Inhale: God, gather us in
Exhale: And make us your own

Week 3

Inhale: God of all,
Exhale: Bring us together

Week 4

Inhale: Living God,
Exhale: Fill us with your Spirit

Week 5

Inhale: God of the Covenant,
Exhale: Move us to your mission

Week 6

Inhale: God who freely serves,
Exhale: Free us to serve

Conversation Covenant

I pledge:

To act in good faith, with curiosity. I will assume the best about my conversation partners when entering into our groups. I will give the benefit of the doubt, recognizing that they may know something I don’t.
To show respect. I will show respect. I will be polite and give due regard for the feelings and traditions of others. I understand that I do not have to agree with someone to show them respect.
To speak the truth. I won’t use rhetorical tricks to try to win an argument. I will speak what I genuinely believe is the nuanced truth.
To aim to discover the truth. I will not enter into a conversation with the purpose of changing the mind of anyone to my way of thinking.
To focus on what we can change. I will focus on what we can do differently in the future since we cannot change what we did in the past.
To take responsibility for the conversation. I will take responsibility for the quality of the conversation and the abidance of the rules both in principle and in spirit.
To follow the covenant even when others fail to do so. I will abide by the rules regardless of whether another person breaks them.
To lighten-up and approach the conversation in good humor. I recognize that humor is a hallmark of a constructive, generative conversation and take the conversation in good humor.

Conversation Covenant adapted from https://conversational-leadership.net/conversation-covenant/

Weekly Reflection Questions

Week 1: Excluded to Included

Listen

Find sermons on Highrock Online's YouTube channel.

What are your initial reactions to the sermon? Note any curiosities, questions, or interesting points. (Anything surprising? controversial? mysterious? life-giving?)
What were the main topics/themes touched upon?
My one sentence summary of the sermon:____________________

Read

Do On Your Own

Read Ephesians 1:1-14

What are your initial reactions to the text? Note any curiosities, questions, or interesting points (anything surprising? controversial? mysterious? life-giving?)
What were the main topics/themes touched upon?
My one sentence summary of the text:___________________

Reflect

Discuss 3-4 of the prompts below with your small group

Discuss with your group the observations, curiosities, and/or questions that came up during the Listen and Read sections. Share your one-sentence summaries with one another.
Are there connections between this scripture and your life today?
Are there connections between the themes of the sermon and your life today?
Share your own experiences of inclusion and/or exclusion.
Does this week’s scripture, sermon, or discussion shift/expand/change your picture of God? of others? of yourself? If so, how?

Relate

Conclude your small group time with these questions
Bring the reflection of your head/heart into conversation with your community.

What might God be inviting you to do, pray, or consider through this week’s reading?
A next step might be:______________
What is the implication of this text for our lives? How do we think, feel, and act in light of this text?
Someone (else) I’d like to talk about this with is ______________________

Closing Prayer (repeat 5x)

Inhale: God, may we draw in others
Exhale: As you draw us in

Week 2: Death to Life

Listen

Find sermons on Highrock Online's YouTube channel.

What are your initial reactions to the sermon? Note any curiosities, questions, or interesting points. (Anything surprising? controversial? mysterious? life-giving?)
What were the main topics/themes touched upon?
My one sentence summary of the sermon:____________________

Read

Do On Your Own

Read Ephesians 2:1-10

What are your initial reactions to the text? Note any curiosities, questions, or interesting points (anything surprising? controversial? mysterious? life-giving?)
What were the main topics/themes touched upon?
My one sentence summary of the text:___________________

Reflect

Discuss 3-4 of the prompts below with your small group

Discuss with your group the observations, curiosities, and/or questions that came up during the Listen and Read sections. Share your one-sentence summaries with one another.
Are there connections between this scripture and your life today?
Are there connections between the themes of the sermon and your life today?
What leads to death (either literal or figurative/spiritual)? What leads to life?
Does this week’s scripture, sermon, or discussion shift/expand/change your picture of God? of others? of yourself? If so, how?

Relate

Conclude your small group time with these questions
Bring the reflection of your head/heart into conversation with your community.

What might God be inviting you to do, pray, or consider through this week’s reading?
A next step might be:______________
What is the implication of this text for our lives? How do we think, feel, and act in light of this text?
Someone (else) I’d like to talk about this with is ______________________

Closing Prayer (repeat 5x)

Inhale: God, gather us in
Exhale: And make us your own

Week 3: Divided to United

Listen

Find sermons on Highrock Online's YouTube channel.

What are your initial reactions to the sermon? Note any curiosities, questions, or interesting points. (Anything surprising? controversial? mysterious? life-giving?)
What were the main topics/themes touched upon?
My one sentence summary of the sermon:____________________

Read

Do On Your Own

Read Ephesians 2:11-22

What are your initial reactions to the text? Note any curiosities, questions, or interesting points (anything surprising? controversial? mysterious? life-giving?)
What were the main topics/themes touched upon?
My one sentence summary of the text:___________________

Reflect

Discuss 3-4 of the prompts below with your small group

Discuss with your group the observations, curiosities, and/or questions that came up during the Listen and Read sections. Share your one-sentence summaries with one another.
Are there connections between this scripture and your life today?
Are there connections between the themes of the sermon and your life today?
Share experiences of both division and unity. What was it like to be divided? What was it like to be united?
Does this week’s scripture, sermon, or discussion shift/expand/change your picture of God? of others? of yourself? If so, how?

Relate

Conclude your small group time with these questions
Bring the reflection of your head/heart into conversation with your community.

What might God be inviting you to do, pray, or consider through this week’s reading?
A next step might be:______________
What is the implication of this text for our lives? How do we think, feel, and act in light of this text?
Someone (else) I’d like to talk about this with is ______________________

Closing Prayer (repeat 5x)

Inhale: God of all,
Exhale: Bring us together

Week 4: Darkness to Light

Listen

Find sermons on Highrock Online's YouTube channel.

What are your initial reactions to the sermon? Note any curiosities, questions, or interesting points. (Anything surprising? controversial? mysterious? life-giving?)
What were the main topics/themes touched upon?
My one sentence summary of the sermon:____________________

Read

Do On Your Own

Read Ephesians 4:1 - 5:20

What are your initial reactions to the text? Note any curiosities, questions, or interesting points (anything surprising? controversial? mysterious? life-giving?)
What were the main topics/themes touched upon?
My one sentence summary of the text:___________________

Reflect

Discuss 3-4 of the prompts below with your small group

Discuss with your group the observations, curiosities, and/or questions that came up during the Listen and Read sections. Share your one-sentence summaries with one another.
Are there connections between this scripture and your life today?
Are there connections between the themes of the sermon and your life today?
In what way(s) have you experienced transformation personally? Can you name a way you hope to grow in maturity in the future?
Does this week’s scripture, sermon, or discussion shift/expand/change your picture of God? of others? of yourself? If so, how?

Relate

Conclude your small group time with these questions
Bring the reflection of your head/heart into conversation with your community.

What might God be inviting you to do, pray, or consider through this week’s reading?
A next step might be:______________
What is the implication of this text for our lives? How do we think, feel, and act in light of this text?
Someone (else) I’d like to talk about this with is ______________________

Closing Prayer (repeat 5x)

Inhale: Living God,
Exhale: Fill us with your Spirit

Week 5: Household Chores

Listen

Find sermons on Highrock Online's YouTube channel.

What are your initial reactions to the sermon? Note any curiosities, questions, or interesting points. (Anything surprising? controversial? mysterious? life-giving?)
What were the main topics/themes touched upon?
My one sentence summary of the sermon:____________________

Read

Do On Your Own

Read Ephesians 5:21 - 6:10

What are your initial reactions to the text? Note any curiosities, questions, or interesting points (anything surprising? controversial? mysterious? life-giving?)
What were the main topics/themes touched upon?
My one sentence summary of the text:___________________

Reflect

Discuss 3-4 of the prompts below with your small group

Discuss with your group the observations, curiosities, and/or questions that came up during the Listen and Read sections. Share your one-sentence summaries with one another.
Are there connections between this scripture and your life today?
Are there connections between the themes of the sermon and your life today?
In this passage, Paul is writing about what it means to be faithful to the vision of the Kingdom of God in a particular context. What does it mean to be faithful to the vision of the Kingdom of God in your own context?
Does this week’s scripture, sermon, or discussion shift/expand/change your picture of God? of others? of yourself? If so, how?

Relate

Conclude your small group time with these questions
Bring the reflection of your head/heart into conversation with your community.

What might God be inviting you to do, pray, or consider through this week’s reading?
A next step might be:______________
What is the implication of this text for our lives? How do we think, feel, and act in light of this text?
Someone (else) I’d like to talk about this with is ______________________

Closing Prayer (repeat 5x)

Inhale: God of the Covenant
Exhale: Move us to your mission

Week 6: Vulnerable to Prepared

Listen

Find sermons on Highrock Online's YouTube channel.

What are your initial reactions to the sermon? Note any curiosities, questions, or interesting points. (Anything surprising? controversial? mysterious? life-giving?)
What were the main topics/themes touched upon?
My one sentence summary of the sermon:____________________

Read

Do On Your Own

Read Ephesians 6:10-17

What are your initial reactions to the text? Note any curiosities, questions, or interesting points (anything surprising? controversial? mysterious? life-giving?)
What were the main topics/themes touched upon?
My one sentence summary of the text:___________________

Reflect

Discuss 3-4 of the prompts below with your small group

Discuss with your group the observations, curiosities, and/or questions that came up during the Listen and Read sections. Share your one-sentence summaries with one another.
Are there connections between this scripture and your life today?
Are there connections between the themes of the sermon and your life today?
How do you understand Paul’s final call at the end of this letter? What attitudes and actions is Paul encouraging the Ephesians to take? What do you think Paul would say to your community of faith?
Does this week’s scripture, sermon, or discussion shift/expand/change your picture of God? of others? of yourself? If so, how?

Relate

Conclude your small group time with these questions
Bring the reflection of your head/heart into conversation with your community.

What might God be inviting you to do, pray, or consider through this week’s reading?
A next step might be:______________
What is the implication of this text for our lives? How do we think, feel, and act in light of this text?
Someone (else) I’d like to talk about this with is ______________________

Closing Prayer (repeat 5x)

Inhale: God who freely serves,
Exhale: Free us to serve

Appendix

Chapter Summaries of Ephesians

Ephesians 1: Spiritual Blessings in Christ

A beautiful introduction to how we have received every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus. We have been adopted to sonship, we have been chosen, forgiven and redeemed. We have been marked with a seal and given the Holy Spirit as a down payment of our inheritance. Then Paul prays that we will have the revelation of Christ so we can know the hope and power we have been called to as His body, the Church of whom He is the head.

Ephesians 2: Made Alive in Christ

Starts with a reminder of God’s great love for us, that even when we were dead, Christ made us alive in Him. We have been raised and seated with Christ in heaven and all of this comes by His Grace that we receive through faith. Paul then reminds us that Christ has made one Church out of those who had the covenant (Jews) and those who were hopeless and without God (Gentiles) and reconciled both to God through the work of the cross. Now we have access to the same God and the Holy Spirit lives in us.

Ephesians 3: The Mystery of Christ

Opens with the mystery of Christ – made known through revelation by the Spirit of God – that through the gospel, Gentiles are heirs together with Israel. They are members of one body and partakers in the promise of Christ Jesus. Paul states his mission as an apostle to the Gentiles is to preach the administration of this mystery now revealed. Paul ends this chapter with a powerful prayer for believers to know and experience the love of God and to be filled to full measure of God according to the power that now lives in us.

Ephesians 4: Unity in the Body of Christ

Reminds us to live a life worthy of the calling we have received in Christ Jesus. We are called to unity as a body of believers through one Lord, one Spirit, and one hope. God has given us apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to prepare God’s people for works of service so the body of Christ may be built up and obtain the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. We are reminded to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Ephesians 5: Be Imitators of God

Emphasizes that we are to be imitators of God and live a life of love because Christ gave himself up for us as a sacrifice to God. We are to put away sexual immorality, impurity, greed, and foolish talk as it is improper for God’s holy people. We are to live as children of light and find out what pleases the Lord. We are to make use of every opportunity, to understand the Lord’s will, and to be filled with the Spirit. Paul reminds us to give thanks for God in all things and submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. The chapter ends with instructions for husbands and wives, which illustrates the profound mystery of Christ and the Church.

Ephesians 6: The Armor of God

Picks up immediately with instructions to children, parents, enslaved people, and masters. Paul gives practical instructions on how to relate well with others in whatever position you are in life. As final instructions in this letter, Paul uses the illustration of a soldier to show how we have been equipped as believers. We are to be strong in the Lord and put on this armor to withstand the devil’s schemes, as our struggle is against spiritual forces in this dark world. Paul ends this letter with an administration of grace and peace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ.

Write Out Ephesians Exercise

Writing out scripture interrupts our quick reading and makes us slow down and notice things that we might have otherwise missed. Practice writing out the letter to the Ephesians over the course of six weeks, one chapter per week. Refer to the following breakdown:

Ephesians 1 (23 verses)

Ephesians 2 (22 verses)

Ephesians 3 (21 verses)

Ephesians 4 (32 verses)

Ephesians 5 (33 verses)

Ephesians 6 (24 verses)

Additional Content

Suggested Book & Reading Plan

Ephesians: 11 studies for individuals and groups (2009) by N.T. Wright

N.T. Wright is a prominent New Testament biblical scholar. We highly recommend his book on Ephesians. You can easily read it over the course of eight weeks alongside the book of Ephesians itself for a deeper dive into the epistle. See the following reading plan:

Week 1: Read through Ephesians 1-6; N.T. Wright pages 5-9

Week 2: Ephesians 1; N.T. Wright chapters 1 & 2

Week 3: Ephesians 2; N.T. Wright chapters 3 & 4

Week 4: Ephesians 3; N.T. Wright chapters 5 & 6

Week 5: Ephesians 4; N.T. Wright chapters 7 & 8

Week 6: Ephesians 5; N.T. Wright chapters 9 & 10

Week 7: Ephesians 6; N.T. Wright chapter 11

Week 8: Conclusion

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Resources

Series Companion for Switch: Easter Changes Everything

Introduction

Series Schedule

Overview

What is this guide?

What is it for?

Allow everyone space to share.

Remember there aren’t necessarily “right” answers.

Embrace the differences.

Adapt to suit your group’s needs.

Encourage curiosity by modeling curiosity!

Don’t be afraid of silence.

Refer back to the Conversation Covenant.

1. Discuss with the group the observations/curiosities/ questions that came up during the Listen and Read sections. People can share their one-sentence summaries.

2. Are there connections between this scripture and your life today? What are they?

3. Are there connections between the themes of the sermon and your life today? What are they?

4. Sermon-Specific Question

5. Does this week’s scripture, sermon, or discussion shift/expand/change your picture of God? of others? of yourself? If so, how?

Big Questions?

1. What might God be inviting you to do/pray/consider through this week’s reading, sermon, or discussion? A next step might be:________________

2. What is the implication of this text for our lives? How do we think, feel, and act in light of this text?

3. Someone (else) I’d like to talk to about this with is: _________

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

Week 6

Weekly Reflection Questions

Listen

Read

Do On Your Own

Reflect

Discuss 3-4 of the prompts below with your small group

Relate

Conclude your small group time with these questions Bring the reflection of your head/heart into conversation with your community.

Closing Prayer (repeat 5x)

Listen

Read

Do On Your Own

Reflect

Discuss 3-4 of the prompts below with your small group

Relate

Conclude your small group time with these questions Bring the reflection of your head/heart into conversation with your community.

Closing Prayer (repeat 5x)

Listen

Read

Do On Your Own

Reflect

Discuss 3-4 of the prompts below with your small group

Relate

Conclude your small group time with these questions Bring the reflection of your head/heart into conversation with your community.

Closing Prayer (repeat 5x)

Listen

Read

Do On Your Own

Reflect

Discuss 3-4 of the prompts below with your small group

Relate

Conclude your small group time with these questions Bring the reflection of your head/heart into conversation with your community.

Closing Prayer (repeat 5x)

Listen

Read

Do On Your Own

Reflect

Discuss 3-4 of the prompts below with your small group

Relate

Conclude your small group time with these questions Bring the reflection of your head/heart into conversation with your community.

Closing Prayer (repeat 5x)

Listen

Read

Do On Your Own

Reflect

Discuss 3-4 of the prompts below with your small group

Relate

Conclude your small group time with these questions Bring the reflection of your head/heart into conversation with your community.

Closing Prayer (repeat 5x)

Appendix

Conclude your small group time with these questions
Bring the reflection of your head/heart into conversation with your community.

Conclude your small group time with these questions
Bring the reflection of your head/heart into conversation with your community.

Conclude your small group time with these questions
Bring the reflection of your head/heart into conversation with your community.

Conclude your small group time with these questions
Bring the reflection of your head/heart into conversation with your community.

Conclude your small group time with these questions
Bring the reflection of your head/heart into conversation with your community.

Conclude your small group time with these questions
Bring the reflection of your head/heart into conversation with your community.