FORMATION QUESTIONS for Ephesians 4-6

SURRENDERED TO JESUS:

1. Which familiar habit or response is difficult for me to surrender to Jesus because it gives me (comfort, control, approval, escape, etc) — and how can I begin to trust Jesus with that underlying need? (4:20–24)

2. How could a more consistent attentiveness to the Holy Spirit change my daily choices, how I use my time and/or my interaction with people around me? (5:15–21)

3. What is my influence toward those closest to me (i.e. my spouse/children/or people in my circles), and what can I surrender to be more loving and living like Jesus for their good? (5:21–33; 6:4)

SENT ON MISSION:

4. If I became more intentional about serving and/or giving to others, what would change in how I earn, spend, and notice people in need? (4:28)

5. Are there environments where I have accepted something as ‘normal’, while knowing does not reflect Jesus well; and if so, what would loving and living like Jesus require me to do? (5:8–14)

6. What am I afraid of, if I speak or act openly about Jesus, and how might humbly depending on God through prayer reshape the way I enter that conversation? (6:18–20)

COMMITTED TO ONE ANOTHER:

7. How can a better understanding of my forgiveness in Christ free me to humbly confess my responsibility in a relationship and begin pursuing reconciliation? (4:25–32)

8. What does the Holy Spirit need to change (in me) in order to more tangibly love a fellow believer whose perspectives/hobbies/personality is different from mine? (4:7–16)

9. What would it look like for me to lean on the Lord’s strength, especially when I am weak in my faith; and how willing am I to let others know where I need prayer? (6:10–18)

B.O.L.D. LIVING RULE OF LIFE:

(Choose one challenge to practice intentionally this week)

BE WITH & BLESS OTHERS

>> Help someone stand firm → meet with someone facing discouragement or temptation, read the armor passage together, and pray for strength to remain faithful in truth, peace, and trust in God (6:10–18)

>> Contribute to someone’s growth → offer a gift/resource you have to help someone in your MC that may help them take a step of obedience/faithfulness, and if/when possible, serve alongside them (4:11–16)

>> Be a blessing → prayerfully set aside part of this week’s income to help meet a specific need in your church family or neighborhood (4:28)

OBSERVE & OBEY THE HOLY SPIRIT

>> Risk telling the truth → ask the Spirit to reveal where you have misled someone or hidden your responsibility, then speak honestly to the person affected and own your part (4:25)

>> Yield your preference → Prayerfully release your insistence/desire on getting your way and give someone else’s wisdom meaningful influence (5:18-21)

LOVE & LIVE LIKE JESUS

>> Practice costly love in marriage → ask your spouse what would help them feel cared for and/or respected, then make one practical ‘sacrificial’ change to meet their need (5:21–33)

>> Change the tone of parenting → parents, ask your child how your words/actions affect them; confess/apologize if it has been harsh and practice a gentler response this week (6:4)

>> Practice honor at home → children & teens: what responsibilities have your parents given to you, that you have not done, & practice doing it without a reminder or complaining (6:1–3)

DEMONSTRATE & DECLARE THE KINGDOM OF GOD

>> Make light visible → if/when tempted into a dishonest or unloving action, graciously refuse and offer an honest/loving alternative; if the conversation opens, explain how following Jesus shapes that choice (5:8–11)

>> Speak with courage → ask another believer to pray over you for courage/boldness, then pursue a respectful conversation with someone about who Jesus is and the hope he offers (6:19–20)

Pray over these things this week and humbly share the journey of living them out when you gather with your MC See less