2 Bible Study.
Read Ephesians 6:17–23 out loud, or ask a member of
the Group to do it.
3 Questions for the Group
1. How did God save you? (v.17) [By sending Jesus Christ to die on the cross.]
2. What is the sword that we can use against the devil? (v.17) [God’s words.]
3. What should we ask God for? (v.18) [Everything we need, not everything we want.]
4. Who else should we pray for? (v.18) [All God’s people.]
5. What special help does Paul ask for? (v.20) [Help to tell the good news without fear.]
Main teaching points
1. God has given us all the help we need in our fight against the powers of evil. But we
must make use of this help by believing and trusting in Jesus Christ.
2. We need to ask God for the things that we need. But we should also ask God to help
all other Christian people. We should specially ask God to help all evangelists and
missionaries, Christians whom God has called to tell the Good News of Jesus Christ to
more people.
5 Things to talk and pray about
1. Pray for evangelists and missionaries, Christians who are telling the Good
News around the world. Think if there is any way that you can help them.
2. Pray for all God’s people that we may learn how to be strong and live the way that
pleases God.
3. Pray specially for the thousands of Christians in many countries who are suffering for
Jesus Christ in prison or in other ways, because they believe in Jesus.
Things to do
Do you know anyone who is suffering for being a follower of Jesus Christ? See if you can
help them in any way by visiting them or giving them food.
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© Published by SOON Educational Publications, England 9/06
– a member of the UK Evangelical Alliance Global Connections
32
LIVING A
How to
Making Live
sense a
of life
Good Life
GOOD LIFE
A Group Study Book on
Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians
How to Live a Good Life
Notes for the Group Leader
This Study Book is written for small groups of Christians to use in a discussion group. This
can be a church meeting, or a group of Christians in a school or place of work.
This Study Book will help your Group members to become strong followers of Jesus
Christ. You will learn how to live in a way that pleases Christ. Most of the Studies are
based on a letter in the Bible written by the apostle (Christian teacher, leader and
missionary) called Paul, to Christians living in the town of Ephesus. In the Bible it is called
“Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians”.
But in the first five studies you will learn how Paul became a Christian. Then how he took
the Good News to Ephesus, and what happened there. These studies are in the “Acts of
the Apostles”, chapters 9 and 19-20.
Paul was one of the first Christian ‘missionaries’. He travelled to many countries telling
people about Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God. Often Jewish leaders were angry with
Paul because he kept on teaching people that Jesus is the Christ, the coming King. Later
on, because of all this trouble, Roman soldiers took Paul and put him in prison, first in
Jerusalem, and afterwards in Rome. From there Paul wrote this letter to the Christians in
Ephesus.
Always prepare before the meeting. First make sure there is nothing wrong
between you and God. Tell him you are sorry if you have done anything wrong. Also
put things right with anyone you have done wrong to. Ask God to fill you again with
his Holy Spirit. Then pray about the Group meeting and the people who will come.
Always read the Bible passage and notes and questions before the meeting. Ask
God to help you understand them and speak to your own heart. Then ask him to
speak to the Group members through you.
Words from the Bible in this Study are taken from the easy-English JESUS BOOK New
Testament. This is also online at:
www.soon.org.uk/ephesians
Other translations of the Bible may use slightly different words. If your Group members
speak English as a second language, try to use a simple version of the Bible. There are
different translations which are good, such as Easy to Read Bible, Contemporary English
Version, and Good News Bible.
1

Study 1. THE ENEMY WHO MET JESUS CHRIST
~ Acts 9:1-22
Notes for the Group Leader
This part of the Bible tells how Paul, the writer of this letter, became a Christian. It is an
exciting story.
v.1 the Lord’s disciples. Anyone who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, not just the first
twelve disciples.
v.2 Damascus. A town not in the land of the Jews, but many Jewish people lived there.
v.4 Saul. His Jewish name. After he became a Christian he used the name Paul.
v.15 take my name. Tell people about Jesus Christ.
v.16 suffer for my name’s sake. Later Saul (Paul) suffered much for Jesus (2 Corinthians
11:23-27).
v.17 Brother Saul. All Christians are like brothers and sisters to each other.
v.22 proved that Jesus is the Christ. They all knew that Jesus was a man who had taught
about God. They did not know, or believe, that he is the Christ, the Son of God, who
will rule over God’s Kingdom. They did not know that Jesus had died for people’s
sins and had come alive from the dead.
4Always start the meeting by speaking to God.
Ask him to speak to your Group members through the meeting. Ask the Lord Jesus
to be with you in the meeting to bless people (Matthew 18:19-20).
6To start you thinking
Ask your Group members the following question, and let them talk about it:
Do you like receiving a letter? Let Group members talk about any letters they have
received. It makes a lot of difference who the letter comes from. This Study is about Paul,
the person who wrote the Letter to the Christians in Ephesus. As you will see, at first he
was very much against Christians.
2Bible Study. Read Acts 9:1-22 out loud, or ask one of your Group
members to do it.
3Questions for the Group members
When you read out each question, always wait for someone else to give the
answer. People learn best by finding out the answer for themselves. If a person gives
the wrong answer, do not say, “No, that is wrong!” Say something like, “Well, are
you sure that is right?”, “That is interesting” or “Does anyone else have any ideas?”
The answer given here in brackets is only to help you in case no-one can think of the
answer. Sometimes there is more than one good answer.
1. What did Paul want to do to the followers of Jesus? (v.1) [Kill them.]
2. What happened to Saul when he saw the bright light? (v.8) [He became blind.]
3. Why did Ananias not want to go to Saul? (v.13) [Because Saul had caused much
trouble for the followers of Jesus.]
4. What did Saul do soon after he could see again? (v.20) [Went into the Jewish meeting
place to tell the people that Jesus is the Son of God.]
5. Why were the people surprised? (v.21) [Because Saul had killed followers of Jesus and
had come to catch more of them.]
2 31
2. Another way that the devil attacks us is when people make trouble for us, or hurt us,
because we are following Jesus. This is called persecution. In many countries, God’s
people are attacked in this way. Some are beaten, some are put in prison, some are
killed. But we must stay strong. God will help us and bless us (Matthew 5:10-11). Pray
for your enemies, because it is not really them, but the devil who is using them to
attack you.
3. We must not be afraid of the devil. God has given us the strength we need to protect
ourselves from him. Jesus Christ died for our sins. He is alive in heaven today. He can
make us strong against the devil and the spirits that do the devil’s work for him. We
must use the power of Jesus, not our own power.
4. We need to believe strongly in God’s love and power. We need to live good and true
lives. If the devil tries to make us do wrong, we must ask God for strength to do what
is right. But if we do anything wrong, we must straight away ask God to forgive us.
Always pray to God about everything you need.
5Things to talk and pray about
In what ways has the devil tried to make members of the Group do wrong, or stop
you from doing what is right? Talk about the ways that God has helped you when you
were having a fight with the devil. Don’t be afraid to say if you have sometimes failed. We
can learn a lot from our mistakes.
Give time for people to tell God they are sorry for anything wrong they have done, or
anything that they have not done which they should have done. They do not have to say
these things out loud. They can do it quietly in their minds if they wish.
Talk about the bad spirits that have power over people’s lives where you live. [Here are
some things that are at work in the world: strong drink or other drugs, immorality (wrong
sex), hatred for another tribe or race, traditional religion, idol worship, desire for money or
power, witchcraft.] Ask God to fill you again with the Holy Spirit. Then spend time praying
for people to be set free from these things.
_____________________________________________________
Study 27. THE POWER OF PRAYER ~ Ephesians 6:17-23
Notes for the Group Leader
v.17 You have been saved. God loves us and has saved us from the punishment for our
sins. He can also save us from every attack of the devil. Never forget this.
v.17 salvation. God’s power to save you from sin, and from all that is evil.
v.17 sword. A long knife used for fighting.
v.17 word of God. The words that God has spoken in the past (written in the Bible), and
words that God’s Spirit gives you to speak, when you need them.
v.17 Tychicus. One of Paul’s helpers. He carried this letter to the church in Ephesus.
4Start the meeting by asking God to teach you all how to be strong
against the devil.
6To start you thinking
Ask your Group members: Can members of the Group remember times when
God has helped them in the fight against doing wrong? Let Group members tell how God
has helped them in any way.
v.13 the bad time. Any time when the devil makes things hard for you.
v.13 to stand. To stand up strong in your spirit, not to be ‘knocked down’.
v.14-17 belt, cover for your body, shoes. In the time that Paul lived, soldiers used swords
(long knives) and arrows (pointed sticks that you can shoot with a bow). They also
used strong clothes and a shield made of iron and leather to protect themselves.
This is called armour. Paul is thinking of all these things that Roman soldiers used
in order to protect themselves. He says that in the same way, God gives us ways to
protect ourselves against the attacks of the devil and his bad spirits.
v.14 the truth. We must believe the truth about Jesus, but also we must tell the truth to
other people. The devil is the father of all lies (John 8:44). We must not give him
any room in our lives.
v.14 do what is right. If we do wrong things, we give the devil power over us. (If you do
anything wrong, straight away ask God to forgive you.)
v.14 good news of peace. Jesus Christ died to forgive us for all the wrong things we
have done, this gives peace in our hearts. If ever the devil reminds you of the
wrong things you have done, you have peace because you know God has already
forgiven you those things.
v.16 believe in God’s power. Believe that God is able to help and protect your spirit at all
times.
v.16 arrows. Ideas that come into your mind, or words from other
people, that hurt you or make you want to do something wrong.
Start the meeting by asking God to help you
4 understand what Christians must fight against.
6 To start you thinking
Ask your Group members: Is it easy to be a Christian? What
are the things that make it difficult? Is there a devil who tries to stop
us doing what is right? Can he stop us?
2 Bible Study. Read Ephesians 6:10-16.
3 Questions for the Group
1. Who makes a Christian strong? (v.10) [The Lord Jesus
Christ.]
2. Who is the main person we are fighting against? (v.11) [The
devil.]
3. What other spirits are we fighting against? (v.12) [Rulers and
powers we cannot see, bad spirits who control bad things in the
world.]
4. What is the ‘belt’ that we must fix round us. (v.14) [The truth.]
5. What must we do when the devil shoots ‘arrows’ at us? (v.16) Roman soldier in his
[Believe in God’s power to help us.] armour
Main teaching points
1. The devil fights against God’s people. He tries to trick us into doing wrong. He tries to
make us feel guilty even after God has forgiven us and forgotten those things (Micah
7:19, Jer. 31:34, Isaiah 43:25). Sometimes he tries to make us feel guilty for things that
we have not done wrong (false guilt). Sometimes he makes other people angry with us
because we follow Jesus. He wants to stop us living in God’s way and doing God’s work.
30
Main teaching points
Make sure that your Group members understand these things. You can make them plain
while they are answering and discussing the questions, or you can do it afterwards.
1. Paul (who was first called Saul) was at first very much against the followers of Jesus.
But he became a follower of Jesus after God spoke to him from heaven. Nothing is
impossible to God. Even our enemies can become followers of Jesus Christ.
2. Do not be surprised if people turn against you when you decide to follow Jesus. He
said this would happen (Matthew 10:16-22). He also told us to pray for our enemies
and do good to them (Matthew 5:43-46).
3. If God really tells you to do something, do it, even if you are a bit afraid, like Ananias.
5Things to talk and pray about
When a person starts to follow Jesus, there is often a big change in their life. Let
some of your Group members talk about the changes that God has made in their lives.
If any people where you live are very much against Christians, pray for them.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Study 2. DO YOU NEED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT GOD?
~ Acts 19:1-10
Notes for the Group Leader
v.1 Ephesus. a big town in part of the country now called Turkey (which was then called
the Roman Province of Asia, now called Asia Minor, see v.10). Some Jews lived
there, but most of the people believed in a goddess called Diana.
v.2 the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God. When a person turns to God and believes in Jesus
Christ, he needs the power of the Holy Spirit to live a life that pleases God.
v.3 baptized. John baptized (dipped) people in a river. Many Christians do the same
today in a river or a pool of clean water. Some Christians pour water on the head of a
person. This is good if there is no river or pool of clean water to use.
v.3 John’s way. This is John the Baptizer (Matthew 3:1-12; Luke 3:1-22; John 1:15-34),
not John who was one of the twelve disciples (Matthew 4:21). John the Baptizer
baptized people when they turned away from all they had done wrong, to show that
their wrongdoing (sin) was washed away. But John said that people should believe in
Jesus, who would baptize them in the Holy Spirit (John 1:33).
v.6 put his hands on them. He put his hands on their heads when praying for them to be
filled with the Holy Spirit.
v.6 spoke in tongues. The word ‘tongue’ means more than one thing. It can mean the
part of our body inside our mouth, but it can also mean different languages that
people can speak with their tongue. When the Holy Spirit came on the Christian
disciples after Jesus had gone back to heaven, they spoke in ‘other tongues’, other
languages. People from other countries heard about God in their own language
(Acts 2:1-12). Sometimes Christians today speak in ‘tongues’ when they are filled
with the Holy Spirit.
v.8 the meeting place. This was a meeting place of the Jews. There were Jewish people
in many towns like Ephesus outside the country of Israel, but many of them did not
believe what Paul said about Jesus.
v.10 province of Asia. A ‘province’ was a part of the Roman Empire. It had many towns
and villages. Ephesus was the chief city in the province.
3
4Start the meeting by talking to God in prayer. Ask him to speak to
the heart and mind of each person.
6To start you thinking
Ask your Group members: Do you need to know more about God? Let them talk
about this for a few minutes.
2Bible Study: Read Acts 19:1-10 out loud, or let one of the Group
members do it.
3Questions for the Group
When you ask the questions, give the Group members plenty of time to find the
answers for themselves if they can.
1. Who did John the Baptizer tell people to believe in? (v.4) [Jesus.]
2. What did Paul do after he had baptized these disciples in the name of Jesus? (v.6)
[Put his hands on them and prayed for them to be filled with the Holy Spirit.]
3. How did people know that these men were filled with the Holy Spirit? (v.6) [They
spoke in other tongues / languages.]
4. How long did Paul stay in Ephesus teaching about Jesus? (v.10) [More than two
years.]
5. Was it just a few people who heard about Jesus there? (v.10) [No, it was everybody in
the province of Asia.]
Main teaching points
1. These ‘disciples’ knew a little about the teaching of John the Baptist and Jesus, but
they needed to know more. They also needed to receive the power of the Holy Spirit in
their lives. There are people like that today.
2. The Bible says that the Holy Spirit works in people’s lives in different ways
(1 Corinthians 12:1-11; 14:1-33). ‘Speaking in tongues / other languages’ is only one
of them. He also wants to bring love, joy, peace and many other good things into our
lives (see Galatians 5:22-23 and 1 Corinthians 13).
3. We need God’s Holy Spirit so that we can be strong followers of Jesus Christ, so that
we can serve God, and so that we can build each other up in love. That is why we
should never argue with people about the ‘gifts’ of the Holy Spirit. Just pray for each
other, instead of arguing with each other.
4. Never argue with people about Jesus Christ if they do not want to hear about him.
Show them God’s love in every way you can.
5Things to talk and pray about
If people in your Group want to receive God’s power, ask God to fill them with the
Holy Spirit (Luke 11:9-13). Sometimes people start to ‘speak in tongues’, but it does not
matter if they do not. The important thing is that they receive power to live a life that is
good and holy and pleases God.
If you want to know more about the gifts and workings of the Holy Spirit, try to find a
Christian leader in your country who can teach you. Ask him to visit your Group one day.
But make sure that he is a person who is full of the love of Christ, full of the Holy Spirit,
and follows the teaching of the Bible. Do not choose a ‘big’ man who thinks he knows
everything and thinks that he is very important.
4 29
4Start the meeting by asking God to show you the right work to do
and how to do it.
6To start you thinking
Ask your Group members: Is it right that anyone should have power over the life
of another person, to make them work long hours for little or no pay? Does it still happen
today anywhere in the world?
2Bible Study. Read Ephesians 6:5-9 out loud, or ask a member of the
Group to do it.
3Questions for the Group
1. How should workers try to please their boss? (v.5) [As if they were working for
Christ.]
2. Why should workers work gladly for their boss? (v.7) [Because they are working for
the Lord Jesus Christ as well as for their boss.]
3. Who will repay a person for doing good things? (v.8) [The Lord.]
4. How should bosses treat their workers? (v.9) [They should be good to them.]
5. Does God love workers any less than bosses? (v.9) [No.]
Main teaching points
Everyone should do their work not just for their boss (employer), but for the Lord Jesus
Christ. They should do it as well as they can. But the boss should remember that God
sees what they do. If they do not treat their workers well, one day they will stand before
God and be punished.
5Things to talk and pray about
1. Do you have any good employers in the place where you live? Then thank
God for them, Do you have any bad employers? Then pray for them.
2. Are there people in your place who have no work? Then ask God to show you ways of
creating work. In some countries there are special organisations which try to help
people who want to start a business together.
3. In some countries today, parents who are very poor sometimes sell their children, who
must then do very hard work. Some young people are tricked into leaving their country
for a ‘good job’ in Europe or America. There they are often used as sex slaves. Pray
about these things and try to stop them if you can. Do not believe people on the
Internet (computer), who promise you a good job in another country. Never send them
money.
____________________________________________________
Study 26. HOW TO WIN THE FIGHT ~ Ephesians 6:10-16
Notes for the Group Leader
v.11 the devil. The chief bad spirit.
v.11 tricks. The devil uses clever ways to try to make us do wrong.
v.12 people of flesh and blood. Ordinary people, men and women.
v.12 rulers and powers. Bad spirits, not men and women.
v.12 darkness. All that is bad and wrong.
v.12 in the air. The place where spirits have their power, a world that we cannot see.
5. What must fathers teach their children? (v.4) [The things that children need to know,
the things that Christ would teach them.]
Main teaching points
1. God has given parents the work of caring for their children. For this reason, children
should obey their parents. But parents should not tell children to do something wrong,
like lying or stealing. If this happens, children should ask God to help them. Then they
should ask their parents if they really want them to do this wrong thing. If the parents
say “Yes,” then God will understand that the children did not want to do it.
2. Also fathers should not make life hard for their children. They should try not to make
them angry. Sometimes it is necessary to punish a child, but it is not good to beat a
child. Try to find another way of punishing a child. For example, give them a job to do
instead of going to play with their friends. Here are some important rules:
a. Punishment should never harm a child or make them afraid.
b. The purpose of punishment is to help the child know and do what is right. It should
never be harder than is necessary to teach the child this.
c. Tell children clearly the rules they must keep. The rules should teach the child what
is right and wrong, not just make life easier for the parents.
d. Tell the children what will happen if they break the rules. Give them the right
punishment if they break a rule. Don’t give them an extra hard punishment one day
just because you are angry.
e. After punishing them, always show the child that you still love them even though
they did something wrong. This is very important.
f. Treat all your children, boys and girls, the same. Do not have a ‘favourite’.
5Things to talk and pray about
Do any of the Group members have a hard time at home? Then ask God to help
them and their parents to get on better with each other. Pray also for children who are
made to do wrong things like fighting and killing. Pray also for children who are made to
earn money by having sex. These bad things happen in some countries.
___________________________________________________________
Study 25. BOSSES AND WORKERS ~ Ephesians 6:5-9
Notes for the Group Leader
v.5 servants … boss. Today, the word ‘servants’ means everyone who works for
someone else. When Paul wrote this letter, the word meant ‘slaves’, people who
were owned by their boss (master). Paul lived at a time when the people of Rome
ruled much of the world. The Romans had many thousands of slaves. Many of them
were white people. They had been taken prisoner in war, or were born as slaves.
They could not choose where to live or what they wanted to do. They had to obey
their master, or they were punished. If they ran away, they were sometimes killed.
But Paul tells them to do their work not just for their master (boss), but for Jesus
Christ. He also tells the bosses that Jesus Christ is boss over everyone, so they
should be kind to their slaves, as Jesus Christ is kind to them. One day every person
will stand before God. In God’s sight, there is no difference between a boss and a
slave. Finally this teaching brought slavery to an end in the Roman Empire. Today all
Christians believe that slavery is wrong. It was Christians who ended the slave trade
from Africa 200 years ago.
28
Study 3. GOD DOES BIG WORKS THROUGH PAUL
~ Acts 19:11-22
Notes for the Group Leader
v.13 witch-doctors. People who say they have power from spirits (not from the living
God).
v.17 Greeks. People who were not Jews. They spoke the Greek language. Many of them
were clever, but believed in false gods and idols and magic powers.
v.17 Jews. They had come from Israel at some time. They knew about the Old Testament
part of the Bible, but did not know much about Jesus.
v.21 Macedonia and Achaia. The country which is now called Greece.
v.21 Rome. A big city in Italy, chief city of the Roman Empire, which ruled many countries
around the Mediterranean Sea (between Africa and Europe).
4Start the meeting by asking God to help you understand the
wonderful ways in which he works.
6To start you thinking
Ask your Group members: Do miracles (things that seem to be impossible)
happen today? Do you know anyone who has been healed by Jesus?
2Bible Study: Read Acts 19:11-22 out loud, or ask one of your Group
members to do it.
3Questions for the Group
1. Who healed the people who were ill? Was it Paul or God? [God healed them
through Paul.]
2. What did the bad spirits say to the sons of Sceva? (v.15) [I know Jesus and I know
Paul, but who are you?]
3. When people saw all these wonderful things, what did they do? (v.17) [They were
afraid and had respect for the name of Jesus.]
4. What did they do with their books about magic? (v.19) [They burned them.]
5. What did Paul want to do after spending two years in Ephesus? (v.21) [He wanted to
travel to other countries with the Good News about Jesus Christ.]
Main teaching points
1. God wants us to tell other people about Jesus Christ. Sometimes he shows his power
by doing wonderful things, healing people and setting them free from bad spirits
(Mark 16:15-18). No-one can do these things by any power of their own, but God can
do them by the power of his Spirit.
2. It is not safe for people who do not follow Jesus Christ to try to use his name and
power.
3. People should get rid of or burn anything they have used in the past for magic or
witchcraft, and also charms or fetishes.
5To talk and pray about
Ask God to show you how to tell the Good News with power, so that people
believe. There are many ways to share the Good News, not just preaching. Talk and pray
about what gifts your members have, and the needs and problems in your area. Ask God
to show you his plan for your group.
5
Study 4. BE READY FOR TROUBLE ~ Acts 19:23 – 20:1
Notes for the Group Leader
This passage tells about some big trouble that happened to Paul at Ephesus.
v.34 he was a Jew. The Jewish people did not want the crowd to turn against them, so
they wanted Alexander to explain that Paul was nothing to do with them. But the
crowd knew that Jews did not believe in the goddess Diana, so they did not want to
listen.
v.35 the stone that fell from the sky. The people believed that one of their idols had come
to them from a god in the sky (heaven).
4Start your meeting by asking God to teach you his way of peace, if
people turn against you because you believe in Jesus.
6To start you thinking
Ask your Group members: Why is there sometimes trouble when you start telling
people the Good News about Jesus Christ? (Do not spend more than five minutes talking
about this.)
Bible Study: Read Acts 19:23 - 20:1 (This is a long section from the
2 Bible. Choose someone who can read well. You may want to study it
in two or three sections: verses 1-28; verses 29-34; verses 35-41 & chapter
20:1).
3Questions for the Group
1. Why was Demetrius angry about the teaching of Paul? (v.24-25, 27) [He was
afraid he would lose money if the people did not buy any more idol houses.]
2. Why do you think Paul wanted to go into the big meeting place? (v.30) [He probably
wanted to tell them the Good News about Jesus.]
3. Who persuaded Paul not to go into the big meeting place? (v.30-31) [The disciples
and some leaders in Asia Minor.]
4. Who stopped the people shouting? (v.35) [The city chief.]
5. Did Paul stay at Ephesus after the trouble? (20:1) [No.]
Main teaching points
1. It is good to take the Good News of Jesus to new places. Many people will be
pleased, but often some people are angry. Some people were angry with Jesus Christ,
and he said this would also happen to us (John 15:18-21). But Jesus also said we
should be happy and glad if people give us trouble for doing what is right. God will
bless us if we suffer trouble for him (Matthew 5:10-12).
2. If we suffer trouble because of Jesus, we must love our enemies and do good to them
(Matthew 5:43-48). This is very hard, but remember how Jesus asked God to forgive
the men who were nailing him to the cross (Luke 23:34). God’s Spirit helped Jesus to
do this, and the same Spirit lives in us. In this way we can show our enemies
something of God’s love.
3. Sometimes it is right to leave people if they do not want to hear about Jesus. We
should not try to make them listen (Matthew 10:14).
5Things to talk and pray about
Sometimes people get angry because you tell the Good News about Jesus Christ.
6 27
Main teaching points
1. Jesus Christ wants the church, the people of God, to be pure and holy and lovely,
because he is pure and holy and lovely. In the same way, a husband will want his wife
to be pure and holy. And a woman will want her husband to be pure and holy. They
belong to each other, as if they were only one person, one body.
2. The Bible tells us many things that please Jesus Christ in the church, and some things
that do not. Read Revelation chapters 2 and 3, and James chapter 2, as well as other
places.
5Things to talk and pray about
1. What kinds of things in a church or a Group make Jesus Christ pleased? Is he
more interested in the building or the people?
2. Thank Jesus Christ that he loves you all so much.
3. Ask God to show you in what ways you can please Jesus Christ more.
__________________________________________________________
Study 24. PARENTS AND CHILDREN ~ Ephesians 6:1-4
Notes for the Group Leader
v.1 obey your parents. The word ‘obey’ here also means to ‘listen to’. These words were
written to children whose parents followed the Lord Jesus Christ. Children need to
know that their parents listen to the Lord Jesus Christ, to know what is best.
v.2 the first law of God with a promise. God gave the people of Israel the Ten
Commandments (laws). This is the first commandment which has a promise in it. If
children respected their parents, God promised that they would live long in the land
God gave them. Children who do not respect their parents often do foolish and
wrong things, and put their lives in danger.
v.4 do not make your children angry. This can happen if parents are not fair, or do not
listen to what their children say. Sometimes a child tries to do what is right, but
makes a mistake, or does not understand. Parents should be patient, kind and
understanding. If they must punish a child, it must not be too hard, and they should
show the child that they still love him/her.
4Start the meeting by asking God to show you the right way for
parents and children to behave to each other.
6To start you thinking
Ask your Group members: What kinds of things cause trouble in the home? Is it
always children who are to blame?
2Bible Study. Read Ephesians 6:1-4.
3Questions for the Group
1. Who wants children to obey their parents? (v.1) [The Lord.]
2. What is special about this law? (v.2) [It has a promise.]
3. What does God promise to children who respect their parents? (v.3) [Life will go well
with them.]
4. What must fathers not do to their children? (v.4) [Make them angry.]

5Things to talk and pray about
1. Some men think that their wives must obey them in every way they want, like
servants. Is that what the Bible means? What do you think about it? Is it not very
selfish? Do some wives try to make their husbands do what they want, even if it is not
good (see Genesis 3:6)? Both should try to please God, and then they will be happy.
Teach people in your Group about God’s way for marriage before they get married.
(See www.soon.org.uk/aids) Pray for young people who are thinking of getting
married. Pray for husbands and wives who do not love and care for each other.
2. Some men are unkind and beat their wives. In some countries, nearly everyone
thinks this is all right. But it is not. Some men hurt their wives badly. Sometimes even
men who call themselves Christians do this. If you know anyone like this, pray for
them. If necessary, God may lead you to speak to the man, or to the church pastor,
or to the village elders. They may need to find a way to keep the wife (and children)
safe. But pray very much about it first.
_________________________________________________________
Study 23. JESUS CHRIST AND THE CHURCH
~ Ephesians 5:21-33
Notes for the Group Leader
Today we look at the same passage of the Bible again, but this time we study what Jesus
Christ thinks and feels about God’s people, the church.
v.26 holy. Really clean and good like God.
v.26 washed with water. Baptized (dipped) in water (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:41). Many
Christians dip a person right under the water, for example in a river. But do not do
this if the water is not clean. It might make people ill. In that case you can pour
clean water over a person’s head.
v.26 by God’s word. It is not enough to be baptized in water. A person also needs to
believe what God has said – that he loves us, and sent Jesus to die for us on the
cross.
4Start the meeting by asking God to show you how your Group or
church can please Jesus Christ more.
6To start you thinking
Ask your Group members: How does Jesus Christ feel about your church or
Group? If Jesus came into your meeting, would he be pleased?
2Bible Study. Read Ephesians 5:21-33 out loud, or ask a member of
the Group to do it.
3Questions for the Group
1. Who is the head of the church? (v.23) [Jesus Christ.]
2. What did he do for the church? (v.23) [He saved it.]
3. Why did Christ give his life for the church? (v.27) [To make people holy. So that he
can look at the church and see how great and wonderful his people are.]
4. Why does Christ take care of the church? (v.30) [Because we are parts of his body.]
5. If Jesus Christ loves the church so much, what does this say about the way a man
should treat his wife? (v.25) [He should be willing to give his life for his wife.]
26
What can you do if this kind of thing happens? Is it best to speak out and defend yourself?
Or is it better to keep quiet and let God work things out? (Jesus sometimes kept quiet –
see Matthew 26:63; 27:14; Luke 23:9.) What do you think would have happened if Paul
had gone into the big meeting place? What would have happened if Paul had stayed at
Ephesus? When people get angry, it is important to pray to God for help, and listen to
what he tells you to do.
_______________________________________________________________
Study 5. PAUL SPEAKS TO THE CHRISTIAN LEADERS FROM
EPHESUS ~ Acts 20:16-38
Notes for the Group Leader
This passage tells about Paul’s last meeting with the leaders of the church at Ephesus.
v.16 Jerusalem. The chief city of the Jewish people. Many Christians still lived there, but
also many Jews who did not believe in Jesus Christ.
v.16 Pentecost. A special day each year for Jews, and also for Christians (see Acts 2).
v.34 worked with my own hands. Paul worked by making tents (Acts 18:3).
4Start the meeting by asking God to speak to everyone’s heart and
mind through these words of Paul to the Ephesian Christians.
6To start you thinking
Ask your Group members: If you visited some friends for the last time, what
would you say to them?
2Bible Study: Read Acts 20:16-38 out loud, or ask one of your Group
members to do it.
3Questions for the Group
1. Was Paul a big, bossy person? (v.19) [No, he served people and even cried
about them if they did wrong or were in trouble.]
2. Did Paul only speak at big meetings, or did he visit people in their homes? (v.20) [He
visited their homes.]
3. Why was Paul willing to go to prison or put his life in danger? (v.23-24) [He wanted to
finish the work of telling the Good News, that the Lord Jesus had given him.]
4. What sort of people did Paul warn them about? (v.29) [People who would teach what
is not true.]
5. Did Paul ask people for things for himself? (v.33-34) [No, he worked to pay for what he
needed.]
Main teaching points
1. A good Christian leader is a person who takes care of people and helps them to follow
Christ. He does not want money or other things for himself. He does not want a big
name. He is willing to work hard to earn money for the things he needs. (But it is not
wrong for a Christian leader to accept food or money from the members of the church,
if they want him to spend all his time caring for them. Not all Christian leaders have
the time to earn money as Paul did.)
2. A Christian leader must give God’s people true teaching, even when they may not like
to hear the truth. He must protect them from people who want to teach things that are
not true. He is like a shepherd who looks after his sheep. He must lead them to good
7
 food for their spirit (the truth that is found in Study 22. HUSBANDS AND WIVES ~ Ephesians 5:21-33
God’s Book, the Bible), and he must
protect them from danger (attacks that Notes for the Group Leader
come from the devil and from wrong v.21 Give way to. This means doing what another person would like you to do instead of
teaching). pleasing yourself. In that way all Christians should obey one another. A wife will
‘obey’ her husband, but her husband will also want to please her. We should all try
5 Things to talk and pray about
Christian leaders are given different
to do the good things that others would like us to do. This can only happen if we all
try to do the things that Christ asks us to do.
names such as elders, pastors, ministers, v.31 leave his father and mother. This comes from Genesis 2:24. Jesus also said it
priests, bishops, or even Group Leaders. Is (Matthew 19:5). This is different from the custom in some countries, where the new
the name important? What is their work? Is it husband and wife live with the husband’s parents, and must do what they say. It is
easy? Is it sometimes dangerous? Spend good for young people to listen to their parents, but the Bible way gives young
some time praying for all the Christian leaders married people more freedom to live their lives in the way they think is right.
you know. Thank God for them. Ask God to Christians should try to live this way if their parents will let them. It leads to more
help them do their work well and give the true peace and happiness.
The shepherd cares for his sheep
teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Copyright © Global Recording Network used by permission

____________________________________________________________________
4Start the meeting by asking God to help you understand God’s way
of happiness and love in the home.

Study 6. WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR US ~ Ephesians 1:1-8
Notes for the Group Leader
Now we start to study Paul’s letter to the Ephesians (the people at Ephesus).
v.1 apostle. An apostle means a person sent by God to tell people the Good News about
Jesus Christ. Jesus chose twelve men to be apostles while he lived on earth. Paul
was not one of them, but he saw Jesus in a special way afterwards (Acts 9). God
gave him the special work of taking the Good News about Jesus to people who were
not Jews (Acts 22:21; Romans 15:16; 1 Timothy 2:7).
v.1 Christ. The great prophet, priest and king that God promised to the Jewish people. In
those days many people did not know that Jesus was the Christ. But we do, so we
call him Jesus Christ. (The word ‘Messiah’ or in some languages ‘Masih’ means the
same as ‘Christ’.)
v.1 God’s people. The people who believe in Jesus Christ (Christians, the church).
v.2 God our Father. Jesus always spoke to God as his Father. He is our Father also
(Galatians 4:6).
v.2 Lord. A ruler, a person who has power. For us it is the Lord Jesus Christ.
v.2 kindness. We do not deserve God’s kindness, but he is kind to us all anyway.
v.2 peace. Peace of heart and mind that brings happiness and joy. God does not promise
that there will never be any fighting or war.
v.3 a blessing. Something good that God has done for us or given us.
v.3 bless(ed). Speak something good or do something good for a person.
v.3 heaven. The place where God lives, where everything is good.
v.3 the Spirit. God’s Holy Spirit.
v.4 holy. Completely good like God is.
4 Start the meeting by asking God to speak to everyone’s heart and
mind today through this Bible study.
6To start you thinking
Ask your Group members: Should wives obey their husbands in everything? What
should the wife do if her husband tells her to do something wrong, like tell a lie or steal?
Talk about this for a short while, but bring it to an end after five minutes!
2Bible Study. Read Ephesians 5:21-33.
3Questions for the Group
1. Why should Christians give way to (obey) each other? (v.21) [Because we
respect Jesus Christ, we put other people above ourselves.]
2. Who is the head of the wife? (v.23) [The husband.]
3. How much should husbands love their wives? (v.25 and v.28) [As much as Christ
loved the church. As much as they love their own bodies. As much as a man loves
himself.]
4. Will a man hate or hurt his own body? (v.29) [No. So a man should never hurt his
wife.]
5. When a man marries a woman, who should he leave? (v.31) [His father and mother.]
Main teaching points
1. Jesus Christ died for each one of us. Every Christian belongs to Jesus Christ. So we
should respect each other for Christ’s sake. We should be willing to give way to each
other for Christ’s sake, even if we do not want to.
2. When two people are married, the man is the head of the wife. He should love and
take care of his wife as much as Jesus Christ loves and takes care of the church.
Then the wife will give way to her husband, because she knows that he is taking care
of her. A Christian husband should never do anything that hurts his wife. If he hurts
her without meaning to, he should be very sorry and try to put it right. If she does
something that upsets her husband, she should be sorry and try to put it right. They
should both be willing to forgive each other.

8 25
v.11 show them that they are wrong. The best way to do this is by the good way that you
live, not by saying that they are wrong.
v.14 ‘Wake up you who are asleep! Rise from death. And Christ will give you light.’
These are words that Christians sometimes said to each other in the time of Paul.
The idea may come from Isaiah 51:17 and 52:1 in the Old Testament part of the
Bible.
v.19 songs in the holy writings. The Book of Psalms in the Bible is a book of very old
Jewish songs.
Start the meeting by asking God to help you understand the power
4 of God’s Spirit.
6To start you thinking
Ask your Group members: Why do you think God gave us a time of darkness
(night-time) each day? What is the best way to use night-time? Why do bad men like the
darkness?
Bible Study. Read Ephesians 5:8-20 out loud, or ask a member of the
2 Group to do it.
3Questions for the Group
1. “You were in the dark before.” What does this mean? (v.8) [We did not know if
a thing was right or wrong, or we did not care if a thing was wrong.]
2. Who has given us ‘light’? (v.8) [Jesus Christ.]
3. How should we help people who do what is wrong? (v.11) [Show them the right way
by how we live.]
4. How should we use our time? (v.16) [Make good use of it.]
5. What kind of songs should Christians sing? (v.19) [Songs in the Bible, songs of praise,
Christian songs, songs which thank God. But at other times Christians can also sing
ordinary songs if the words are good.]
Main teaching points
1. We should use our time for everything which is good, not in the bad ways that so
many people follow, who do not know about Jesus Christ.
2. We should not get drunk with wine or other strong drink. People often say and do
wrong things when they are drunk. Be filled with God’s Spirit, and sing songs of thanks
and praise to God.
5 Things to talk and pray about and to do
1. In what ways should Christians be different from people who do not know
Jesus Christ?
2. Ask God to fill all the members of your Group with the Holy Spirit, so that they can live
their lives for Jesus Christ.
3. Sing to God some of the Christian songs that you know. Ask God to help you make up
some new ones. Sometimes you can make up Christian words for old tunes that do
not have good words. The Book of Psalms in the Bible may give you some ideas. Ask
God to help you.
24
6To start you thinking
Ask your members what God has done for them. Let each one who wishes, say
something that God has done for them. If anyone says that they don’t know, then tell them
that these studies will help them. If anyone has a problem, say that you will talk and pray
about it after the meeting, or some other time. Do not let them use up the time now.
2Bible Study. Read Ephesians 1:1-8 slowly, out loud, or ask a member
of the Group to do it.
If some members of the Group do not have a copy of the Bible, try to give them some
paper or a notebook so that they can write out the words from the Bible as you read them
slowly. Do this at the beginning of every Study. If you can do this before the meeting it will
be even better. Try to do this every week.
3Questions for the Group
When you read out each question, always wait for someone else to give the
answer. The answer given here in brackets is only to help you in case no-one can think of
a good answer. Sometimes there is more than one good answer.
1. Which people is Paul writing to? (v.1) [God’s people, who believe in Jesus Christ.]
2. Why did God plan to make us his children? (v.5) [Because he loved us.]
3. Who made it possible for us to become God’s children? (v.5) [Jesus Christ.]
4. What did Jesus Christ do to make this possible? (v.7) [Died on the cross for us.]
5. Is there anything that we can do to deserve God’s kindness and love? (v.7) [No.]
Main teaching points
Make sure that people understand these teaching points. This may happen as people talk
about the answers to the questions. But in any case, it is good to remind people of these
things at the end of the discussion.
1. It is God who has chosen to bless us through Jesus Christ. It is not because of
anything we have done. There is nothing that we can do to deserve God’s love and
kindness. He forgives us freely when we believe in (trust in) Jesus Christ.
2. We must believe in Jesus Christ. This means believing that he died on the cross to
take away our sins (the wrong things that we have done). It also means trusting and
following him, instead of the things that God has shown us are wrong.
5Things to talk and pray about
1. Take time for people to thank God for his great love and all his blessings. You
can first thank God for something yourself, to show other people how to do it. Then
you can let other people thank him. Thank him for sending Jesus Christ to die for us on
the cross. Thank him for forgiving us for everything we have done wrong. Thank him in
ordinary words. But it is also good to thank God in songs and music if God puts the
words and music in your hearts.
2. Think of some people who do not believe in Jesus Christ. Ask God to save them. Pray
specially for members of your family who are not saved, and for people that you meet
every day.
Things to do
Go and tell someone that Jesus Christ loves them and died for them.
9
Study 7. GOD’S GREAT PLAN FOR US ~ Ephesians 1:9-14
Notes for the Group Leader
v.10 everything. All God’s people, and all the angels, and everything he has made.
v.12 believed. More than believing with your head. It means trusting with all your heart.
v.14 The Holy Spirit. God’s Spirit.
4Start the meeting by asking God to speak to everyone’s heart today
through this Bible study.
6To start you thinking
Ask your Group members: Does God have a plan for your life? Does God have a
plan for the whole world? [Let the Group talk about it for a few minutes – not more than
five!]
2Bible Study. Read Ephesians 1:9-14 out loud, slowly, or ask a
member of the Group to do it.
3Questions for the Group
Remember to let other people answer each question if possible.
1. What is God’s great plan? (v.10) [To bring everything in heaven and earth together
and make Jesus Christ the head over everything and everyone.]
2. What will we share in? (v.11) [Everything that belongs to Christ.]
3. Which people will share in this wonderful plan of God? (v.12-13) [Everyone who hears
the message about Jesus Christ and believes in him.]
4. Who will make these things happen? (v.11) [God.]
5. What has God already given us to show that we have a part in his great plan? (v.14)
[The Holy Spirit.]
Main teaching points
1. God has not only saved us from the punishment for our sins. He also has a great plan
for us in the future. This plan is for us to share in the wonderful new heaven and earth
that is to come. All God’s people and all the angels will be there, with Jesus Christ as
King and Head over all (Revelation 21).
2. When we believe in Jesus Christ and trust him with all our heart, God gives us the
Holy Spirit so that we can begin to experience the love and power of God in our lives.
This is the proof that we have now, of what God wants for us in the future.
The Holy Spirit came to Jesus when he was baptized (dipped) in the River Jordan
(Matthew 3:16). The Holy Spirit comes to each of us when we first believe, but he also
comes in a special way when we are baptized, or when we ask him
(Luke 3:16; 11:13). Sometimes people speak in different words when the Holy Spirit
comes (Acts 2:4; 10:46; 19:6), but this does not always happen. It is good to ask God
each day to fill you more with the Holy Spirit.
5 Things to talk and pray about
1. Try to think what it will be like when we shall see Jesus as our Lord and King,
together with all God’s people who have ever lived, from all over the world. Of course
we cannot begin to understand how wonderful it will be, but you can think and talk
about it.
2. Talk about the ways in which the Holy Spirit has helped and changed you since you
10
these sacrifices were burned and smelled nice. But Jesus gave himself as a
wonderful sacrifice for us, and God no longer wishes us to burn sacrifices to him.
v.5 He is worshipping an idol. Idols are usually things made of wood or metal or stone
that people pray to or make sacrifices to. But here Paul tells us that any strong desire
which takes the place of God in our lives, can be like an idol.
v.6 He is angry with the people. God is angry with the wrong things that people do, but
he still loves us. It is like a father who is angry with a child who has done something
wrong, but the father still loves the child and wants the best for him or her.
v.7 have nothing to do with them. Do not join in with the wrong things they do. But you
can still do good things with them and be kind to them.
4Start the meeting by asking God to help you understand what is the
best way of talking and living.
6To start you thinking
Ask your Group members: People like jokes because they make them laugh. Are
all jokes good? What are good jokes and what are bad jokes?
2Bible Study. Ask a member of the Group to read Ephesians 5:1-7.
3Questions for the Group
1. Why should we try to be like God? (v.1) [Because we are his dear children.]
2. How much should we love others? (v.2) [As much as Christ loved us.]
3. How much did Christ love us? (v.3) [So much that he gave his life for us.]
4. Is it right to tell funny stories about wrong things? (v.4) [No.]
5. Which people is God angry with? (v.6) [People who will not obey him.]
Main teaching points
1. Jesus Christ loved us so much that he gave his life for us. That is the kind of love we
should have for other people. That is the kind of love we should copy.
2. We should copy God, not copy the bad talk and bad doings of people who do not
know or obey God.
3. We should not join with people who do bad things, but we should not tell them all the
time that they are wrong. Show them what is right by the way you live.
5Things to pray about and do
Read James 3:1-12. Ask God to help you in the way you talk.
If people know any good, clean jokes they could tell one or two now. Do not tell jokes that
are unkind to anyone. It is good to laugh sometimes. (If someone tells a joke that is not
good and clean, tell him, so that he will not tell it again. But do this with love.) A joke can
be useful when you are speaking at a meeting, if it helps people listen to what you are
saying, and remember it. Many of the parable stories that Jesus told were funny!
________________________________________________________________
Study 21. BE FILLED WITH GOD’S SPIRIT
~ Ephesians 5:8-20
Notes for the Group Leader
v.8 in the dark. Here (and in some other places in the Bible) ‘dark’ means everything
that is wrong, and ‘light’ means everything that is good (see 1 John 1:5-7).
23
Study 19. LIVING GOD’S WAY ~ Ephesians 4:25-32
Notes for the Group Leader
v.26 When you are angry. Be slow to get angry. When you are angry, you often do
something wrong (James 1:19-20). That is why it is important to stop being angry
as soon as possible, certainly before the end of the day.
4Start the meeting by asking God to help you know the right way to
live as a follower of Jesus Christ.
6To start you thinking
Ask your Group members: Have any changes come into your life since you began
to believe in Jesus Christ?
Bible Study. Read Ephesians 4:25-32 out loud, or ask a member of
2 the Group to do it.
3Questions for the Group
1. Why should we stop telling lies to each other? (v.25?) [Because we are all part
2.
of one body. We belong to one another. God does not tell lies.]
When must you stop being angry? (v.26) [Before the sun goes down. As soon as
possible.]
3.
4.
If a person used to steal, what must he do now? (v.29) [Good, honest work.]
What sort of words should we speak? (v.29) [Good things that help people.]
5. Who do we make sad if we do wrong things? (v.30) [The Holy Spirit.]
6. Why should we forgive other people? (v.32) [Because God has forgiven us.]
Main teaching point
Often we get angry because someone has hurt our selfish desires. That is wrong. The
only time we should get angry is if a person does something that will harm themselves or
someone else. But then we should be very careful not to get too angry. And we should
stop being angry as soon as possible. If you hold onto your anger, the devil can make you
do wrong things. So ask God to take the anger out of your heart and give you peace.
Then you will be able to think clearly and do the right thing.
5To pray about and to do
First be quiet, and ask God to show you if there is anything wrong between you
and another member of the Group. If there is, then say you are sorry and try to put it right.
Does anyone in the Group find it difficult to tell the truth? Is there anyone who easily
gets angry? If those people wish, other members of the Group can pray for them and ask
God to help them.
Let all the Group members ask God to help them to be kind and loving to each other,
and to everyone else where you live.
______________________________________________________
Study 20. CLEAN LIVING ~ Ephesians 5:1-7
Notes for the Group Leader
v.2 a sweet smelling offering and a sacrifice to God. In the time before Jesus lived on
earth, God told the people of Israel that he wanted them to offer sacrifices. Some of
22
first believed in Jesus Christ. If any members of your Group want to know more about
Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, pray for them. Ask God to make himself known to them
in a real way. You can all ask God to fill you again with his Holy Spirit.
Things to do
Always be ready to do anything that the Holy Spirit tells you to do (Matthew 4:1-2;
Acts 13:2; 16:4; 20:22-24).
_________________________________________________
Study 8. HOW TO PRAY FOR OTHERS ~ Ephesians 1:15-18
Notes for the Group Leader
v.18 understand these things in your heart. The words that Paul wrote, mean that he was
asking God to “open the eyes of their hearts”.
v.18 hope. In the Bible, the word ‘hope’ always means something that we can look forward
to because one day it will happen. It never means something which only might
happen.
4Start the meeting by asking God to help each Group member to
understand what God is saying to them.
6To start you thinking
What kind of things do you ask God for? Do you ask only for yourself, or also for
other people? How should you pray for other people? What sort of things should you ask
God to give them? [Let people talk about these things. Do not tell your Group members
what is right or wrong. Let them work this out when they read the words of the Bible in this
study. Give your Group about five minutes to talk about these things, and then do the
Study.]
2Bible Study. Read Ephesians 1:15-18 out loud, or ask a member of the
Group to do it.
3Questions for the Group
1. What did Paul do before he asked God for anything? (v.15) [He thanked God.]
2. What two things did he thank God for, about the Christians in Ephesus? (v.16) [That
they believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, and that they loved God’s people.]
3. What is the first thing that Paul asks for the Christians in Ephesus? (v.17) [That God will
give them minds which are wise and able to understand about God.]
4. Why did these Christians have something to hope for? (v.18) [Because God had called
them.]
5. What has God promised to his people? (v.18) [Rich and great blessings – but this does
not mean that we shall have a lot of money.]
Main teaching points
1. It is always good to start by thanking God for all his love and goodness to us, before we
ask him for anything. It is good to do this every day.
2. The best thing to ask for people, is that they will know God better. He is the only one
who can give us everything that we need to live a good life that pleases God.
3. God has promised us rich and great blessings, but this does not mean lots of money
and a rich life. God has promised us everything that we need to live a life that pleases
11
 him (2 Peter 1:3). But there were times when Jesus himself had no money
(Matthew 17:27) and apostles such as Peter and Paul sometimes had no money
(Acts 3:6; Philippians 4:12-13). So we must learn to trust God when we do not have all
the things that we think we need. Do not believe preachers or other people who say that
God will make you rich if you give money to them.
5Things to talk and pray about
1. Take time to talk about all the things that you can thank God for. Then let the
Group members thank him.
2. Ask God to help you understand more about how great he is, and about the great hope
you have because he has called you to be his people.
Things to do
The Christians in Ephesus showed their love for all of God’s people. Think of ways that
your Group can show love to all God’s people in the place where you live, not just to the
members of your Group. Are there any ways that your Group could help other church
groups? Could your Group help them in telling the Good News of Jesus Christ? Could you
form a choir to sing in different places, such as markets, hospitals or prisons, about God’s
love and power? Could you help people who are HIV+? (See www.soon.org.uk/aids)
_____________________________________________________________
Study 9. GOD’S POWER FOR YOU ~ Ephesians 1:19-23
Notes for the Group Leader
v. 22 church. In the Bible the word ‘church’ always means God’s people, not a building.
4Start the meeting by asking God to bless the members and speak to
everyone’s heart and mind today.
6To start you thinking
Ask your Group members: What sort of power do you need in your life?
2Bible Study. Read Ephesians 1:19-23 out loud, or ask a member of the
Group to do it.
3Questions for the Group
1. What do these verses say about God’s power? (v.19) [It is wonderful power. It is
very strong. He will use it to help people who believe in Christ.]
2. How did God show his great power? (v.20) [He raised Jesus Christ from death, and
gave him a special place in heaven.]
3. Who is the greatest person who ever lived or who ever will live? (v.21) [Jesus Christ.]
4. Who is the head of the church? (v.22) [Jesus Christ.]
5. What does Paul say the church (God’s people) is like? (v.23) [A body with Jesus Christ
as the head. It is our head that tells our body what to do.]
Main teaching points
1. Remind your Group members how Jesus was raised from the dead. You can read
about it at the end of each Gospel, and also in 1 Corinthians 15:1-8.
2. The head of the church (God’s people) is Jesus Christ, not any man or woman. We
should never think of any person on earth as the head (leader) of the church. Jesus
Christ is greater than any other person.
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God you are sorry if you have been proud of the gifts that God has given you. You do
not need to say this out loud.
2. Divide into groups of three or four people. Ask God to show you some of the gifts that
God has given to other members of the group. Tell each other the gifts that you think
God has given to the other members of the group. Then pray for each one to use his
or her gift to be a blessing to the Group.
3. What would you say to a person who thinks they have no gift from God?
Things to do
Is there any way that members of your Group can use their different gifts to help each
other, or the people who live in your place?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________-
Study 18. DON’T LIVE LIKE OTHER PEOPLE
~ Ephesians 4:17-24
Notes for the Group Leader
v.17 people who do not believe in God. This means people who do not believe in the
living God of the Bible, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. They may
believe in other gods.
4Start the meeting by asking God to help you understand the true
teaching of Jesus Christ in this part of the Bible.
6To start you thinking
Ask your Group members: Why do some people behave in such bad ways? [After
people have said what they think, do the Bible Study. You will find many answers to the
question. For example, people do not think clearly. Their minds are dark. They are far
away from God. They do not know his truth. They have no love in their hearts. Nothing
makes them ashamed any more.]
2Bible Study. Ask someone to read out Ephesians 4:17-24.
3Questions for the Group
1. If people do not believe in the true God, what are their minds like? (v.17)
[Dark.]
2. Who can teach us the truth? (v.21) [Jesus Christ.]
3. Should you live as the person you were before, or the new person that God has made
you? (v.22) [The new person.]
4. If a person knows the truth, what will he do? (v.24) [What is right.]
5. Who is a new person like? (v.24) [Like God.]
Main teaching point
There was a time when we lived bad lives because we did not know the truth about God.
Now we know the truth through Jesus Christ, and we have become new people. So we
must stop living the old life, and live in the way that pleases God.
5Things to think and pray about
Spend some time thinking quietly about any wrong things that have stayed in your
life after becoming a Christian. Divide into two’s and each pray that God will help the other
person to live the new life which pleases God. We all need God’s help to do this.
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Study 17. GOD’S GIFTS TO THE CHURCH
~ Ephesians 4:11-16
Notes for the Group Leader
v.11 apostles. Men called and chosen by Jesus to tell the Good News and to set up
churches.
v.11 prophets. People who give special messages from God.
v.11 evangelists. People who have the work of telling people the Good News.
v.11 pastors and teachers. People called by God to care for and teach Christians more
about Jesus Christ.
4Start the meeting by asking God to help you understand more about
his gifts.
6To start you thinking
Ask your Group members: Why are people different? Why are some people good
at growing things, and other people good at making things? Why are some people good
at being teachers, and other people good at looking after people who are ill? (We
sometimes call these things a person’s ‘gifts’ because God has given us the ability to do
these things.) Is anyone good at everything? Is it right to be proud of the gifts you have?
2Bible Study. Read Ephesians 4:11-16 out loud, or ask a member of
the Group to do it.
3Questions for the Group
1. Why did God give evangelists, pastors and teachers? (v.12) [To help God’s
people do their work. To make the body of Christ stronger.]
2. In what way are Christians sometimes like children? (v.12) [We are pushed this way
and that. We change our minds.]
3. When we say something that is true, how must we say it? (v.15) [With love.]
4. Who is the head of the body? (v.15) [Christ.]
5. If we grow up in the right way, who shall we be like? (v.15) [Christ.]
Main teaching points
1. Each of God’s people has a gift from God – that means something that we can do
well. God gives some gifts when we are born, for example a good voice for singing.
Other gifts are given to us by the Holy Spirit after we become Christians, for example
being able to pray with strong faith. All these gifts are given to us by God so that we
can use them for the good of all. A gift is nothing to be proud of. It has been given to
you by God to help people grow more like Christ.
2. We should not want the gifts of others, but thank God that they have these gifts. Each
of us should ask for and use the gift(s) that God wants us to have. Every person has
something that we can do to help people. Small things are important as well as big
things, just like the small parts of our body. (If you want to know more about the gifts
of God to the church, read 1 Corinthians, chapters 12-14. Not all Christians agree
about everything in these chapters, but it is clear that we all need to grow in Christian
love.) Read also Galatians 5:22-26.
5Things to talk and pray about
1. Spend a few minutes quietly thinking about the words you have studied. Tell
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5Things to talk and pray about
1. Ask the Group members to talk about all the ways that God showed his power
in the life of Jesus Christ, especially when God raised him from the dead.
2. Ask God to open the eyes of the Group members to God’s love and power. Then let
them tell him about the needs of themselves and their families, their nation and the
rest of the world.
____________________________________________________________
Study 10. YOU WERE DEAD ~ Ephesians 2:1-3
Notes for the Group Leader
v.1 dead. Alive in our bodies, but dead towards God.
v.2 the evil one. The devil, the chief bad spirit.
v.2 spirits in the air. Spirits that we cannot see, but they can put wrong ideas in people’s
minds and make people want to disobey God.
4Start the meeting by asking God to speak to everyone’s heart and
mind today so that they will know more of his love.
6To start you thinking
Ask your Group members: How can you tell the difference between a person who
is dead and a person who is alive? [Dead people do not talk or move at all. They do not
breathe. Their heart is not beating.]
How can you tell if a person is not alive to God? [They have no desire to love God or to
please him in the way he wants.]
2Bible Study. Read Ephesians 2:1-3 out loud, or ask a member of the
Group to do it.
3Questions for the Group
1. Why were we dead? (v.1) [Because of the wrong things we have done.]
2. Who is it that people obey, if they do not obey God? (v.2) [The evil one, the devil.]
3. Who is it that people try to please? (v.3) [Themselves, their minds and bodies.]
4. How does God feel about people who please themselves and obey the devil? (v.3)
[He is angry.]
5. Can you love a person even if they make you angry? (v.4) [Yes.]
Main teaching point
There was a time when we were all dead to God. We were doing many bad things. We
were in the power of the devil. God was angry with us, but he still loved us
(Romans 5:6-10).
5Things to talk and pray about.
1. Tell God you are sorry for all the wrong things you have done. Tell him that
you now want to live a life of good things that please him.
2. Take time for the Group members to thank God for all he has done for them through
Jesus Christ. Thank him for all his love and kindness. Thank him that you all now have
a place in heaven with Jesus Christ.
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Study 11. GOD HAS SAVED YOU ~ Ephesians 2:4-10
Notes for the Group Leader
v.5 saved. From being punished by God for all the wrong things we have done.
v.6 a place to sit in heaven. Jesus Christ is in heaven, sitting at the side of God. One
day we shall rule with him there. But even now we can rest and trust in the power of
Jesus.
4Start the meeting by asking God to bless all the members who
have come.
6To start you thinking
Ask your Group members: Has any Group member ever had their life saved ?
How do they feel about that person who saved them? How would you feel if someone
died while saving your life? How do you feel about Jesus who died on the cross to save
you?
2Bible Study. Read Ephesians 2:4-10 out loud, or ask a member of
the Group to do it.
3Questions for the Group
1. How much does God love us? (v.4) [Very, very much.]
2. How have we been saved? (v.5) [By God’s love and kindness. We have been made
alive with Jesus Christ.]
3. What is the only thing we must do to be saved? (v.8) [Believe in Jesus Christ.]
4. Have we done anything to be proud of, that has saved us? (v.9) [No.]
5. Why has God made us? (v.10) [So that we can do good things even though those
good things do not save us.]
Main teaching points
1. It was Jesus Christ who brought God’s love to us. He suffered the punishment for
the wrong things we have done. He died for us. But God made him alive again.
When people believe in Jesus Christ and trust in him, we are joined to him. God
makes us alive also, with Christ. He gives us a place in heaven, with Christ.
2. All this happens because God loves us, not because of anything good that we have
done. There was nothing we could do to help ourselves. We cannot get right with
God by trying to keep God’s laws or lead a good life. All we must do is believe in
Jesus Christ, but this means trusting our life to him, not just believing in our head.
3. God has done all this for us, so that we can now do good things that please him. We
do these good things because God first loved us and saved us, not in order to be
saved.
5 Things to talk and pray about and do
1. Ask members of the Group if any of them can say in what ways God made
them ‘alive’ after they put their faith in Jesus Christ. What difference has this made
at home or school or work?
2. Ask God to show you how to ‘rest’ in Jesus Christ. We do not need to run about
trying to do good things. God has prepared good things for us to do.
3. Ask God to show each person, and the whole Group, good things that he has
prepared for you to do.
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Study 16. GOD’S PEOPLE ARE ALL ONE BODY
~ Ephesians 4:1-10
Notes for the Group Leader
v.2 humble. This means not thinking you are better or more important than other people.
v.4 body of Christ. This does not mean the body that Jesus had when he lived on earth,
which died on the cross. Now Christ’s body in this world is made up of all the
Christians who are alive today. We are his feet and hands to help people, his face of
love, and his voice to the world.
v.5 one way to believe. Christians have different ideas about some things, but the Bible is
clear about believing in and following Jesus Christ.
v.17 grow in love … the love of Christ. The love of God always puts other people first,
just as Jesus put other people (us) first, when he was willing to die on the cross for
us.
4Start the meeting by asking God to help you understand about the
church of Jesus Christ.
6To start you thinking
Ask your Group members: Why are there so many different kinds of churches?
How should we think of Christians who belong to different churches? (Only spend a few
minutes talking about this.)
2Bible Study. Ask a Group member to read out Chapter 4:1-10.
3Questions for the Group
1. Who has called us to live as Christians? (v.1) [God.]
2. Who has made us into one body? (v.3) [God’s Spirit.]
3. Who rules over all Christians and lives in all Christians? (v.6) [God.]
4. What has Christ given to each of us? (v.7) [A blessing, a gift.]
5. Where did Christ go before he gave us gifts? (v.8) [Heaven.]
Main teaching point
God has called each of us to follow Christ. We have nothing to be proud of. Christians
should love each other and be patient with each other, because we are all followers of
Jesus Christ. We are all children of our Father God in heaven. We should live with each
other in peace, as one body. We should help each other and work together, even if we
belong to different tribes, or church groups with different names.
5Things to talk about and do
1. Take time to be quiet. Let each member of the Group ask God to show them if
they are really humble, and if they really love other people with the love of God. That
means putting other people first. Tell God you are sorry if you are not like this. Ask him
to make you more like Jesus Christ.
2. Think of ways that members of the Group can show real love to one another, and to
other people who believe in Jesus in the place where you live.
19

5Things to talk about and pray about and do
Ask your Group to think of all the blessings that God has given us through Jesus
Christ. [Here are some: we have been forgiven our sins, we are now children of God, we
have received life for ever, we can pray to God without fear. There are many others.]
Is it right to keep all the blessings of Christ for ourselves? How can we share them with
other people? What are you going to do about it?
__________________________________________________________________________________
Study 15. FILLED WITH GOD’S LOVE ~ Ephesians 3:14-21
Notes for the Group Leader
v.15 every family … gets its name from God. From the beginning, God is our great
father. The idea of families comes from God. So families are important to God.
v.16 glory. God’s beautiful light and power.
v.17 Christ live in your hearts. Jesus Christ is in heaven with God the Father. But he can
still live in our hearts by his Spirit.
4Start the meeting by asking God to help your members know more
of his love.
6To start you thinking
Ask your Group members: What is the most valuable thing in the world? Is it gold,
or money, or good health? Let people talk about this for a little while. Then tell them that
God himself, who made the whole world, loves them. How do they feel about that?
2Bible Study. Read Ephesians 3:14-21 out loud, or ask a member of
the Group to do it.
3Questions for the Group
1. Who did Paul pray to? (v.14) [The Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.]
2. Where does Christ want to live? (v.17) [In our hearts.]
3. What does Paul want all God’s people to know? (v.18) [The love of Christ.]
4. What should Christians be filled with? (v.19) [Everything that God is and has.]
5. How does God do much more than we ask or think of? (v.20) [By his power working in
us.]
Main teaching point
Jesus Christ is in heaven, but at the same time he can live in our hearts and minds by his
Spirit. We must believe that he will do this. It is God’s Spirit who makes this possible.
God’s Spirit helps us to know the wonderful love of Christ. God wants us to be filled with
the love of Christ. This really means to be filled with God himself (see John 14:23). This is
something very wonderful. It is good to think and pray about it every day. It will make a
difference to everything we say and do.
5Things to talk and pray about
What difference would it make if you were filled with the love and power of Jesus
Christ? What difference would it make in your life? What difference would it make in your
Group? What difference would it make in the village or town where you live?
Spend some time praying that these things will happen to all the Christians in your town,
village or country. Pray the same thing for all God’s people in other countries.
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Study 12. NOW YOU ARE NEAR TO GOD
~ Ephesians 2:11-16
Notes for the Group Leader
v.11 The Uncircumcised. God told Abraham to circumcise his son Isaac (Genesis
21:4). He cut away the loose skin round the tip of his son’s penis (sex part). This
is called ‘circumcision’. All the people of Israel (Jewish people) came from
Abraham, and circumcised their sons. They were very proud of it. They called
other people the ‘Uncircumcised’ (people who were not circumcised). Jewish
people thought the others were not ‘clean’ and kept away from them.
v.12 the agreements. God promised to bless the people of Israel if they kept his laws.
v.13 the blood of Jesus Christ. This means the death of Jesus Christ. He died on the
cross to take away our sins, every wrong thing that we have done. His death can
bring us near to God.
v.14 both Jews and non-Jews. If they believe in Jesus Christ. Not all Jews and non-
Jews believe in him.
v.14 the wall that divided us. There was a wall in the temple (the big house where
Jewish people prayed to God). Inside that wall the Jews prayed to God. People
who were not Jews could not go inside the wall. But now all who believe in Jesus
Christ can come near to God, both Jews and non-Jews.
v.15 made an end of the law. We cannot come near to God by keeping God’s laws
and rules, or by being circumcised, but Jesus made himself into a sacrifice on the
cross. That is how he made an end to the law.
4Start the meeting by asking God to speak to everyone’s heart and
mind today.
6To start you thinking
Ask your Group members: Is God a long way off? Many people think that God
is far away. So he will not hear their prayers unless they first go to witch-doctors or
priests or other special people, or make sacrifices to God. What do your Group think
about this? Can anyone remember a time when they felt without God in the world?
2Bible Study. Ask a member of the Group to read out
Ephesians 2:11-16.
3Questions for the Group
1. Was there a time when you did not know Christ? (v.12) [Yes]
2. Is there any hope for people without God? (v.2) [No.]
3. What can bring us near to God? (v.13) [The blood – that means the death of Jesus
Christ. He suffered the punishment that we deserve.]
4. Is it right for people who believe in Jesus Christ to be enemies of each other? (v.14)
[No, God has made peace between us.]
5. What has stopped us hating other people? (v.15-16) [The cross, the fact that Jesus
Christ died for all of us.]
Main teaching points
1. All people who believe in Jesus Christ belong together. It does not matter which
tribe or people we come from. The colour of our skin does not matter. God has
15
 broken down the ‘walls’ of hatred that often separated people before they became
Christians. (See Romans 10:12; Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:11.)
2. We do not belong to God’s people just because our parents were Christians. We
only come near to God, when each one of us believes that Jesus Christ died for the
wrong things that we have each done. We cannot become real Christians by keeping
God’s laws and rules, even if we could manage to do this.
3. The Bible makes clear that it is not necessary for Christian men or boys to be
circumcised (Galatians 5:6). NOTE: ‘Female circumcision’ is not good. This means to
cut or sew together a girl’s or a woman’s sex parts. It is a ‘custom’ or ‘tradition’ in some
countries, but it harms a woman’s body. It can cause many problems for women’s
health when they are older and want to have children. (See www.soon.org.uk/aids)
5Things to talk and pray about and do
1. In the days of Paul, there was often trouble between Jews who believed in
Jesus Christ and non-Jews who believed in Jesus Christ, two different groups of
Christians. Are there different groups of Christians who do not like each other where
you live? Do you think that God is pleased about this? What is the most important
thing that makes us belong together? [Jesus Christ died on the cross for all of us.]
2. Today, people from many different tribes and religions hate and kill each other. This
is not what God wants. God has said, “You shall not murder (kill someone against
the law)” (Exodus 20:13). Jesus said that we should love our enemies, not hate them
(Matthew 5:44). How can we do this?
3. Is it good to treat someone from another tribe or group in a different way from
someone in your own group?
___________________________________________________________________
Study 13. MAKING PEACE ~ Ephesians 2:17-22
Notes for the Group Leader
v.20. prophets. People who spoke out God’s words to people. Many prophets lived
before Jesus, and their books are in the Old Testament part of the Bible. But there
were also prophets in the church at the time when Paul wrote this (Acts 13:1).
4Start the meeting by asking God to make you all into ‘peace-
makers’ (Matthew 5:9).
6To start you thinking
Ask your Group members: How can you make peace between people?
2Bible Study. Read Ephesians 2:17-22 out loud, or ask a member of
the Group to do it.
3Questions for the Group
1. If you believe in Jesus Christ, which family do you belong to? (v.19) [God’s
family.]
2. What is God’s family like? (v.20) [A ‘house’.]
3. Who is the big stone on which God’s house rests? (v.20) [Jesus Christ.]
4. Who holds the house together? (v.21) [Jesus Christ.]
5. Who lives in this house ? (v.22) [God himself, by his Spirit.]
6. Are you part of this house? [Yes, if you belong to the Lord Jesus Christ.]
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Main teaching points
1. Many people are unhappy and angry because they do not have peace with God. They
do not have peace because they do not believe that Jesus died to forgive them for all
their sins, all the wrong things they have done.
2. God’s people should fit together like bricks or stones in a building. Jesus is the stone
that everything rests on. The apostles and prophets have given us his teaching in the
New Testament part of the Bible. So we must keep to the teaching of the Bible.
5Things to talk and pray about
Are there any groups of people where you live, who do not like each other? Jesus
said that we should love and pray for our enemies (Matthew 5:43-48). What can you do to
bring peace and friendship between different groups of people?
Study 14. GOD’S PLAN ~ Ephesians 3:1-13
Notes for the Group leader
v.1 a prisoner. Paul was in prison in Rome (Acts 28:16).
v.6 the body of Jesus Christ. Jesus is now in heaven. So now God’s people are the body
that he uses on earth.
v.10 those who rule and have power in heaven. Angels, powerful spirits.
v.10 the church people. God’s people, those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.
4Start the meeting by asking God to help you understand his great
plan for the world.
6To start you thinking
Ask your Group members: What is life all about? Why are we here on the earth?
Are we here just to enjoy ourselves? Or does God have a plan for us and the world? [Do
not spend too long talking about all these big questions. Five minutes is enough.]
2Bible Study. Ask a Group member to read Ephesians 3:1-13.
3Questions for the Group
1. What is God’s plan? (v.6) [That people who are not Jews should also share in
the blessings that God gives. They are part of the body of Christ if they believe in him.]
2. How many blessings are there for God’s people? (v.8) [So many that we can never
know them all.]
3. Why did God bless Paul? (v.9) [So that he could tell God’s plan to other people.]
4. Do Christians need to be afraid when they come to God? (v.12) [No.]
5. Did Paul want the Christians to be sorry for him in his trouble? (v.13) [No.]
Main teaching point
God made great promises to Abraham and his children, the Jewish people (Genesis 12:3;
22:17-18 and many other places). Now the Holy Spirit shows that all people everywhere
in the world can share in the blessings of God if they believe in Jesus Christ.
17