Neighborhood Study Guide

Ephesians 2:4-9
Introduction When I was in elementary school, my best friend was a real troublemaker. He was constantly getting into fight, falling asleep in class, and generally messing up. Kids and teachers alike would always ask, what is wrong with him? But because we were friends, and I regularly stayed overnight at his house, I knew. His home life was a mess. So, when I saw him acting out at school, I was able to see past it and understand where he was coming from. I also saw how hard he was trying, in spite of his circumstances. Its only when we understand our context that the things we do, and why we do them, make sense. Our history, culture, family story all help us make sense of what we do and guides our actions as well. Actions and behavior can only be determined or judged in light of their context. Its pure arrogance to think that you are merely a product of our actions and choices right now. Context matters. Thats exactly what Ephesians is all about! Too often we make religion a matter of what we do. The Bible insists instead that it is a matter of what God had done. We can only ever act in the right way when we understand the context in which we live our past, present and future, already determined and decided by God. Its not that we dont do anything, but what we do is determined by our context. Lets read and see what that means.

Ephesians 2:4-9 2:4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christby grace you have been saved6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Questions
1. What has happened to us, according to this passage? 2. Where are we, according to this passage? 3. What does our future look like, according to this passage? 4. How would you summarize the context of the Christian?

Bathed in Blessing We are, according to Paul, simply bathed in blessing. Our past has been taken care of and our future is assured. Our context is one of abundant grace. Instead of focusing constantly on what we must do, the invitation is to reflect on where we are, and acting in accordance with that. Religion so often involves reinvigorating our willpower. We know what it is right, and so we work hard to do it. But this never works for very long. Christian authors through the centuries knew this. Mere willpower will fail. We need to stir our affections and remind ourselves of the promises and goodness of God. This is where the change will happen. (Incidentally, recent ethical theories bear this ancient wisdom out authors such as Jonathan Haidt and Dan Heath argue that change only happens when we understand ourselves in light of a greater story. Mere rational decision making will not get us there.) If we dont stir our affections for good news of God, then we will end up stirring them up for something else. This is what Paul means when he refers to boasting. Boasting is a way of stirring our affections in ourselves. We boost ourselves up because we are anxious that we do not have what it takes. So these are our choices to revel in the goodness of God, or wallow in our own boasting. One leads to a glad and generous heart. The other leads to a proud and anxious one.

Questions
5. 6. What are you most likely to boast in? This doesnt mean that you are loud and boastful but inwardly you cherish this aspect of yourself and make it your foundation. Why does Paul insist so often that grace and faith are not of ourselves they are gifts from God? How might we take the gospel message and make it about ourselves and what we have done?

Practical Question
7. What are some practical ways that you and your group can stir your affections for the goodness and grace of God? Practically speaking, what has worked for you?