Ephesians 5:15-21

As we get into the Word this week, let us not be deceived by the empty words of this world. Instead, let us walk as children of light whose lives have been captured by Jesus and are seeking to please the Him. Let’s get into Word so the Word can get into us and change us from the inside out!


Before you start your time with God today, take a moment to pray to your God. After you pray, take time to read through the passage slowly, taking notes on what God is teaching you through His Word, and answer the questions.

As you read this week's passage, look for these words or phrases: careful, wise, foolish, drunk, filled, speaking, songs, giving thanks, and subject.

Passage for the week: Ephesians 5:15-21 (NASB)

15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise,
16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil.
17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,
19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;
20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;
21 and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.

DIGGING DEEPER

List all of the characteristics of God and any promises of God that you find in this passage.



Many times we think that in order to be wise, you must be a genius. What does a wise person look like according to verses 15-17? How can you live wisely according to this passage and make the most of the time God has given you?




Take a moment and think through what you do on a daily and weekly basis. What is it that you are doing that would be considered wise and in agreement with God’s will for your life? What is it that you are doing that would be considered foolish and against what God would have for your life?





After you have answered the questions above, ask God to give you grace and strength to carry out His will for your life and make the most of the time He has given you.



Verses 19-21 look like four separate commands in English. In Greek, however, they are actually linked to verse 18 and describe several results of being filled with the Spirit. In your own words, explain the characteristics of those who are filled with the Spirit below and one way you can live that out in your life today!


Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs


Singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord


Always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father


Be subject to one another in the fear of Christ



After looking at these verses, what characteristics are you lacking in your walk with God? Pray right now and ask God to fill you with His Spirit and give you the grace to live out these characteristics.





For His Name,

Pastor Stephen

Ephesians 5:6-14

In Ephesians 5, Paul continues to outline what it means “to live a life worthy of the calling you received” (4:1). As we are seeking to be culture warriors in this world and not culture imitators of the world, it is crucial that we are seeking to imitate and follow God! This passage will show us how we can do this and not be deceived by the darkness but to walk as children of light who please the Lord. Let’s get into Word so the Word can get into us and change us from the inside out!


Before you start your time with God today, take a moment to pray to your God. After you pray, take time to read through the passage slowly, taking notes on what God is teaching you through His Word, and answer the questions.

As you read this week's passage, look for these words or phrases: deceive, partakers, darkness, Light, unfruitful, expose.

Passage for the week: Ephesians 5:6-14 (NASB)

6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
7 Therefore do not be partakers with them;
8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light
9 (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth),
10 trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.
11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them;
12 for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.
13 But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.
14 For this reason it says, Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.

DIGGING DEEPER

List all of the characteristics of God and any promises of God that you find in this passage.



Verse 6 tells us to not be deceived with empty words and to not join up with those who disobey God. What are some of the empty words of the world that can so easily deceive us? Evaluate your life right now and see if you are being deceived.




The Scriptures are full of warnings about being deceived. Check out the following passages and really think about what God is saying through them. Then, write down what each verse is saying about being deceived and how that applies to your life today.

Romans 3:13

1 Corinthians 15:33

Galatians 6:7

2 Timothy 3:13

Titus 3:3

James 1:13-16

1 John 1:8


From these verses, how will you seek to live in the world but not be deceived into becoming just like the world?





From verses 8-14, we see Paul contrasting light and darkness in showing us how to live holy lives. According to this passage, what does it mean to live as children of light?





From verses 8-14, what does it mean to live in darkness?





What are the unfruitful works of darkness? Explain.





What kind of interaction should we have with the works of darkness? What are we commanded to do?




Spend time right now praising God for His work in your life, and pray that He will continue to give you the grace to obey Him by walking in His way and worshipping Him with your life.

For His Name,

Pastor Stephen

Ephesians 5:1-5

Welcome back to the Ephesians Edition of “Chew On It.” I hope that you are excited about what God is teaching us through these incredible verses of Scripture! We all know that not doing what is wrong is one thing. But sometimes it can be even more difficult to do what is right. In Ephesians 5, Paul continues to outline what it means “to live a life worthy of the calling you received” (4:1). He begins by telling us to walk in such a way that is patterned after God Himself! Some of you might be wondering, “How is this possible? How can I imitate God?” Paul shows us the way and what to avoid that will keep us from living out the truth that was lived by Christ.


I hope that this study in Ephesians 5 will be a blessing to you. As we are seeking to be culture warriors and not culture imitators, it is crucial that we are seeking to imitate God! This passage will show us how we can do this in how we talk and walk. Let’s get into Word so the Word can get into us and change us from the inside out!


Before you start your time with God today, take a moment to pray to your God. After you pray, take time to read through the passage slowly, taking notes on what God is teaching you through His Word, and answer the questions.

As you read this week's passage, look for these words or phrases: imitators, walk in love, sacrifice, impurity, filthiness, idolater.


Passage for the week: Ephesians 5:1-5 (NASB)

1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;
2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
3 But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints;
4 and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
5 For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

DIGGING DEEPER

Monday:

List all of the characteristics of God and any promises of God that you find in this passage.



We are told to be imitators of God, as children who are loved by God. How do children imitate? (Give some examples of your own observations of small children)




Just as children imitate their parents’ behavior (which can be a VERY humbling experience!), we are to imitate God. What do you see in the Scriptures about God that you can imitate?





From your list above, what are some characteristics or attributes of God that you will commit to begin imitating today?







Wednesday:

How is Christ the perfect example of what Paul asks of us in verse 2? How can you walk in love toward others this week by following Christ’s example?





In verse 3, some translations render the verse this way: “But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.” Explain this verse in your own words and then explain what needs to change in your life so you can live it out!






Commit the list you just wrote to the Lord in prayer right now. God’s grace was more than sufficient to cleanse you from all unrighteousness when you were saved. That same grace is still more than sufficient to empower you to say no to sin and live righteously in this perverse world (Titus 2:11-12)!







Friday:

How is giving thanks with your lips an appropriate replacement for spouting the filthy and profane language that Paul condemns in verse 4?



How can you use thanksgiving to replace sinful language in your life?




In verse 5, why will immoral, impure, or greedy people be unable to inherit the kingdom of Christ and God? Why does Paul call these kinds of people idolaters and who are they worshipping?


Spend time right now praising God for His work in your life, and pray that He will continue to give you the grace to obey Him by walking in His way and worshipping Him with your life.