Community Group Discussion Guide

Identity Found: Ephesians 1:11-14 – January 19, 2020

I. Starter Question:

• Without getting into any personal matters, what comes to mind when you hear the word “inheritance”? • Has someone ever given you something you did not earn or maybe even deserve that

overwhelmed you? What was your reaction?

II. Series Context:

This series seeks to resolve many of the injustices seen during our study of Judges. Last week we began by examining the beginning of Ephesians and how the Gospel is an active, undeserved, and transformative process that is a free gift from a God worthy of our praise. This week, we will continue to examine Ephesians and dive further into understanding grace, God’s will, and the ultimate plan of unity on Earth.

III. Discussion of Scripture:

Ephesians 1:11-14 (ESV)11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

Brief definitions: 1. Inheritance – to get or take as a possession: —allotted. Christ is the source of a

believer’s divine inheritance.

2. Predestined- The divine determination of human beings to eternal salvation or eternal damnation. The doctrine of predestination is a branch, so to speak, of the doctrine of election; God’s predestinating activity is a function of his existence as the electing God.

3. “to the praise of His glory” – God’s glory is the supreme purpose of his

redeeming us to Himself.

4. Sealed- Sealing a document was equivalent to the signature of the owner of the seal.

For Discussion:1. Verse 11 states that “In Him also we have obtained an inheritance”. This

statement is so certain that it is spoken of as if it has already been received. Compare this thought with I Corinthians 3:22-23 and II Peter 1:3-4.

2. Throughout the first chapter of Ephesians, what words/phrases are repeated again and again? (In Him/In Christ/grace/to the praise of His glory) What can we learn from this?

3. Before the Earth was formed, God predestined, He sovereignly determined that we would be His child, and receive His inheritance, by trusting Christ we would be made righteous. As John preached last week, how does this concept drive you to worship? How can this concept bring about praise to His glory?

4. “He works all things to the counsel of His will”. The word “works” is where the word energy, energetic and to energize comes from. When God created the world, He created it in a way where the energy was present from the beginning to operate as He planned. He energizes every believer “to the counsel of His will” with the power necessary for spiritual completion from the beginning. You see this in Philippians 1:6 and 2:13. What does this mean to you as an heir in Christ?

5. Flesh out what it means “to the praise of His glory”. We are created for His glory, to bring Him glory. This statement occurs twice in three verses. We often have the idea that God saves sinners mainly because He pities them, or wants to rescue them from eternal judgment, but God’s main purpose is that He might be glorified.

6. “After you heard the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your salvation”. Compare this with Romans 10:17. Again, how does this evangelical commission of going and telling intersect with “I am chosen, elected, predestined”?

7. John 1:12-13 says, “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” Spend time praising God for the gift of salvation that leads to being heirs with Christ. Have someone share a testimony praising God for their hearing and believing through repentance.

8. God’s own Spirit comes to dwell in the heart of a believer, thus securing and preserving our eternal salvation. This “sealing of the Holy Spirit” of which Paul refers to an official mark or identification of ownership placed on a letter, contract or other document. It signifies the authority of the one who placed their stamp on the seal. According to John MacArthur, four truths are signified by the seal:

a) Security – See Daniel 6:17, Matthew 27:62-66b) Authenticity – See I Kings 21:6-16c) Ownership – See Jeremiah 32:10d) Authority – See Esther 8:8-12

IV. Responding in Prayer:

1. Praise the Lord for this gift of salvation, an inheritance we did not earn, we do not deserve and we cannot fathom fully. Praise Him for sealing us for eternity.

2. Pray for the friendships the Lord has brought in your Community Group. Pray for our church staff as the Lord is doing a work among our staff. Pray for our potential worship pastor and his family, and the process we are entering.

3. Pray for our middle school students on their mission trip to Memphis as they share the Gospel with non-believers. Pray that God would present opportunities for them to share the good news this weekend. Pray for their return trip home on Monday.