- John Stott said, “If the church is central to God’s purpose as seen in both history and gospel, it must surely also be central to our lives.” Is the church central to your life? If so, how?
- Read Ephesians 2:19-22. What does it mean to be a part of God’s household? How does being of God’s family differ from the description of strangers and aliens?
- The word ‘household’ has more of a family concept rather than building. Paul, however, uses a foundation to describe this household. What parts of the foundation does Paul mention? Why does he emphasize them?
- What does the phrase ‘fitted together’ refer to in verse 21? Who does the fitting? What is being fitted? What might this mean practically for our lives?
- The word for temple here refers specifically to the holy sanctuary where God dwelt. Read 1 Corinthians 3:16. We often think of each one of us as an individual temple. Examine the text closely here and see if this is the concept here. How has individualism of the West hurt our lives and churches? How does this description differ from strangers and aliens? What needs to change in us to reveal God’s solution to the disunity in our world today?
- To what degree is Living Hope fulfilling the purposes identified from Ephesians 2:19-22.
