Icebreaker:
- When you are feeling low, what do you do to pick yourself up?
- Take 15 minutes to share about what God is doing in your life, share prayer requests and pray together.
Main idea:
Your life is essential in God’s plan, but not in the way you think.
Going deeper:
- In light of this week’s sermon, what is new information, challenged, or stood out to you?
Read aloud Ephesians 1:3-14
- What is Paul’s tone in this passage?
- In your words, describe the “blessings in Christ” (v.3-9)
- List the activities and descriptions relating to the work of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit
- What does this show you about God?
- About His relationship with and goals for us?
- How does His initiative in choosing us (v.4) relate to our believing (v.13)?
- How do you know you have been “chosen” by God?
- Using these verses, how do define your purpose as a Christian?
Application:
- What motivates you to praise God and why?
- What are the benefits of God’s grace to you?
- What part of God’s plan most confuses you?
- Most encourages you?
- How does His grace make a difference in how you see yourself?
- What do you need to change in your lifestyle to live for the praise of His glory this week?
