Message Notes for July 16, 2023
Series: A Tour of Ephesians – The Walls Will Fall
Title: What Changed?

Ephesians 4: 17-24 NLT:

17 With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. 18 Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. 19 They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity. 20 But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. 21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

1. Different people, different changes, same God!

2. W_____ I___ P_____

3. Change or No Change?

James 2:14-18:

14 What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? 15 Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, 16 and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? 17 So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. 18 Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”

Family/Study Group Notes for Week of July 16th, 2023
Series: A Tour of Ephesians
Title: What Changed?

• Have you ever experienced a time in your life where you had to trust that something had been done? What was it like, not being in control? How about your spiritual life? Have you ever had to give God control of a situation or action that you couldn’t control? Did you find the need to pray? Did you find your faith grow? Why or why not?
  
  

• Read Ephesians 4:17-20. What is Paul warning the new Christians of? How do their daily lives look different than those that have not heard the good news of Christ yet?
  
  

• Continue reading Ephesians 4:21-31. What does Paul specifically tell these new Christians to be aware of in their daily life? How does their society over 2000 years ago still relate to some things we deal with today? What are some of the distractions in our lives and society today that threaten to take us from the basis of God’s truth and love? How do those things pull us away from growing and maturing in Christ?
  
  

• Read James 2:14-24. How do our actions reflect our faith? What are some Christian actions or reactions to specific life events that differ from what the world expects? How do these Godly actions grow our faith and encourage those around us?