Calvary Vero Home Groups

Week of 03/23/25

Pastor Jim Gallagher

Ephesians 5:1-7

The first few chapters of the book of Ephesians tell us what God has done for us when we place our faith in Jesus. We become a Child of God, a Citizen of Heaven, a part of the Family of God, a part of the Church of Jesus Christ, and part of the Kingdom of God. Not only are we made a part of those things but we also become a participant in them.

1. Ephesians defines what it is to be a Christian, and how a Christian should live in this world. Paul uses the word "walk" (Greek: peripateo) to illustrate living the Christian life. It means to walk about; in other words, how we go about life, or how we live. Back in chapter 2 of Ephesians Paul talked about how we "once walked" in the past before we knew Jesus. Later he talks about a new way of life that God has prepared for us that we "should walk in".

- What was your life like before Jesus?
- How did you talk? 
- How did you think and what kind of attitudes did you have?
- When did you first begin to sense that God was wanting to change these things in you?

2. In Ephesians 4:1 Paul says to “Walk worthy”. Pastor Jim said, there is “Such a tremendous spiritual and invisible transformation that happens immediately when we put our faith in Jesus. There should be an equally tremendous change in the way we live as a result.” This is not a change that happens automatically, it is one that we participate in. At times, we need to be corrected, and the word of God is corrective (sometimes even forceful in its correction). Our mind must be renewed, and have an entirely new outlook on life. In every area of life we should ask "How does God see it?"

- What are some of the ways that God has changed you so that the way you live measures up to all that Jesus has done for you?
- What actions and habits went away? What took their place?
- How have your speech, thoughts and attitudes changed?
- How have those changes affected you and those around you?

3. Finally, Paul tells us to “Walk in Love”. Love is the Foundation of all Christianity. It is the most effective tool in reaching others for Jesus. The world around us has many definitions of love, but we are called to mimic Christ's love.  God's love is a holy love; it is Self-sacrificing not self-fulfilling or self-serving. We are told "therefore do not be partakers with them". In other words, we don't want the world defining the way we live. We want to walk in Love as God defines it.

- Have I met Jesus in such a way that I know that my sins are forgiven, that God is transforming me, and that I am now living in a new way? Am I experiencing His love?
- How am I showing the love of God to others? In my home? In my world? At my church? To my enemies?
- Is there something in the way of complete surrender to Jesus, allowing Him to change the way I live?

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."  Galatians 2:20