Dwelling on past sins in order to wallow in guilt or to revel in nostalgia is never a good idea, but Paul intends neither of these things when reminding readers of their condition before knowing Jesus (Eph. 2:1). Instead, the apostle wants to draw a contrast between life apart from Christ and life in Christ so as to magnify the power and grace of God in salvation. Laying the foundation for this contrast, the apostle continues describing life outside of Jesus in Ephesians 2:2–3, painting the bleakest of pictures for unredeemed sinners. Our study is divided into 3 parts:

1. Spiritually Dead (v.1-2a)
2. Destroyed by the World (v.2b-3)
3. But God (v.4)

God’s merciful turning of the believers’ depravity into salvation through Christ glorifies the workmanship of God. The passage moves from a description of the depravity of all people to the working of God’s mercy in Christ, concluding with a reminder of why our salvation is no cause for boasting. Verse 4 reminds us that even though we were the direct objects of God’s wrath, “but God,” the great subject of the gospel, has loved us and bestowed such rich mercy that we are delivered from our condition, captivity and condemnation.

Life is hopeless apart from God, “but God” makes all the difference in time and in eternity. We went from death, depravity, disobedience and being damned to being delivered—by God Himself. God delivered us and dynamically changed us because He is gracious to us. He makes hopeful what is otherwise hopeless. It is this power that Paul wants believers to meditate on and to positively respond to. 

Getting Started                          

1. Do you enjoy zombie movies? As in zombie movies, have you ever planned your survival strategy if a zombie pandemic were to take over the world? Share your imaginary strategy.

• Read Ephesians 2:1-10

2. What insight, principle, or observation from Sunday’s sermon did you find to be the most helpful, eye-opening, or troubling? 

Digging Deeper

3. “Dead” describes believers’ moral and spiritual condition prior to salvation. Based on the description of this diagnosis in Ephesians 2:1-3, what is the extent of this type of death? 

4. What is the essence of “worldliness”? How do these three enemies, the world, the devil, and the flesh, assert themselves in the lives of believers? 

5. Many try to blame their sin on the influence of the world or believe that “the devil made me do it”. What’s Paul’s answer to this in verse 3? 

The Heart of the Matter

6. One commentator said, “The world’s ideas about relationships, children, business, beauty, sex, etc. are all corrupt and lead to death. We took on board the practices of the world with no suspicion, no resistance, no reflection, not thought for the fact that the end of the world’s ways is death. We skipped merrily toward the deepest parts of hell.” Share examples of how this has been true in your life and what changed when you became a Christian. 

7. When was the last time you reflected on the hell that you were once destined for? Do your reflections motivate you to share the gospel with unbelievers around you? 

8. Does your view of God begin with His abundant mercy and great love? If not, why not?