To understand the incredible position the Ephesian church is in now, they need to understand where they have come from. They need to see the change from what they were by nature, to what they are now by grace. The primary focus of verse 5-10 is on the big idea of the grace of God as the means of our salvation. Paul mentions the word "grace" three times in v.5-10. The truth of God’s grace will deepen our worship and drive us to make His salvation known. If you are a Christian, do you glory in the wonderful reality that you have been treated with grace? Do you glory in the wonderful reality that you are treasured by grace? Do you glory in the reality that you will spend eternity as trophies of God’s grace?

1. Transformed by Grace (v.5-7)
2. Trust by Grace (v.8-9)
3. Trophies of Grace (v.10)

Because salvation is God’s doing, there is hope for even the worst of sinners. Because our salvation is totally of God, there is eternal hope for all who are dead in their sins (v.5). The dead can’t raise themselves and they can’t even decide to do so, but God is in the business of raising the dead! These verses are a wonderful summary of the gospel, the good news that God saves sinners. In verse 8-9 Paul explains that we have been saved by grace through faith, apart from any works on our part. It is all the gift of God, so that He alone gets all the glory. In verse 10, Paul explains that genuine salvation is entirely of God and it inevitably results in a life of good works. Works are the goal and the result of God’s saving work to us.

Getting Started

1. Has anyone paid a debt for you that you owed? Or have you found yourself unable to pay for your purchase because of lack of funds? Share your story.

• 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. What does it mean to be seated in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6)

4. Paul says that we have been “saved through faith” (Ephesians 2:8). Faith is the means by which we are saved. Does that mean faith is our contribution to being saved? What does the rest of the verse say about that? Be specific.

5. There might be greater things in the future that God asks of us that we feel uncomfortable with doing. How shall we get ready for such times? What truths from Ephesians 2:10 can we use to remind ourselves that we can and should accomplish these things?

The Heart of the Matter

6. How would you define saved? Does everyone mean the same thing when it is used? Give examples of this from your own experience.

7. Verses 8-10, teach us that a person cannot earn their salvation. It is God’s grace, His gift. In this case, many people will then ask, “Why do good deeds?” Some may even think that since good deeds do not save us, there is no point in doing them. How will you answer these objections?

8. Verse 10 teaches us that the church (CORPORATELY) is God’s poem or new creation, and this poem, this workmanship is a trophy of His grace that displays His nature and glory as the various parts work together in harmony. How do you respond to the idea that you are part of God’s artistic creation through the local church?