02 Jul Discussion Guide Coming to a City Near You: A Prisoner of Christ
Before We Get Started
For our discussion today, we will be using the sermon series discussion guides. If you would like to follow along you can access this discussion guide on the website at mosaicchurchaustin.com and then select “community group resources” in the menu options.
Prayer
Because the primary goal of our time together is to establish relationships and learn how to walk with one another in all that God has called us to be and do, we’d like to begin by praying for one another. So, does anyone have anything you’d like us to pray for or anything to share regarding how you’ve seen God moving in your life that we can celebrate together?
This Week’s Topic
Today, we continue our series titled Coming Soon to a City Near You, in which we study the letter of Ephesians. Written to Christians in the ancient city of Ephesus, which is in modern-day Turkey, Ephesians announces to the world that there is a better story coming to a city near you, and the church is the screen on which the “Jesus movie” plays.
Today’s Topic
A Prisoner of Christ
Discussion Questions
What’s something you’ve risked in order to protect, defend, or stay connected to someone you care about?
Ephesians 3:1-6, 20-21
For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—
Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus….
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
The Mystery
Ephesians 3:6
This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
John M Perkins
Jesus intentionally brought together disciples who were very different – fishermen, tax collectors – not people who would naturally love one another. But he did this to show us what love looks like in practice. We have the privilege of putting this same kind of love on display as we love those in the body of Christ who don’t look like us.
What makes a story a compelling mystery?
How is the story of how we relate to people from different groups or backgrounds a mystery?
Why is our understanding of the mystery of our shared promise in Christ as believers an important piece of our faith in God?
The Manifold Wisdom
Ephesians 3:10-11
His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Note: “Manifold” is the Greek word polypoikilos, which means multicolored.
Richard Twiss
You can’t have unity without diversity.
What eternal purpose did God accomplish through Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection?
What does it cost us personally to gain wisdom from someone else’s life?
How can unity among people of diverse backgrounds and experiences create a kind of wisdom we can’t access when we are surrounded by people who are just like us?
The Miracle
Ephesians 3:20-21
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
CS Lewis
Miracles are a retelling in small letters of the very same story which is written across the whole world in letters too large for some of us to see.
How is unity in diverse communities immeasurably more than we often ask for or imagine possible?
How is God’s divine work in us as individuals and as a church body essential to the miracle of unity?
What part can you play in imagining, asking for, creating, and nurturing God’s miraculous unity in the world?
Closing Thought
Revelation 7:9-10
After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice:
“Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb.”
Spend a moment thanking God for the generous mercy of his love for us, and ask him to help you live this life the same way you will spend eternity: enjoying the blessing of unity with all kinds of different people.