Pray God would speak through His Word
Read Ephesians 5:1-21
5 Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children, 2 and walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. 3 But sexual immorality and any impurity or greed should not even be heard of[a] among you, as is proper for saints. 4 Obscene and foolish talking or crude joking are not suitable, but rather giving thanks. 5 For know and recognize this: Every sexually immoral or impure or greedy person, who is an idolater, does not have an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
6 Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for God’s wrath is coming on the disobedient[b] because of these things. 7 Therefore, do not become their partners. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light— 9 for the fruit of the light[c] consists of all goodness, righteousness, and truth— 10 testing what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Don’t participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what is done by them in secret. 13 Everything exposed by the light is made visible, 14 for what makes everything visible is light. Therefore it is said:
Get up, sleeper,
and rise up from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.
15 Pay careful attention, then, to how you live—not as unwise people but as wise— 16 making the most of the time,[d] because the days are evil. 17 So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless living, but be filled by the Spirit: 19 speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music with your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of Christ.
Ask and discuss the answers to these questions with your family.
Elementary Aged Children
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What does it look like to be an imitator of God? To treat people like God would treat them. To act in a way that would make God happy.
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What can verses 7-9 show us about who we should choose as friends? We should be the light to those who need Jesus, but surround ourselves with people who are imitators of God.
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In Verse 16, Paul says we should “make the most of the time.” How can we make the most of the time at home and school?
Teens
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What does it look like to be an imitator of God?
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Read verses 3-6. Why is it important to stay pure in these areas and what are the consequences if we don’t?
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Read verses 15-16. What does it mean to walk as wise and to make the most of the time?
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In verse 18, Paul commands “don’t get drunk with wine, but be filled by the Spirit.” Although Paul says wine, we can fill our lives with many things other than the Holy Spirit. Discuss what those things may be and compare and contrast what our lives look like when we are filled with those things rather than the Holy Spirit.
Couples
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How are we imitating Christ in our home and our workplace?
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Are there areas in our marriage where we are not being sexually moral, obscene, greedy or unthankful?
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Are there areas of darkness in our marriage we need the light of Christ to illuminate?
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In what areas are we not walking as wise and making the most of our time?
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How can we hold each other accountable to allow the Holy Spirit to fill our lives instead of filling them with the things of this world?
PRAY
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2 Comments on “Family Worship 9/11/2018 – Ephesians 5:1-21”
Love the powerful book of Ephesians! Thoughtful questions for family devotions. God bless the families that take advantage of this convenient resource.
Thank you. God needs to be first and what a great resource you have given!!