Weekly Discussion Guide

Pastor Matt talked about what it means to live out the abundant life Jesus wants for those who follow Him, especially in the context of our relationships with other believers.

MY STORY | Starting Place
Think about the most influential person in your life, and how you would be a completely different person without that individual’s impact on you.

DIGGING DEEPER | Practical Biblical Application
For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers ... (Ephesians 5:15-16)

What’s the significance of Paul calling attention to these two things together: faith in God and love for one another? What can one without the other look like?

... that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might ... (Ephesians 1:17-19)

List out everything Paul says that’s available to the believer in these verses.

What might hinder a Christian from tapping into these things – or at least have a significantly-diminished awareness of the spiritual wealth available to him or her?

GROWING TOGETHER | Spiritual Friendship
... that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. (Ephesians 1:20-23)

What does this passage say about the scope of Jesus’ authority? Is there anything He doesn’t have authority over? Explain.

What would your life be like if God the Father had divvied up His authority instead of giving all of it—absolutely every bit of it—to Jesus Christ?

In what practical ways has Christ’s authority been delegated to you in order to act on his behalf?

What would cause that delegated authority to be increased? Removed?

MOVING OUTWARD | Faith in Action
How is the day-to-day life of the Body of Christ at Crossroads impacted by the exercise of your spiritual gifts? Who would be negatively impacted if you stopped putting your spiritual gifts into action?

If you don’t know what your spiritual gift is, take this assessment (https://giftstest.com/test) ... and then tell one of the pastors or your community group leader what you discovered.

If you already know your spiritual gift, what’s one thing you can do this week to either develop that gift, or exercise it in a brand new way?