"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God."
John 1:1
Study Questions for The Plan for Life Week 2
Read Ephesians 2:1-10
God's Story
1. The writer of Ephesians says we were once dead in our transgressions according to Ephesians 2:1-2. What caused us to be dead in transgressions?
2. According to Ephesians 2:3, what are the signs of someone who is spiritually dead?
3. Ephesians 2:4-5 makes the claim that we are alive in Christ. What gives us this life, according to the passage?
4. The writer of Ephesians implies that we are where Christ is in Ephesians 2:6-7. Where is Christ and where are we?
5. Ephesians 2:8-10 is a great biblical passage to memorize. It makes an astounding claim about grace and faith. What does it claim?
1. The writer of Ephesians says we were once dead in our transgressions according to Ephesians 2:1-2. What caused us to be dead in transgressions?
2. According to Ephesians 2:3, what are the signs of someone who is spiritually dead?
3. Ephesians 2:4-5 makes the claim that we are alive in Christ. What gives us this life, according to the passage?
4. The writer of Ephesians implies that we are where Christ is in Ephesians 2:6-7. Where is Christ and where are we?
5. Ephesians 2:8-10 is a great biblical passage to memorize. It makes an astounding claim about grace and faith. What does it claim?
My Story
1. Consider the ways you engage your life. Where do you see signs that you may continue to be dead in your transgressions? What parts of your life do you need to commit to God’s mercy and grace?
2. Are there areas of your life where you feel spiritually dead? Why do you think that is? How might a refocus on Christ in your life aid in bringing you back to life spiritually?
3. Reflect on the way that you look at your life. Are you bogged down looking at things from a worldly perspective? How might claiming the proclamation of Ephesians 2:6-7 change how you look at your life?
4. What does grace and faith mean to you in light of Ephesians 2:8-10?
1. Consider the ways you engage your life. Where do you see signs that you may continue to be dead in your transgressions? What parts of your life do you need to commit to God’s mercy and grace?
2. Are there areas of your life where you feel spiritually dead? Why do you think that is? How might a refocus on Christ in your life aid in bringing you back to life spiritually?
3. Reflect on the way that you look at your life. Are you bogged down looking at things from a worldly perspective? How might claiming the proclamation of Ephesians 2:6-7 change how you look at your life?
4. What does grace and faith mean to you in light of Ephesians 2:8-10?
The Plan for Life Questions for All Weeks
(downloadable files)
Previous Study Questions
O Come, Immanuel! Questions for All Weeks
(downloadable files)
The Greater Way Study Questions for All Weeks
(downloadable files)
Week 1: Welcome the New! - Hebrews 1:1-14
Week 2: Pioneer - Hebrews 2:5-18
Week 3: Builder - Hebrews 3:1-16
Week 4: Sabbath - Hebrews 4:1-3, 9-13
Week 5: Priest - Hebrews 4:14-5:10
Week 6: Perfection - Hebrews 6
Week 7: Faith - Hebrews 11:1-6,8,13-16
Week 8: Covenant - Hebrews 8:1-13
Week 9: Sacrifice - Hebrews 9:13-28
Week 10: Holiness - Hebrews 10:11-25
Week 11: King 12:1-7, 18-28
Week 2: Pioneer - Hebrews 2:5-18
Week 3: Builder - Hebrews 3:1-16
Week 4: Sabbath - Hebrews 4:1-3, 9-13
Week 5: Priest - Hebrews 4:14-5:10
Week 6: Perfection - Hebrews 6
Week 7: Faith - Hebrews 11:1-6,8,13-16
Week 8: Covenant - Hebrews 8:1-13
Week 9: Sacrifice - Hebrews 9:13-28
Week 10: Holiness - Hebrews 10:11-25
Week 11: King 12:1-7, 18-28
Summer of Love Study Questions for All Weeks
(downloadable files)
Week 1: Love is a Verb! - Amos 5:1-17
Week 2: Let it Roll! - Amos 5:18-27
Week 3: The Measure of Love! - Amos 7:1-17
Week 4: Summer Fruit - Amos 8:1-14
Week 5: A Match Made in Heaven - Hosea 1:1-11
Week 6: The Scandal of Redeeming Love - Hosea 2:2-23
Week 7: Finding the Way Home - Hosea 4:1-19
Week 8: What Am I Going to Do with You? - Hosea 5:1-15
Week 9: Third Day Love - Hosea 6:1-7:16
Week 10: The Heart of a Parent - Hosea 11:1-11
Week 11: Free Love at Last! - Hosea 14:1-9
Week 2: Let it Roll! - Amos 5:18-27
Week 3: The Measure of Love! - Amos 7:1-17
Week 4: Summer Fruit - Amos 8:1-14
Week 5: A Match Made in Heaven - Hosea 1:1-11
Week 6: The Scandal of Redeeming Love - Hosea 2:2-23
Week 7: Finding the Way Home - Hosea 4:1-19
Week 8: What Am I Going to Do with You? - Hosea 5:1-15
Week 9: Third Day Love - Hosea 6:1-7:16
Week 10: The Heart of a Parent - Hosea 11:1-11
Week 11: Free Love at Last! - Hosea 14:1-9
Holy Trinity Sunday
(downloadable file)
April 19 - May 31, 2020
Exile and the Kingdom Study Questions for All Weeks
(downloadable files)
We are a church whose unity is in Jesus Christ, who gathers us around word and water, wine and bread. We believe that people meet God in Scripture, where God’s relationship to — and intention for — humankind is revealed.
The Book of Faith Initiative strives to increase biblical literacy and fluency for the sake of the world. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is committed to this five-year initiative encouraging members, congregations and synods to dig deeper into our book of faith — the Bible.
For many, the encounter with Scripture is limited to the excerpts that are read on Sunday morning. Many of us — and many of our neighbors — are somewhat intimidated and unsure of how to engage Scripture. We believe all are invited to open Scripture and join the conversation.
In order to delve deeper in the word, the Book of Faith Initiative recommends a four-fold method for reading the Bible: devotional, historical, literary and Lutheran theological reading. It’s up to you and your faith community to decide how the Book of Faith Initiative will become a vital part of your ministry so that together we grow in our deep engagement with the word of God. Get involved To get started, visit www.bookoffaith.org and www.twitter.com/bookoffaith.
Join the conversation. Join the Book of Faith social networking group to find ideas, watch videos, download study guides and discuss Scripture online. Join the conversation online by following @bookoffaith on Twitter, joining the Book of Faith group on Facebook, or signing up to receive Book of Faith resource updates from Augsburg Fortress via e-mail. [link to http://www.augsburgfortress.org/eNewsSignup.jsp]
The Book of Faith Initiative strives to increase biblical literacy and fluency for the sake of the world. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is committed to this five-year initiative encouraging members, congregations and synods to dig deeper into our book of faith — the Bible.
For many, the encounter with Scripture is limited to the excerpts that are read on Sunday morning. Many of us — and many of our neighbors — are somewhat intimidated and unsure of how to engage Scripture. We believe all are invited to open Scripture and join the conversation.
In order to delve deeper in the word, the Book of Faith Initiative recommends a four-fold method for reading the Bible: devotional, historical, literary and Lutheran theological reading. It’s up to you and your faith community to decide how the Book of Faith Initiative will become a vital part of your ministry so that together we grow in our deep engagement with the word of God. Get involved To get started, visit www.bookoffaith.org and www.twitter.com/bookoffaith.
Join the conversation. Join the Book of Faith social networking group to find ideas, watch videos, download study guides and discuss Scripture online. Join the conversation online by following @bookoffaith on Twitter, joining the Book of Faith group on Facebook, or signing up to receive Book of Faith resource updates from Augsburg Fortress via e-mail. [link to http://www.augsburgfortress.org/eNewsSignup.jsp]
Free Online Learning Opportunity with Corsera
Free online college level courses on topics of religion are available at Coursera.com. To sign up for courses go to www.coursera.com and register with your email to begin enjoying world-class instruction on great topics of faith. The following current offering is recommended as a supplement to Pastor Frank’s class: Becoming the Book: How the Bible Came to Be.
The Bible’s Prehistory, Purpose and Political Future with Dr. Jacob L. Wright of Emory University Candler School of Theology
A six-week course on the history and origins of the Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament) taught by a renowned professor of Jewish Studies
Course Overview: With its walls razed to ground by Babylon’s armies, Jerusalem joined a long line of ancient vanquished cities—from Ur and Nineveh and Persepolis to Babylon itself. While some recovered from the destruction, others did not. But none responded to political catastrophe by fashioning the kind of elaborate and enduring monument to their own downfall that we find in the Bible. Most conquered populations viewed their subjugation as a source of shame, but the Hebrew people claimed their identity anew storytelling, becoming the People of the Book.
The Bible’s Prehistory, Purpose and Political Future with Dr. Jacob L. Wright of Emory University Candler School of Theology
A six-week course on the history and origins of the Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament) taught by a renowned professor of Jewish Studies
Course Overview: With its walls razed to ground by Babylon’s armies, Jerusalem joined a long line of ancient vanquished cities—from Ur and Nineveh and Persepolis to Babylon itself. While some recovered from the destruction, others did not. But none responded to political catastrophe by fashioning the kind of elaborate and enduring monument to their own downfall that we find in the Bible. Most conquered populations viewed their subjugation as a source of shame, but the Hebrew people claimed their identity anew storytelling, becoming the People of the Book.