Ephesians 2:1-10, 14-18

*If you’re doing this with littles you may want to skip to the end for the Dinner Table Short

Sermon Summary

Paul describes our salvation using the language and sequence of Israel’s sacrificial system to show how and why God saved us in Christ.

Reflection & Discussion

1. Christ the Sin Offering

Christ the Sin Offering moves us from distance to nearness and from death to life (Eph. 2:1-5).

Reflection Questions

• Since God pursued you in love when you were far off, who is someone you yourself need to pursue in love?

• We’re all made to be wholly alive with God and thus we feel a deep loss with the physical death of a loved one. Who is someone who has lost a loved one in the past year for whom you can pray and care, especially as Easter approaches?

2. Christ the Trespass Offering

Christ the Trespass Offering moves us from debt to riches and from slavery to freedom under God (Eph. 2:1-5).

Reflection Questions

• How does it make you feel to consider your wrongs as heaping up a huge, unpayable debt to God?

• God frees us from slavery to sin and Satan, but not so that we can live without any authority at all over us. Where does the ideal of absolute personal autonomy go wrong?

3. Christ the Ascension (or Burnt) Offering

Christ the Ascension (or Burnt) Offering is the perfect substitute through which we are wholly dedicated to God and ascend to enthronement in his heavenly council (Eph. 2:6-7).

Reflection Questions

• In what area of your life have you been less-than-whole-heartedly committing yourself to what you know is God’s will?

• How easy or difficult is it for you to believe that the church has already ascended to heaven and been enthroned with Christ over all things? Why?

4. Christ the Tribute (or Gain) Offering 

Christ the Tribute (or Gain) Offering is God’s first and decisive “tribute-gift” given for us which in turn produces our tribute-gifts of good works (Eph. 2:9-10).

Reflection Questions

• Why is it sometimes hard for us to accept gifts from others?

• Why is it easy for us to become wrongfully proud and self-satisfied with our good works? Is there a right kind of pride? If so, what is it?

5. Christ the Peace Offering

Christ the Peace Offering effects our joyful, reconciled table fellowship with God and fellow man (Eph. 2:14-18).

Reflection Questions

• Why do you think the Bible’s ultimate image of wellbeing and joy is a communal feast shared in mutual love?

• Who is an individual or family you could invite to a meal in the coming weeks to share the power of table fellowship as a taste of heaven on earth?

Dinner Table Short

Read Ephesians 2:8-9

Talk About It

Ask:

• What does it mean to say that God gave us the gift of salvation by grace?

• What is boasting? Why do you think some people might boast about their good works?

Explain briefly:

God freely gives us everything in Jesus Christ before we ever give any good works. But God’s gift to us is so wonderful that all who truly receive it want give good works themselves.

Family Practice

Pray and thank God for the gift of salvation in Jesus. Ask God to help you choose one way you can give to bless others as well.