HOPE FELLOWSHIP CHURCH

Ephesians: Sticking Together

MESSAGE | PASTOR JORDAN MOODY
Ephesians: Sticking Together
Eph. 4:1-16
 
1. STAY TOGETHER (unity) 1-6 
2. WORK TOGETHER (diversity) 7-13
3. WALK TOGETHER (maturity) 13-16 
 
Conclusion: 
To Stay Together, We Need to Live Out Our Unity
To Work Together, We Need to Embrace Our Diversity
To Walk Together, We Need to Grow and Mature in Christ’s Love
 
Small Group Discussion Questions
 
1. “Walking Worthy”: Paul urges us to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling.” What practical ways can we demonstrate humility, gentleness, patience, and love in our daily lives? Which of these traits do you find the most challenging, and why?
 
2. Unity in Diversity: How have you seen different gifts, talents, or callings contribute to the unity of the church or community? What unique gifts do you feel you bring to the body of Christ, and how might God be calling you to use them? (Rom. 12 and 1 Cor. 12) 
 
3. Spiritual Maturity: Paul talks about growing to maturity in our faith (13-15). What does spiritual maturity look like to you? And how can we encourage one another “to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ?” (15) 
 
4. Christ as the Head: How does viewing Christ as the “head” of the body affect the way we relate to one another in the church? How can we become more unified under Christ’s leadership, then under church leadership, and then in our individual lives? 
5. Walking Together: To Stay Together, We Need to Live Out Our Unity; To Work Together, We Need to Embrace Our Diversity; To Walk Together, We Need to Grow and Mature in Christ’s Love. What does this look like at Hope Fellowship Church for the next 20 years?
 

Ephesians: Unsearchable Riches

MESSAGE | PASTOR JORDAN MOODY
Ephesians. 3:1-21
Reveal the Mystery of the Gospel (1-6)
 
Preach the Unsearchable Riches of Christ (7-13)
Know the Love of Christ (14-19)
 
To God Be the Glory (20-21)
  
Small Group Discussion Questions
 
1. Mystery. What does Paul mean by mystery? How have you experienced the mystery of the gospel unfolding in your life or the lives of others? 
 
2. Unsearchable. Paul’s mission is to preach the “unsearchable riches of Christ” to the Gentiles. What does it mean that these riches are “unsearchable”?
 
3. Experiencing God’s Love: Paul describes God’s love as surpassing knowledge and, at the same time, prays that they would know his love. Why and how is this possible? 
 
4. God’s Power and Glory: Ephesians 3:20 speaks of God doing “far more abundantly than all that we ask or think.” What does this verse mean to you personally, and how can we trust in God’s limitless power in the midst of our own limitations or struggles? 
 
5. Prayer. Read through Paul’s prayer in verses 14-21. How can this prayer shape your prayers and hopes for the future? 
Doxology. Read Ephesians 3:20-21 and Jude 24-25 as you close as a prayer of praise.

Ephesians: Killing The Hostility

Eph. 2:11-22
At One Time I Was (11-12) 
But Now In Christ I Have (13-18)
 
So Then I Am No Longer (19-22)
Small Group Discussion Questions
 
1. Paul reminds the Ephesians not to forget their past state of alienation from God. How does remembering where you came from spiritually shape your walk with Christ today?
 
2. Reflect on your own experiences of alienation. How does understanding the alienation between God and humanity deepen your appreciation for the work of Christ on the cross?
 
3. What does reconciliation mean in your life? How does it differ from simply resolving a conflict or disagreement?
4. How does Ephesians 2:11-13 speak to the barriers between different groups of people today? How can we as a church work towards breaking down these walls of hostility?
5. In what ways do you see Jesus “killing the hostility” in your own life? How can we actively pursue peace and reconciliation in our relationships with others?

Ephesians: The Walking Dead

Ephesians: The Walking Dead
Pastor Josh Prather Eph. 2:1-10
The Life We’re Saved From (1-3)
The Life We’re Saved For (8-10)
How We Get From Here To There (4-7)
Small Group Discussion Questions
1. In what ways can we recognize the signs of being enslaved to the ‘passions of our flesh’ in our daily actions?
2. How does the concept of ‘Incurvatus in se’ help us comprehend our self-centered nature? How can this awareness influence our behavior and intentions?
3. What does it mean to view God’s grace as a gift, and how can we live in response to that gift?
4. How does the idea of being ‘raised up and seated with Christ’ impact your understanding of your identity as a believer? What implications does this have for daily living?

Ephesians: See and Believe

MESSAGE | PASTOR JORDAN MOODY
Ephesians: See and Believe
Eph. 1:15-23
 
1. Praying (Spirit) (15-16) 
 
2. Seeing (Light)  (17-18) 
 
3. Believing (Power) (18-21)  
 
– Know the Hope 
– Know the Riches 
– Know the Power 
4. Praising (Jesus) (22-23) 
 
Small Group Discussion Questions
1. Paul’s Prayer vs. Our Prayers
When you read Paul’s prayer, what stands out to you as being different from how we typically approach prayer today? How might his focus and priorities challenge or inspire the way we think about and practice prayer in our own lives?
2. The Struggle Between Seeing and Believing
Have you ever felt a disconnect between seeing something in your faith and truly believing it in a way that transforms your life? Paul seems to be praying for the church to not only see spiritual truths but to really believe them in a way that makes an impact. Can you share a time when you knew something about God intellectually, but struggled to let it truly shape your life?
3. Spiritual Illumination: Turning on the Light
In verses 17-18, Paul describes a kind of spiritual “illumination” where the eyes of our hearts are enlightened. How would you explain this concept in your own words? Have you experienced a moment when God “turned the light on” for you spiritually? If so, could you share an example of how it affected you?
4. Knowing Hope, Riches, and Power
Paul prays for the church to deeply understand and believe three key things: hope, riches, and power (verses 18-19). What do you think he means by each of these, and why would these be especially important for the believers to grasp? Why do you think it’s crucial that we not only know these truths but truly believe and live them out? How can forgetting these impact our spiritual walk?
 

Ephesians: Truth That Sings

 
MESSAGE | PASTOR JORDAN MOODY
Ephesians: Truth That Sings – Eph. 1:7-14
 
1. You Have Redemption (7-8) 
 
– Redemption 
 
– Purchased Through His Blood
 
 
– Results in Forgiveness 
 
 
– Because of His Lavish Grace
2. You Will Be Complete (9-10) 
 
– Time 
 
– Unity of Heaven & Earth
 
 
3. You Are Sealed (11-14)  
Small Group Discussion Questions
 
1. In what ways do we take God’s lavish grace and spiritual blessings for granted? (Matt. 13:44-46) 
2. Look at the three main points of the sermon. How does knowing these truths alter our perspective on life today and our hope for tomorrow?
 
3. God has a plan for history, and we are part of his plan. He will unite heaven and earth once again one day when he returns. What does this mean for you today?  (Eph. 1:9-10, Gal. 4:4-5, Phil. 1:6)
 
4. Why do you think the Holy Spirit is described as a seal and a guarantee? What does this mean?  
 
5. Close your group by reading aloud verses 3-14 as a time of meditation on the spiritual blessings of God’s glorious lavish grace upon his chosen people. Praise him!

Ephesians: Anthem of Christianity

MESSAGE | PASTOR JORDAN MOODY
Ephesians: Anthem of Christianity
Eph. 1:1-6
The Intro to the Letter 
This Sentence Can Sing
The Anthem of Christianity 
Sings Praise to God 
Sings of Spiritual Blessings
Sings of Being Chosen 
Sings of Love 
Sings of Adoption 
Sings of Grace 
Sings of Jesus 
Small Group Discussion Questions
 
1. Walk through the major headings and themes mentioned in the whole book of Ephesians. What is the general theme of this letter, and how does Paul lay this out? 
 
2. “This letter is pure music; truth that sings; Doctrine set to music.” (John Mackay) John Mackay is talking about Ephesians when he says this. Why do you think he describes this letter in this way, and what do you think he means? 
 
3. What spiritual blessings is Paul “singing” about specifically in verses 3-6? (many more in verses 3-14 as well) 
 
4. What are the implications of being adopted in love by God? How does this truth affect our daily lives? 
 
5. Try writing one sentence/song called the Anthem of Christianity that describes the core of the Christian faith. What would you include in your anthem and why? 

Topical Summer: Politics

MESSAGE | PASTOR JORDAN MOODY
Gen. 9:1-7, Rom. 13:1-7
 
INTRODUCTION: 
What is the Government for?
Genesis 9
Romans 13 
 
CONCLUSION: The Lord Reigns 
 
Small Group Discussion Questions
 
1. Why does everything seem so political today? What are some of the root causes to this “hyper-politicized” society? 
 
2. What does the story of John Newton and William Wilberforce inform our political engagement? (If you can’t remember, it’s worth looking up and discussing their relationship and influence upon history) 
 
3. What’s the difference between power and authority? How does this change the way we view and respond to certain authorities? 
 
4. How does Genesis 9:1-7 authorize human government? Why do you think God gave these directives after the flood? 
 
5. Discuss this definition of government for Jonathan Leeman. What sticks out to you from it, and what do you agree with or disagree with? 
Job Description for government: to administer the justice requisite for protecting human life, secure the conditions necessary for fulfilling the dominion mandate, and provide a platform for God’s people to declare God’s perfect judgment and salvation. 
 
6. Read Romans 13:1-7 and give another summary of the role of government and our response to government. 
 
Pray for our leaders and those in government: 1 Timothy 2:1-4

Topical Summer: Community

MESSAGE | PASTOR JOSH PRATHER
Romans 12:9-21
 
INTRODUCTION: What is a church?
FAMILY BOND
GRACIOUS
UPWARD FOCUS
 
CONCLUSION: What can I do today?
 
Small Group Discussion Questions
 
1. How can you practically show brotherly affection and outdo one another in showing honor within your church community, as mentioned in Romans 12:10?
 
2. In what ways does affection drive believers to form connections with others they may not naturally be drawn to within the church community?
 
3. Reflecting on the failures of family relationships outlined in the sermon, how can you actively seek reconciliation, forgiveness, and grace in your interactions with fellow believers, striving to build a stronger and more loving church community?
 
4. Considering the concept of exclusivity and inclusivity in relation to the Gospel, how can you demonstrate the all-encompassing love of Christ to those around you, regardless of their beliefs or backgrounds?
 
5. How can you actively participate in a small group within your church in order to deepen relationships, serve one another, and grow in community beyond surface-level interactions?

Topical Summer: Identity

Pastor Josh Prather
IDENTITY CREATED - Genesis 1-2
The Nature of Identity
The Crisis of Identity
The Biblical Basis for Identity
IDENTITY IN CHRIST - Ephesians 1:1-14
 
Chosen, Adopted, Forgiven, and Secure in Christ
 
IDENTITY EXPRESSED - Luke 9:23-24
The Universal Longing
The Way of Self
The Way of Jesus
 
Small Group Discussion Questions
How can the Biblical view of identity, as presented in Genesis 1-2, guide you in balancing the aspects of being created by God with being embodied and having purpose in your life?
Reflecting on the excerpts from the children's book 'My Own Way' shared in the sermon, how can you navigate societal messages about gender and identity while seeking to align your identity with God's design for you?
In what ways can the crisis of identity caused by 'expressive individualism' be seen in your own life or in the lives of those around you, and how can you offer a different perspective rooted in Biblical truth?
Considering the comparison between the way of self and the way of Jesus, how can you actively practice self-denial and follow the path of Christ in your daily life to find true identity and satisfaction?
     5.  Who are the people in your life who are finding their identity apart from God that you can pray for as a group?