Ephesians                           by Dr. Ralph Wilson

Lesson 4 – 2.1 Dead in Transgressions and Sin (Ephesians 2:1)

2.1 Dead in Transgressions and Sin (Ephesians 2:1)

Q14. (Ephesians 2:1-3) In what sense are our non-believing friends, neighbors, and relatives "dead"?

What's the difference between us and them?

If we really believed that they were "dead" and subject to God's "wrath," what would we do?
 

Following Satan (Ephesians 2:2-3)

Children of Wrath (Ephesians 2:3b)

Sinners by Nature (Ephesians 2:3)

Q15. (Ephesians 2:1-3) Few people would knowingly follow Satan. How can people unwittingly follow Satan?

In what sense are we responsible for unwitting rebellion against God?

How can God, in all fairness, blame us?

Grace and Mercy (Ephesians 2:4-5)

Q16. (Ephesians 1:4-5) In verses 4 and 5, which words describe God's motivation and character?

Which verbs describe what has happened to us in Christ?
 

Seated with Christ in Heavenly Realms (Ephesians 2:6)

Q17. (Ephesians 2:6) What does it mean that we are seated with Christ in "the heavenly realms"?

What does this say about God's grace?

What does this say about our spiritual authority? How should this knowledge affect our prayers and our boldness?
 

Ages of Grace (Ephesians 2:7)

Prayer

Father, we thank you for your incredible, undeserved love and forgiveness. What a gift to us! All we can say is "thank you." All we can do is kneel in surrender and rise to serve you. We love you. In Jesus' awesome name, "God saves," we pray. Amen.

Key Verses

"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions -- it is by grace you have been saved." (Ephesians 2:4-5)

"And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:6)