Why do Christ followers live righteously and love sacrificially?
(first three of six responses)
1. Because we want to
2. Because that’s how
3. Because living flies in the face of
QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER STUDY
Read Ephesians 5:1-5 and discuss:
• Has there been anyone you have modeled your life after or tried to emulate? Who? Why?
• What does it mean to be an imitator of God? How does the phrase “as beloved children” qualify the command?
• Have you noticed a change in your everyday living since you were saved? Provide an example.
• Why do you think Paul commands us to walk in love as Christ loved us? How did Christ love us? What motivates our love for others?
• What is the difference between proper and improper desires? What makes something improper? Define lust.
• Why does what we do with our bodies, thoughts, and words matter to God?
• What impacted you most from this message?
PERSONAL REFLECTION
What is my motivation for living the way I do now (not what should be my motivation)?
What are some areas in which I’m walking carelessly, motivated more by my comfort or pleasure, rather than my status as Christ’s bride?
PRAYER
“Lord, help me to say no to greed and selfishness. I believe Your Word is pure and Your Word is wise. Help me grasp that as I come to You and am willing to say no to myself and willing to say no to certain practices, You have all kinds of yeses ready to flood in. You say yes to forgiving me; yes to accepting me; yes to giving me far more than I will ever give up. I want to live righteously because I’m Your child. I want to love sacrificially because that’s how Christ loves me. By Your Spirit, give me the ability to do what I long to do as I take willful action. I pray this in Christ’s name. Amen.”