Ephesians: Grace, Identity and the Church: A 6-Week Bible Study

Ephesians is a rich letter for Christians who want to understand grace, identity, salvation, unity, church life and spiritual formation. It begins with God’s eternal purpose in Christ and moves toward ordinary life: speech, anger, forgiveness, marriage, family, work, prayer and spiritual struggle.

This study is written for seasoned Christians, but it is accessible to newer Christians who are ready to stretch. Ephesians contains deep theology, but it is not abstract. Paul’s vision of salvation produces a new kind of community and a new way of life.

The study works well for a group that wants to read a whole biblical book rather than jump between topics. Encourage participants to read Ephesians through in one sitting before the first session if possible. It is short enough to read aloud in about twenty minutes.

How to use this study

Each week focuses on one section of Ephesians. Keep asking how Paul connects doctrine and life. Notice repeated themes: in Christ, grace, mystery, unity, body, walk, love and power.

Leaders do not need to explain every detail. Help the group follow the flow of the letter.

Suggested rhythm

• Week 1: Blessed in Christ
• Week 2: Saved by Grace for Good Works
• Week 3: One New Humanity
• Week 4: The Church Growing into Maturity
• Week 5: Walking in the New Life
• Week 6: Strength for Spiritual Struggle

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Week 1: Blessed in Christ

Main passage

Ephesians 1:1–14

Big idea

Before Paul tells Christians what to do, he tells them what God has done. Christian identity begins with God’s grace in Christ.

Opening question

Why do Christians often rush to what we should do before resting in what God has done?

Context notes

Ephesians opens with an extended blessing. Paul piles up language of election, adoption, redemption, forgiveness, revelation, inheritance and sealing by the Spirit. The repeated phrase “in Christ” is central.

This passage is not meant to create cold speculation. It is meant to produce worship, assurance and humility. Salvation is not a small private transaction. It is part of God’s purpose to unite all things in Christ.

Read the passage

Read Ephesians 1:1–14. Listen for every phrase that describes what God has done.

Observation questions

1. What blessings does Paul name?
2. How often does the passage refer to Christ or being in Christ?
3. What roles do the Father, Son and Spirit appear to have?
4. What does Paul say about God’s purpose?
5. What repeated phrase describes the goal of God’s work?

Interpretation questions

1. How does this passage define Christian identity?
2. What does adoption add to our understanding of salvation?
3. How does redemption relate to forgiveness?
4. What does it mean that God plans to unite all things in Christ?
5. How should this passage shape worship?

Stretch question

How can Christians discuss election and predestination in a way that leads to humility and worship rather than arrogance or anxiety?

Application questions

1. Which blessing in this passage do you most need to receive deeply?
2. Where do you still define yourself by something less than Christ?
3. How could this passage reshape prayer this week?

Prayer prompt

Praise God for every spiritual blessing in Christ.

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Week 2: Saved by Grace for Good Works

Main passage

Ephesians 2:1–10

Big idea

We are saved by grace through faith, not by works, yet we are created in Christ for good works.

Opening question

Where do you see Christians drift toward either legalism or passivity?

Context notes

Paul moves from blessing to rescue. Apart from Christ, people are dead in sin and caught in patterns of rebellion. The turning point is “But God.” Salvation flows from mercy, love and grace.

The passage guards two truths. We do not save ourselves by moral achievement. But salvation does not leave us unchanged. Good works are not the root of salvation, but they are its fruit.

Read the passage

Read Ephesians 2:1–10 and notice the contrast between human condition and divine action.

Observation questions

1. How does Paul describe life apart from Christ?
2. What motivates God’s saving action?
3. What does God do with believers in Christ?
4. What does Paul deny about works?
5. What does Paul affirm about good works?

Interpretation questions

1. Why does Paul use the language of death?
2. What does “by grace” protect us from?
3. Why is boasting excluded?
4. How does verse 10 prevent a shallow view of grace?
5. How does this passage relate to discipleship?

Stretch question

How would you explain this passage to someone who thinks Christianity is mainly about being a good person?

Application questions

1. Where do you need to stop boasting?
2. Where do you need to walk in the good works God has prepared?
3. How can your group encourage grace-shaped obedience?

Prayer prompt

Thank God for mercy and ask him to form a life of grateful obedience.

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Week 3: One New Humanity

Main passage

Ephesians 2:11–22

Big idea

Christ reconciles people to God and to one another, creating one new humanity and one household of God.

Opening question

What divisions are hardest for churches to overcome?

Context notes

Paul addresses the division between Jews and Gentiles. Gentiles were once alienated from the covenants of promise, but in Christ they have been brought near. Jesus breaks down hostility and creates one new humanity.

This is not merely social politeness. Reconciliation is accomplished through the cross. The church becomes a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Read the passage

Read Ephesians 2:11–22. Notice the before-and-after movement.

Observation questions

1. How does Paul describe the Gentiles’ former condition?
2. What has Christ done?
3. What language of peace appears?
4. What new identity does Paul give the believers?
5. What images describe the church?

Interpretation questions

1. Why does reconciliation with God also create reconciliation between people?
2. What hostility did Christ break down?
3. What does “one new humanity” mean?
4. How does the household image shape church belonging?
5. What does it mean for the church to be God’s dwelling place?

Stretch question

How should this passage challenge churches that tolerate exclusion, cliques or cultural superiority?

Application questions

1. Who might feel like a stranger or outsider in your church?
2. What walls need to come down in your relationships?
3. How can your group practise peace rather than merely talk about it?

Prayer prompt

Ask Christ to make your church a living sign of reconciliation.

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Week 4: The Church Growing into Maturity

Main passage

Ephesians 4:1–16

Big idea

The church grows into maturity as each member contributes and the body is built up in love.

Opening question

What does spiritual maturity look like in a church, not just in an individual?

Context notes

Ephesians 4 begins the practical half of the letter. Paul urges believers to walk worthy of their calling. Unity is not bland sameness. The body has diverse gifts, but one Lord, one faith, one baptism and one God and Father.

Leaders equip the saints for ministry. The body grows as each part works properly. This challenges consumer Christianity. Ministry is not something a few professionals do while everyone else watches.

Read the passage

Read Ephesians 4:1–16. Notice unity, gifts, maturity and love.

Observation questions

1. What attitudes support unity?
2. What “ones” does Paul list?
3. What gifts does Christ give?
4. What is the purpose of these gifts?
5. How does the body grow?

Interpretation questions

1. What does it mean to walk worthy of our calling?
2. How do humility and truth belong together?
3. Why are leaders given to equip the saints?
4. What is the difference between maturity and mere knowledge?
5. What does every member contribution look like?

Stretch question

How does this passage challenge both individualism and leader-dependence?

Application questions

1. Are you more likely to underplay or overplay your contribution to the body?
2. What gift or responsibility might God be calling you to exercise?
3. How can your group speak truth in love more faithfully?

Prayer prompt

Ask God to grow your church into maturity in Christ.

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Week 5: Walking in the New Life

Main passage

Ephesians 4:17–5:21

Big idea

Grace creates a new way of life. Christians are called to put off the old self, put on the new self and walk in love, light and wisdom.

Opening question

Why do Christians sometimes separate doctrine from everyday behaviour?

Context notes

Paul moves from identity to conduct. The new life involves truth-telling, anger handled rightly, honest work, generous speech, forgiveness, sexual holiness, gratitude and wisdom.

These commands are not random rules. They flow from the new identity created in Christ. Christians are to imitate God as beloved children and walk in love because Christ loved us.

Read the passage

Read Ephesians 4:17–5:21. If time is short, read 4:17–32 and 5:1–2, 15–21.

Observation questions

1. What contrasts does Paul make between old and new life?
2. What specific behaviours does he address?
3. What does he say about speech?
4. What does it mean to walk in love, light and wisdom?
5. What role does thanksgiving play?

Interpretation questions

1. How does new identity produce new behaviour?
2. Why does Paul care so much about speech?
3. How does forgiveness flow from the gospel?
4. How can holiness be taught without moralism?
5. What does Spirit-filled community look like in this passage?

Stretch question

Choose one command from this section and trace how it connects to the gospel rather than mere rule-keeping.

Application questions

1. What part of the old self still feels familiar?
2. What would it look like to put on the new self this week?
3. How can your group encourage holiness without becoming harsh?

Prayer prompt

Ask God to form a life of love, light, wisdom and gratitude.

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Week 6: Strength for Spiritual Struggle

Main passage

Ephesians 6:10–20

Big idea

Christian life involves spiritual struggle, but believers stand in the Lord’s strength, clothed in God’s armour and devoted to prayer.

Opening question

What mistakes do Christians make when thinking about spiritual warfare?

Context notes

Paul ends Ephesians by calling believers to stand firm. The struggle is not merely against flesh and blood. Yet Paul does not encourage fear, obsession or speculation. He points to truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, the word of God and prayer.

The armour imagery is deeply connected to God’s own character and saving action. Spiritual strength is not bravado. It is dependence on the Lord.

Read the passage

Read Ephesians 6:10–20. Notice the repeated command to stand.

Observation questions

1. Where does strength come from?
2. What kind of struggle does Paul describe?
3. What pieces of armour are named?
4. What role does prayer play?
5. What does Paul ask prayer for?

Interpretation questions

1. What does it mean to be strong in the Lord?
2. How does this passage avoid reducing enemies to other people?
3. Why are truth, righteousness and peace central to spiritual struggle?
4. How does prayer relate to standing firm?
5. Why does Paul ask for boldness in gospel proclamation?

Stretch question

How does Ephesians 6 connect back to the rest of the letter’s themes of grace, unity, holiness and mission?

Application questions

1. Where do you need to stand rather than panic, perform or withdraw?
2. Which part of the armour do you most need to attend to?
3. How can your group pray more seriously and faithfully?

Prayer prompt

Pray for strength in the Lord, protection from evil and boldness to speak the gospel.

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Leader notes

Ephesians is dense. Do not try to solve every theological issue. Keep the group moving through the flow of the letter: grace in Christ, one new humanity, mature body, new life, spiritual strength.

Encourage participants to notice how Paul grounds commands in identity. The letter is not “try harder to become accepted.” It is “because God has acted in Christ, walk worthy of your calling.”

A healthy outcome would be deeper assurance, stronger commitment to church unity, more mature discipleship and richer prayer.

Further Reading

• John Stott, The Message of Ephesians.
• N. T. Wright, Paul for Everyone: The Prison Letters.
• Lynn H. Cohick, Ephesians.
• Klyne Snodgrass, Ephesians.
• Clinton E. Arnold, Ephesians.
• Markus Barth, Ephesians.

Word Count

2076 words