Unit 9 – Children of Light
Ephesians 5:3-14
3But there must be no sexual sin among you. There must not be any kind of evil or selfishly wanting more and more, because such things are not right for God’s holy people.4Also, there must be no evil talk among you. Don’t say things that are foolish or filthy. These are not for you. But you should be giving thanks to God.5You can be sure of this: No one will have a place in the kingdom of Christ and of God if that person commits sexual sins, or does evil things, or is a person who selfishly wants more and more. A greedy person like that is serving a false god.
6Don’t let anyone fool you with words that are not true. God gets very angry when people who don’t obey him talk like that.7So don’t have anything to do with them.8In the past you were full of darkness, but now you are full of light in the Lord. So live like children who belong to the light.9This light produces every kind of goodness, right living, and truth.10Try to learn what pleases the Lord.11Have no part in the things that people in darkness do, which produce nothing good. Instead, tell everyone how wrong those things are.12Actually, it is shameful to even talk about the things those people do in secret.13But the light makes clear how wrong those things are.14Yes, everything is made clear by the light. This is why we say,
“Wake up, you who are sleeping!
Rise from death,
and Christ will shine on you.”
Ice-Breaker
□What kind(s) of music do you like to listen to?
□If you were given the power to make a major Hollywood film of your choice (any story, actors, etc.), what would itbe?
Discover
1.What sins does Paul highlight as characteristic of darkness? State them in your ownwords.
2.What virtues does he highlight as characteristic oflight?
3.The world does not necessarily agree with this list of vices and virtues. What are some alternate “virtues” which are highly valued by the world? Why might the world
4.What phrases in this passage highlight Paul’s “zero-tolerance” attitude toward the sins he mentions? Do you share this attitude? Or is your goal one of merely limiting and managingthem?
5.What reasons does Paul give for avoiding these sins at all costs?
6.What are some actions you could take that would demonstrate a genuine desire for purity in these areas? Choose at least one to begin doing thisweek.
7.What are some ways in which we can “find out” what pleases the Lord? (v.10)
8.What does it mean to say that you are “light”? (v. 8) How has that been true of yourecently?
9.How are we to “expose” the deeds of darkness? (v. 11) Give someexamples.
Notes