Living a Holy Life - Ephesians 2:1-3; Romans 6:17-22; 1 Peter 3:8-11

By David Woods

Read Ephesians 2:1-3

Discussion:: Consider the ramifications of being spiritually dead. What are the practical, current ramifications of being dead spiritually in addition to the eternal ramifactions?

Discussion:: Why does the Bible often describe a person's spiritual life in terms of walking?

Note that verse two states that the unbeliever walks the way of Satan. He is following Satan. Many who reject Christ seem to believe they are going their own way.

Discussion:: How can we teach more effectively the truth that when we sin we are not simply doing what we think is right, but that we are actually followed a Pied Piper called Satan?

Discussion:: Are there benefits in remembering our sinful past, even for those of us who have been Christians most of our lives? If so, what are some of the benefits?

Discussion:: What excesses should we avoid when referring to our sinful past?
(I have heard some testifying who tell so much about the experiences they had while a sinner that it seems they almost miss it.)

Read Romans 6:17-22

Discussion:: How do you react when you are told that you can either be a servant of sin or a servant of Christ?

We independent, self-sufficient Americans tend to dislike being told we are the servant (especially slave) of anyone or anything, right?

Discussion:: Why is it important that we recognize we are either the servant of sin or of Christ?

I don't like yield signs. When I was driving a school bus we were told that we should treat yield signs like stop signs. At least in Kansas, you can be ticketed the same as running a stop sign if while merging onto a highway, you stop after passing a yield sign on the onramp.

I didn't like stopping more than I had to. I wanted to keep moving. Verse nineteen tells the Christian to yield his or her members as servants unto righteousness. There is a one-time act of submission (entire sanctification) the Christian must make, but there is also a lifetime of yielding oneself to holy living.

Discussion:: What does continual yielding oneself to live holy life result in?
(Answers might include: holy living and also an attitude of humility)

Unless I am reading verse twenty-two wrongly, Paul seems to imply that our reward of being servants of God and living a holy life is 1) holiness and 2) everlasting life.

Discussion:: How is a holy life a reward?

Read 1 Peter 3:8

Discussion:: What does it mean to be all of one mind?

Discussion:: How can our church practice this command to be compassionate toward one another, loving each other as brothers and sisters?

Discussion:: What are some ways Christians and the Church as a whole are treated unfairly and wrongly today?

Discussion:: How can we bless those who treat us this way?

Discussion:: How does speaking truthfully and with grace lengthen one's lifespan?

Discussion:: How do we avoid evil, practically, in a world in which so much is tainted by evil, especially the different forms of media?