This week, we will finish Paul’s letter to the Ephesians (Ephesians 3-6) and begin the Gospel of Mark. Don’t forget to check out the Rooted Facebook page for a bit more discussion on each chapter.

Discussion Questions:

• What do you find in Paul’s prayers for the church in Ephesians 1:15-23 and Ephesians 3:14-21 that you might include in your own prayer life?

• What is the purpose of the leadership gifts that Paul mentions in Ephesians 4:11-16?

•Are we supposed to be thankful for the bad things that happen to us? If not, what is Paul talking about in Ephesians 5:20?

• Who, or what, is the true enemy that we face as believers? (Eph 6:10-17)

• Why did Mark tell us that Jesus was with wild animals while he was being tempted in the wilderness? (Mark 1:12-13)



Some Answers from Last Week's Questions:

• “When the fullness of time had come, God sent His Son” (Gal. 4:4). What does Paul mean by the fullness of time? – When the time was right. God has a perfect time for everything that occurs. What made the time Jesus came the perfect time is a matter of conjecture on our part. But it could have been because of Roman peace that allowed the gospel to so easily spread. It could also be because all the right people were in the right places to ensure that Jesus was able to minister among us and then go to the cross.

• What is the fruit of the Spirit? (Gal. 5:22-23) And how does it develop in your life? (Gal. 5:16) – We can develop the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control) when we walk with the Spirit, following His leading in our lives.

• What are you sowing? (Gal. 6:7-10) – This is a personal answer. But hopefully you are sowing good seed, following the leading of the Holy Spirit and doing good.

• Count how many times you see the expression “in Christ,” “in him,” or “in the beloved” in Ephesians 1:3-14. What do you suppose is the significance of this expression? – I counted 10 times. Being in Christ is a favorite expression of Paul’s. It refers to us being where Christ is and experiencing what he did.

• What does it mean that we are seated in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus? (Eph. 2:6) – I exist in two places right now. I am here on earth. But I am also “in Christ”, where he is.



Prayer: Heavenly Father, deepen my roots in Christ and help me understand how wide, long, high, and deep Your love truly is. Shape my life through Your Spirit so that my words, choices, and relationships reflect Jesus. Give me wisdom to recognize the battles I face and strength to stand firm in You. As I begin the Gospel of Mark, open my eyes to see Jesus more clearly and give me the courage to follow Him faithfully. Amen


Helpful Resources:


• Rooted Facebook Group for online sharing and further exploration 

• Bible Project New Testament overview videos
• Bible Gateway, a Bible app with many translations and some other free helps
• A Clay Jar Devotionals