Children inherently look to their fathers as an example of how to live life. Similarly, as Christians we must look to our heavenly Father and imitate the example He provides through Jesus. God loves us so abundantly that He sent His only Son to live out life and sacrifice Himself for our sins. We are called to display this same sacrificing love to those around us. As believers, we must learn to not be deceived by the false glory of the world and recognize that Christ is the only true source of satisfaction and truth for us. All of our worldly idols will eventually disappoint us. It is an everyday task to recognize the seriousness of sin and know that God will hold us accountable for the sin we choose not to turn away from.

Suggestions for Studying Ephesians During the Series:

1. Read daily passages along with NLT or ESV study Bible.
2. Read the whole book in one sitting once a week for the remainder of the series.
3. Listen to the whole book in one sitting once a week for the remainder of the series.

Click here to read the book of Ephesians.

Scripture References

Ephesians 5:1-20

Center My Life | Austin Stone Worship | iTunes
Man of Sorrows | Hillsong Live | iTunes
But God | The Village Church | iTunes
Sing to the Lord | Grace Church Worship
The Greatness of Our God | Vertical Church Band | iTunes

16 Imperatives In These Verses

Overarching command-imitate God.

1. Be certain. If you give yourself to immorality, impurity, and greed you won’t inherit the kingdom of God.
2. Don’t be deceived. It’s a lie to think you can live in sin without any consequences. Is there a sin in your life that has deceived your thinking and resulted in negative consequences?
3. Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. We need to not just avoid but also expose the fruitless deeds of darkness.
4. Be careful how you live. Are you being wise and making the most out of every opportunity? How are you ordering your life—are you making intentional decisions, even with the small things?
5. Be filled with the Holy Spirit. Instead of being guided by something numbing your senses, be filled with the Spirit, coming together as a community and singing God’s truths to one another.

Thoughts to Consider

-We need to love in such a way that we offer ourselves as a sacrifice, just as Christ did. Instead of consuming others for our own self-indulgence, we should live a life that is consumed for others. What have you sacrificed for another person as an act of love?
-Because of the nature of people and the nature of this world, if people are going to be loved, someone is going to have to suffer for them.
-You can’t live an immoral and impure life and be a part of what God is doing in the world. We have to be certain that sin is serious and will keep us from God and what He wants for us.
-Because of our identity and unique relationship with God, we should imitate Him. Imitating is a way to identify and measure ourselves.