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One Mission // Ephesians 6:10-24

Every person is the prized object and target of a spiritual war that we did not invite nor ask to be part of. The war is for the total worship and allegiance of every heart, mind and soul. As eternal Kingdom citizens (the restored body of Christ), our hearts, minds and souls have been rescued, purchased, and saved by Jesus Christ from sin, despair and death in the ways of the evil. But as Kingdom citizens, we’re reminded the war is not over. Instead we’re called to put on the armor of God, because armor is meant for active duty, not vacation.

Questions for Discussion:

  1. Based on this week’s passage and teaching, what tactics do you believe the devil uses to infiltrate the Kingdom of God?
  2. What prevents you from putting on the armor of God as a believer in Christ?
  3. What does ‘active duty’ as Kingdom citizens (the restored body of Christ) look like?
One Mission // Ephesians 6:10-24 // June 3, 2019
[VIDEO]  One Mission // Ephesians 6:10-24
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One Family // Ephesians 5:21-6:9

The gospel brings dignity, worth, and purpose to everyone, starting with our closest relationships: our family and church community. To imitate God and walk in the example of Christ is to mutually serve and sacrifice for one another out of love.

For a more in-depth discussion on the issues surrounding Ephesians 5:21-33, listen to our podcast episode on Authority, Headship, and Gender Roles.

Questions for Discussion:

  1. Read Ephesians 5:21-6:9 through the lens of “mutual submission” that seeks to love and dignify others as valued children of God. What stands out to you in the passage?
  2. By understanding this passage as a means of living out the gospel in your family, church, and as a witness of God’s grace to the world, what are the implications for you personally that you need to change in order to follow the ways of Jesus?
  3. What can we learn by Paul’s approach to applying the gospel to his cultural context? How can we do the same? Provide a real-life example.
One Family // Ephesians 5:21-6:9 // May 27, 2019
[VIDEO]  One Family // Ephesians 5:21-6:9
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One Example // Ephesians 4:17-5:20

Imagine if the church saw its primary job to model, pass on, and point to Jesus Christ “in everything” it does. What might the church look like, do, and reproduce?

Our ultimate loyalties, core beliefs, and fundamental values are shaped by those who we respect, follow, and imitate in this life. So if the very heart of our “oneness” in God, the hope of our restored humanity, and the promise of new life and salvation is contingent on following Jesus, shouldn’t we as believers reflect our One example? The call of the Christian is this: When we follow the ways of Jesus, we reproduce Jesus.

Questions for Reflection:

  1. Prayerfully evaluate your life based on Ephesians 4:17-5:20. What is needed to ensure that you are modeling your life after Jesus?
  2. How should a vision of modeling, passing on, and reproducing the ways of Jesus transform Christian community and the church?
One Example // Ephesians 4:17-5:20 // May 20, 2019
[VIDEO]  One Example // Ephesians 4:17-5:20
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One Body // Ephesians 4:1-16

The church today continues to struggle with the concept and practice of true unity and oneness in Christ. Contextual distinctions aside, with our churches divided socially, racially, and theologically, how will the world know the true witness of Christ – the union of all things in Him for the glory of His name and the salvation of His people? As we learn in this message, the measure of our spiritual unity determines the true health and maturity of the church.

Questions for Reflection:

  1. If you were to make a list of what determined a “healthy & mature” church, what would have been on that list?
  2. How does “spiritual unity” change your understanding and role of the church?
  3. Based on the list in Ephesians 4:11, what do you think your spiritual gift contribution might be in the body of Christ?
One Body // Ephesians 4:1-16 // May 13, 2019
[VIDEO]  One Body // Ephesians 4:1-16
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Headship, Authority, and Gender Roles

On this special edition of the Restoration Church Podcast, we’ll be looking at the issues surrounding headship, authority, and gender roles as taught in the New Testament. This is a supplemental study to our current series, “ONE”, where we are learning from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.

In this episode, Matt has a conversation with an active member of Restoration Church, Dave Leigh. Dave is a retired pastor, author and writer, who holds a Masters in Theological Studies from Wheaton College. He has served in a number of house churches and legacy churches, and is along-time advocate of biblical equality in the church, family and society. He lives in the Chicago suburbs with his lovely wife, Dana, and is a proud “grampy” to three amazing grandchilden.

Headship, Authority, and Gender Roles // April 25, 2019