Home Group Study Questions // Sep 27
The Church Is… Session 4: The Church Is Christ’s Bride
[Ephesians 5:25–32]
- Underline or bracket in your Bible the two places in Ephesians 5:25–32 where Paul writes that husbands are to do something “as Christ ____ the church.” Discuss together where you see these phrases.
- What similarities do you see in verse 25 and verse 28? If the opening phrase of verse 28 “In the same way” resumes Paul’s thought from verse 25, what seems to be the main idea Paul is communicating?
- What do verses 25–27 show about what the church means to Christ? How does He value the church? How do we know?
- In what sense is the church “holy and without blemish” and in what sense is it not? What is the difference between justification and sanctification? (Compare verses like Romans 3:23–24 and 1 Peter 1:15–16)
- How might baptism, which is the washing in water by the word (Eph 5:26) be an encouragement for Christians who are fighting against sin or doubt? (See also 1 Corinthians 6:11)
- How does your own view of the church agree or differ from how Jesus views the church? Give examples. Take time to confess any perceptions you carry about the church that don’t align with Christ’s.
- What do verses 28–32 show about how Christ cares for the church? What does this say about how Christ values the church? In what ways do we act contrary to how Christ cares for His church?
- Does the way Christ views and cares for His church align or contrast with the way you view yourself, as a member of His church? Why or why not?
- Based upon your study of verses 25–32, spend some time praying and asking God to align your perspectives and actions with how Christ views and cares for the church.
- Verse 27 describes the church like a perfect bride ready and presented to the groom. How should the church be prepared and ready for Christ’s return? (compare exhortations from passages like Titus 2:11–14 and 1 John 3:2–3)