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The Bible Teaching Commentary on Genesis: The Book of Foundations
Commentaries that specialize on training the teacher!
Extraordinary Purpose
Ephesians 2:8-10
– The Bible Teacher's Commentary –
Paul J. Bucknell
Life Purpose (Ephesians 2:8-10) | Purpose of Salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9) | Purpose for Our Lives (Ephesians 2:10) | Questions (Ephesians 2:8-10)
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Bible Study Questions on Ephesians 2:8-10 forms the last of four sections from The Bible Teacher's Commentary based on "Extraordinary Purpose" from Ephesians 2:8-10. These Bible study questions are free to copy, distribute and modify as needed. There are both study questions as well as applicative questions.
Bible Study Questions
Ephesians 2:8-10
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, that no one should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:8-10, NASB).
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- 9 not by works, so that no-one can boast. 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:8-10, NIV).
- What do verses 8 and 10 begin with? What does this word mean or how is it used?
- What does Paul talk about up to this point in Ephesians 2:8. Please summarize.
- What does it mean that God’s people ‘have been saved by grace” (Ephesians 2:8)? Define grace.
- How would you define saved? Does everyone mean the same thing when it is used? Give examples of this from your own experience.
- Paul says that we have been “saved through faith” (Ephesians 2:8). Faith is the means by which we are saved. Does that mean faith is our contribution to beings saved? What does the rest of the verse say about that? Be specific.
- Certainly, salvation is not from ourselves. This is what he means “this is not of yourselves.” How is it that some people say that our faith saves us? What part does faith really play in our salvation? Is it a response or the thing that we offer up to God to gain salvation?
- List one to three of the greatest gifts you have ever received. What made them great gifts? God said this salvation is a ‘gift of God’ (Ephesians 2:8). What is Paul trying to stir up in our hearts and minds?
- Read Ephesians 2:9. Paul again speaks about good works here. What does he say here in this verse? What is he so concerned about? What might people misunderstand about salvation?
- List some common ways people wrongly understand good works. What happens as a result? How does this problem relate to people’s religions and beliefs?
- For what reason does the apostle say that salvation comes through grace and not by good works (Ephesians 2:9)? Do you think God expects us to tell people the right way to believe? Explain.
- Why might God want no one to be able to boast about what he has contributed to salvation?
- According to Ephesians 2:10, who are we? What does this mean?
- When did God plan on the design of our new creations in Christ (Ephesians 2:10)? When was that?
- Does God make mistakes? Did He make a mistake on the design of our physical bodies, sex, height, etc.? What about our situation in which He had us enter the earth: our family background, time period, wealth or poverty, type of home, etc.? Why do so many people question whether God made the best decision regarding their own lives?
- God says that He created us in Christ Jesus for good works. What does that mean? What might ‘good works’ include?
Is He just interested in works? What is needed so that they become good?
- What does it say that God has prepared beforehand (Ephesians 2:10)? What does this mean for our purpose in life? Will we be accountable? How so?
- How are we to know what we are to do?
- Why is the advice, “Do now what you can do” good or bad? Is that the same meaning as, “that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10)?
- There might be greater things in the future that God asks of us that we feel uncomfortable with doing. How shall we get ready for such times? What truths from Ephesians 2:10 can we use to remind ourselves that we can and should accomplish these things?
- Reflect on your life. Have you focused on what the Lord has appointed you to do or more on what you want to do? Share. What steps can you take to make it more in line with what God wants of us?
- Choose three good works that you will do for the Lord this week that you do not usually do. Pray about the matter. Ask the Lord for help so you can do it with a good attitude to please Him and thus make the ‘work’ a ‘good work.’
Let us summarize the progressive steps we need to take to actually do God’s good works. If we miss out on a step, we will more than likely not be able to consistently carry out His good works that He has appointed us.
- I thank the Lord for how He made me.
- I accept God’s appointed works for my life as the best thing for me and all concerned.
- I believe God will empower me to carry them out.
- I therefore discipline myself to stay close to Him and focus on His good works.
- I will give praise for the great things He is doing through my life.
B. Purpose #2: Shows the purpose God has for our lives in Christ (Ephesians 2:10)
For further reflection on Ephesians 1, please read here
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Read more exciting and practical articles on the Book of Ephesians.
Introduction to the Book of EphesiansPaul's Second Missonary Journey to Ephesus - Map Ephesians 1Ephesians 1:1-3 Every Spiritual BlessingEphesians 1:1-3 Every Spiritual Blessing Ephesians 2-3Ephesians 2:1-3 Our Need, His graceEphesians 2:1-3, an Introduction | Podcast |
Ephesians 4Ephesians 4:1-3 Preserving the Spirit's UnityIntro: Problems of Disunity Ephesians 4:11-16 The Purpose of TrainingEphesians 4:11-13: A) God's Word in the Church Ephesians 4:14 B) Responsibility 1. Deceit Ephesians 4:11-14 Chart: Equipping of the Saints Ephesians 5-6Ephesians 5:22,24 Wives be Subject to your Husband |
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Scriptures typically quoted from the New American Standard Bible unless noted:
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