Start Living Different
Introduction
Are you thriving—or just surviving?
It’s a question that hits different when life is heavy. When we’re emotionally exhausted, spiritually drained, or just trying to make it from one day to the next, it’s easy to go numb. And numbness doesn’t just affect your feelings, it affects your faith.
But God didn’t design us for survival mode. He designed us to thrive. And in this week’s Thrive Together message, we looked at Ephesians 4:17-24, where Paul lays out how to move from survival to transformation. It begins with one simple truth: if you want to thrive, you have to start living different.
Discussion Questions
Outline
I. Be Worthy. Eph 4:1-6
Walking worthy means letting go of entitlement and embracing a posture of servant-hearted living.
II. Be Gifted. Eph 4:7-12
Being gifted means God has specifically chosen and empowered YOU to contribute to the mission.
III. Be Mature. Eph 4:13-16
Unity is a byproduct of maturity.
Study Questions
Have you ever been part of a group or team where people didn’t do their part? How did that affect the whole group?
Look at Ephesians 4:1-6. Paul says to walk worthy of your calling by pursuing unity through humility, gentleness, patience, and love. Why do you think unity begins with these attitudes? If that’s the evidence of unity, what attitudes are secretly lurking behind disunity?
Paul’s list of “ones” points to what binds the church together. How can focusing on these truths reshape the way we handle disagreements or divisions?
Ephesians 4:7-12 says that Christ gave each believer gifts to serve others. How does it change your perspective to know that your spiritual gifts were hand-picked by Jesus to build up His church? How are talents and spiritual gifts different? How do they work together?
Read Romans 12:4-6. Why is it dangerous for believers to see themselves as spectators instead of participants in the church? How does using your gifts help guard against spiritual stagnation?
Paul warns in Ephesians 4:14 about being tossed around by false teaching and immature thinking. What are some things in today’s world that pull believers away from maturity and truth? How can the church help each other grow up into Christ?
CALL TO ACTION: Memorize Colossians 3:17. Ask God to help you take a step this week in walking worthy: serve someone, use your gifts, or encourage another believer. Share with someone how you plan to “live like you mean it” this week.