Rooted, Renewed and Ready
What We Learned from Ephesians This Summer
What does it mean to be the church—not just in name, but in practice? That’s the question we explored this summer during our weekly Bible study in the Book of Ephesians. Throughout the summer, we opened our Bibles and our hearts to this powerful letter from the apostle Paul. Each week we read a passage together, lifted one another up in prayer and shared what the Holy Spirit was stirring in us. The study required no outside preparation—just a willingness to show up, listen and grow. Some came every week, others joined when they could, but each session stood on its own and offered something meaningful.
Yet as we read Paul’s letter from start to finish, we began to see something bigger taking shape: a renewed vision of who we are in Christ and what it means to grow together as His body. What began as a summer Bible study became something more—a season of re-centering, rooted in grace and shaped by God’s design for the church.
Why Ephesians? Why Now?
Ephesians speaks directly to the season we’re in at Connections Church. After walking through a challenging transition, we’ve experienced healing and renewal—but we’re also being invited into deeper growth. The Book of Ephesians offers guidance for exactly that kind of moment.
Written by the apostle Paul while imprisoned in Rome, this letter is both theological and practical. It proclaims God’s eternal plan to unite all things in Christ, and it calls the church—then and now—to live as a unified, grace-filled, Spirit-led people. Its themes of identity, unity, maturity and spiritual warfare resonate deeply with a church rebuilding on the solid foundation of Jesus.
What We Covered
Over eleven weeks, we explored every chapter of Ephesians. Each session included prayer, a shared reading of the passage and open discussion. There was no pressure, no prep and no performance—just people coming together to grow in God’s Word.
Here’s a glimpse of the journey we took:
- Week 1: Introduction to Ephesians
- Weeks 2–3: Spiritual blessings, adoption and Christ’s authority
- Weeks 4–5: Grace, salvation and unity in the church
- Week 6: The mystery of Christ and our role as the church
- Weeks 7–8: Walking in humility, unity and new life
- Weeks 9–10: Love, submission and Spirit-led relationships
- Week 11: Standing firm in spiritual warfare
What We Learned
Ephesians isn’t just a theological letter—it’s a spiritual blueprint. As we moved chapter by chapter, week by week, we watched key themes unfold and grow deeper. Here’s what stood out, roughly in the order Paul lays them out in the letter:
We are in Christ—together (Eph. 1:3–14)
From the start, Paul reminded us that our identity is rooted in Christ. We’re chosen, adopted and redeemed—not by effort, but by grace. Our inheritance is secure, sealed by the Holy Spirit.
Predestination reveals God’s purpose, not favoritism (Eph. 1:4–5)
We wrestled with what it means to be predestined—and discovered that it’s not about individuals being picked over others, but about God’s eternal plan to form a people who live for His glory.
We are part of something much bigger than ourselves (Eph. 1:15–23)
Paul’s prayer for wisdom and revelation opened our eyes to Christ’s authority over all things. His power is for the church, and He is the head of it.
We were dead—but now we’re alive in grace (Eph. 2:1–10)
This was a turning point. We saw clearly that salvation is entirely God’s work. We are “God’s workmanship,” created for good works that naturally flow out of His grace.
The Gospel unites what the world divides (Eph. 2:11–22)
In Christ, the wall between Jew and Gentile is gone. We talked about barriers in our own lives and churches, and how the Gospel always moves us toward reconciliation and unity.
The church is central to God’s plan, not an afterthought (Eph. 3:1–21)
Paul described the church as the place where God’s wisdom is revealed to the world. That challenged us to see church not as a side activity, but as a sacred calling.
We are called to walk in a way that reflects our calling (Eph. 4:1–16)
We reflected on humility, gentleness, patience and the role each person plays in building up the body of Christ. Unity isn’t accidental—it’s something we must work to protect.
Transformation means leaving behind the old life (Eph. 4:17–32)
Ephesians taught us that the Christian life involves real change. Our minds are renewed, our habits reshaped. We don’t just behave differently—we become new people in Christ.
Sin exposed can become a source of healing (Eph. 5:11-14)
One of the most powerful undercurrents was the realization that when we bring our sin into the light, God transforms it—into testimony, into grace, into growth.
Worship is relational and Spirit-led (Eph. 5:18–21)
Paul’s command to “address one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs” raised important questions about how we experience worship. It’s not just about watching—it’s about participating.
Relationships thrive in mutual submission (Eph. 5:22–6:9)
We explored God’s design for submission—not as control, but as a reflection of Christ’s love. All relationships—marriage, parenting, leadership—are brought into balance through unity and mutual care.
Our real enemy is not flesh and blood (Eph. 6:10–20)
We ended with Paul’s teaching on spiritual warfare. The armor of God reminded us that we are in a battle—and it’s spiritual, not political or personal. Truth, righteousness, prayer and peace are our weapons.
What’s Next: Fall Study in Colossians, Philemon and Philippians
As we move into the fall, we’re excited to continue walking with Paul—this time through three of his other letters: Colossians, Philemon and Philippians. These books, also written during Paul’s imprisonment, echo many of the themes we encountered in Ephesians—especially Christ’s supremacy, spiritual maturity and Gospel-rooted relationships.
This upcoming study will lead us toward Thanksgiving and help us see Jesus more clearly, love others more deeply and live more joyfully in the everyday rhythms of life. Whether you’ve never opened these books or know them well, there will be something for you.
Moving Forward Together
The summer study in Ephesians reminded us who we are and whose we are. We’re not just recovering from the past—we’re becoming the church God designed: unified, Spirit-empowered and rooted in grace. Let’s keep growing. Let’s keep walking. Let’s stay grounded in the truth that Christ is our head, we are His body and the Spirit equips us for all He’s called us to do.
