Submit to One Another (Ephesians 5)

When have you found yourself in a difficult situation because you weren't paying attention?  How did you fix it?  What did you learn?

As a group, read Ephesians 5:15-21.

What do you think it means to "be careful how you live?" (some translations say, "pay attention to your life")

How can someone make the most of every opportunity in life?  How does a Christian do this differently than someone else?

Verse 18 is a comparison between two ways of living.  Being controlled by "wine" leads to evil deeds.  What does the life of someone who is controlled by the Spirit look like?

Read verses 19-20. Use your own words to describe what these verses say about the spirit-controlled life.

What is your first reaction when you hear the word "submit?"

What are some negative responses people have to the idea of submission?

Someone who is controlled by the Holy Spirit will submit to others.  Discuss the following questions about submission.

What do you think it means to submit?

To whom should you submit?

To whom should you not submit? Why not?

Are there times when submission is wrong?

What is the hardest thing about submitting to someone else?

Read Philippians 2:5-11.  In what ways did Jesus submit?

How does our submission make us like Jesus?  How does our submission demonstrate our relationship with Jesus?

What is one area of your life that would benefit from a more submissive attitude?  How will you work on this?