Small Group Bible Study Ephesians 4:1-16

Peace is one of the nine fruit of the Spirit described in Galatians.Peace is a spiritual grace within a believer; it is also a spiritual grace that is shared between andamong believers.“The bond of peace” refers to the spiritual grace that is shared between and among believers.The word “bond” literally means “tied together.” The “bond of peace” holds people who haveChrist’s peace together.Like all spiritual graces in and among believers, we must repeatedly choose to live from and actupon peace as a “first things first” principle.Discussion PointsShare these discussion questions with your group:1. When you think of Christ’s gift of peace, what difference does it make for you as an individualwhen you are facing stresses or conflicts?2. What difference have you observed Christ’s peace making among believers who have hadserious differences of opinion or conflicts?3. What kinds of things have you observed that occasionally sabotage Christ’s peace amongbelievers? What do you think are effective ways of preventing or addressing these peace-robbingattitudes or actions?4. If, as Paul says, living fully in Christ’s power and peace is a matter of “growing up,” what aresome habits or patterns of communication that we as growing Christians could let go of or “growout of” for the sake of a greater witness?5. What might you do to strengthen the bond of peace in your group, in your local church or withpeople of other faith communities?6. Think together for a few minutes about the power of peace as a witness to the reality of JesusChrist. Name or imagine situations in which authentic peace has reflected or might reflect thepower and promise of the Good News in Jesus Christ.ApplicationsMove toward application of this group Bible study with one or two of these action steps:1. Consider together a short list of personal practices and group disciplines that would serve toremind you to maintain the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace (example: “I will guard thereputation of my group members by…”).2. Ending conflicts and grudges is a first step toward knowing and practicing Christ’s peace. Give anopportunity for anyone in the group to ask forgiveness of someone for holding a grudge againstthem or be reconciled to another group member for the sake of witnessing to Christ’s peace.3. Develop a concrete list of practices that individuals and the group can use to bear witness to the“unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Send the list to the group via e-mail. When yourgroup meets again, check in with each other about these practices and review the challenges andopportunities each has had to bear Christ’s peace.ClosingFind and read the words of “O Holy Night” (the Christmas song) together. This song expresses the powerand promise of Christ’s incarnation and witness in a world of sin and strife. Ask a group member to prayfor Christ’s peace to make a difference in the life and witness of each person.2