Winning the Spiritual Battle - Part II - The Power of Your Identity in Christ - Ephesians 1:1-14

 

Study Guide for Week of August 17, 2025

This Week's Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-14

Crossroads Community Group Guide

A. Welcome: Welcome everyone, especially new people, and read aloud the purpose of your group.

B. Purpose: Our purpose is to spread the Kingdom of God. We do this by multiplying groups of people who care for each as God's family. We begin by inviting new people to our group and building them to be followers of Jesus. Each person here has the potential to be empowered to start and be the leader of a new group and spread God's kingdom.

C. Worship Time (Optional): Spend a few minutes singing a worship song. Here is one you may want to use: I I Give You My Heart (or pick your own YouTube video that shows the lyrics.)

D. Video Message                                                                  

       

E. Upcoming Events: Crossroads Website        

F. Review:

1. How did you do with what you want to apply from last week?
2. Who did you invite to the group for this week?

G. Opening Question (an icebreaker - a simple question to introduce the main theme):

• How does how you see yourself effct your life?

H. Background Information for this study: 

Ephesians is a book that teaches us Biblical truth about an unseen reality. It was written by Paul to a group of people in the City of Ephesus. They had not been following Jesus for very long. One of the key teachings that Paul wanted them to know was about spiritual realities and spiritual battles.

In Ephesians 6:12, Paul make clear to us that the battle we face in life is not against people or situations but rather there is a spiritual reality behind the issue or problem or sin. That spiritual reality is satan and his spiritual forces. They are a reality. Paul also want us to know the power for life and victory that we have in Jesus. Unless we understand we are in a spiritual battle we will never walk in victory. 

As you go through and discuss these few verses focus on personal identity. How does Paul describe himself? What does Paul teach the Ephesians about themselves? What do you learn about yourself and your identity in Christ? 

First Section:Ephesians 1:1-2. Paul's identity

Second Section: Ephesians 1:3-10. Who a follower of Jesus is in Christ. Our true identity..

Third Section: Ephesians 1:11-14. God's plan to save us and make us His children and chosen ones.

In this study be sure to make a practical application to each section. Make application to your life including what you will do to tell other people the message.

J. Word: Read the scriptures above by section. Read it in smaller portions aloud together several times. (The goal is for everyone to understand the Bible story or verses by retelling them in their own words; keep at it until everyone knows the story or verses.)

1. What key (important) words do you see in these verses?

2. Tell in your own words what happens in these verses.

3. What are the details?

4. What jumps out at you and catches your attention?

5. What details can you add to what others in the group have said?

K. Discuss the following general questions together. (The goal is to use these general questions to guide a discussion. The leader should not speak for more than 30% of the time; let the group discover what God is saying to them.)

1. What catches your attention in these verses?

2. What new thing did you discover in the story or verses that you did not know before?

3. What did you learn about God (Father, Jesus or Holy Spirit) from the story?

4. What do you learn about people from the story?

5. What important lessons for us do you see in this story?

Winning the Spiritual Battle - Part I Knowing your Enemy - Ephesians 2:1-10

 

Study Guide for Week of August 17, 2025

This Week's Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10

Crossroads Community Group Guide

A. Welcome: Welcome everyone, especially new people, and read aloud the purpose of your group.

B. Purpose: Our purpose is to spread the Kingdom of God. We do this by multiplying groups of people who care for each as God's family. We begin by inviting new people to our group and building them to be followers of Jesus. Each person here has the potential to be empowered to start and be the leader of a new group and spread God's kingdom.

C. Worship Time (Optional): Spend a few minutes singing a worship song. Here is one you may want to use: I I Give You My Heart (or pick your own YouTube video that shows the lyrics.)

D. Video Message                                                                  

       

E. Upcoming Events: Crossroads Website        

F. Review:

1. How did you do with what you want to apply from last week?
2. Who did you invite to the group for this week?

G. Opening Question (an icebreaker - a simple question to introduce the main theme):

• Why do we sometimes do what we do not want to do and sometimes fail to do what we know we should do?

H. Background Information for this study: 

Ephesians is a book that teaches us Biblical truth about an unseen reality. It was written by Paul to a group of people in the City of Ephesus. They had not been following Jesus for very long. One of the key teachings that Paul wanted them to know was about spiritual realities and spiritual battles.

In Ephesians 6:12, Paul make clear to us that the battle we face in life is not against people or situations but rather there is a spiritual reality behind the issue or problem or sin. That spiritual reality is satan and his spiritual forces. They are a reality. Paul also want us to know the power for life and victory that we have in Jesus. Unless we understand we are in a spiritual battle we will never walk in victory. 

As you go through and discuss these few verses pay attention to what they teach us about the spiritual battle we are in. Discuss different terms that Paul uses. 

First Section:Ephesians 2:1-3. The reality of spiritual death that effects us all.

Second Section: Ephesians 2:4-9. The reality of life power in Jesus.

Third Section: Ephesians 2:10. God's purpose for each one of us.

In this study be sure to make a practical application to each section. Make application to your life including what you will do to tell other people the message.

J. Word: Read the scriptures above by section. Read it in smaller portions aloud together several times. (The goal is for everyone to understand the Bible story or verses by retelling them in their own words; keep at it until everyone knows the story or verses.)

1. What key (important) words do you see in these verses?

2. Tell in your own words what happens in these verses.

3. What are the details?

4. What jumps out at you and catches your attention?

5. What details can you add to what others in the group have said?

K. Discuss the following general questions together. (The goal is to use these general questions to guide a discussion. The leader should not speak for more than 30% of the time; let the group discover what God is saying to them.)

1. What catches your attention in these verses?

2. What new thing did you discover in the story or verses that you did not know before?

3. What did you learn about God (Father, Jesus or Holy Spirit) from the story?

4. What do you learn about people from the story?

5. What important lessons for us do you see in this story?

Life Transformation: A New Life - A New Perspective and a New Purpose

 

Study Guide for Week of August 10, 2025

This Week's Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 

Crossroads Community Group Guide

A. Welcome: Welcome everyone, especially new people, and read aloud the purpose of your group.

B. Purpose: Our purpose is to spread the Kingdom of God. We do this by multiplying groups of people who care for each as God's family. We begin by inviting new people to our group and building them to be followers of Jesus. Each person here has the potential to be empowered to start and be the leader of a new group and spread God's kingdom.

C. Worship Time (Optional): Spend a few minutes singing a worship song. Here is one you may want to use: I I Give You My Heart (or pick your own YouTube video that shows the lyrics.)

D. Video Message                                                                  

       

E. Upcoming Events: Crossroads Website        

F. Review:

1. How did you do with what you want to apply from last week?
2. Who did you invite to the group for this week?

G. Opening Question (an icebreaker - a simple question to introduce the main theme):

• What part of your life would you like to see transformed?

H. Background Information for this study: 

Jesus came to give us a new life not only eternal life but new life now. He forgivess us, transforms us step by step and gives us a new purpose and perspective for our life. 

First Section:2 Corinthians 5:11-15. A new life in Jesus.

Second Section: 2 Corinthians 5:16-19. A new perspective

Third Section: 2 Corinthians 5:20-21. A new purpose

In this study be sure to make a practical application to each section. Make application to your life including what you will do to tell other people the message.

J. Word: Read the scriptures above by section. Read it in smaller portions aloud together several times. (The goal is for everyone to understand the Bible story or verses by retelling them in their own words; keep at it until everyone knows the story or verses.)

1. What key (important) words do you see in these verses?

2. Tell in your own words what happens in these verses.

3. What are the details?

4. What jumps out at you and catches your attention?

5. What details can you add to what others in the group have said?

K. Discuss the following general questions together. (The goal is to use these general questions to guide a discussion. The leader should not speak for more than 30% of the time; let the group discover what God is saying to them.)

1. What catches your attention in these verses?

2. What new thing did you discover in the story or verses that you did not know before?

3. What did you learn about God (Father, Jesus or Holy Spirit) from the story?

4. What do you learn about people from the story?

5. What important lessons for us do you see in this story?

 
L. Commitment - Obedience - Application

(This is the key - have everyone answer this question.) 

1. What specifically will you commit to apply in your life from this study? 

M. Prayer Time:  Break up into smaller groups of 3-4 - groups of the same sex           

1. Pray for your group to multiply.
2. Ask each other how you are doing spiritually.
3. Pray for the needs of the members of your group

Prayer of Confession - Psalm 32

 Study Guide for Week of August 3, 2025

This Week's Scripture: Psalm 32 

Crossroads Community Group Guide

A. Welcome: Welcome everyone, especially new people, and read aloud the purpose of your group.

B. Purpose: Our purpose is to spread the Kingdom of God. We do this by multiplying groups of people who care for each as God's family. We begin by inviting new people to our group and building them to be followers of Jesus. Each person here has the potential to be empowered to start and be the leader of a new group and spread God's kingdom.

C. Worship Time (Optional): Spend a few minutes singing a worship song. Here is one you may want to use: I I Give You My Heart (or pick your own YouTube video that shows the lyrics.)

D. Video Message                                                                  

       

E. Upcoming Events: Crossroads Website        

F. Review:

1. How did you do with what you want to apply from last week?
2. Who did you invite to the group for this week?

G. Opening Question (an icebreaker - a simple question to introduce the main theme):

• Why do people not like to admit it when they are wrong?

H. Background Information for this study: 

This Psalm is a prayer of confession that David prayed after he committed adultry with Bathsheeba and tried to hid it for over one year. he was finnally confront by Nathan the prophet and then David confessed his sin and was forgiven. 

First Section:Psalm 32:1-2. What it means to be blessed in God's eyes.

Second Section: Psalm 32:3-6. How David felt when he hid his sin. What happened when David confessed his sin and was forgiven.

Third Section: Psalm 32:7-11. David's encouragemnet to us to turn to God and trust in Him because He will forgive us.

In this study be sure to make a practical application to each section. Make application to your life including what you will do to tell other people the message.

J. Word: Read the scriptures above by section. Read it in smaller portions aloud together several times. (The goal is for everyone to understand the Bible story or verses by retelling them in their own words; keep at it until everyone knows the story or verses.)

1. What key (important) words do you see in these verses?

2. Tell in your own words what happens in these verses.

3. What are the details?

4. What jumps out at you and catches your attention?

5. What details can you add to what others in the group have said?

K. Discuss the following general questions together. (The goal is to use these general questions to guide a discussion. The leader should not speak for more than 30% of the time; let the group discover what God is saying to them.)

1. What catches your attention in these verses?

2. What new thing did you discover in the story or verses that you did not know before?

3. What did you learn about God (Father, Jesus or Holy Spirit) from the story?

4. What do you learn about people from the story?

5. What important lessons for us do you see in this story?

 
L. Commitment - Obedience - Application

(This is the key - have everyone answer this question.) 

1. What specifically will you commit to apply in your life from this study? 

M. Prayer Time:  Break up into smaller groups of 3-4 - groups of the same sex           

1. Pray for your group to multiply.
2. Ask each other how you are doing spiritually.
3. Pray for the needs of the members of your group