Why do you think that Paul describes life apart from God as futile? How have you experienced futility when seeking contentment apart from in Christ?

 

What does it look like for a person to "put off the old self”? What does it look like to for them "put on the new self”?

 

Why is it so important to speak the truth to others - particularly to other members of the body of Christ?  What can you do practically to better obey God’s command in Ephesians 4:25?

 

What does Paul have to say about anger in this text?  How would you describe anger that is not sinful (as Ephesians 4:26 seems to suggest)? How would you describe anger that is sinful (as Matthew 5:21-22 seems to suggest)?

 

What does Ephesians 4:28 say about diligence? What does it say about honesty? What does it say about generosity?  What might it look like for you, in the place that God has you right now, to apply and obey this verse in your life?

 

How would you describe your speech - the words that you speak for the majority of the time (Ephesians 4:29)?  Would you describe it as building others up?  As timely, and fitting for the occasion?  As a means of grace for those who hear it?  If not, how would your speech need to change in order to be described this way?

 

What do you make of the notion that our sin causes God to grieve (Ephesians 4:30)? How does this reality affect how we, as Christians, should strive to fight against sin?

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