Ephesians 4 moves from a call to unity in the church to a practical picture of what changed lives look like in ordinary conduct. These questions are for a small group, a Sunday class, or personal study. Each section gives you a leader’s note so you can run the session without preparing a separate summary.
Ephesians 4 at a Glance
Paul begins by urging his readers to live in a way that matches their calling, stressing humility, patience and unity in the Spirit. He then describes the one body of Christ, the varied gifts given to build it up, and the goal of maturity in Christ. From verse 17 the focus turns to the contrast between the old way of life and the new self formed in God’s likeness.
The final verses bring this down to daily habits: honest speech, honest work, careful words, and a forgiving heart. The chapter ends with the same grace that saved us becoming the pattern for how we treat one another.
Observation Questions
Use these first to make sure everyone has the text in front of them and is looking at the same details before anyone starts interpreting. Keep answers short and drawn from the words on the page. Ask group members to point to the verse each time.
Q: In verses 1-3, what three virtues does Paul list as marks of walking worthily?
1 I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to walk worthily of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and humility, with patience, bearing with one another in love; 3 being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:1-3 (WEB)
The answer is lowliness, humility and patience, with bearing with one another in love added as an expression of them. Note that Paul describes these as things done together in the bond of peace, not as private qualities. Ask the group which of these comes most naturally to them and which takes effort.
Q: In verses 4-6, how many times does the word “one” appear, and what are the things described as one?
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you also were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in us all.
Ephesians 4:4-6 (WEB)
The word “one” appears seven times, covering one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism and one God and Father. Paul is not listing them as separate topics but as a single foundation for unity. Let the group notice how the repetition builds a case rather than making a single argument.
Q: In verses 11-12, what purposes does Paul give for the gifts Christ gave to the church?
11 He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers; 12 for the perfecting of the saints, to the work of serving, to the building up of the body of Christ…
Ephesians 4:11-12 (WEB)
The gifts are given for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of service, and for building up the body of Christ. Paul names apostles, prophets, evangelists, and shepherds and teachers. Point out that the purpose clause is the key, since gifts are ordered toward others rather than toward status.
Q: In verses 25-32, which everyday behaviors does Paul name as things to put away and which as things to do instead?
25 Therefore putting away falsehood, speak truth each one with his neighbor. For we are members of one another. 26 “Be angry, and don’t sin.” Don’t let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 and don’t give place to the devil. 28 Let him who stole steal no more; but rather let him labor, producing with his hands something that is good, that he may have something to give to him who has need. 29 Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but only what is good for building others up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, and slander, be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:25-32 (WEB)
Falsehood, corrupt speech, bitterness, wrath, anger, slander and malice are to be put away, while truthful speech, honest work, helpful words and kindness are to be practiced. The list is concrete and everyday, which makes it useful for a group to test against real situations. Ask members to name one item they recognize in their own week.
Interpretation Questions
These questions move from what the text says to what it means. Allow silence and disagreement here, and steer the group back to the words of the chapter when opinions drift away from it. A good leader asks, “Where do you see that in the verse?” more often than offering a verdict.
Q: What does Paul mean by “the unity of the Spirit” in verse 3, and how is it different from uniformity?
Being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:3 (WEB)
Paul’s wording suggests that unity is something the Spirit creates and believers must keep, not something they manufacture. Unity here is held together by peace, not by everyone thinking alike. Ask the group how a church can be united and still contain real differences of background and opinion.
Q: In verse 8, Paul quotes a line about a victorious ascent and gift-giving. What point is he building with it in verses 9-10?
8 Therefore he says, “When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.” 9 Now this, “He ascended”, what is it but that he also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.
Ephesians 4:8-10 (WEB)
Paul uses the ascent to show that the one who went up also came down, so that Christ fills all things. He is connecting Christ’s exaltation with his gifts to the church. Mention that the quotation is an old Scripture passage Paul applies to Christ, and that commentators discuss its exact background. Keep the focus on the point Paul makes.
Q: In verses 17-19, what does Paul identify as the root problem of the way the Gentiles walk?
17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their hearts; 19 who having become callous gave themselves up to lust, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
Ephesians 4:17-19 (WEB)
Paul names futility of mind, darkened understanding, alienation from God’s life, ignorance and hardened hearts. He presents the behavior as a result of a deeper condition. Ask the group whether they see behavior as the root or as a symptom, and how the passage answers that question.
Q: What does Paul mean in verse 20 by “you did not learn Christ that way,” and what does learning Christ involve in verses 21-24?
20 But you did not learn Christ that way; 21 if indeed you heard him, and were taught in him, even as truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put away, as concerning your former way of life, the old man, that grows corrupt after the lusts of deceit; 23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and put on the new man, who in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth.
Ephesians 4:20-24 (WEB)
Paul says his readers were taught in Christ, which he describes as putting off the old self and being renewed in the mind, then putting on the new self. Learning Christ is presented as a whole-life formation rather than only a set of facts. Encourage the group to talk about what the “old self” and “new self” language looks like in practice.
Application Questions
These questions ask how the chapter should shape real decisions this week. Invite people to speak about one specific situation rather than general goals. Close by asking each person to name one concrete step, and encourage others to hold each other to it.
Q: Where in your relationships is “bearing with one another in love” most difficult right now, and what would patience look like there?
With all lowliness and humility, with patience, bearing with one another in love…
Ephesians 4:2 (WEB)
Let people name a real relationship without needing to explain it fully. Patience is more than waiting. It involves choosing to keep the relationship in love when irritation is easy. Ask the group to suggest one practical step, such as a phone call, a kinder tone or a fresh start.
Q: What truthful word do you need to speak to a neighbor this week, as verse 25 calls for?
Therefore putting away falsehood, speak truth each one with his neighbor. For we are members of one another.
Ephesians 4:25 (WEB)
Paul ties truthfulness to the fact that believers are members of one another. Encourage honest, specific answers, and remind the group that speaking truth is paired with love elsewhere in the chapter. Ask members to think about whether they are avoiding a hard conversation.
Q: Verse 26 says not to let the sun go down on your anger. What would it look like to deal with anger before bedtime in your home?
26 “Be angry, and don’t sin.” Don’t let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 and don’t give place to the devil.
Ephesians 4:26-27 (WEB)
The verse does not forbid anger but warns against letting it settle and harden. Ask the group what a healthy first step might be, such as a conversation, an apology, or simply admitting the feeling to God in prayer. Note that verse 27 links unresolved anger with giving the devil room, which is worth discussing without fear.
Q: How could your words this week build others up, as verse 29 describes, and what would change if you spoke that way?
Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but only what is good for building others up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Ephesians 4:29 (WEB)
Paul asks for speech that is good for building others up as needs arise and gives grace to those who hear. Let people share a time when a single sentence made a real difference to them. Ask the group to commit to one conversation where they will choose words with that purpose.
Key Verses to Read Aloud
Ephesians 4:11-13
11 He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers; 12 for the perfecting of the saints, to the work of serving, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a full grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ…
(WEB)
This reading shows that gifts exist for the building up of the body rather than for personal display. It fits well when discussing service in the group itself. Invite the group to think about how they might serve the church this month.
Ephesians 4:15-16
15 But speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, Christ; 16 from whom all the body, being fitted and knit together through that which every joint supplies, according to the working in measure of each individual part, makes the body increase to the building up of itself in love.
(WEB)
Speaking truth in love and growing into Christ as the head sums up much of the chapter’s vision. Reading it aloud gives a clear picture of the body working together. Ask whether the group sees itself as a joint that supplies others.
Ephesians 4:31-32
31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, and slander, be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.
(WEB)
Ending the reading list with kindness and forgiveness returns the group to the chapter’s practical heart. Reading these two verses gently can prepare hearts for prayer. Ask each person to name someone they need to forgive in the coming week.
Memory Verse for Ephesians 4
Ephesians 4:32
And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.
(WEB)
This verse is short enough to memorize and deep enough to return to often. It links kindness, forgiveness and the pattern of God’s own forgiveness in Christ. Encourage members to say it aloud during the week when a conflict arises.
A Closing Prayer for the Group
Father, we thank you for calling us into one body through your Spirit, and for giving each of us a place to serve. Teach us to walk in humility and patience, bearing with one another in love when it costs us something. Keep us honest in our speech and faithful in our work, so that our words build others up and do not wound them. Where anger or bitterness has settled among us, bring light and help us put it away. Make us kind and tender-hearted, forgiving as you have forgiven us in Christ. Amen.
