The following outline and discussion questions have been prepared to accompany the sermon on March 22, “20/20 Vision Christ, the Church & COVID-19” (Ephesians 4:11–16). The questions can be used for discussion in small groups or for personal reflection. 

Outline

1. Christ’s Gift: Jesus gives grace to all and leaders to the church (Ephesians 4:7, 11)
2. Christ’s Purpose: To equip the saints for ministry (Ephesians 4:12)
3. Christ’s Aim: So that ...
1. Believers will have a greater knowledge of Christ (v. 13)
2. Believers will have a greater discernment of error (v. 14)
3. Believers will increasingly resemble Christ (vv. 15–16)
4. Application

Main Point: Jesus leads his church by giving her leaders to equip the saints to minister to one another in order to increasingly look like Christ. 

Discussion Questions

• Why is it important to remember both “grace was given to each one of us” and how Christ “gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers to equip the saints”?
• When Paul teaches that believers are to build up the body of Christ, where else in Ephesians do we see some ways believers can mutually build up the church body?
• According to Ephesians 4:13–16, what are some of the results Paul hopes to see when the saints are engaged in the work of ministry?
• In Matthew 18:3, Jesus tells his followers to “become like children,” but Paul teaches us to “no longer be children.” How do we reconcile Jesus’ and Paul’s teachings?
• How should we understand “speaking the truth in love” within the wider context of mutually building up the body?

Application Questions

• In light of the pandemic causing isolation and fear, what are some practical ways you can set your mind on Christ?
• What are some ways you can “be the church” to one another, to fellow church members, and to those without the hope of Christ?
• If you’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious, to whom will you share and to whom will you ask for help?
• If you’re not battling fear or anxiety, how can you help point others to Christ and provide practical help in the days and weeks ahead?
• Write down a few names of fellow church members you’ll pray for and check in on, and jot the name of a few folks who don’t know Christ to whom you can minister. 

Prayer Focus

Praise God for being an unchangeable, trustworthy, all-sufficient, sovereign, and merciful God who is in control of all things. Confess your sins, anxieties, fears, flippancy, distractedness, or failure to seek him in these trying times. Thank him for salvation in Christ, the gift of the church body for mutual upbuilding and support, and for sustaining grace revealed in his word. Ask God for more of his sustaining grace, faith in moments of doubt, widespread repentance and revival in our communities, and open doors to share the love of Christ with those who don’t believe in him.