What's Next?

Whether you heard the message from Sunday or are part of one of our “What’s Next” groups at Venture, here’s a way for you to go deeper.

this week's next steps

Read Ephesians 5 for next week

I will read and reflect on Romans chapters 5-8

I will consider where my life does not reflect well on Jesus.

Say yes to Jesus - click here

This week's Bible reading plan

This week's fill-in notes

This week's study

Every family has a distinct culture—a set of unspoken and spoken rules that define who they are. Whether it is "we do hard things," "we tell the truth," or "we help each other," these values signal to the world what that family stands for. As believers, we have been adopted into the ultimate family: the family of God. In Ephesians 4, the Apostle Paul reminds us that this adoption comes with a new identity. We are no longer defined by our past or the chaotic standards of the world. Instead, we are called to live a life worthy of the calling we have received. This obedience isn't a transaction where we behave well to earn God's love; rather, it is a natural response of gratitude because we have already been loved, blessed, and saved by grace. We live differently because we are different.

This transformation requires us to intentionally "take off" our old habits—like grave clothes that no longer fit a resurrected life—and "put on" the character of Christ. Paul is specific about what "our house" looks like: we trade lying for truth, theft for hard work and generosity, and unwholesome talk for words that build others up. We are warned that harboring unresolved anger or bitterness gives the enemy a foothold and grieves the Holy Spirit who lives within us. Bitterness acts as an internal poison, but the culture of God's kingdom is defined by forgiveness and reconciliation. We cannot control what happens to us, but through the Spirit, we can control how we respond.

Ultimately, our lives are meant to make Jesus famous by reflecting His character. When the world sees us, they should see a resemblance to our Father. We are commanded to be kind and compassionate to one another, and to forgive each other, just like God forgave you through Christ. We represent God's family in a world that needs it. When we quickly deal with our anger and choose to speak the truth with love, we honor our family name and show everyone the life-changing power of Jesus.

Questions to Consider:

Growing up, did your family have a specific "rule" or saying that defined who you were? How did that shape your behavior?
There is a difference between obeying God to get blessings (transactional) versus obeying God because we are blessed (relational). How does shifting your mindset to the latter change the way you approach fighting sin?
Ephesians 4 calls us to put away falsehood and speak the truth in love. Why is it often easier to do one without the other (truth without love, or "love" without truth)? Which do you struggle with more?
Paul warns that while feeling anger is natural, nursing it gives the enemy a "foothold." Have you ever experienced a time where unresolved anger turned into bitterness or malice? What helps you resolve conflict quickly before the "sun goes down"?
We are told to let no "unwholesome" (or rotting) talk come out of our mouths, but only what builds up. If you audited your words from the last week, would they be characterized more by complaining and tearing down, or encouraging and building up?
The text suggests that bitterness and unforgiveness actually grieve the Holy Spirit living inside us. How does understanding that your internal attitude affects your relationship with God change how you view holding a grudge?
Is there a specific area mentioned in this passage—lying, anger, stealing/generosity, speech, or bitterness—where you need to "take off" the old self this week and "put on" Christ?