Week 2: Grace That Saves 

Made Alive in Christ

¹As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, ²in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. ³All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. ⁴But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. ⁶And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, ⁷in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. ⁸For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹not by works, so that no one can boast. ¹⁰For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Jew and Gentile Reconciled Through Christ

¹¹Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— ¹²remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. ¹³But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

¹⁴For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, ¹⁵by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, ¹⁶and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. ¹⁷He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. ¹⁸For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

¹⁹Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, ²⁰built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. ²¹In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. ²²And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. 

Question 1 — 

Read Ephesians 2:1–10.

How does Paul describe life before Christ and life in Christ?

Question 2 — 

What words or phrases describe God’s actions toward humanity in this chapter?

Question 3 — 

According to Ephesians 2:8–9, what does it mean to be saved by grace and not by works?

Question 4 — 

In Ephesians 2:10, believers are called God’s “workmanship.”

What does this suggest about purpose and value?

Question 5 — 

Do you ever feel pressure to earn God’s approval or prove your worth?

How does this chapter challenge that mindset?

Question 6 — 

How can remembering that salvation is a gift shape the way you live, serve, or rest this week?

Study Notes

In Ephesians 2, Paul helps us understand why grace matters so much. He begins by honestly describing life apart from Christ. Without Jesus, people are spiritually dead — unable to save themselves or fix what is broken inside.

But then Paul introduces a turning point with two powerful words: “But God.” God, rich in mercy and love, steps in to give new life through Jesus Christ. Salvation is not something we earn through good behaviour or effort. It is a gift of grace, freely given.

Paul makes this clear so that no one can boast. Our relationship with God is built on trust in what Jesus has done, not on what we can do. Grace removes pressure and replaces it with gratitude.

At the same time, grace is not passive. Paul reminds believers that they are God’s workmanship, created for good works that God prepared in advance. We are not saved by good works, but we are saved for a life that reflects God’s goodness.

Ephesians 2 teaches us to rest in grace while also walking confidently in the purpose God has given us.

Grace saves us, shapes us, and sends us forward.