David Platt, Radical

Too Hungry for Words (Ch 2)

Ephesians 2:1-10

     1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Theme: Discovering the Truth and Beauty of the Gospel

Study Questions and Reflection

1. Which story in chapter 2 grabbed your attention the most? Share.

2. According to Pratt, “God’s Word is enough for millions of believers who gather in house churches…. His Word is enough for millions of others believers who huddle in Africa jungles, South American rain forests, and Middle Eastern cities. But is his Word enough for us?” (p. 26) Do you think there’s something about our culture or lifestyle that impedes a hunger for God’s Word? 

3. What do the following verses teach us about who God really is? Nehemiah 9:6; Job 37:16; Psalm 36:6; 1 Samuel 2:2; Habakkuk 1:13; Romans 3:5-6; 1 John 4:16 

4. How does Ephesians 2:1-3 depict who we really are? (See also John 8:34; Romans 5:10-12; 6:23; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 4:18.) Pratt writes: “In the gospel God reveals the depth of our need for him. He show us that there is absolutely nothing we can do to come to him….God has to open our eyes, set us free, overcome our evil, and appease his wraith. He has to come to us.” (p. 32)

5. What does Ephesians 2:4-9 teach about God’s role in our salvation?  

6. Read Romans 3:25 and 2 Corinthians 5:21. Discuss Pratt’s words: “What happened at the Cross was…about the wrath due your sin and my sin being thrust upon his soul. In that holy moment, all the righteous and wrath and justice of God due us came rushing down like a torrent on Christ himself.” (p 36) Agree or disagree? Explain.

7. In your LG or with a friend, practice sharing the gospel (4-5 min presentation). Which verses will you use? What kind of illustrations or analogies will you add to assist your sharing?

8. Pratt notes: “But that gift of grace involves the gift of a new heart. New desires. New longings…..We realize that we are not saved not just to be forgiven of our sins or to be assured or our eternity in heaven, but we are saved to know God. So we yearn for him. We want him so much that we abandon everything else to experience him….This is why you and I cannot settle for anything less than a God-centered, Christ-exalting, self-denying gospel.” (39). Discuss Pratt’s ideas. Do you need to change?