Ephesians 5:15-21 (J.B. Philips Translation)

Live life, then, with a due sense of responsibility, not as people who do not know the meaning and purpose of life but as those who do. Make the best use of your time, despite all the difficulties of these days. Don’t be vague but firmly grasp what you know to be the will of God. Don’t get your stimulus from wine (for there is always the danger of excessive drinking), but let the Spirit stimulate your souls. Express your joy in singing among yourselves psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, making music in your hearts for the ears of God! Thank God at all times for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. And “fit in with” each other, because of your common reverence for Christ.

Questions for Reflection and Conversation

1. Based on your understanding of the Bible, and especially the teachings of Jesus, how would you describe “the meaning and purpose of life”?

2. Think about times when alcohol consumption tipped from being a secondary feature of an evening with family or friends, to a dominant driver of foolish speech or behavior, perhaps even “wrecking the party”. How might we at MBPPC rely on the Holy Spirit to draw us closer together in the way our culture often depicts alcohol consumption as doing?

3. It is hard to envision Paul’s invitation to “Express your joy in singing among yourselves,” unless you’re in the choir (no offense, choir members!). But, think about how you sometimes “carry a song in your heart” — hearing some especially meaningful piece of music and having it move you. Does our worship music do that for you? When did that happen? How could it happen more?

4. How might our “common reverence for Christ” help us “‘fit in with’ each other, especially when differences might divide us?