DNA Participant Toolbox

DNA Road Test (Ephesians 1)

DNA Road Test - Introduction

  • For a guide to the Road Test intro gathering click HERE.

  • Ephesians overview video

  • Ephesians overview poster

  • DNA ice breakers / check-in click HERE.

  • For a simple guide to hosting a typical DNA meeting click HERE.

Optional resources leaders who want to go deeper into Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians:

DNA Bible Study: An Introduction

In DNA we seek to approach Scripture not for mere information, but for transformation. Every passage of Ephesians is an invitation ‘to be changed by Jesus.’ To help bring us into this life-changing encounter with God’s truth, we follow this ‘zoom out’ > ‘zoom in’ rhythm:

Zoom out: Each session includes a Bible Project video addressing a theme drawn from the Ephesians passage for the week. Why do we use Bible Project videos in DNA? Click HERE.

Zoom in: Prayerfully read and re-read this session’s passage from Ephesians in at least two different translations. Note your initial observations: a) What words or images is the Holy Spirit highlighting for you? b) What initial questions does this passage raise for you? (At this point questions are raised but need not be answered). Continue to ‘zoom in,’ using the four questions of transformational Bible study:

1.    GOD: What is revealed in this passage about the character, work, plans or desires of God? Why do we start every Bible Study in DNA with God? Click HERE.

2.    Us (humans): What is revealed in this passage about our identity, need or purpose? Once we have explored the character and ways of God, we are ready to look at how the text defines who we are, the implications of God’s work for our lives, and for what it means to bear God’s image in this world. The whole letter of Ephesians can be summarized in this sentence, ‘God’s activity gives us a new identity.’ And that new identity includes new ways of living and loving in this world. The ‘Us question’ digs deeper into the reality of our human need and response- our need for the gospel and our response to the gospel.

3.   Think about the various hats (roles) you wear in life. (ex. in family, work, church, community). Stop and ask the Holy Spirit how He wants to apply this passage to your life. Share your reflections. Why do we ask this question and what does it mean? Click HERE.

4.    Specifically, what do you want to exchange with Jesus? Why do we ask this question and what does it mean? Click HERE.

LINKS FOR HANDOUTS, VIDEOS AND RESOURCES FOR EACH SESSION

Ephesians 1:1-6

Ephesians 1:7-10

Ephesians 1:11-14

Ephesians 1:15-23

Ephesians 2

For a simple guide to hosting a typical DNA meeting click HERE.

Click links for handouts, videos and other resources for each session in Ephesians 2:

Ephesians 2:1-4

Ephesians 2:4-7

Ephesians 2:8-10

Ephesians 2:11-13

Ephesians 2:14-18

Ephesians 2:19-22

Ephesians 3

For a simple guide to hosting a typical DNA meeting click HERE.

Click links for handouts, videos and other resources for each session in Ephesians 3:

Ephesians 3:1-6

Ephesians 3:7-13

Ephesians 3:14-19

Ephesians recap- chapters 1-3

Pause to Tell our Stories

We pause our journey through Ephesians at the end of chapter three to listen to one another’s stories.  Each participant has the opportunity to share his/her “Gospel Story” (one per week). Click HERE for a guide to putting together your gospel story.

Why take all this time to share our stories?

  • Real relationships are founded on trust, and trust is the fruit of knowing and valuing one another’s stories.

  • Everyone has a story. I cannot know who you are apart from your story.

  • Every story has highs and lows, joy and pain. This is normal. We learn that we are not alone when we share our stories.

  • Stories are powerful. Stories shape our sense of identity, and what we value in life. They help us make sense of our world. They color how we see culture, people, God, the church, the Bible; how we approach decision-making, relationships, conflict, and so much more.

  • Discipleship involves connecting our stories with God’s Story.

In DNA, we use this four-part narrative of the Biblical Story as a framework for telling our own stories:

CREATION: What aspects of you family of origin gave you a sense of value and worth?

FALL:  How has your life been affected by the brokenness of sin- yours and others?  How did you try to “fix” this brokenness on your own?  Where did you turn for a remedy?

REDEMPTION: How did the Holy Spirit begin to draw you to Jesus? What people, events or situations did he use along your journey toward faith?

RESTORATION: We have not yet arrived. Every story is still unfolding. What is one area of your life where you desire Jesus to bring change next?  

And finally, looking to the climax of God’s restoration Story: What is one aspect of the new heavens and earth you most look forward to?

Ephesians 4

For a simple guide to hosting a typical DNA meeting click HERE.

Click links for handouts, videos and other resources for each session in Ephesians 4:

Ephesians 4:1-6

Ephesians 4:7-16

Ephesians 4:17-24

Gospel Exchange

As an introduction to gospel exchange (aka ‘tree work’), we recommend Pastor Andy’s sermon on gospel exchange (from Ephesians 3): format: audio, or video.

For a case study on Simon Peter’s gospel exchange, click HERE for a guide (print in booklet form).

Here is a one-page summary sheet on Simon’s tree work.

Pastor Paul’s video tutorial on tree work. Note how Jesus restores Peter.

Optional resource: Pastor Andy’s gospel exchange worksheet

Ephesians as a guide for gospel exchange: Ephesians 5-6 is all about gospel exchange- putting off the old and putting on the new in Christ.

Ephesians 4:22 - 5:20

As a group, take several sessions to work through this put off / put on CHART noting the repeated pattern of gospel transformation: a) bad out b) good in, and c) reasons why.

Ephesians 5:22 - 6:24

For a simple guide to hosting a typical DNA meeting click HERE.

Click links for handouts, videos and other resources for each session in Ephesians 5-6:

Ephesians 5:21-33

Ephesians 6:1-9

Ephesians 6:10-18

Ephesians 6:19-24