Gospel Shaped
How the Good News Transforms the Way We Live and Relate
A Daily Thunder Series with Nathan Johnson
In this series, we’ll unpack Ephesians 5:15–6:9 and explore what it means to live gospel-shaped: to walk wisely in a world of distraction, to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and to honor Christ in every relationship—from marriage to family to workplace and beyond. Rather than offering practical tips or behavioral rules, we’ll see how the gospel reorients our desires, our decisions, and the daily choices that form a life.
Come discover how the good news of Jesus Christ is not only the foundation of salvation but the substance of faithful living. A gospel-shaped life is found through the Spirit’s transforming work within us, producing wisdom, love, obedience, and strength for every role and relationship God has given us.
1: Features of the Fool
A Study from Ephesians 5:15-16
In Ephesians 5:15–16, Paul delivers a sobering warning to believers: look carefully how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, redeeming the time because the days are evil. But what does it actually mean to live as “unwise” (a fool) according to Scripture? In this study, we examine what the Bible says about foolishness and uncover four key features that mark the life of a fool. If you’re convinced you don’t have any foolishness within you, take heed, as that is typically the first sign of foolishness; so let this message help you honestly evaluate whether you’re walking in biblical wisdom or drifting into patterns of foolishness without realizing it. Ultimately, this message is a call to walk circumspectly and examine your life to pursue the intentional life God calls every believer to live.
Download the “Characteristics of a Fool” PDF mentioned in the message.
2: The Ways of the Wise
A Study from Ephesians 5:15-16
We continue our study in Ephesians 5:15–16 examining the “ways of the wise.” Contrasted with the “fool” and “unwise,” Paul exhorts us to live in wisdom. In this study, Nathan talks about what Scripture says about wisdom, how we can continually live in wisdom, and how that practically changes our spiritual lives day-to-day.
3: Time is Running Out
A Study from Ephesians 5:15-16
Time is running out and life is short. In this message from Ephesians 5:15–16, we examine Paul’s reason for why we, as Christians, are called to live circumspect (“walk carefully”) and be wise (rather than foolish) in how we live. Paul says we are to redeem the time because the days are short. Join Nathan as we talk about the importance of redeeming the time, what that means practical for our lives, and why it’s a blessing to know that time is short.
4: The Will of God for Your Life
A Study from Ephesians 5:17
In this study from Ephesians 5:17, Nathan freshly contrasts the wise and foolish person and explains that because the time is short that we must know God’s will for our lives. But what is His will? More than a list of “do this, don’t do that,” God’s will is actually rather simple to understand. In this message, Nathan will expound on what it means to know God’s will for your life and you will ultimately discover that when we ask “What is God’s will for my life?” the question should be flipped and turned into a declaration: “God’s life is my will!”
5: Removing Every Distraction
A Study from Ephesians 5:18
In this study from Ephesians 5:18, Nathan dives into Paul’s exhortation that we should “not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit.” Far more than a command not to be drunk, this study shows that Paul is getting to the heart of every person’s life—we must remove EVERY distraction and sin and anything else we might turn to in hopes it will “save” and comfort us. What hope do we have in our lives? The simple answer is Jesus and the infilling of His Spirit in our lives. Watch the message to learn more.
6: The Outflow of the infilling
A Study from Ephesians 5:18
In Ephesians 5:18, Paul sets up a contrast with alcohol, explaining that a Christian is to be filled with the Holy Spirit. But what does it look like when someone’s life is filled with the Spirit? In Ephesians 5:19–21, Paul gives four “outflows” of the infilling of the Holy Spirit. In this message, Nathan gives a broad overview of these four aspects and talks about four observations when you look at all four together.
7: The All Consuming Melody
A Study from Ephesians 5:19
As Paul describes what it looks like to be filled with the Spirit, he gives four aspects (outflows) of the indwelling life of Christ. In this study we examine the first two: 1) speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, and 2) singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord. One is external and public, the other is internal and private. Join Nathan in this study of Ephesians 1:19–21 as we examine the first two aspects of the Christian life and what it means to be all-consumed with a melody.
8: The Always Thankful Life
A Study from Ephesians 5:20
As Paul gives the practical outflow of a life filled with the Holy Spirit, he not only talks about the “all-consuming melody” of our lives but one that is also always filled with thanksgiving. In this message, Nathan Johnson expounds upon Ephesians 5:20 and the incredible reality that we can, in fact, give thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9: In the Fear of Christ
A Study from Ephesians 5:21
The “fear of the Lord” is absolutely essential to the Christian life. Throughout Scripture, the command to fear God is accompanied by tremendous blessing. Yet for many Christians, we think of fear as something negative and bad rather than how the Bible describes it. In this study, Nathan talks about the amazing and awe-inspiring fear of the Lord, what it is and isn’t, how to cultivate it, and ultimately why it is so foundational and is a mark of being filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:21).
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