James 1 - 2; Lesson 26

John's study this week:

Content

(In your own words, summarize passages into sentences. Goal of 12 – 15 sentences)

James 1

1. v1-4 Be joyful in all kinds of trials as our tested faith and perseverance brings maturity that we will lack for nothing.

2. v5-8 Ask God if you lack wisdom, and He will give it to you without finding fault doing so believing w/o doubts you will receive, and conversely, if you doubt, you will be like a wave tossed on the sea and should not expect anything from God.

3. v9-11 Those in humble and rich places should both understand that all things, like flowers) wither and that they should only take pride in their relationship with God.

4. v12 Whoever perseveres through trial by standing with God will be blessed with promised a crown of life promised by the Lord.

5. v13-18 When tempted don’t say that it is God who tempts and God does not temp with evil as only good gifts come from above. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth that we be the first fruits of His creation.

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6. v19-21 Be quick to listen, slow to speak and watch your temper as this does not produce righteousness, and, get rid of moral filth and evil in your life holding on to the word of God which can save you from such.

7. v22-25 Don’t just listen to the Word, but apply it to your life, looking intentionally at the perfect law that gives freedom and blessing.

8. v26-27 Take control of your speech lest it deceives you, care for orphans and widows in need, which will help you keep from being polluted by the world.

James 2

9. v1-4 Don’t show favoritism by outward appearance thus betraying unrighteous thoughts by our discriminating and judgmental thoughts.

10. v5-7  Look inside the hearts of though of humble and poor lives as they are the ones who are rich in faith and will inherit the kingdom He promised as opposed to the men who outwardly look good who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong.

11. v8 -11 Keep God’s laws found in scripture and don’t show favoritism as that is sinful, but rather love instead of being a law breaker, as Christ commanded, for we are all guilty as we all have sinned.

12. v12-13 Live by the law of freedom in Christ, showing mercy rather than judgment, as mercy triumphs over judgment.

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13. v14-25 Faith by itself saves, yet our faith in Christ and His saving grace will produce works of righteousness for Christ’s sake as faith is demonstrated by action.

14 v26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

Divisions

(Summarize main groupings of thoughts. Goal of 2, 3 or 4 divisions. ID passages covered)

I. Consider it joy when encountering temptations & trials  

James 1:1-18

Application:  With whom can you share how trials have brought about maturity in Christ?

Application: When temptations come, how are you showing the joy of having Christ in your life?

II. Live by the God’s law that gives freedom

James 1:19-2:13

Application: How are you handling your muttering, complaints and wrath?

Application:  How does one become a doer of the word?

III. A believer’s faith will be naturally demonstrated in our works because of Christ’s saving grace.

James 2:14-26

Application: How is that faith thing working for you?

Application: We’re not saved by obedience, but our obedience shows we’re saved.

Subject Sentence

(Summarizing the Divisions into one sentence):

James speaks to believers’ attitudes concerning trials, freedom, and works. (10 words)

Aim

(A main teaching point for the overall study of the passages):

Cause audience to think about their attitudes concerning trials, judgment, and faith demonstrated works.

Ephesians 6:10-24; Lesson 25

Chuck's study this week:

Lesson    25

Passage  Ephesians 6:10-24

Content (List of Topics or Events)

Put on Armor of God and take a stand against devil’s schemes. (Ephesians 6:10-12) a. Our Struggle is not earthly  (10-12a) b. Our Struggle is against dark world and evil forces (12b)

Put on Armor of God to Stand when evil comes (Ephesians 6:13-18) a. Stand Firm in truth, righteousness and peace(13-15) b. Hold fast to faith, your salvation and word of God (16-17) c. Pray in the Spirit alertly for all saints (18)

Put in prayer time (Ephesians 6:19-24) a. Pray for fearless presentation of gospel (19-20) b. Encouragement in faith (21-24)

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

Division	Scripture
Put on Armor of God and take a stand against devil’s schemes.	Ephesians 6:10-12
Put on Armor of God to Stand when evil comes	Ephesians 6:13-18
Put in prayer time	Ephesians 6:19-24

Subject Sentence (Summarizes the contents of the Divisions – No more than 10 words)

Put  on armor of God hold fast when facing evil

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

To Learn that God is our protection against evil and source of our salvation which is an encouragement for Christian living

Specific Application Questions

	1.       In what ways am I standing firm in God?
	2.       What is it that I do when evil comes?
	3.        How do I encourage those spreading the Gospel?
	4.

Principles to Remember

	Our strength for life is in the Lord
	Evil will come we need to be ready for it
	We can be an encouragement to others in the faith through prayer

Ephesians 4 - 6:9; Lesson 24

John's study this week:

Content

(In your own words, summarize passages into sentences. Goal of 12 – 15 sentences)

Ephesians 4

1. v1 - 6 Paul starts with an encouragement that like a prisoner for the one hope of your calling;  one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, we are to live lives worthy of His calling in us: humble, gentle, patient, loving, unity of the Spirit.

2. v7 - 13 To each us is given grace by Christ’s gift and that we should be in unity, some using their gifts to be apostles, some to be prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to prepare God’s people for works of service that the body of Christ be built up, united in faith and knowledge and maturing in Christ.

3. v14 - 16 We are to no longer be children in Christ, but strive to mature so we will not be blown by differing doctrine. Instead, speaking truth in love we grow so as to edify the body in love.

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4. v17 - 24 Testify of God’s work, no longer living like Gentiles: futile thinking, darkened understanding, separated from God, hardened. Spiritually insensitive, indulge in sensuality. Put off the former way of life and the old corrupt man and put on the new man renewed in the spirit of your mind created according to God.

5. v25 – 32 So put off falsehood and be truthful. Get rid of bad stuff and turn from sin and do not grieve the Holy Spirit by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Be kind, tenderhearted, forgiving one another as Christ forgave you.

Ephesians 5

6. v1 - 7 Therefore be imitators of God as children, thankful in nature,  walking in love, not in foolish things of this world such as fornication, course talk, as Christ loved us and gave Himself for us, not being deceived by empty words and wrath for these come from the “sons of disobedience.”

7. v8 – 14 Where once we were darkness, now we are light, so walk as children of light for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth, having no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them for all things that are exposed are made visible.

8. v15 - 20 Walk in wisdom, nor as the foolish walk, understanding what the Lord’s will is, being filled with the Holy Spirit,  speaking and singing hymns and spiritual songs making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God.

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8. v21 - 33 Wives and husbands submit to Christ’s leadership and His plan for marriage, loving God giving each other respect helping one another in unity of purpose and in other relationships submit to each other as though you submit to the leadership of Christ as we are members of Christ’s body, of His flesh and of His bones.

Ephesians 6

8. v1 - 4 Children honor and obey your parents with respect that you will prosper, obeying the first commandment that it may be well with you and similarly fathers do not provoke your children to wrath, but raise them up in admonition of the Lord.

9. v5 – 9 V5 – 9 Whoever you serve or lead, be obedient to those leading you, or kind to whom serves you, doing such as if to Christ, serving with goodwill from the heart, for your doing good will be received in like kind from your Master who is in Heaven.

Divisions

(Summarize main groupings of thoughts. Goal of 2, 3 or 4 divisions. ID passages covered)

I. Paul examines life of the church to grow and mature, using our gifts to prepare hearts for service.

Ephesians 4:1-16

Application:  How are you contributing to the maturity of your church?

Application: How is God’s gift demonstrated in your life?

II. Paul urges the Ephesians to live in the light and God’s love, testifying of God’s work in believer’s lives.

Ephesians 4:17-5:20

Application:  Live as children of the light. What will you put off? What will you put on?

Application:  How are you testifying of God’s work in your life?

III. Paul gives guidance for all husband & wives, children and leaders & followers.

Ephesians 5:21-6:9

Application: Submit to others as though they were Christ; care for others as though you were Christ. What relationships will you tweak to conform to God’s principle?

Application: How are you leading or following?

Subject Sentence

(Summarizing the Divisions into one sentence):

Paul outlines a Christian’s life as worthy of God’s calling. (10 words)

Aim

(A main teaching point for the overall study of the passages):

To cause the audience to live lives worthy of their calling.

Ephesians 2 - 3; Lesson 23

Chuck's study this week:

Ephesians 1 - Lesson 22

John's study this week:

Content

(In your own words, summarize passages into sentences. Goal of 12 – 15 - 20 sentences)

Ephesians 1

1.  v1 - 3 Paul greets the holy and faithful church in Ephesus, in the name of Christ, praising God who blesses us (believers) with every spiritual blessing.

2. v4 - 5 Paul introduces us with the doctrine of predestination as Christ chose us before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight, predestined for adoptions as sons and daughters of God through Christ according to his pleasure and will.
3. v6 – 8a  Praise to God for the doctrine of God’s grace freely given to us in Christ (the One he loves) through whom we have redemption and forgiveness from our sins through Christ’s shed blood profusely bestowed (lavished) on us.

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4. v8b – 10 With good pleasure, wisdom and understanding God revealed the mystery of His will and purpose in Christ to bring unity to all things in Heaven and on Earth under Christ’s reign.
5. v11 -12  According to God’s plan to work everything in conformity with the purpose of his will those who put their hope in Christ were predestined and chosen in order to bring praise of his glory.
6. v13 - 14 When we heard the message of truth and believe, we were marked in Christ with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession.

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7. v15 – 17 Paul gives thanks for the Ephesus church’s faith, love of all God’s people and remembers them in his prayers for their good works, asking God to give the church wisdom and revelation given through the Holy Spirit that they may know Christ better.

8. v18 – 19a That the eyes of their heart would be opened so that they may more fully know the hope given, his glorious inheritance and the great power given to us who believe.
9. v19b – 21 The power God wants to give is the same as that which He used when He raised Christ from the dead and seated Christ at His right hand in heaven ruling over all earthly powers and dominion in the present age and also the one to come.
10. v22 – 23 God placed all things under Christ’s authority appointing him to be in charge of everything for the church (us) which is His body and the fullness of him who fills everything.

 Divisions

(Summarize main groupings of thoughts. Goal of 2, 3 or 4 divisions. ID passages covered)

 I. God blesses - God blesses believers and predestines our adoption by Christ’s atoning sacrifice of blood.

Ephesians 1 – 8a

Application: How have you been specifically blessed?

Application:  Are you praying for both those who need God’s help as well as those who are being successful in their faith?

II. God seals and reveals - According to God’s perfect plan we are sealed with the Holy Spirit and by that the mystery of God’s will will be revealed.

Ephesians 8b - 14

Application: How do you know God has placed the seal on your heart?

Application: How do you understand the mystery of God’s will for you?

III. God empowers - Paul prays for the continuance of their knowledge and hope, with respect to the heavenly inheritance, and to God's power working in them.

Ephesians 8b - 14

Application: How are you using the power given to you by God?

Application: Are you sharing the message of the inheritance you have received?

Subject Sentence

(Summarizing the Divisions into one sentence):

God blesses, reveals and empowers believers fulfilling his willful purposes. (10 words)

Aim

(A main teaching point for the overall study of the passages):

To cause the audience to be encouraged that we are sealed with the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of our place in His will as a part and member of the body of Christ.