Thursday, March 22, 2012

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.

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