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.
