he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. Ephesians 1:9-10 1
An Introduction to Ephesians Whether it is because of its magnificent sweep of God s saving purposes from election before the foundation of the world to his summing up of all things in Christ, the place of the exalted Christ within those purposes and believer s relationship to him, God s victory in Christ over the powers, the grand presentation of the church, its language of worship and prayer, or the scope and depth of its ethical teaching, Ephesians has had a profound influence on the lives of many It also speaks with great power to our contemporary situation. To a world that seems to have lost all sense of direction, and a society that for all its great achievements is in a mess, the divine analysis of the human predicament along with God s gracious and comprehensive salvation, such as is found in Ephesians 2:1-7, ultimately provides the only hope for a world that stands under divine judgment. Ephesians repeatedly draws attention to the sharp contrasts between believers former way of life and their new life in Christ This fundamental distinction between unbelievers and those in Christ is epitomized on 5:8: For once you were in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light. This and similar portrayals of the readers Christian existence are clearly intended to remind them of the privileged position into which they have now come, and to urge them to pattern their lives on the character of God and Christ. (From The Letter to the Ephesians Pillar New Testament Commentary, page 2, Peter O Brien, 1999) Written by the Apostle Paul, most likely around 61-62AD during his imprisonment at Rome, Ephesians was most likely sent to a number of Gentile churches (non-jewish). It builds on the book of Colossians, especially on the theme of reconciliation in Christ. Paul desires to inform, encourage and strengthen the readers, giving 2
them assurance of their salvation, as well as calling them to a life modelled on Christ, under God s plans. He is helping Christians to form an identity, their new identity, under Christ. Who are you in Christ? What is your identity in this world? What purposes do you see in your life? Are you conforming to the way of the world, or the way of God? These are good question to keep asking as we work through the letter of Paul to the Church at Ephesus. Study Contents Study 1: Reconciliation by Christ Ephesians 1:1-14 and 1: 15-23 Study 2: Life in Christ Ephesians 2:1-10 and 2:11-22 Study 3: Strength through Christ Ephesians 3:1-13 and 3:14-21 Study 4: Imitators of Christ Ephesians 4:1-16 and 4:17-5:2 Study 5: Submission to Christ Ephesians 5:3-21 and 5:22-6:9 Study 6: Standing with Christ Ephesians 6:10-23 3
Study One Reconciliation by Christ Ephesians 1:1-14 and 1:15-23 Opening discussion Who do you listen to? Why? OR What does reconciliation look like? READ Ephesians 1:1-14 1. What is the significance of the fact that Paul is an apostle? 2. Who are the saints? 3. If you do not know what the goal of a game is, what will you think of the rules and moves? If we do not know and accept God's goal for creation what will we think of his rules and will for us? 4. What words in 1:9-11 indicate that God has a plan? 5. What is this plan, especially as it affects our relationship with God and with each other (1:10)? How does this fit in with the theme of 4
unity that runs through the letter (eg. 2:14-15; 3:6; 4:3)? 6. "heavenly realms" occurs 5 times in the letter (1:3,24; 2:6; 3:10; 6:12). It refers to the unseen world of spiritual reality not to a place. What spiritual blessings do we have? How important are these things to you? 7. What was God's purpose in choosing us? (In 1:11-13 "us" = Jews, "you" = Gentiles). 8. Who gets the praise (1:3,6,12,14)? Why? OPTIONAL READ Ephesians 1:15-23 and answer questions 1-3 1. What does Paul give thanks for? Why thank God for these things? 2. What three things does he pray that they might know (18-19)? What does he mean by each of these, and how do they affect our lives? a. b. c. 5
Study Two Life in Christ Ephesians 2:1-10 and 2:11-22 Opening discussion What is your definition of good? What is your definition of grace? READ Ephesians 2:1-10 To grasp the wonder of our salvation we must see how bad things were before we were rescued and how good things are for us now that we are saved. 1. What do each of the following descriptions of our unsaved state mean? a. "dead in transgressions and sins" b. "following the ways of this world" c. "by nature objects of wrath" 2. We are often told people are basically good. Do you agree? What do we see in the world around us? 3. Which of the following reasons could you give for God to accept you into heaven? (tick answer(s) I try to be good and help people I go to church regularly I pray regularly and read my Bible Jesus died for me I have never done anything wrong 6
I have committed myself to follow Jesus Other... 4. In 2:8-9 what does works mean? Why can't works save us? 5. What is meant by "faith"? 6. What does it mean that salvation is by "grace"(5,7,8), and because of God s "love" & "rich mercy" (4)? How can we appreciate this more fully? 7. How has God reversed each of the 3 situations described in question 1? 8. Where do our "works" fit in (10)? OPTIONAL Read Ephesians 2:11-22 and answer questions 1-3 1. What was God's "purpose"(15)? (cf. 1:9,10; 3:10-11) 2. What are the different images of the church in 2:19-22, and what is the significance of each for our relationship together at Waitara? 3. How can we better live out the truths expressed in 2:19-22 at Waitara? 7
Study Three Strength through Christ Ephesians 3:1-13 and 3:14-21 Opening Discussion When do you usually find yourself committed to prayer? What sort of things do you usually pray for/about? READ Ephesians 3:1-13 1. What was Paul's special ministry? 2. What is "the mystery" he talks about (3:3,4,6,9)? Why was he so excited about it? 3. How is God's wisdom made known to the spiritual powers "through the church" (2:10)? What should we be doing? 8
READ Ephesians 3:14-21 1. List the things that Paul prays for here. 2. What sort of power is he praying for? (3:16,18,20; cf.1:19,21; 3:7; 6:10,11) 3. What would be happening if this prayer was answered at Waitara? (Note how this prayer fits into the whole letter) 4. Why is it so important to grasp the dimensions of God's love? 5. What is God able to do? How can we pray with more of this expectancy? 6. Consider your prayer life again. How might you redirect your prayer life in light of Ephesians 3? 9
Study Four Imitators of Christ Ephesians 4:1-16 and 4:17-5:2 Opening Discussion When was the last time your life was really transformed in some way? Why was it transformed? What happened? OPTIONAL READ Ephesians 4:1-16 and answer questions 1-3 1. What is the "calling you have received"? (See ch.l-3) 2. What do we have to do to live a life worthy of this calling (4:2-3)? What difficulties do you find in doing this? 3. What is your role in the body of Christ at Waitara? How can we better support each other and work together as a body? READ Ephesians 4:17-5:2 1. What makes people live godless lives (4:17-19)? 10
2. How are our lives transformed (4:20-24)? What practical steps do we need to take? 3. What place does truth play in relationships? (4:25; cf.4:15). In what ways do we fail to be truthful? 4. "It is easy to be an angel when no one ruffles your feathers." The real test is when people hurt us. a. What do these verses say about anger (4:26-27,29,31)? b. What are the different sorts of anger? Is it wrong to be angry (17)? c. What should we do when we get angry? (See 4:15,25,26,29,32; Matt 5:23-24; 18:15-16; James 1:19) 5. What should be the Christian attitude to earning money (4:28)? 6. We often find it easier to criticise than to encourage. What sort of comments are unhelpful? What do we need to do to build others up? 7. How can the example of Christ really motivate us to live differently (4:32-5:2)? 11
Study Five Submission to Christ Ephesians 5:3-21 and 5:22-6:9 Opening discussion What makes for a healthy relationship? How does God affect your relationships? READ Ephesians 5:3-21 and answer questions 1-2 1. In what ways should our sexual morality be different to the world? Where do Christians fall into compromise here? 2. How should our talk be different? How does thanksgiving fit into this (5:4)? 12
READ Ephesians 5:21-6:9 1. What is the general principle for all our relationships (5:21)? 2. How should husbands follow Christ's example? In what ways do men abuse headship? (cf. Mark 10:42-45) 3. With these things in mind, what does "submit" mean? What does it not mean? 4. What is the role of fathers? How do parents "exasperate" their children? How can they better encourage them to obey? 5. What can we learn from 6:5-9 about the responsibilities of: a. employees? b. bosses? c. How does this relate to profits and their responsibilities to shareholders? 13
Study Six Standing with Christ Ephesians 6:10-24 Opening Discussion Can we blame Satan for everything that goes wrong in our lives? READ Ephesians 6:10-24 1. In what ways are we under attack a. In our individual lives? b. In our congregational life? 2. What is the source of this attack? What does this tell us about what we need to do to resist it? 3. In practical terms how do we "put on" the armour of God? 14
4. How can the various pieces of armour help us in our battle against the "Evil One"? Belt Breast plate Shoes Shield Helmet Sword 5. What part does prayer play in our struggle? (Note the use of all ) How are these concerns reflected in your prayers? What should you do? 6. What should you pray for those on the front line of evangelism (6:19-20)? Reflecting on the whole book of Ephesians, a. How is your life as a Christian a new life? b. What is the greatest blessing for you in your new life in Christ? 15
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