Women in the Word Ephesians 4:1-16 November 5, 2015 1. Read Ephesians 4:1-3. The opening phrase that includes then or therefore refers back to the truths expressed in the first three chapters where Paul describes the character of the body of believers, which is the Church. Look back at Ephesians 1:4 and 2:19 and describe the new life that the Church is called to live. What is Paul asking them to maintain or keep in 4:3? How do the attributes in verse 4:2 contribute to unity? Read Ephesians 2:14-16 and note who has already created unity and peace. 2. Read Ephesians 4:4-6. Here Paul gives the foundation of our unity in Christ. Read and consider the doctrinal teachings from Galatians and Ephesians that describe these foundations of unity in Christ. One body Ephesians 3:6 One spirit Ephesians 1:13 One hope Ephesians 1:18 One Lord Ephesians 1:22-23 One faith Galatians 2:16 One baptism Galatians 3:27 One God Galatians 3:26 Knowing these foundations of unity, how can you contribute to unity in the body of Christ? 3. Read Ephesians 4:7-13 where Paul transitions from the unity of the whole church to the uniqueness of individual believers. Read Romans 12:6-8 and 1 Peter 4:10 and explain what makes individuals distinct within the Church. What is the purpose for these distinctions?
Women in the Word Ephesians 4:1-16 November 5, 2015 Page 2 4. Are you aware of your own spiritual gift? Share with the group a specific way you have been able to use your gift to serve the Church. 5. According to Ephesians 4:7-8, who is the giver of the gift of grace? 6. Read Ephesians 4:11-12 carefully and note how the language about gifts changes. Christ gave to the Church people who were gifted in different ways. What different groups are listed in verse 11? What were these gifted people intended to accomplish according to verse 12? What would also be accomplished according to verse 13? 7. Read Ephesians 4:13-16, which describe evidence of spiritual growth and maturity. According to verse 13, who is the standard for maturity? Read Romans 8:29 and 2 Corinthians 3:18 and describe this level of maturity. How does God transform us to the image of Christ?
8. List some evidence of immaturity that is described in Ephesians 4:14. Women in the Word Ephesians 4:1-16 November 5, 2015 Page 3 What does this description suggest about these immature believers? What forces work in the spiritually immature to make them unstable? 9. Have you ever been tossed to and fro by false teaching? What impact did that have on your life? How were you brought back to the true teachings of God s Word? 10. In contrast, Ephesians 4:15 describes moving toward maturity. What will the mature believer do if he is growing in Christ? Consider and share why it is important for love and truth to work together. Have you ever experienced truth without love or love without truth? What did you learn from that experience? 11. Ephesians 4:16 paints a beautiful picture of cooperation using the human body as an example. Use your own words to describe the cooperation that occurs among the members of God s Church. 12. Do you have a personal prayer request to share with your small group?
Women In The Word November 5, 2015 FREE AND RICH IN CHRIST A Study of Ephesians Walking in Unity Ephesians 4:1-16 God has created a functional family where unity, peace and love prevail; We are called to keep the family functional. Paul urges us to in a manner worthy of our calling. Maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4:1-6 Assume new : humility, gentleness and patience. Remember the basis of your unity: One body, spirit, hope, Lord, faith, baptism and God. Embrace your unique gift of grace. 4:7-12 God gives each person a, an ability to serve God and others. When we each use our gift we express the fullness of Christ. Accept the call to ministry. Gifts are given to equip us all to the ministry of building up the body of Christ. When we don t use our gifts, the growth of the Body is stunted. Pursue the goal. 4:13 We have arrived when.. We all reach the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the son of God. We all become spiritually mature. We all reflect the fullness of the character of Christ. Grow up. 4:14-16 Instead of being passively carried along by the wrong things, Express in all things. Let cover all. Key: walk attitudes gift truth love
Free and Rich in Christ Ephesians 4:1-16 November 5, 2015 Ephesians 1:4-5 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, Ephesians 2:14-15 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, Ephesians 1:22-23 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. Acts 1:9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. Colossians 2:9-10 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 1 Peter 4:10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: Romans 12:6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: 2 Timothy 3:14-17 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. John 17:17b your word is truth. 1 Timothy 3:15 if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 1 Corinthians 13:1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.