Open It
1.
What one quality would
you like to develop in your character?
2.
What do you consider
yourself good at doing?
3.
What skill or talent
would you like to master?
Explore It
4.
What did Paul urge the
Ephesians to do? (4:1)
5.
What three virtues
foster unity among Christians? (4:2)
6.
How should Christians
conduct themselves toward each other? Why? (4:2-6)
7.
What are the seven
elements of Christian unity? (4:4-6)
8.
How is Christian unity
related to the nature of God? (4:4-6)
9.
How are we enabled to
live at peace with each other? (4:7)
10.
Who gives grace to
each believer? (4:7)
11. How did Paul confirm God's giving of gifts? (4:8)
12.What commentary
did Paul make on the Old Testament passage he quoted? Why? (4:9-11)
13. With what kind of people does God fill the church? (4:11)
14.What is the
purpose of spiritual gifts? (4:12-13)
15. What results from gifted believers equipping the church?
(4:14-16)
Get It
16.Why did Paul
stress the theme of Christian unity to the Ephesians?
17. How do you get along with other Christians?
18.What is God's
prescription for unity among believers?
19.How does the
Spirit help you maintain the "bond of peace" with others in your
church?
20.
How have you benefited
from the Christian leadership in your church?
21.What is your
responsibility to help others in the body of Christ?
22.
How unified is your
church?
Apply It
23.
How do you need to
show humility, gentleness, and patience in dealing with a difficult
relationship this week?
24.
What service can you
offer another church member to help build up the body of Christ?
25.
To whom do you need to
speak the truth lovingly this week?
Ephesians
4:1-7: God has chosen us to
be Christ's representatives on earth. In light of this truth, Paul challenges
us to live lives worthy of the calling we have received-the awesome privilege
of being called Christ's very own. This includes being humble, gentle, patient,
understanding, and peaceful. People are watching your life. Can they see Christ
in you? How well are you doing as his representative?
4:1-6: "There is one body," says Paul. Unity does not just
happen; we have to work at it. Often differences among people can lead to
division, but this should not be true in the church. Instead of concentrating
on what divides us, we should remember what unites us: one body, one
Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
one God!
4:2: No one is ever going to be perfect here on earth, so we must
accept and love other Christians in spite of their faults. When we see faults
in fellow believers, we should be patient and gentle.
4:3: To build unity is one of the Holy Spirit's important roles.
He leads, but we have to be willing to be led and to do our part to keep the
peace. We do that by focusing on God, not on ourselves.
4:4-7: All believers in Christ belong to one body; all are united
under one head, Christ himself. Each believer has God-given abilities that can
strengthen the whole body.
4:6: God is over all-this shows his overruling care
(transcendence). He is through all and in all-this shows his active
presence in the world and in the lives of believers (immanence). Any view of
God that violates either his transcendence or his immanence does not paint a
true picture of God.
Ephesians 4:8: In Psalm 68:18, God is pictured as a conqueror marching to
the gates and taking tribute from the fallen city. Paul uses that picture to
teach that Christ, in his crucifixion and resurrection, was victorious over
Satan. When Christ ascended to heaven, he gave gifts to the church, some of
which Paul discusses in Ephesians 4:11-13.
Ephesians 4:9: The "lower, earthly regions" may be (1) the earth
itself (lowly by comparison to heaven), (2) the grave, or (3) Hades (many
believe Hades is the resting place of souls between death and resurrection).
However we understand it, Christ is Lord of the whole universe, past, present,
and future. Nothing or no one is hidden from him. The Lord of all came to earth
and faced death to rescue all people. No one is beyond his reach.
Ephesians
4:11-13: Our oneness in Christ
does not destroy our individuality. The Holy Spirit has given each Christian
special gifts for building up the church. Now that we have these gifts, it is
crucial to use them. Are you spiritually mature, exercising the gifts God has
given you? If you know what your gifts are, look for opportunities to serve
(Back to Study Home
Page) (Sermon
June 24, 2007)
(Back to Sermons Home Page) (Back to Shultz Home Page)