Ephesians 4:1-16
Intro Questions
- God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
- We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
- I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
- You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.
Prison Epistles
Church Family — Unity
Ephesians 4:1-16
Years ago John Gipson wrote this on UNITY — No principle is more clearly urged in the New Testament than the unity of the body of Christ-the church. This is insisted upon in the most earnest manner. Listen to the prayer of Jesus in John 17, or read Paul's letters (especially 1 Corinthians and Ephesians).
We all should rejoice when unity is taken seriously. As Jesus knew, divisions among His followers lead to unbelief rather than faith. No wonder then the Bible calls upon us to be "eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." This exhortation is immediately followed by the words, "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all" (Ephesians 4:4-6). This description of unity is comprehensive and unique, composed of seven elements.
It is troubling when men willfully ignore God's plan, or pare down these basic requirements for oneness. While applauding the concern for unity, the method of achieving it without regard to these seven elements seems very presumptuous.
To think of one or two items in this list being "essential," while culling out the others taught by the same Holy Spirit is to elevate our frail, limited selves to sit in judgment on the works and ways of the Lord.
Since when have we become so wise that we know better than God?
Opening Questions — Get Us Thinking:
· What is your favorite team sport?
Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ — Ephesians 4:1-16
1As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
9(What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regionsc ? 10He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
14Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Research Questions — “Dig Deeper” to find God’s Will
1. How important does this passage say "unity" in the church (the body of Christ) is?
2. Calling brings about responsibility? How responsible do you feel towards unity and what can you do about it?
3. Would you say the church Jesus wanted has more "servants" or more "masters"? Why?
4. What is going on in Ephesus? From what Paul says, what are they doing? Not doing?
5. How do the qualities or attitudes in vv. 2-3 promote unity? How does viewing God as our Father add to our unity?
6. Is Jesus Lord of your belief system? How vital are the doctrines Jesus has given us? vv. 4-6
7. How should one view the grace of God? v. 7
8. How does Paul view the leaders in God's church as a gift? vv. 8-11
9. Why are there no apostles today?
10. What is the real purpose and goal of these gifts? vv. 12-13
11. How would you describe a mature Christian. v. 13
12. Will the entire Christian church ever be unified on earth? v. 13 What is the Holy Spirit trying to teach us?
13. What kind of disciples are being developed? How can we be better disciples and make more disciples? vv. 14-16
1. Are you living up to the "calling you have received" v. 1 In your work? Your home? Your relationships?
2. According to v. 15 what must be spoken? How must it be spoken?
3. Are you more likely to "speak the truth" or "in love" try to keep the peace at any price? To achieve a balance, what do you need to learn?
4. How does this equip us be a better disciple and help empower us to “make disciples”?
Mark Twain said once that the church is a place where a nice respectable person stands in front of other nice, respectable people and urges them to be nicer and more respectable. If that is all the church does, it is leading people down the wrong path.
Living for Jesus in Ephesians 4:1-16
This week we continue studying the theme of unity in the body and then maturity in Christ in Ephesians 4:1-16.
Unity of the Church (Ephesians 4)
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