We need to live like it! Bible Lesson: A Worthy Walk (Ephesians 4) Ephesians 4 tells us what a worthy walk of a believer looks like . Knowing our preponderance toward sinning, Paul encourages us to keep the "unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Ephesians gives us so many lessons. When Paul tells that the unconverted Gentiles have "futile thinking," what does he mean? Between Jesus’ death on Calvery. There is one body and one Spirit—just as the calling to which you were called has one hope (Ephesians 4:4) The apostle Paul informs us that there is “one body and one Spirit.” B. Let us remind ourselves of our new identity in Christ and the new reason for our existence: To live worthy of this calling, Paul urges us, should be our goal. There are 3 lists of spiritual gifts given in the NT – 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; Romans 12:3-8; and Ephesians 4:11. This powerful passage reminds us of our privilege in Christ. This would include: being "brought near" (2:13) "by the blood" (2:13) the "dividing barrier" (2:14) having "access" (2:18) and "holy temple" (2:21). In business we call this R&D. Bitterness refers to a settled hostility that poisons the inner man. "When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles" (Luke 6:13). Ephesians 4:10 "He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)" F.      One baptism – The baptism of the Holy Spirit. As I pondered the verses shown above from Ephesians 4, I was thinking, "Now that is certainly a tall order!" In chapters 4-6 Paul admonishes us to walk in unity(4:1-16), purity(4:17-5:17), harmony(5:18-6:9), and victory(6:10-24). “Learned Christ” means to have a personal relationship to Christ so that you get to know Him better each day – v.20. Rating: 3.8 out of 5 3.8 (7 ratings) 507 students Created by Boomy Tokan. Amen. A. B. The Grace of Unity – Ephesians 4:1-3 If we are going to preserve the “unity of the Spirit,” we must possess the necessary Christian graces, and Paul lists 7 of them. The fellowship is based on the Word of God. Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ. Lying – v.25. Will we be part of this holy and blameless tribe or will we go our own way? Verse 1 is a topic sentence that governs the rest of this epistle. List the seven reasons for Paul’s call to unity in verse 3 that are provided in verses 4-6. One Spirit – The same Holy Spirit indwells each believer, so that we belong to each other in the Lord. Called by grace to belong to His body – chapter 1, Walk worthy of your calling – the unity of the body – 4:1-16, Put off the grave clothes – 4:17-5:17; walk in purity, Christ’s victory over Satan is the mystery – chapter 3. D.    Long-suffering, which literally means “long tempered,” the ability to endure discomfort without fighting back. They live in unity as one body in their families, neighborhoods, and churches because of God's grace. In business we call these sales. Seeing the seven aspects of onen… Ephesians 1:4–5 (ESV) We, the church, have been chosen. We need to wake up and see where God has placed us. D.    One Lord – This is our Lord Jesus Christ who died for us, lives for us, and one day will come for us. 20-24. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Awesome! It robs us of the joys of life. He will take your temperature, your blood pressure, and your heart rate. To help us visualize a worthy walk we have the two paths of life, the righteous life and the wicked. Remind me again what … Ephesians - Lesson 4 By Curt Niccum. Paul will spell out in detail how we can walk in a manner worthy of our calling. Studying scripture mastery passages will help students increase their understanding of basic doctrines and be prepared to teach them to others. God has never held a grudge against us even though we have deserved his wrath. V.                The Admonition – vv. The Growth of Unity – vv. And it is already established that Christ has been raised from the dead and seated far above (literally, above above!) LESSON 5 – Ephesians 4 . "1In the NT it is used as a technical term to refer to Christ-designated messengers given authority to speak for him and to establish his church. An unforgiving spirit is the devil’s playground, and before long becomes the Christian’s battleground. Still trying to get my head around that. This privilege is by his mercy and grace and we have not earned it but it is ours. 16 Days. It designates one who has been sent with a commission and can mean a "delegate, envoy, messenger. The church is chosen to be holy and blameless. C.     Maturing is truth joined with love. Means “shepherd” indicating that the local church is a flock of sheep – Acts 20:28. II. The Grace of Unity – Ephesians 4:1-3 If we are going to preserve the “unity of the Spirit,” we must possess the necessary Christian graces, and Paul lists 7 of them. and His resurrection in the garden tomb, he was “put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit.” He was physically dead but spiritually alive. Bible: Ephesians - 7 Lessons We Can Learn For Today! Will we enter into adoption as sons (daughters) or will we refrain and become sons (daughters) of the world? But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 25-32 – Paul names 5 sins. 4-6. Last updated 11/2015 English English [Auto] Add to cart . My Bible study group has just begun discussing Ephesians, so we haven’t reached the last 3 chapters yet. The Rebuilding of the Temple. The key word is walk – Ephesians 4:1, 17; 5:2, 8, 15. III. We should never consider ourselves unable to be strong and destined for being downtrodden all our lives. We also have a choice. While many in today’s world are engaged in celebrating “diversity,” the Bible places an extraordinary emphasis on the value of “unity.”. 3. 4 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. One only has to look at the state of the church of God through the ages to see how difficult this really is. Profound Mystery: Marriage Lessons from Ephesians. 7-11. Free E-mail Bible Study Discipleship Training in Luke's Gospel. To report dead links, typos, or html errors or suggestions about making these resources more useful use the convenient contact form What are the 4 things Paul exhorts the Ephesians to do in verses 1-3? By 'calling' he means all that he has already identified as ours in Christ, and all that that he has identified as God's intended telosor goal in calling us to Christ. It means knowing ourselves, accepting ourselves, and being ourselves to the glory of God. 3:5. 1-16, purity – 4:17-5:17, harmony – Eph. This letter was written to a church and it is written to today’s church as well. You may want to suggest that students mark scripture mastery passages in a distinctive way so they will be able to locate them easily. While the last 3 chapters explain duty, our responsibilities in Christ and the key word is walk-4:1,17;5:2,8,15. When we read scripture with prayer, the Holy Spirit opens our eyes and hearts to lessons that guide our lives. 1. B. Marriage is designed by God to show the world a picture of Christ’s relationship with the church. Not listed are hundreds of smaller churches not affiliated with a particular denomination and divisions amongst the different major denominations. Ephesians 4:6 “one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all” “One God and Father”: Implying a unity of worship. Anger – vv. This web page contains lesson plans for a ten-week Bible Study. To help us visualize a worthy walk we have the two paths of life, the righteous life and the wicked. Notice the ‘us’ and ‘we’ in this scripture. Ephesians 4 – These last three chapters Paul explains our duty and responsibilities in Christ. Paul gives 3 reasons why we must avoid bitterness. Listed below are 12 major Christian denominations from the World Almanac and Book of Facts. Our sin grieves God the Son, who died for us. Will we be part of this holy and blameless tribe or will we go our own way? Ephesians 2:11-22 Objectives: The student can identify some of the Temple imagery employed by Paul. C.     One hope of your calling – This refers to the return of the Lord to take His church to heaven, and is going to be a peacemaker. By Wayne Jackson. E.     Teachers – 11d. 9:8, 20: Ps.2:12. Keep that in mind as you read these lessons today. Ephesians 4:1-3 - I, therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, accepting one another in love, diligently keeping the unity of the Spirit with the peace that binds [us]. Elect the Right President? The first apostles were the Twelve. He will listen to your heartbeat and to your breathing through his stethoscope. We, the church, have been chosen. Whenever you feel sick and go to the doctor, he will check your vital signs. 2. The first 3 chapters of Ephesians deal with doctrine, our riches in Christ, and the key word is wealth. But the way he works is astounding! The Persons of the Godhead are a grand tri-unity of absolute perfection (cf. The mind is the key to our actions. D.    Paul’s argument – you no longer belong to the old corruption of sin; you belong to the new creation in Christ. See if you can find at least three more from the last three chapters. Prophets – v.11b. A.    Lowliness, or humility – Humility means putting Christ first, others second, and self-last. 5. The basic cause of a bitter spirit is our lack to forgive people. Deuteronomy … The church is chosen to be holy and blameless. The Mandate for Christian Unity – A Study of Ephesians 4:1-6. Built using WordPress and OnePage Express Theme. Apostles – v.11a. Paul was looking at the church on 2 levels in this section. The Ground of Unity – vv. What Did We Just Do? Jesus was angry when God gave that commandment; He instituted the right of ownership of property. Paul is talking not to us as individuals but to the church. God has reconciled Jews and Gentiles to Himself in Christ. G.    One God and Father – The marvelous oneness of the believer in the family of God is evident here, for God is over all, and working through all, and in all. The Application – vv. C.     Corrupt speech – v. 29. 1. God the Father planned throughout history for Jesus to create a multi-ethnic community of followers. B. This is an awesome privilege and responsibility. Ephesians 4 Walk Worthy. B. 3. I’ve read them many times, of course, but when I’m preparing for my discussion group, I go deeper or seem to notice more. Our responsibility is to guard, protect, and preserve that unity. Larger image. The word means “one who is sent with a commission.” In business we call this the entrepreneur. Salvation begins with repentance, which is a changed mind. Reconciliation - Ephesians 2:11 -22 Manifold Mystery - Ephesians 3 Unity of the Church - Ephesians 4:1-10 Building the Body - Ephesians 4:10-16 Old Man, New Man - Ephesians 4:17-32 Imitation of God - Ephesians 5:1-14 Wives, Submit Yourselves - Ephesians 5:15 – 33 Children and Slaves - Ephesians 6:1 – 9 Armor of God - Ephesians 6:10 – 24 It means knowing ourselves, accepting ourselves, and being ourselves to the glory of God. Thoughts? Let no one delude and deceive you with empty excuses and groundless arguments for these sins – because God will be punishing those who commit these sins. Choose from the available books in the . is commonly associated with predictions of future events, but the NT prophet is one who proclaims the Word of God – Acts 11:28; Eph. Why God would use our imperfect marriages to illustrate His perfect love is a mystery, but the implications are clear. D.    As Christians we have experienced being raised from the dead. Paul admonishes us to walk in unity – vv. 12-16. Which means “Bears of Good News.” These men traveled from place to place to preach the Gospel and win the lost – Acts 8:26-40; 21:28. B. We said that a believer is righteous because of their faith in Jesus. One body is the body of Christ in which each believer is a member, placed there at the conversion by the Spirit of God – 1 Corinthians 12:12-31. A. We live a life of sinning in rebellion to God but Christ died on the cross for our sins. His body may be in prison, but you can see in his face a contemplatioin of the heavenly realms that he opens for us in Ephesians 1. EPHESIANS 4:1-16 LESSON: FAITH TO UNITE— December 31, 2017 INTRODUCTION: Chapter 3:14-21 This is Paul's second prayer for the Ephesians and a doxology of praise to God. Three Power Packed Life Lessons from Thessalonians, Three Powerful Life Lessons from Ephesians. C.     The unsaved man is dead because of spiritual ignorance. Disciple Lessons from Ephesians by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson Print this Page. Ephesians 4:1-32. In the west, we tend to consider scripture as individual instruction when much of it is for community instruction. 5:18-6:9, and victory – Eph. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window). When he prompts us to do something, he is inviting us to participate with his power to change the world. 17-19 We should be motivated to walk in purity – Eph. Anger is an emotional arousal caused by something that displeases us. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. This is illustrated in the resurrection of Lazarus in John 11. (In Ephesians 4:17 the Greek word the NIV translates "live" is the "peripateo" that we discussed last week. The importance of preserving the unity of the Spirit is implied, as I have already stated, by the fact that Paul puts it first. The Argument – vv. Will we enter into adoption as sons (daughters) or will we refrain and become sons (daughters) … In business we call this marketing. Ephesians 4:1-16 (Ephesians 4:1) I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, Paul wrote his letter from prison because he had been arrested for obeying Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior by teaching others about Jesus, as Jesus has commanded His disciples. C.     Verses 22-24, are a summary of Roman 5:8, where Paul explained the believer’s identification with Christ in death, burial, and resurrection. Notice the fi… A. Notice the ‘us’ and ‘we’ in this scripture. How we live behind closed doors matters. We said that a believer is righteous because of their faith in Jesus. A.    Christians think differently from unsaved people – v.17, understanding – v. 18, ignorance – v.18, “learned Christ” – v.20. “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh” – Matthew 12:34. However, when a person becomes a follower of Jesus they still have two natures, the Spirit-filled righteous nature and the sinful wicked nature. IV. The role of the pastor is to teach the Word of God, and applies to teachers in the church that teach the Word of God – example your Sunday school teacher. E.     One faith – There is one settled body of truth deposited by Christ in His church, and this is “the faith.”. 30-32. Paul wrote about the importance of Christians serving Jesus Christ and one another, because they loved and wanted to honor Jesus Christ by the way they lived. Paul is talking not to us as individuals but to the church. 26-27. We are seated with Christ Jesus in the heavenly places. Bible Study of the letter to Ephesians and the lessons individuals can apply to their lives and get great results! Highly – He does not want us to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to – or less highly than we ought to. In the book of Ephesians, we see how the gospel story affects believers' everyday lives. Ephesians 4 tells us what a worthy walk of a believer looks like. The Gifts of Unity – vv. International Bible Lesson Commentary . This is what God now calls you in Christ, and this is what he has called you to, in Christ. as needed: Day 1 - Read Ephesians 4:1-6 Day 2 – Read : Ephesians 4:7-13: Day 3 – Read Ephesians 4:14-19 Day 4 – Read Ephesians 4:20-24 Day 5 – Read Ephesians 4:25-32 : 1: What Does God’s Word Say? C.     Evangelists – v. 11c. But, beyond that, we can specify three reasons that the unity of the Spirit is important: Nothing has really changed from the first century. That is where we are seated by his grace and mercy. Paul names 7 basic spiritual realities that unite all true Christians. Bkmrk . Bible Lesson (Ephesians 6:1-4) Obey Your Parents Categories Bible Lesson Plans for Kids , Ephesians New Year New Life (FREE) Sample Lesson Calendar Coloring Pages (FREE) Faith Over Fear Lesson (FREE) Be Kind Lesson for Kids 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 6. Rembrandt, "St. Paul in Prison" (1627), oil on wood, 72.8 x 60.2 cm., Stuttgart, Staatsgalerie. The Story Behind the Star Spangled Banner, Full Gospel Global Forum Prayer Summit in Abuja, Nigeria. 4:17-5:17 or as Paul told the Romans, “walk in newness of life.” We are not to imitate the life of the unsaved people around us. Anger in itself is not a sin, because even God can be angry – Deut. ©  2021 jimthefollower.com. E.     Forbearance – The “unity of the Spirit” – v.3 is the result of the believer “walking in the Spirit” – Galatians 5:16. We all believe that God’s power is infinite. G.    Peace – When the peace of God rules in our heart, then we build unity – Col. 3:15. I recently read an excellent commentary on Ephesians. B. Also, remember my continual challenge to you to read these books yourself and find lessons that apply to your life today. NO filthiness, obscenity, indecency; nor foolish and sinful, silly and corrupt talk; nor coarse jesting should come out of your mouth. Did you see that? 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee. He rejects the Bible and believes the latest philosophies. Lesson 29: Vital Signs of a Healthy Body (Ephesians 4:14-16) Related Media. He knows what the vital signs of a healthy body should be and he compares your vital … Apostle (Greek apostolos) is compounded from two words, apo, "off, away" + stello, "to send." Click : here to print additional worksheets. 4. chosen Ephesians power predestination privilege responsiblity. Ephesians 4:11–14 is a scripture mastery passage. Instructions for Christian Living - So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. He prays for their enablement, that the Father would strengthen them with might by His Spirit in the inner man; that Christ might dwell in their hearts by faith; being rooted and grounded in love. Live worthy of it. 2. In business we call this management. 6:10-24. They are dead in trespasses and sins – Eph. A lie is a statement that is contrary to fact, spoken with the intent to deceive. We need to know the difference between sinful anger and righteous anger (Ephesians 4:26). D.    Bitterness – vv. D.    Pastors – 11d. Stability – staying true to the Gospel. F.      Endeavor – means “being eager to maintain, or guard, the unity of the Spirit.”. VI. In lovehe predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will. It grieves God the Father who forgave us when we trusted Christ. He saw the body of Christ, made up of all true believers, growing gradually until they reach maturity, “the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” The second level was the local body of believers ministering to each other, growing together, and thereby experiencing spiritual unity. I’ve read it in many translations and keep coming away with the same impression: i.e., God wants the Church to show His wisdom and be a witness to spiritual beings! Is a sin of attitude and amplify what Paul wrote about anger. The better I understand the Word of God, the better I know the Son of God, for the whole Bible is the revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ – Luke 24:27; John 5:39. ‘According to the power at work within us’ is the power of God that works in and through us! Read the following Scripture passages and complete the form for each day. I provided three lessons from Ephesians from the first three chapters. It opened my eyes to a new understanding of the predestination mentioned in this passage: even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. all rule and authority and dominion and power and above every name! We deserve judgment but God offers us forgiveness. There is nothing he cannot do! The unsaved man’s thinking is futile because it is darkened. VII. 2:1. There are lessons for us as individuals and also lessons for us as a church. The sinners mouth is “full of cursing and bitterness” – Romans3:14; but when he trusts Christ, he gladly confesses with his mouth “Jesus Christ is Lord” – Romans 10:9-10. Paul is telling us not to "walk" in the ways we did before we were converted.) A. Lowliness, or humility – Humility means putting Christ first, others second, and self-last. verse 1 - live a life worthy of the calling you have received; verse 2 - Be completely humble and gentle; verse 2 – Be patient, bearing with one another in love; verse 3 - Make every … I. A. International Bible Lesson Commentary . Thank you for this word, Jim. Welcome to your Ephesians Bible Study. In verses 1-3 of Ephesians Chapter 4, what are the 4 things Paul exhorts the Ephesians to do ? Paul now proceeds to tell us that we should 'live a life worthy of the calling' we have received. Remember that Jesus told his disciples that they would greater works than he did (John 14:12). Paul discusses different manifestations of the Holy Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10. God does his work in the world largely through our obedient response to his leadership. Comprised of Jews and non-Jews, these followers form the covenant family God promised to Abraham. What you'll learn. Ephesians 5:21-6:4 (Ephesians 5:21) Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.