Ephesians

.... God’s Best and

In this study, "Discipleship Course, # 2" we are desirous that you will enter into a wonderful study of the Book of Ephesians. This will bring great blessing, joy, strengthening, and maturing to your life.

We will be weaving together two things: a study outline of the book itself as we cover it section by section, and questions for you to fill in as you go through the study. Read the text that applies, many times, as you do the questions.

It is very important that you read, and read, and reread the book of Ephesians. In fact, you will get out of this exactly what you put into it. If you will read the book of Ephesians carefully, every week, and work on the study regularly, you will find benefit beyond your fondest expectation. No one can do for you what you must do for yourself. Put as much into this study as anything you ever did in your life and the book will live for you.

She was eccentric, certainly, and maybe even a bit crazy -- but nobody could prove it. She is an example of many Christian believers today. They have limitless wealth at their disposal, and yet they live spiritually like paupers.

Paul wrote to the saints about their wealth in Christ Jesus! One of Paul’s primary purposes of writing this epistle was to acquaint the saved of their spiritual wealth in the Savior’s finished work on the Cross.

Of all Paul’s epistles, it is in Ephesians that we find the highest spiritual truths concerning the Christian life. The letter abounds with spiritual riches and yet at the same time it is intensely practical. The first half of the letter reveals our life in Christ to be one of union with him in the highest heavens. The second half shows us in very practical terms how such a heavenly life is to be lived by us down here on the earth. We will not study the letter in great detail. We shall, however, touch on many principles that apply to our lives.

Chapters one through three deal with our wealth,

Chapters four through chapter six, verse 9 deals with our walk,

Chapter six, verse 10 through verse 24, deals with our warfare.

Another way of outlining the book is based on: Key Words in Ephesians:

1. Our Position in Christ -- Sit -- (2:6)

2. Our Life in the World -- Walk -- (4:1)

3. Our Attitude to our Enemy -- Stand -- (6:11)

In the first number of chapters we will see that we are to sit, or enter into the secret of wealth that is ours as a saint of God. As we sit at a table to partake of food, we are to sit at God’s banquet table of permanent spiritual provision. God has made us to sit with Christ in the heavenly places, and every Christian must begin his spiritual life from that place of rest. (1:3, 2:6)

In the second main part of the book (and a number of lessons we will study) we will look at the walk of the Christian, our expression of life in the world as a child of God. We will be challenged to display our Christian walk as a conduct that is in keeping with our high calling in Christ Jesus.

In the last part of the book we find the key to our attitude towards the enemy contained in the words, stand, and having done all to stand, to stand therefore. (6:10-13) This is an expression of our triumph in our position in Christ and his victory over Satan for us.

__________________________________________________________________

Memory verse: "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love." (1:4)

PRAY it in! (Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you.)

WRITE it down! (That is how this kind of study will help you so much.)

1. To whom was the epistle written: "to the _________ which are at ________ and to the ___________ in Christ Jesus." (1:1) Written by whom? ________

2. What two things did Paul want them to know? (1:2) ____________ and

___________ These came from whom? ____________________________

3. God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ has "blessed ______ with all

_____________ blessings IN ______________ places in Christ." (1:3) What do you think this means to you?_____________________

_____________________________________________________________

1. We are called ___________, (1:1) meaning to be set apart from sin and this evil world system.

2. He has "__________ us up together and made us sit ___________ in heavenly places in Christ" (2:6).

3. This is true because "There is therefore now __________________

_________________________________________" (Rom. 8:1a).

4. "All ________________ blessings" belong to the child of God. (1:3)

2. As His chosen ones, we were set apart from this evil world system and sins’s condemnation. (II Cor. 5:21; II Cor. 5:17)

3. We were chosen that we might be "holy and blame before Him ____ _______." (1:4)

4. To be holy means in Christ our sins are _________ away (See I Cor. 6:11.), and we are made blameless as a position because "we are made the __________________ of God in Him." (See II Cor. 5:21.)

5. Because of His love, he has predestinated us "unto the _____________

of children, by __________ Christ, to ___________." (1:5) This He did according to the _________________________________. (1:5)

________________. (1:6)

7. What does it mean to you to be accepted in Christ, to be chosen, and to be placed in His family like an adopted child? ________________________

_____________________________________________________________

8. Should this have an effect on your daily life? _________ If so, how?

_____________________________________________________________

1. To be redeemed means we are set free from the _____________ of the law, (Gal. 3:13), as He ____________ us from the present evil world, (Gal. 1:4),

and becomes our new Master, for He died, rose and revived that He might be _________. (Rom. 14:9)

2. We have the "forgiveness of _____________________________________

___________________." (1:7b) To forgive means total pardon, removal of

the condemnation of all our sins, sins blotted out, to be remembered no more. (Write out Isaiah 43:25 below, and see Isa. 44:22.)

______________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________.

1. Verse eight is connected to the last phrase of verse seven, for by His grace,

He "hath ___________ toward us in all ________ and __________."

2. In His wisdom He has made known unto us "the ___________ of His

in Himself." (1:9)

3. What does this mean to you personally? ___________________________

_____________________________________________________________

4. For by His grace He will (in the dispensation of the fulness of times)

"gather ____________ in ONE all __________ in Christ, both which are in

heaven and which are on earth: ________ ____ _______." (1:10)

We are valuable to Him; He will lose none of His own. (See John 6:37-40.)

1. We have "obtained an ________________ in HIM, because we were

2. According to 1:12, His final purpose is "that we should be ______________

3. God the Father and Christ Jesus the Son will work out their eternal plan perfectly. It will not fail!

4. How can you BE to the praise of His glory in every day life? ______________

_____________________________________________________________

5. What does the phrase according to good pleasure that He purposed in

Himself mean to you personally? ___________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

6. Did you see how God will work out His will in this section of verses

seven through twelve? What does that mean to you and your personal

life? _________________________________________________________

1. "ye were _____________ with that Holy Spirit of _____________." (1:13)

2. At the time of our salvation we received the Holy Spirit for He took up

residence in us. (See I Cor. 6:19-20.)

3. The Holy Spirit seals us which is a sign of ownership and security.

4. What do you find about His sealing work in the following verses:

a. Eph. 4:30 __________________________________________________

b. II Cor. 1:22 _________________________________________________

5. This sealing is "the ____________ (or down payment) of our inheritance unto the ___________ of the purchased possession." (1:14)

1. What does this sealing bring to your life? ___________________________

_____________________________________________________________

2. What does this sealing guarantee? ________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

Write in your own words the truths you gleaned from this study as to the:

1. Work of the Heavenly Father.

2. Work of the Christ Jesus, the Savior.

3. And the work of the Holy Spirit.

____________________________________________________________________

Memory Verse: "And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power." (1:19)

Paul is a tremendous example of a prayer life. (Read his prayers as found in

Philippians 1:9-11, Ephesians 3:14-21 and Colossians 1:9-12.)

The early church was made up of people who prayed earnestly and they became aware that the "effectual, _____________ prayer of a ________________ man availeth much." (Read James 5:16.)

Can you make this truth yours? _______ How? __________________________

_________________________________________________________________

Do you pray daily? _______ Do you pray fervently, with strong desire? _______

What is God’s promise? ______________________________________________

A. Paul was moved because "of their ________ in the Lord Jesus,and _______ unto all the saints." (1:15)

1. Paul gave thanks for their faith. (See Rom. 1:8; Eph. 2:8; Rom. 10:17.)

2. We are to walk by faith, trust God by faith, and have expectation of answered prayer by faith. What does the Word of God say about faith in Heb. 11:6? ____________________________________________________

3. Why is trusting so important? _____________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

B. Paul ceased not to give thanks for the Ephesians, making _________

of _____ in our _________. (1:15-16)

1. Consider the great need of love, for we are -- (Find the phrase or word

that goes with the word love in the following references.)

b. we are a product of His __________, (2:4),

c. we are to be __________ and _____________ in love (3:17),

d. we are to know the ________ of Christ, (3:19),

f. we are to __________ the truth in love, (4:15),

g. and, we are to ________ in love, (5:2).

2. With all of this in mind, Paul __________ for them. (1:16)

3. What do you need to change in order to have a life that shares much love?________________________________________________________

4. What does the Lord want you to do to make the above list real in your

personal life?__________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

5. Will the truths above cause you to change things in your life? If so, how?

_____________________________________________________________

There are three distinct things Paul wanted them to know. They are found in points B-C-D below!

1. God wants us to _________________________________________.

(Psa. 119:18)

2. He desires we will __________, (Matt. 13:9) and not be dull of hearing.

3. God wants us to __________ and see that the Lord is gracious. (Psa. 34:8)

4. That we might ______________ upon His Word and truths. (Psa. 1:2-3)

5. What do you think the above verses are saying to you personally? _______

_____________________________________________________________

B. Paul wanted them to know the "hope of His ____________." (1:18)

1. What do you find concerning this calling in the following verses?

a. Gal. 1:15 ___________________________________________________

b. II Tim. 1:9 __________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

c. What is the result of your faith as found in I Peter 2:9? ______________

___________________________________________________________ d. By God’s divine power He "has given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath _____________ us to glory and virtue:" (II Peter 1:3)

e. How will this truth (d, above) change your life? ___________________

___________________________________________________________

2. It is the hope of His calling, what do you find about hope in --

a. I Jh 3:2-3 ___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

b. Rom. 8:24-25 _______________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

Memory Verse: "For by grace are ye saved through faith: and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:" (2:8)

Sin is like a fire for it burns and destroys; it is like rust for it corrodes; it is like drugs for it stupefies, it is like poison for it kills. Sin earns wages, is pays wages, it insists on paying and sin pays wages in kind. (Gal. 6:7-8). Sin pays in installments, it pays in full, and is self executive, for it pays its own debts.

Even after we are saved, sin has its power, it is in you, it will strive to reign. It will remain as an outlaw, hiding away in the heart for we will always have the sin nature. Sin is like a plotter, planning your overthrow; it is an enemy, warring against your life; it is as a tyrant, oppressing the new nature of the saved; it blights, hurts lives, breaks homes, clouds the reason of people, slays the body and damns the soul.

A. We deserved condemnation as those who are "dead in sins." (2:1)

1. To be "dead in ______" means to be dead spiritually toward _________.

2. We were at home in sin, living and walking in the practice of sin.

3. We were "all under _______," (Rom. 3:9) "As it is written, there is ______ righteous, no not _______." (See Rom. 3:10; then read

3:11-18,20)

4. Our condition was, we were "dead in ______________and in ______." (2:1)

a. What do you think the word "trespass" means?____________________

___________________________________________________________

b. Sin is an outward fruit of an inward condition! We naturally sin!

c. What does God say about the heart in Jer. 17:9? ___________________

___________________________________________________________

d. What can a dead person do for himself?___________________________

e. God has proven that all are "under ______"-- under its power, control,dominion, and judgment. (Rom. 3:9)

f. God says also we are "without __________." We are ungodly!

(Rom 5:6)

g. What does God say about the natural man in I Corinthians 2:14?

___________________________________________________________

h. In our sin we missed the mark (Rom. 3:23) of God’s ___________.

B. We walked "according to the _________ of this world." (2:2a)

1. We were, in our sinful state before salvation, conformed to the customs, values and priorities of this world. What does that mean to you? ________

_____________________________________________________________

Unsaved people have a "herd mentality" for they follow the fashions of the world, heed the advice of the world, following the wisdom of the world, and are concerned about the acceptance of the lost people of the world.

2. What does walk mean in 2:2? _____________________________________

C. We walked "according to the _________of the power of the air, the spirit that now ________ in the children of ______________." (2:2)

1. What does God teach us in I John 5:19? _____________________________

_____________________________________________________________

2. What is God’s warning to us in Eph. 4:27? ___________________________

3. The unsaved are largely under satanic control and are not even aware of

it. Who is the "god of this world"? ___________

4. If someone is in Satan’s kingdom, they are his ____________. (Rom. 6:16)

C. We had our manner of life, in times past, "in the ________ of the flesh and of the ____________." (2:3a)

1. We had a corrupt nature, a depraved mind, and an unsurrendered will.

2. Our world is a cesspool of corruption as people live to fulfill the desires

of their sin nature. This was our state before we were saved.

3. We "worked things out to _____________ the _________ of the flesh and the _______." (2:3)

4. What does it mean that people are sensual, or live to fulfill the appetites of

the senses? ____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

E. We were "by nature the ______________ of ___________." (2:3c)

1. To what degree do people allow their personal anger to control them? ________________________________________________________________

2. What do you think this teaches about our sin nature?__________________

_____________________________________________________________

3. How do the above truths (2:1-3) apply to you?_______________________

_____________________________________________________________

4. Should we allow our sin nature to continue to control us? ______________

_____________________________________________________________

Christ died to save us from this horrible condition as seen in Ephesians 2:1-3. He paid for our wicked past, for our devilish conduct by His own blood as a ransom for us. Eternal punishment (death) was passed on to us, but HE paid for that judgment of death. (See Romans 5:12,19; 6:23.)

We were in the misery of sin, in its destructive force, polluted by sin, robbed by it, and wallowing in our acts of sin. But God came to our rescue! We are saved by:

A. God, "who is rich in _________." (2:4a)

1. What is mercy and how is it exhibited? _____________________________

_____________________________________________________________

2. God’s mercy was at whose expense? ________________________________

B. "For His _________ love wherewith He loved Us!" (2:4, 5a)

1. What do we know about God’s love in Rom. 5:8? ______________________

______________________________________________________________

2. What does I John 4:9 teach us? ____________________________________

______________________________________________________________

3. God loved us when we deserved His wrath; we were lost, alienated, dead in sin, corrupt, and totally depraved. How wonderful that love! (2:5a)

4. How will this truth bring change to your life? _______________________

C. Saved because of His grace (2:5b-7)

1. By His grace, "when we were _______ in sins, (He ) hath __________ us together with Christ." (Quicken means to make us alive spiritually.)

2. How would you explain quickening from the story of Lazarus and his

being raised from dead as told in John 11? ___________________________

______________________________________________________________

3. How would you describe grace? ____________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

4. Spiritually He "raised us up together, and ______ us ___ together in

heavenly _________ in Christ Jesus." (2:6) This means that we are IN

Christ, in whom every need is supplied right now. (See Romans 8:15-17.)

5. His desire for those "seated" in Christ Jesus is: "in the ages to come He might shew the ____________ riches of His _________ in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." (2:7)

D. Saved by faith alone! (2:8-9)

1. What does putting faith in Christ as Savior mean? (See if you can finish

this words.) rely _______, rec________, acc_____, dep_____ upon, tr_____.

2. What does Hebrews 11:6 teach us? ________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

3. Grace is whose part? ____________ 7. Finish this acrostic:

4. Salvation is"not of ____________" ? FORSAKING

(2:8) Why?_________________________ A____

_______________________________________. I

5. Why is salvation a gift? _______________________ TRU_____

________________________________________ HI__

6. Would man boast if he could work his way to heaven? If so, why? (2:9)

_____________________________________________________________

1. What does it mean to be created in Christ Jesus? _______________________

2. In what different ways should we be an exhibit of His workmanship?

_____________________________________________________________

3. What does Philippians 2:13 mean to you? ___________________________

_____________________________________________________________

4. What does II Corinthians 5:17 mean to you? _________________________

_____________________________________________________________

B. We are His workmanship. . . unto good works . . . through us!

1. What does the Bible teach us about good works in the following verses?

Acts 9:36 _____________________________________________________

Col. 1:10 ______________________________________________________

II Thess. 2:17___________________________________________________

Titus 2:14 _____________________________________________________

Titus 3:8, 14 __________________________________________________

2. What does it mean that we are ordained unto good works? ______________

_______________________________________ what does it mean that you are to walk in them? ____________________________________________

Are you wearing grave clothes as Lazarus did after being raised from the dead? Are you victorious in Christ or still bound in the cords of sins? Are you doing His will or our will? Is your life truly different? Do you love to serve Him?

____________________________________________________________________

Memory Verse: Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God."

Most peace missions will fail; but God’s peace mission will never fail! Mankind has made covenants without end and breaks every one of them! God’s eternal covenant will last and has lasted since the saved have been made one in the eternal God, saved by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, and sealed and secured by the work of the Holy Spirit.

It is this peace mission that Paul writes about in this portion. God’s mission is to make one all who are saved, both Jew and Gentile.

Three words could summarize this great work: separation, reconciliation, and unification.

A. The condition of the Gentiles before salvation. (2:11-12)

Eight things are true of the lost Gentiles prior to salvation:

1. We were Gentiles in the ___________. vs 11

2. "who were _________ uncircumcision" -- which was a name of contempt and derision by the Jews. vs 11

3. "That at that time ye were ____________ Christ" we had no claims on the Messiah at all as Gentiles. vs 12

4. "being ___________ from the commonwealth of Israel," and so without the right of citizenship among God’s people. vs 12

5. "___________ from the covenants of promise," we, as Gentiles, are outside the special covenants God had made with the Jews. vs 12

6. "having no ________," that is, no Messianic hope and no hope for the

future.

7. We were "without _________in the world" for we were ungodly.

(Rom 5:6)

8. For we were "far ______" , with no proximity unto God. vs 13

9. What do these facts mean to you? __________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

B. Those who were distant are made "_______ by the blood of Christ."

vs 13

1. His _________ brought us to the fold and to the family of God.

2. His shed blood purchased our _________________. (I Peter 1:18-19)

3. His shed blood made possible _________________ of sin. (Eph. 1:7)

4. His shed blood brings us power to _________ ___________. (Rev. 12:11)

5. We are made "nigh by the blood of Christ." vs. 13 What does that mean? _______________________________________________________

6. Share what the blood of Christ shed for sin means to you? ______________

______________________________________________________________

7. How have these truths brought change to your live? __________________

______________________________________________________________

There is a list of things that took place so that God could remove the wall between the Israelites and the Gentiles. As God removed this wall, all the saved whether Jew or Gentile could become one in Christ --placed in the family of God which is the bride and body of Christ.

A. Consider this list of things God did! (2:14-15)

1. We were made "_______ " by being placed IN Christ. vs 13

2. "For _____ is our ___________," The Greek word from which the word peace comes means to join. Man is joined together with God and man is joined together with man through this peace in salvation, in Christ.

(vs 14)

3. Prejudice is overcome in Christ for sin separates, for He "hath broken

_________ the middle wall of _____________ between us." vs 14

4. There were many things between Jew and Gentile, including: no intermarriage, dietary laws, rite of circumcision, dress codes, religious laws, etc. God "abolished ... the enmity, even the ______ of command-

ments ______________ in ordinances." ( See vs 15. Thus Old Testament Jewish laws were put away by the finished work of Christ.

Col. 2:13-15.)

5. How do you think this applies to you personally? _____________________

_____________________________________________________________

B. Consider what God was bringing about! (2:15-18)

1. God was making something new, "for to make in Himself of twain (two)

one ______ _______, so making peace." vs 15 (He was thus forming the church, all the saved into one body, His bride, the church.)

2. His purpose was to "reconcile both unto God in one ______ by the _______ having slain the __________ thereby." vs 16

3. God’s desire to bring _________ to all who were afar off, and for those who

were nigh. vs 17

4. Glory! "For through Him we both have ________ by one Spirit unto the Father." vs 18 What does it mean to you to have access to the Father? _______________________________________________________

5. How will these truths bring change in your life?______________________

______________________________________________________________

A. We are no longer "______________ and foreigners," vs 19

1. What is significant that we (saved Gentiles) are now "___________ citizens with the _________ and of the household of God?" vs 19

2. Do all have equal rights, privileges and position now? __________

3. What does it mean that we are part of the household of God? ____________

_____________________________________________________________

B. The saved are "built upon the ______________ of the apostles and the

_____________," vs 20

1. Christ Himself is the "_______ corner stone." vs 20

2. What do you find in I Cor. 3:11? ___________________________________

___________________What does that mean? ________________________

3. Since salvation brings reconciliation, do you seek to live at peace with

others, and to bring about reconciliation when needed? _________ How?

_____________________________________________________________

C. The saved (Jews and Gentiles) are like a "_______________ fitly framed ____________. . . growing unto an _________ temple in the Lord." vs 21

1. Are you growing into a HOLY temple in the Lord? _______ If so how?

_____________________________________________________________

2. How does this truth apply to you?__________________________________

________________________________________________________________

D. We are being "builded together for an _________________ of God...." vs 22 You do have the Holy Spirit!

1. Does He have control of your life?__________________________________

2. Do you apply I Corinthians 6:19,20 to your daily life! _______ How? _____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

3. What does reconciliation mean to you as it applies to salvation? _________

_____________________________________________________________

4. What does reconciliation mean to you in your relationship to others?

_____________________________________________________________

5. How should we manifest oneness in Christ in the local church?___________

_____________________________________________________________

6. Since, in salvation, you are a part of God’s household, how should you

live from day to day?____________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

In this study we have noted the theme of separation from God and the wonderful reconciliation that is brought by grace. At this point read II Corinthians 5:18-20. This reconciliation is first personal. It is as if, when Jesus was on the cross, He took man by one hand, and the Father by the other hand and bridged the mighty chasm that had separated them. Being reconciled, we have all the blessing and joys that God provides. (Note Ephesians 2:13.) It was the blood that satisfied the just demands of God’s law and made this reconciliation possible. The faith that appropriates salvation (Ephesians 2:4-8) must be focused on that blood. (Romans 3:25).

The key word in Ephesians 2:14-16 is "enmity." We were actually at war with God, rebels against Him and His plan. And how was peace obtained? Verse 14 gives us the answer: "For he is our peace." Jesus Christ made peace. He abolished in his flesh the enmity. He satisfied the justice and mercy of God. At the crucifixion, when Jesus gave up His life, the veil of the temple was torn from the top to the bottom, symbolizing the fact that a way was now made possible for man to approach the most Holy God. The veil -- the entrance -- now becomes His body, broken for us. (Read Hebrews 10:19-22.)

Through all of this there is no longer enmity between the Jew and Gentile,

or man and God, to those who have experienced the peace that comes through faith in that blood. The enmity was contained in the "law of commandments," but Christ satisfied that law and fulfilled it by His death. Because of this finished work of Christ on the cross, God has given us a new nature, the indwelling Holy Spirit, and all that we need for godliness and living. (Read II Peter 1:3-4.) We are not under the Old Testament law but are under a high standard through grace. And the saved are united in the Church to labor for His glory and honor.

____________________________________________________________________

Memory Verse: "That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:" OR "In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him." (3:6 and/or 3:12)

Here is a continuation of the thoughts of chapter two. There we saw the Jews and Gentiles in times past were in enmity with one another. God abolished the enmity and brought peace through the blood of the cross. Now He is building something new, the Church, His Bride, and Body. It is framed together as it is made up of Jew and Gentiles. The old distinctions have been replaced with oneness in Christ.

God is pleased to reveal His grace unto Paul (vs 2) and explain the mystery. In the Bible the term mystery describes a divine truth which had previously not been understood, but now has been revealed by God in His time and plan. The word mystery is used frequently in Ephesians (1:9; 3:3, 4, 9; 5:32; 6:19). Many mysteries are revealed in the Word of God. We share them at the close of this study. The mystery here is: The Gentile believers are added to the Jewish believers into one body.

In this passage before us we have the mystery of the church as God brought about the reconciliation of the Jew and Gentile. The frequent use of the term mystery in the book of Ephesians takes place because this book unfolds the truth about the church as no other book of the Bible.

A. A Prisoner Suffering for God, vs. 1a, "prisoner of _______ Christ for you..."

1. Paul considered himself a prisoner for the __________. (See Acts 26:13-18)

2. Paul was willing to "___________ all things for the _______ sake."

(See II Timothy 2:10.)

3. Paul also called himself "an __________________ in bonds." (6:20)

B. A Privileged Servant of God, 3: 2, for he shared about the "dispensation

of the _________ of _______ which is given." vs 2

1. This mystery included the fact that in this dispensation, Jews and Gentiles

would be joint-______ of all that we have in Christ. (3:6a)

2. All of this takes place because of the _________of God. (3:2)

C. A Praying Steward of God, (3:14) "bow my knees." Of all the apostles,

_______ was indeed a praying man of God.

D. A Properly Equipped Servant of God, 3:7, "made a ___________, according to the ______ of the grace of God...by the effectual working of His _______."

1. All that we have comes by God’s gift of ________ and __________. (vs 7)

2. Our part is to claim these things by ___________. (See Heb. 11:6)

3. Paul was an apostle to the __________. (3:8) (See Rom. 11:13;

I Tim. 2:7)

A. The Church was Foreknown, but Not Understood: vss. 3-4

1. The mystery of the church was made __________ to Paul. vs. 3

2. It was now known by _____________ from God. vs. 3,

The Church was not seen in the Old Testament, neither did the Word of God there prophesy about it existence. The full truth about the church (doctrines, organization, etc.) was not fully given in the gospels either. It is a new work of God, the truth of which was especially given by revelation to Paul to be shared with us in this Epistle. Paul was uniquely a channel of this truth. (3:2-3).

B. The Church was Divinely Foreshadowed. (3:5)

Paul states the fact that the church made up of saved Jews and Gentiles, was revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets by the ________ Spirit. (3:5) (See John 14:26.)

C. The Church was Divinely Communicated. (3:3)

God wants us to be aware of the great importance of the church which is made up of all that are saved. The Bible puts emphasis upon a local church, in a local place, doing God’s will, for God’s glory, in God’s way.

1. What does the local church mean to you? ___________________________

______________________________________________________________

2. Since Christ died for the church (5:25) should we sacrifice for the work of

the local church? _________ If so, why?____________________________

_______________________________________ In what better way could you labor in the ministry of Riverview Baptist Church? _______________

_____________________________________________________________

D. The Church Has Distinct Features: (3:6)

1. Jews and Gentiles are _____________. (3:6a)

2. Jews and Gentiles are "of the __________ body" (3:6)

3. They are together "partakers of His ______________ in Christ by the

___________." (3:6) (In the church there is neither Jew nor Gentile.)

About one body, read: Eph. 4:4; II Cor. 12:12-14

about inheritance read: Eph. 1:18 Heb. 9:15; Eph. 1:14

about being sealed, read: Eph. 1:13-14.

A. The Servant Engaged, vs. 7

1. Paul was made a "minister, according to the_____ of the _______ of God."

2. Paul was to receive and write this revelation about the Church.

3. This was given unto him "by the effectual working of his (God’s) ______." This grace and power is available for us today for our bold witness.

B. The Subject Given, vss. 8a - 10

1. Paul preached, among the Gentiles, as the "least of all ________." vs 8

2. He declared the "__________________ riches of Christ;" vs. 8

3. How can we have a part in sharing these unsearchable riches in Christ?

4. This again was done only by this ________ given (of God). vs 8

5. God wants all the saved to know the "fellowship of the ___________, which from the beginning of the _________ hath been hid in God." vs. 9

6. God desires people to know of the importance of a church! How can you

have a part in this? _____________________________________________

7. God, who created all things, planned for the church from the beginning of

the world. vs 9 The local church is extremely important to God!

Is it to you? ____ Why? ________________________________________

8. Verse 10 speaks of the church knowing the "manifold __________ of God."

C. The Strength Given, vss. 11 - 13

1. It is fulfilled by the "eternal ____________ which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord." vs. 11 The Church is God’s eternal purpose for today.

2. "In _________ we have ______________ and ________ with confidence by the faith of him." vs. 12 (We have a message to give as Paul did. We have access to His power through us, as Christ works His boldness in us.)

3. God‘s strength is ours in the midst of persecution and difficulty. We may have many ______________, but need not faint because of them. vs 13

_________________________________________________________________

A mystery if not something eerie or unknowable, but rather a truth that was hidden by God in times past and is now revealed to those who are in His family. A mystery is a sacred secret that is unknown to unbelievers, but understood and treasured by the people of God.

When God saved Paul, He deposited with him the precious treasures of Gospel truth. (I Tim. 1:11). Paul in turn committed these truths to others, exhorting them to commit the truths to faithful men who would guard them and share them.

( II Tim. 2:2). God’s church is not to be shackled by culture, class, or any other physical distinction. How glorious the mystery of the church.

Paul began his ministry in a local church in the northern city of Antioch that was composed of both Jews and Gentiles (Acts 11:19-26). When the council was held at Jerusalem to determine the status of believing Gentiles, Paul courageously defended the grace of God and the unity of the church. (See Acts 15, Gal. 2:1-10.) Paul was called the apostle to the Gentiles. (See Rom. 11:13; 15:15-16; I Tim. 2:7; Eph. 3:8)

To Paul it was indeed very important to share God’s plan for the church. It was Paul’s focus to share God’s secret and mystery, and to fulfill God’s will. This brought much persecution to Paul from the unsaved religious Jews who constantly stirred up trouble for Paul. They hated him for he was bringing together both Jew and Gentile into the church. Paul called himself a prisoner as well as a minister for he sacrificed as a bond-slave and spent much time in prison. (3:1, 3:7)

1. Reception of the Word, mystery of the Kingdom Matt. 13:11-13

2. Rejection of Israel, Gentiles grafted into the church Rom. 11:23-26

3. At the return of Christ, we shall be changed I Cor. 15:51-52

4. Relation of Christ and the Church Eph. 5:30-32

5. Revelation of Christ, mystery of godliness I Tim. 3:16

6. Rebellion of the Antichrist, mystery of iniquity II Thess. 2:7

7. Religion through the ages, mystery of the seven

stars, the churches in His hand Rev. 1:20

8. Reactions to Babylon, the great, the mother of

harlots, mystery of the woman Rev. 17:5, 7

Memory Verse: "Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us." (Eph. 3:20)

1. Do you feel great limitations, experience defeat, and feel powerless?

2. Do you feel greatly discouraged and of little strength?

3. Have you thought about what the early church suffered? They did not have the completed printed Bible as we have. They did not have all the books, tapes, videos, and a multitude of things to help them in their Christian walk. Paul was greatly burdened for their needs.

4. How does Paul’s prayer relate to the previous study concerning the Church

and the enmity abolished between the Jews and Gentiles? __________________

_________________________________________________________________

This was Paul’s second prayer for the Ephesians and, of course, it applies to us today as well. In Chapter 1:15-23, he prayed for their enlightenment; but in this prayer the emphasis is put upon enablement. Paul desired that they would understand their wealth in Christ, embrace the truth of it, and live a victorious life because of it. He wanted them to know they were able to live the Christian life!

A. His prayer was selfless! vs. 13

1. He was not concerned about himself. He was burdened that "ye ________

not at my tribulations for you," You would think that Paul would be the one who might faint since he was in prison. How do you think the believers would respond if they were to faint at Paul’s tribulations? (3:13) _____________________________________________________________

2. In what way was Paul’s tribulations working for good? (Read Phil. 1:12-14 for an answer.) ________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________ (vs. 13)

3. Paul was concerned they could (and would) endure the persecutions and

hardships they were experiencing. What does God want to do through

our testings? (See James 1:1-3)___________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

B. His prayer was genuine! vs. 14-15

1. Paul "bowed his __________ unto the Father..." This gives us an understanding of his sincerity, burden, heart-cry, and compassion he had for the early church. (Compare with Gal. 4:19.)

2. A father has a very special kind of love. God is a real Father, the pattern

Father. What does Matt 7:11 teach us? _____________________________

_____________________________________________________________

3. What is God called in II Cor. 1:3? __________________________________

C. He prayed for their spiritual strength! (vs. 16)

Carefully consider the things Paul prayed for! What should it mean to you?

1. What does Paul say about God’s riches as found in Christ through grace?

"That he would _________ you, according to the riches of his grace."

vs. 16

What does he say about this grace in the following portions in Ephesians?

a. 1:7 ________________________________________________________

b. 1:18 _______________________________________________________

c. 2:4 ________________________________________________________

d. 2:7 ________________________________________________________

e. 3:8 ________________________________________________________

Daily, by God’s grace they were to have spiritual strengthening. And YOU?

2. The presence of the Holy Spirit becomes a reality when we are saved.

We are " to be _______________ with _________ by His _________ in the inner man." (vs. 16b) The power of the Holy Spirit makes us able to live the Christian life. Consider the following:

a. Did Christ depend upon the power of the Holy Spirit? (See Luke 4:1,14.) _______ What did Christ pray for as found in John 14:16?

______________________________ Why? _______________________

b. Who was sent in Christ’s name? (Read John 14:26; 15:26; 16:7.)

_______________ Why?_______________________________________

D. He prayed for the Ephesians’ spiritual depth. vs. 17

Paul uses three pictures to convey this idea of spiritual depth.

1. "That Christ may _________ in your hearts by _________:" To dwell means "to settle down, to be at home at, to feel at home." We are saved by faith, by trusting in Him, and that only.

2. "that ye, being ______________..." Our spiritual roots are to be deep in the soil of the Word of God, which brings stability, and nourishment. (Read Psalm 1:1-5.) Do you want to prosper, to be fruitful? ___________

3. "and _____________ in love." Grounded speaks of the foundation upon

which we are to build. (See Colossians 2:6-7.) What are you doing to be

grounded upon Christ? _________________________________________

E. He prayed they would comprehend (understand) the love of God.

vss. 18-19

1. He desired they would grasp or lay hold of the greatness of God’s love for them. God’s love is precious and wonderful . "We are to know the _______ of Christ that passeth ____________________." (vs. 19)

2. Paul wanted them (and it is ours as well) to comprehend the dimensions of this love. (vs. 18) (Read verses 17,18,19, for they are tied together!)

a. That they might comprehend the ___________ of it -- boundless!

b. They might comprehend (know) the ___________ of it -- endless!

c. They might comprehend (know) the ___________ of it -- fathomless!

d. They might comprehend (know) the ___________ of it -- measureless!

3. In what way (or ways) is the love of Christ known, embraced, and controlling your life? ____________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

4. How is the power of God seen in your present daily life? vs. 19b

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

Paul had deep convictions; he knew God’s power in his life through personal, daily experience. He also wanted the believers to know God’s power in their lives in a practical way.

A. About God’s Power: vs. 20

1. Power shortage is not something known to God.

2. Paul uses many superlatives to try and get across to us the availability of God’s power for our personal lives.

3. The Holy Spirit led Paul to write:"Now unto him that is ______ TO DO _______________ abundantly ________ all that we ask or think,"

4. God is ABLE to DO -- not just above, but exceeding abundantly above

all we could ever pray for. Above what we could ask or even think possible.

5. It is based on what we ask for or pray for by __________. (Hebrews 11:6)

6. What does God teach us about faith in Romans 10:17? _________________

_____________________________________________________________

7. What do the words -- all, above, abundantly, exceeding mean to you

personally in your daily life? _____________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

8. This is all limited by or "according to the ____________ that worketh in us." vs. 20b

a. This word power is the Greek word dunamis, or the dynamite of God,

meaning the energeia or energy found in God’s ability. (Read 1:11, 19; 2:2; 3:7; and 4:16.) Is this personal? Do you live by His power?

b. God’s energy is effectual, working in us and through us as we allow Him to work His will, plan, and way in our lives.

c. The only limit is the limit we put upon God’s right and control in our lives. Consider how you might be limiting God? ___________________

___________________________________________________________

B. About God’s Glory in the Church: vs. 21

1. God only should receive the praise, glory, and honor. (See Rev. 5:12)

2. The Spirit of God works to bring _________ to Christ. (See John 16:14.)

3. Our purpose ought to be to bring glory to God "in the _________ by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without _______."

4. We are to do that as a "spiritual household and ________________ of God through the Spirit." (See Ephesians 2:21-22.)

5. Peter, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, calls us: (See I Peter 2:9.)

a. a ____________ generation, "That we might show forth

b. a _____________ priesthood, His praises, who called us out

c. an holy _____________, darkness unto His

d. a ____________ (or special, set apart) people. marvelous light."

1. What are the priorities of your life, what do you live for? ___________________

__________________________________________________________________

2. How important is the local church to you? (give your testimony or thoughts about this) ________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

3. What are you trusting God for as you bring your requests to Him? ___________

__________________________________________________________________

4. Find the four petitions that began with the word, that. What were they?

____________________________________________________________________

Memory Verse: "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called." (4:1)

The first three chapters of Ephesians dealt with the wealth of the Christian. Chapter four deals with the walk of the Christian. In this section, along with chapter five, Paul deals with the walk as it relates to the Church as well as to our personal daily life and relationships with others in various aspects of our daily life.

Chapters 1-3 teach us doctrine; chapters 4-6 teach Christian duty. It is very important that we establish our behavior on the basis of beliefs (doctrine) rather than establish our beliefs on the basis of behavior. Either our theology (doctrine) will dictate our lifestyle, or our lifestyle will dictate our theology. Paul, therefore, first establishes Biblical theology, and then proceeds to teach Christian behavior which results from understanding of our Biblical position in Christ.

Remember that the Church, including the Church Age, was the mystery that was revealed by God through Paul. In the last study we noted Paul’s prayer and his deep concern for the local church and its power, fulness, and enablement through God’s provisions. The Church, as the mystery of God’s doings revealed in this age, must also be a healthy body. Remember the Church is set forth as the bride of Christ, His body, and His building. And the local church is the visible manifestation of this body, bride, and building.

Here we will study Paul’s God-given burden as he deals with the Christian’s part in helping to build a healthy body -- a healthy church. God is engaged in building a healthy, spiritual church and we are involved in making this possible as a part of that church. (Note Ephesians 2:21-22.)

A. Preserving the Church’s Unity vss. 1-3

The resounding theme of chapter four is unity (vss. 3-6, 13, 16, 25). He is not speaking of the ecumenical unity of all faiths or beliefs, nor is he advancing the idea of unity of all religions. Instead, he teaches the unity of the Spirit which is to be evident among the true believers in the Body of Christ. (vs. 3)

1. Paul’s general burden: "we are called unto unity"

a. Paul was burdened that the Christian "walk _____________ of the vocation wherewith ye are ___________." vs. 1

b. What does that mean to you in practical application? _______________

___________________________________________________________

c. Paul wrote often about our walk! (Walk denotes direction, movement,

action, purpose, and is a good word to describe how we are to live our daily life. Write a phrase from the following portions as to our walk.)

• Eph. 4:1 _________________________________________________

• Eph. 4:17 ________________________________________________

• Eph. 5:2 _________________________________________________

• Eph. 5:8 _________________________________________________

• Eph. 5:15 ________________________________________________

d. Have you considered that YOU are called? What does the call of God

mean to you? _______________________________________________

_______________________________ (4:1)

What do the following teach?

• Rom. 11:29 _______________________________________________

• II Tim. 1:9 ________________________________________________

Paul could have approached this issue of godly living by giving harsh commands. However, he exhorted the Christians in love. His message was a heart-to-heart pleading (beseech YOU, vs.1) that they would perform what he taught them.

e. The goal of this holy walk will be "endeavoring to keep the ________

of the ________ in the bond of peace." (vs. 3) The word, endeavor,

(Greek, spoudazo) means to make haste, to be eager. And the word,

keep means to watch over, to preserve. We should be eager to preserve

the unity that God’s Spirit will give to those who are at peace with God.

2. Paul reveals HOW this unity is kept. vss. 2-4

a. By a walk in low_________! (vs. 2) The Greek word for lowliness is

actually a compound of two words -- low degree or brought low, and

the second, of mind.

• How did Paul serve? Acts 20:19? _____________________________

• What do we read about Christ’s self-humbling in Phil. 2:5-11?

_________________________________________________________

• Give the admonition as found in Philippians 2:3. _________________

_________________________________________________________

• Humility should lead us to a b______ of p________. (Eph. 4:3c)

• True humility will bring about submission and cooperation.

b. By a walk in m_____________! (vs. 2) Meekness is the inner spirit in which we accept God’s dealings with us as good and therefore without disputing or resisting.

We practice meekness by our surrender. (See Romans 6:16,19.)

Many Christians are confused about rights! We have no rights to do as we please for we were created by God, and purchased by Christ’s blood. All our rights must be yielded to God -- that is true meekness.

c. By a walk of long_____________! (vs. 2) (See Gal. 5:23) It is strength under control. It is the fruit of the Holy Spirit’s control of our lives.

d. By a walk of "for__________ one another in ________." (vs 2) Literally, this word means to endure! It also means to hold up or to sustain!

• How does Galatians 6:2 relate to this? _________________________

_________________________________________________________

• What does Colossians 3:13 teach us about forbearing?_____________

________________________________________________________

There will be times when we are offended by the word, attitudes, and actions of others. But if unity is to be attained, we must learn to endure and forgive one another. This is accomplished in love. Our purpose is to restore, and not to condemn and judge others.

B. Perceiving Its Unity (vss. 4-6) (Again read this portion a number of times.)

It is important that we note some of the texts where the word body is used in the New Testament as it relates to the Church. (Study the following: Ephesians 1:22-23; Romans 12:4-5; I Corinthians 12:12-31.)

There is a seven-fold unity that is needed in the Church.

1. One ________ (vs. 4) Christ is the head of this body. (4:15; Col. 1:18)

It is the head that is responsible for the nourishment of the entire physical man. the head gives orders to eat and drink. In similar fashion Christ nourishes His body, the Church, through the joints of supply.

(See Eph. 4:16 and Col. 2:19.)

a. It is the h______ that dir______ the actions of the body.

b. What happens if some part of the body is hurt? Does it affect us?

___________________________________________________________

c. Believers are ___________ of Christ’s body. (See I Cor. 12:27.)

Even as the temple of God (the physical body) is a growing temple, so the Body of Christ is a growing body. (Eph. 4:16)

2. One _________ (vs. 4) The Holy Spirit came as the Comforter to minister

to the saints and to baptize them into that one body (I Cor. 12:13 ;

Eph. 2:18-22) One Spirit ind_______ the individual and that is the Holy Spirit. (See I Cor. 6:19-20.)

3. "even as you are called in ONE _________ of your calling. (vs. 4)

There is one hope! (Consider the following verses, fill the blank.)

a. The hope of the ___________________ of the body. (Acts 23:6; 24:15)

b. The hope of the ___________. (Col. 1:23)

c. The hope of ___________ with the loved ones in Christ. (I Thes. 4:13-18)

d. The hope of _____________ in all its fullness. (I Thess. 5:8)

e. The hope of ___________________. (Gal. 5:5)

f. The hope of ___________ to be revealed in us. (Rom. 8:18)

g. The hope of ____________ life. (Titus 1:2)

h. The blessed hope of ___________ return. (Titus 2:13)

4. One _________ (vs. 5) Recognition of the lordship of Christ builds ________ among God’s children. When we all seek direction from Him, we will all walk in fellowship. (See I John 1:7.)

5. One __________ (vs 5) Jude 3 reminds of us of "the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." This faith comes by ___________ the Word of God. (Rom. 10:17) If we are to have unity among the saved, the inspiration and infallibility of the Word of God must be taught, and

embraced. It must be our only authority for faith and practice.

6. One __________ (vs 5) Without doubt he is writing of the baptism of the

_________ as found in I Corinthians 12:13. Spirit baptism is that work of

7. One _______ and ____________ of _______, who is __________ all, and through all, and ______ you all. (vs. 6) This completes the unity because this work of unity is only through God.

• We saw God the Spirit in verse 4,

• God the Son in verse 5, and now God the Father, the sovereign in verse 6.

• God is called __________to emphasize the family unity of believers.

(See Eph. 2:19; 3:15.)

A. All of God’s abundant, abounding ________ is available. (vs. 7)

God has made abundant provisions for the building of the church. Grace is desire and ability to do God’s will and work. (Phil. 2:13) Christ unifies His people by giving them His grace. We are the recipients of the resources we need, and each of us is equipped adequately to do his own job for God. We have the right quality and quantity of spiritual resources because it is according to the measure of the gift of Christ. (vs. 7)

B. Christ "gave _______ unto men." (vs. 8-11)

Christ unified believers by leading captive a multitude of prisoners. (vs 8)

Through His death, Christ defeated the forces of Satan. This important passage describes His descent into hades to set free a multitude of captives. Christ took the saved to heaven (who had died in faith as Old Testament saved people). These had been in Abraham’s bosom. There was a part or area in hades, a place where souls waited until the resurrection. Christ was victor over death, and took these saved to be with Himself in glory. As our victor He was crowned with glory and honor. (Read Eph. 4:8-10; Phil. 2:9-11; Heb. 2:7, 9.)

1. Christ equips His Church. He gave "__________ unto men." (vs. 8)

2. Those gifts were people whom He called to further the ministry of the

gospel, through the Church.

a. "He gave some, _____________, and some ____________, and some ______________; and some _____________ and ______________. (vs. 11)

b. Which ones are gifts still given today? _____________, ____________,

and ______________.

c. Examine Romans 12:6-8, what do you find there about gifts?

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

The purposes for which these gifted men were given to Christ’s body are stated in Ephesians 4:12-16. Basically, they were given to preach, teach the Word, and to exhort and encourage the saints to serve God. The saints are thus equipped for service. These gifted men (vs 11) are the spark plugs to fire up the saints to work for Christ, with the result that the Body of Christ grows.

A. To equip the saints.... "_______________ of the saints." (vs. 12)

1. There should be no comma in the text between saints and for the work of the ministry. God desires saints be perfected for their work of ministry.

2. Leaders (as listed above) are to labor to equip the saints "for the __________ of the (their) ministry.

3. The word equip means "to outfit, to put in order, to arrange."

a. Are you ready and willing to be equipped, outfitted, prepared for

greater service? __________ How? ______________________________

b. Are you willing to follow leaders as they seek to equip you? _______

B. To encourage the saints... "for the work of the _______________." (vs. 12)

1. What does God want according to II Tim. 2:2? _______________________

_____________________________________________________________

2. Spirit-led believers will naturally submit themselves to godly men whom

Christ has given to them as His gifts.

3. What does Hebrews 13:7, 17 teach us? _____________________________

_____________________________________________________________

C. To edify the saints. . . "edify of the body" (vs. 12)

1. The purpose is "for the ______________ of the body of Christ:"

(vs. 12)

2. This means certain things: (for growth -- numbers, strength, in love)

a. "til we all _______ in the unity of the faith, and of the _____________ of the Son of God..." (vs. 13)

b. "unto a ____________ (complete, mature) man, unto the __________ of the stature of the __________ of Christ." (vs. 13)

3. This necessitates both evang________ and disc____________ in the local church. Are you involved? ________ If so, how? _________________

_____________________________________________________________

D. To fulfill the purposes God has given!~ (vss. 13-16)

1. That the saints might be conformed to Christ. God desires that we might have "_______________ of the Son of God and come to the measure of the ___________ of the fulness of Christ." (vs. 13)

a. Are you growing unto that fulness? _______ How? _________________

___________________________________________________________

b. What would this fulness bring in your life? _______________________

___________________________________________________________

2. That the saints might: (vs. 14)

a. "henceforth be no _________ children, __________ to and fro,

b. "and _____________ about with every wind of _____________,"

c. "by the ____________ of men, and _______________ craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to ___________." (vs. 14)

d. Are you applying doctrine, (teaching) when it is given at church services, Sunday School, and various studies? _______ Do you take

notes on messages?________ And do you review those notes? ________

e. How can you better apply God’s Word? __________________________

___________________________________________________________

a. "Speaking the truth in love" means to watch over our tongues, (and

thoughts) that we do not speak ______ to others or to ourselves.

b. Note verse 25 ! What does it teach you? __________________________

___________________________________________________________

c. Verse 15, speaking the truth in love, is the first principle of good

communication in the home and all other relationships. We must --

• speak -- not clam up, be unwilling to talk; we are commanded to

speak.

• the truth -- not denying, or speaking falsely, but truth speaking.

• in love -- not hateful, hurting others, but edifying them.

4. That the saints might " be fitly __________ together." (vs. 16)

a. We are to be to others what the joints of our body are to us. We are

to supply the needs of others, "according to the __________ of every part..." Or according to our gifts and God-given abilities. (vs. 16)

b. God wants us to complement one another, contributing to the ministry

as we have part in "making increase of the _________ unto the edifying of itself in ____________." (vs. 16c)

The health of the body of Christ, (the local church) depends upon every saved person. Each member has a work to perform, a ministry to fulfill, and a Savior to glorify. Building the local church is not the job of pastor-teachers or evangelists, but the work of every saint of God.

1. What are you doing to bring unity?____________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

2. How are you a gift to others in the church?______________________________

_________________________________________________________________

3. What are you doing to equip (or be equipped), to help build the body?________

________________________________________________________________

Memory Verse: "And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." Eph. 4:24

Warren W. Wiersbe titled this portion, Taking Off the Grave clothes! There is a reason for this. It is God’s will that our walk be a walk in purity. In order for this to take place, we must remove the grave clothes of our past. Grave clothes speak of the things of death, corruption, and/or the things of the old nature and the practice of sin. We are to walk in the victory that is in Christ Jesus. Grave clothes bind, enslave, and represent our sinful habits and practices of the past from which Christ came to set us free. (Gal. 1:4; Rom. 8:37; II Cor. 1:14)

In this portion we will see that a great emphasis is put upon our thoughts. Our actions spring from our thoughts, for as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. (Prov. 23:7) And our thoughts are built around what we believe about the world about us. We easily build a belief system about many things which can be totally contrary to what the Word of God teaches.

What the unsaved live (their walk) is based upon what they believe, and thus what they think. Our thoughts have far greater impact upon our actions than we realize. Christ said, "ye shall know the truth (what you think upon, have in your heart) and the truth shall set you free." (John 8:32)

I. The Wrong Walk -- Eph. 4:17-19 (Read, reread, and ponder the text)

A. The Error of Their Thinking! vss. 17-18

1. The natural man darkens his mind! "having the _________________

darkened." (vs. 18) This is a deliberate choice. The word, understanding

means "to think through." They reject truth and so are blinded.

a. The unsaved are "alienated from the ______ of God through the ______________ that is in them." (vs. 18) And they cannot think about and understand spiritual things and see God’s truth.

(See I Cor. 2:14.)

b. Alienated means to be estranged or shut out from one’s fellowship.

c. There is a pattern of decay that takes place and permeates every area of

man’s existence. (See Romans 1:8-32.)

d. The truth of the Word of God is called ___________. (Psa. 119:130)

e. Satan seeks to __________ mankind so they don’t come to Christ.

(See II Cor. 4:3-4.)

f. God’s purpose for preaching and teaching is to bring light to

darkened _________. (Acts 26:18)

g. What has God done for you in this area since you were saved? ________

___________________________________________________________

2. The natural man dulls his mind! It is because of the "blindness of _______ heart." (vs. 18) This blindness literally means to cover with a callous.

a. Unsaved people have deliberate _____________ of heart. (Heb. 3:8, 13)

b. They reject the Word of God and become more blind.

c. What if, after salvation, you become hard of heart, will you gradually

become blind to your real needs? _________ What should you do?

___________________________________________________________

It is the ignorance and rejection of liberating truth of the Word of God that causes man to walk in darkness and failure. When the mind’s focus is self and not God, we will live for materialism, and all that the world offers of sin and self-indulgence -- poverty, crime, violence, and every kind of wick ness becomes the norm. The man who continues to allow (chooses) his mind to be darkened will find it hard to have any spiritual conviction.

B. The Results of Their Thinking: vs. 19

1. The natural man delivers his mind over to lasciviousness. vs. 19

a. "Who being past __________ have given themselves over unto

b. They become past feeling, or insen_______ to spiritual things. They give themselves over to deliberately work wickedness in their own lives. c. When a person rejects God’s truth, he does not free himself to do as he

wants; he is imprisoned to his own deceitful __________. (vs. 22)

d. Lasciviousness means "to stir up sensual and sexual desires." This

practice brings a complete surrendering of restraint and a loss of

conscience. (Compare Romans 1:24-28 with Acts 24:16.)

e. Is a pure mind important? ________ What are you doing to maintain

purity of thought life? ________________________________________

_____________________________________ (Consider Psa. 119:9,11.)

2. The natural man works all "uncleanness with ____________." vs. 19

a. Selfish, sinful, immoral lusts dictate the actions of his life.

b. Having given himself over to a lustful mind the outward actions, deeds,

thoughts, and motivations of the __________ become decisions of

uncleanness with utter abandonment.

But we have not "so ___________ Christ, if so be that ye have __________ him, and have been __________ by him, as the truth is in Jesus." (vs. 20,21) What a contrast between the mind controlled by God, through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, and the mind controlled by the lustful, wicked, sinful heart and nature of an unsaved (unregenerated) person.

A. The Saint’s Mind vss. 20-24

1. The mind is motivated by what we have learned and been taught.

(vs. 20-21)

a. To "learn ________," means to have a personal relationship with Him.

b. By the study of the Word of God, we have heard and been "tau______

by him, as the ________ is in Jesus." Christ changes our minds, our

outlook, and character as we obey the Scriptures.

c. What are you doing to make obedience of the Word of God easier? ____

__________________________________________________________

2. The mind not occupied with Christ is usually corrupt! (vs. 22)

Everything outside of Christ is dying, in the state of death, or becoming corrupt!

a. We are commanded to "________ _______" the works of the old man

(sin nature).

b. The word conversation is an old English word meaning "manner of life." Our life style should be transformed.

c. The manner of life and deceitful ______ comes from a mind controlled

by the dictates of a sinful nature. (vs. 22)

d. To what extent do you feel you are allowing the Lord to change your

thinking, your life style? ______________________________________

___________________________________________________________

3. The renewed mind is a mind controlled by Christ, by the Word of God

through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. (vs. 23)

a. Conversion is a crisis that leads to a process of ___________ as we renew

our minds with the Word of God daily. (See Rom. 12:2; Psa. 1:2-3.)

b. God wants to bring "transf__________ in our lives" as we apply the Word of God. Only then can we prove out in daily life "what is that good, and _____________, and __________, will of God."

(See Romans 12:2.)

c. We are "sanctified through __________"...God’s word.

(See John 17:17.)

4. The mind occupied with Christ will bring true holiness. (vs. 24)

a. We must "______ _______ the new man," or the new nature which is given of God. (vs. 24) (See II Pet. 1:4) God imparted this to us!

b. This new nature is the work of God in us, given us at the time of our

salvation, "for of His own free will ________ He us with the ________ of truth." (See James 1:18.)

c. The following verses prove the impact of the mind or thoughts on the

"put off and put on" process. (Prov. 23:7; Jh. 8:32; Matt. 12:35-36;

II Cor. 10:3-5)

d. It is a process, whereby we have a change of thinking as we more and

more think God’s thoughts as we put forth the effort for His Word to

permeate our minds. How are you applying this principle?

B. The Saints Walk (vss. 25-32)

Paul has given three very important principles -- put off, put on, and be renewed daily in the spirit of the mind. Now he applies these principles. He names sins and the importance of the put off and put on process in order to have change.

Fundamental Christians have often been accused of being negative, of teaching a system of don’ts and thou shalt nots. This accusation is not true to Scripture. For every sin that God commands us to surrender, God gives us a positive action to fill the vacuum. This replacement principle is important for us to practice. Those Christians who try to put off the old man, but never put on the new man, will find themselves falling into deeper sin.

A. We are to put off: We are urged to put on the opposite:

"___________" (vs 25) "speak, every man __________." vs. 25

"___________" (vs. 26) anger dealt with before dark, vs. 26

"____________" (vs. 28) "rather let him _________, working

with his _______ the thing which is ________, he may have to give to him that ________." (vs. 28)

"___________ speech" (vs. 29) "but that which is _______ to the use

of _____________." (vs. 29)

"bitterness, wrath, _________, "And be ye __________, tenderhearted,

clamor, evil ________." (vs 31) _______________ one another." vs. 32

B. Some thoughts to consider about the above list:

1. It is easy to allow anger to leave in the soul an irritation or bitterness which lingers on. This attitude will give "place to the _________."

(vs. 27) For Satan will then have an advantage we have given him.

2. A man who steals must do three things to conquer his sin: (vs. 28)

a. "rather let _________," He must find a job.

b. "work with his _________" in an honorable work,

c. "_______to him that is need, or give to others of the fruit of his labor.

3. Edifying others is defined as "ministering ________ unto the ________." (vs. 29)

Our words ought to be gracious as they encourage others.

C. Lets consider a bit of the meaning of words in verse 31.

Paul here writes of those things we are to put off.

1. ______________ means resentfulness held on to tenaciously.

2. ________ means a violent outburst of anger, like boiling water, exhibited

in many outward ways that hurt, destroy, and bring anguish to others.

3. ___________ involves a settled state of mind, holding on to hostilities.

4. _______ ___________ is slanderous speech.

5. ___________ is the outworking of bitterness seen in holding on to ill will

and wicked intent. There is a desire for revenge.

_________________________________________________________________

1. How active are you in putting off and putting on the things God desires for you

to change? ________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

2. Write a list of things to put off from Colossians 3:8-9. _____________________

_________________________________________________________________

3. Write a list of things to put on from Colossians 3:12-14. (We do this as His

elect, holy, and beloved.) ___________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

4. This is the practice of the principle of replacement - replacing the walk of the old man with the walk in the new man (the new nature). This necessitates our

breaking old ha_____ and replacing the sinful practices with god___ habits.

5. All of this has to do with the walk of the Christian. We are in a walk -- there is

progression, direction, and a destination even in the walk of the saved person.

6. Walking denotes a goal, an aim, and an effort to achieve the walk God desires.

7. The Christian is to manifest surrender to the Holy Spirit of God. We are to walk

so as to not "___________ the Holy Spirit, whereby ye are __________ unto the day of redemption." (vs. 30)

8. We can only do this as we constantly allow Him to control our minds as we fill our minds with truth, which is God’s Word -- memorized, meditated upon, loved, and then lived out in daily life.

____________________________________________________________________

Memory Verse: " Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light." Eph. 5:7-8

When one sits in a dark room for a while, he gradually gets used to the darkness. He eyes focus upon the dimly outlined objects in the darkened surroundings and he thinks he is seeing! But let someone step to the door and flip on the light switch and he will soon realize there were endless details that he was missing in the room.

In much the same manner, God warns us against getting used to the darkness around us. It is easy to do. We live in a world that abides in the darkness of sin, ignorance, and rejection of God and His Word. It is easy to walk as the unsaved do, with a darkened mind - thinking and living as they live - in the darkness of sinful practices. We all too easily get used to the dark. If it is our habit to watch a lot of TV, we will gradually lose our convictions about sin and find compromise a way of life. We will allow darkness in our own souls!

A. Seek to Be a Follower! (vs. 1)

We have all heard of or seen a little boy try to walk in his father’s footsteps. This is what God is asking us to do. To walk as He walks. The boy reaches to step in his father’s very footsteps, so may we endeavor to walk pleasing to Him.

1. "Be ye ____________ followers of God, as ________ children." vs. 1

2. He says "therefore", why does he say this? Because of what he had just

written in Ephesians 4:17-32. Therefore because of the foregoing -- walk!

3. The word, "follower" is taken from a word closely akin to "mimic." It

means to be an imitator!

a. We are to make a conscious effort to act like God _________.

b. We are to develop godlike character qualities. What are you doing to make this a reality in your life? __________________________________

____________________________________________________________

4. We all learn from models; we all are imitators. Who are you patterning your life after, or who has the most influence on you?_________________

Why? ________________________________________________________

5. Who do your children (or teens) have as heroes? Parents____, admired

peers ______, rock stars _____, TV celebrities _____, great missionaries ____, Bible characters _____, Others ______? (Put a check in right place.)

B. Seek to Follow as "dear" children: (vs. 1)

1. Do you act as His child, or a child of sin or of Satan? ___________________

2. We are very dear to our Heavenly Father, and this term is a term of the "affection of a loving parent."

3. Do you reject His love, direction and admonitions? ________ If so, why?

_____________________________________________________________

4. We must walk with God -- practice His presence -- fellowship from Him!

C. Seek to be a Follower In Love! (vs. 2)

1. "And ________ in _________, as Christ also hath loved us."

2. If we imitate God, we will walk in love as His "___________________."

3. The very love He commands, He first demonstrated (Rom. 5:8; I Jh 4:9,10)

4. We can’t find this love in ourselves, but through Him whom we imitate.

5. It is the love that caused Him to give Himself, "hath given Himself for us

for an _________ to God for a sweetsmelling savour (sacrifice)." vs 2

6. Christ, our model -- emptied Himself, humbled Himself, and offered Himself for our sins. (See Phil. 2:5-11.)

D. Seek to Shun Filthiness! (vss. 3-4)

1. The alternative to "walking in love" is adopting the world’s brand of "love." What is your practice of love like? ___________________________

_____________________________________________________________

2. This is described in verse three as living a life of "fornication, and all

3. The opposite of godly love is that which is found in popular TV soap operas, and lewd magazines, of which there are many.

4. What the world calls love God calls l______!

5. Fornication comes from a word like our word, "pornographic," and means"illicit sexual intercourse."

6. "Covet____________" is the most frequently denounced sin in the New Testament. Does that surprise you? ________ Why do you think this is so?

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

7. What does God say about these things in verse three? "let it ____________

8. In verse four we read, "Neither _______________, nor ___________ talking, nor ________,which are not convenient, but rather _________ of thanks."

9. The sins mentioned here are sins of a corrupt society. We hear much filthy talk, that is empty of any good, and often jesting over filthy jokes.

a. filthy means "basedness or dishonor, to disfigure, dishonor or cover with shame."

b. foolish talking is translated by one author as "foul-mouthed abuse."

It means godless discourse or speech.

c. jesting here refers to "impure speech, immortal pleasantry, sharing that which is evil in implication!"

d. These are not convenient; there ought to be a "giving of ________." vs. 4

Light and darkness are used throughout the Scriptures to demonstrate the contrast between good and evil. God wants His children to have discernment about the difference and to have a heart after godliness. We must be motivated to separate ourselves from the world in our behavior. (Consider II Cor. 6:14-18.)

A. Characteristics of the "children of _________________." (vss. 5-6)

1. A changed life is an evidence that the Gentiles believers of Ephesus were truly saved and possessed the "riches of the __________ of his inheritance in the saints." (Eph. 1:18)

2. "For this ye ________, that ____ whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor _____________ man, who is an idolater, hath ______________ ____________ in the kingdom of Christ and of God." (vs. 5)

The doctrine of eternal security used to be called "the perseverance of the saints." It was said that if a person were genuinely converted, one could tell it by watching the consistency of the life of the "convert". If his behavior remained consistent with the Bible standards, it was evidence he was a true believe