Ephesians

The Epistle of the Church

January 8, 2006

2006 Goals

• Focus on the church• Revealed in:

– God’s objective to draw the world to Him through Jesus (Gen 3:15)

– God’s instrument to draw the world to Jesus (Eph 4:11-13)

– Our relationships establishing the body of Christ (Rom 12:4-6)

– Living to build up the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27 )

Introduction to Ephesians

• About the times• About the author• About the book

The Prison Epistles

• The year is 60 to 62 AD• Paul is under house arrest in

Rome awaiting an audience with Nero

• While in prison four letters were distributed by Paul:– Philippians (Phil 1:13-14)– Ephesians (Eph 3:1, 4:1)– Colossians (Col 4:10)– Philemon (Phil 1)

The Prison Epistles

• A composite picture of Christ, the church, and the Christian life– EPHESIANS presents “the church,

which is his body” (Eph 1:22, 23)– COLOSSIANS presents Christ who is

“the head of the body, the church” (Col 1:18).

– PHILIPPIANS presents Christian living, with Christ as the dynamic: “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Phil 4:13).

– PHILEMON presents Christian living in action in a pagan society. (Phil 17, 18).

Paul and Ephesus

The Themes of Ephesians

• Two central themes– The calling of the church– The conduct of the church

• Church Doctrine– The church is a body (Ch 1)– The church is a temple (Ch 2)– The church is a mystery (Ch 3)

• Church Practice– The church is a new man (Ch 4)– The church is a bride (Ch 5)– The church is a soldier (Ch 6)

Small Group Discussion

• Group 1– How has the church today lost its first love for

Him? (Rev 2:1-7)– How has the church today become lukewarm,

and what are we gaining or losing as a result? (Rev 3:14-22)

• Group 2– In this day how has self-satisfaction and

complacency affected the church?– What divides the church today?

• Group 3– What would you say is the major theme of all

Scripture?– What is God’s plan and aim for all people

throughout history? What part does the church play in God’s plan?

• Group 4– Describe the aspects and qualities of the

church “attaining the fullness of Christ” (Eph 4:13).

Our Study of Ephesians

• God’s Grace – Eph 1:1 – 2:10

• The Church – Eph 2:11 – 4:16

• God Honoring Lives – Eph 4:17 – 6:24

Group 1

How has the church today lost its first love for Him? (Rev 2:1-7)

How has the church today become lukewarm, and what are we gaining or losing as a result? (Rev 3:14-22)

Group 2

In this day how has self-satisfaction and complacency affected the church?

What divides the church today?

Group 3

What would you say is the major theme of all Scripture?

What is God’s plan and aim for all people throughout history? What part does the church play in God’s plan?

Group 4

Describe the aspects and qualities of the church “attaining the fullness of Christ” (Eph 4:13).