Sunday, October 2nd, 2016
Ephesians 3
The letter written to the saints at Ephesus offers general instruction in the truths of God’s redemptive work in Christ; the unity of the church among diverse peoples; and proper conduct in the church, the home, and the world.
There are three main themes found in Ephesians. The first is that Christ has reconciled all creation to himself and to God. It also explains that Christ has united people from all nations to himself and to one another in his church. Throughout this beautiful letter there is an unmistakable theme that expresses the truth that Christians must live as new people.
As you read and study together, make sure to work hard at hearing from everyone that has gathered together. Pray for one another and be accountable to applying the word of God to your lives.
Questions for this week:
- What does it mean to be a “prisoner of the lord? As prisoners of the lord, what does it mean for us to live a life “worthy of the calling”?
- What does it look like for the Church, the Body of Christ, to attain the unity of the faith?
- Part of the Park’s mission is to “equip and send the saints for the works of the ministry”; as a saint of the lord, what is the work of the ministry that you have been called to?
- Paul outlines different roles for people within the church: apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds and teachers. Which do you identify with?
- Taking these different roles into account, what is the difference between unity and uniformity? How do we see that played out in our church?
- Our American culture teaches us to be individualistic, competitive, and to always have the mindset of being #1. Yet, Ephesians 4 preaches a different message of the unity of the body of Christ and how our ministries are dependent upon one another. Discuss how your life and your ministry are dependent on each other.
- Read Ephesians 2:19-22, 1 Peter 2:4-5 & 9 and relate it to Ephesians 4. Your identity as Christians is to be a whole building being built into a spiritual house as a holy priesthood that bears with one another in love.
- Challenge: How has your walk with God affected your personal life, and how has your personal life affected the body of Christ? Our church is called to be one body, to be one family. How have you progressed that calling at the Park?