Ephesians 4 Part 1

On Sunday we looked at the first 16 verses of Ephesians 4 and had some good discussion around the unity of the body of Christ and building one another up towards Christlikeness. The format we followed in studying it was pretty loose and informal, so I don't have a helpful lesson plan or outline to post. However, I did want to jot down a few of the things that stood out to me during the preparation and discussion. Please add your comments if there are other things that you want to highlight.

• We are called to humility, gentleness and patience with one another to maintain unity and peace in body of Christ, but it is so easy to allow our pride to cause dissension between us, in a larger context (between denominations or believers of different styles) and within our own group.
• It is God's design that we are equipped by individuals in the church (apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers) that we might build up the individuals in the church towards Christlikeness. God chooses to mature us through our interaction with each other, despite the fact that we are all screw ups.
• "We are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ" If we are building one another up without pushing one another closer to Christ, then we are not accomplishing the work of the Church.

Mark Beers

Ephesians 3 Reflection Questions

Hey gang. Both our groups are going through Ephesians. This past Sunday, my group looked at Ephesians 3. I'm including the questions we started addressing in smaller groups for a continued look into the scriptures and our lives. Next week, my group will look at Ephesians 4. So, dive into the rest of the questions you weren't able to get to this Sunday and then go ahead and begin looking at Ephesians 4 as well this week. Have fun & live a life of love... loving God & loving others...

for His glory,

ed

Superheroes are popular for a number of reasons but a big part of it is that they are larger than life and the battles they face are larger than life. We are also drawn to their powers that aren’t normal “human” powers.

1. How is the dunamis power of Christ like a superpower? How does it make us in the church like superheroes?

2. The downside of the superhero image is that it is often an individualistic mindset. When you read Eph 3: 14-21 what picture does Paul paint? Is it highlighting individuals or a body/family/church? Who receives the ultimate glory?

3. Do verses like Eph 3: 10-11 make our existence, life purpose and journey, and our struggles seem “larger than life” and how so?

4. Paul prayed for the Ephesians in 3: 14-19. Look at his use of “I” and “you.” How often do you pray for others? When you do pray for others, what do you ask for in prayer? How might this and the other prayers we see Paul pray in Ephesians (& the other epistles) encourage us to pray for others?

5. Paul also prays in Eph 3: 20-21. How is this different than vs. 14-19? How is it connected to vs. 14-19? How should this permeate all of our prayers?

6. In Eph 3: 21, what are the 2 places God is said to reveal His glory?

7. Give one or two ways that God’s glory is shown in Jesus Christ.

8. Give one or two ways that God’s glory is shown in the church.

9. Why do you think God mentions these two ways to reveal His glory and not creation for the scriptures clearly state that creation also reveals the glory of God?

10. Looking at the reason that Paul was in prison and the systems & worldviews the Jews were being asked to drop in the face of Christ, are there any “systems” or “worldviews” or “practices” in your life that when faced with the gospel Christ is asking you to drop and to receive Him, His grace, and freedom in a fuller, deeper way?

11. We might think that if Jesus was with us wherever we went that our whole life would be so much better? Why? How would He impact those around you? These verses teach us that the Lord wants to live out His life through our lives. Think one specific place you would like to see more of Jesus’ power lived out in your life for the sake of others. Pray this through.

12. We are to live for God’s praise. Write down the major things you are doing in your life through the day. Are you doing these things for God’s glory? How can you more clearly do these things for His glory.

Philemon - Introduction

I'm going to try to post a synopsis of each week's Bible discussion, and I'm going back to the middle of Aug here to start from the beginning of our Philemon study.  If you'll remember, the first week (Aug 15) we basically just had the kids act out the basic story line of Philemon:

-  Paul plants church in Colossae

-  Philemon, a wealthy man, comes to faith and becomes a part of the Colossian church

-  Paul leaves to plant more churches, eventually is imprisoned in Rome.

-  Onesimus is one of Philemon's slaves.

-  Onesimus runs away (after apparently stealing from Philemon, his master) and seeks asylum in Rome.

-  Onesimus meets Paul and comes to faith in Jesus. 

-  Paul sends Onesimus back to Philemon, along with a letter, declaring Philemon free to do whatever he will with Onesimus but imploring him to send the slave back to Rome to be Paul's aid.

Also, I love this quote from John Darby on the book of Philemon:

It is a fine picture of the way in which the tenderness and the strength of the love of God, working in the heart, occupies itself with every detail wherein that love might be wounded, or that might be an occasion for its growth and manifestation. In this point of view the epistle is as important as beautiful; for this development of tender and delicate consideration in the midst of the apostle¹s gigantic labours, and of the immense truths that formed the basis of relationship between all creatures and God in Christ, gives a very peculiar character to Christianity and shews its divine nature; since He who reveals the most profound truths, and puts them in their right place in the circle of divine thought, does so as speaking of a known thing, as communicating His own thoughts; and can (being the Spirit of the God of love) fill the heart with considerations which love only can suggest, with a dignity which manifests their source, and with a delicacy of application which shews that, whatever be the grandeur of His thoughts, He is at liberty to consider everything.