Ephesians Chapter 4
Paul taught the church that there are things we need to be doing while waiting for Christ to return. One of the most important things we should be doing is maturing in our walk with the Lord. We need to strive to become more like Jesus every day. All of the behavioral changes and pattern changes from our old life to our new life require activity. We need to be actively involved in our growth or Paul says that we will be like children tossed around with every different teaching or doctrine that comes along.
Let's Reflect
1. Paul encourages the believer to live their life or walk in a certain manner. What is that manner? And what characteristics should we acquire while walking?
2. If there is one thing that was difficult for the various cultures to adopt it was to see themselves as equal in God’s eyes. Paul reminds them that there is only one God and Father of all, there is only one baptism and only one ___________. We could word that a bit different for today’s culture and teach them that God’s Word does not say there is many ways to get to God, there is only one way.
3. Unity in the body of Christ across all cultures, ages, and races is made possible by the grace of Jesus Christ. Paul speaks of the grace of Christ as a gift that he gave to people. Who did He give the gift of grace to?
4. This gift of grace was given when He was buried and rose again. Paul uses the descriptive words of Psalm 68:18 to explain what it was that Jesus accomplished. Like a great army captain, He gathered all of His captives and then He ascended to heaven. They may have killed Jesus on the cross, but He defeated sin and death and rose again. His captives were the sins of us all. When Jesus ascended to heaven, Paul mentions that something was completed in that. What was it that He completed?
5. Because God wants us to mature in our walk with the Lord, He gave certain gifts to people that will help us do that. What are some of the gifts that Paul names?
6. The maturing of the believer speaks of a progression of growth. Paul compares it to a child becoming a man. As a child becomes stronger physically as he grows, so must a believer continually become stronger spiritually. What are 3 things Paul mentions that can happen to the immature believer?
7. Part of our spiritual maturity is recognizing that we are each a part of the whole body. Who is the head of the church?
8. Paul also gives us practical ways that we can mature in our faith. We are to speak the truth in love, be united with the other body members, and to learn to think like a believer rather than the world. Paul sums it up in verses 22-23. How does he say we are to practically mature in our faith?
9. Paul also gives some examples of sin patterns that we need to learn to put away such as lying, anger, stealing, and corrupt talking. We need to keep in mind that we are now as believers indwelt by the Holy Spirit of God. What does sinning do to the Holy Spirit?
10. Instead of practicing anger, bitterness and wrath towards one another, how should we treat one another?
