Ephesians Chapter 6
While Paul addressed the marital relationship in chapter 5, and he addresses other relationships in chapter 6. He first speaks of the parent child relationship. He then talks about the relationship between a bondservant and their master. While we know that slavery is wrong, unfortunately it already existed when the gospel was shared with people. It was especially prevalent amongst the Romans and the Greeks. No matter what kind of human relationship we are talking about, our relationship with Christ is what must dictate our heart attitude and our behaviors.
Let's Reflect
1. Paul first tells children that they should obey their parents in the Lord. There is a conditional promise given to children who obey and honor their parents. How will they be rewarded?
2. Paul also gives special instructions to the fathers of children. What is it?
3. We of course as Christians do not commend slavery and neither did Paul, but he did give teaching for both parties how they should relate to each other as believers. It is estimated that about a third of the population of Ephesus were bondservants. These were slaves serving families. It is wrong, most definitely, but these people were embedded in the culture. When they became believers, Paul wanted them to see that their heart attitude was still important despite their circumstances. How would the slave be rewarded for behaving or responding to his master as unto the Lord?
4. The key phrase that tells us that slavery is NOT God’s plan is written at the end of verse 9. What does the Bible say about God’s view of the master and slave relationship?
5. Paul ends the letter to the Ephesians with instructions on how to defeat the enemy that wants to attack us and destroy us. That enemy can be the devil, all of the devil’s evil forces and/or it can refer to men who are controlled by the evil one. It is a spiritual battle and therefore we need the help of God. We cannot fight the battle without Him. Because it is a spiritual battle there are figurative pieces of armor that Paul tells us we need to put on to fight the battle. The most important thing we need to realize is what we need for this battle. What does verse 13 tell us that we need?
6. The first piece of armor that Paul mentions is the truth of the Word of God. This is represented by what figurately?
7. As you read through the various pieces of the armor of God and the purpose of each piece, do you feel that you may need to learn to put on a piece that you’ve been forgetting? Or maybe you have been trying to go through a rough time all on your own with none of the pieces of spiritual armor. Do you need to get dressed for battle?
8. Not only do we believers need to pray for ourselves, but Paul admonishes us to pray for other believers. He also admonishes us to keep alert (don’t let the enemy sneak up on you in the battle), and to be one who _____________________.
