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EPHESIANS – LESSON SEVEN

INTRODUCTION  

      One facet of living as Christians is to live in unity with one another.  In 4:1-16, we learn humility and diligence is needed for such a worthy walk (v. 1-3).  Unity is possible because of the “oneness” the Holy Spirit has revealed (v. 4-6).  While diverse miraculous gifts were given for the unifying purpose of building up the body of Christ through teaching the truth and perfecting the saints unto Christ-like characters (v. 7-16).  

OUR WALK AS UNIFIED BODY: KEEPING THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT      

(4:1-16).  

A. Walk worthily of the Calling (v. 1-3).  

1. With lowliness and meekness

2. With longsuffering  

3. Forbearing one another with love    

4.  Giving diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit.  

 

B. The unity of the Holy Spirit is revealed (v. 4-6)

1. One Body  

2. One Spirit  

3. One Hope  

4. One Lord  

5. One Faith  

6. One Baptism  

7. One God   

 

C. Unity served through diversity of gifts (4:7-16)

1. Christ has given different gifts to each one (v. 7-11)  

2. Purpose of Gifts: teaching (v. 12)  

                            (a).  Perfecting the saints  

                            (b).  Building up the body of Christ

3. Goal of gifts: unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (v. 15-16)

QUESTIONS:  

 

1. How is our “walk” as a Christian to compare with our “calling” through the gospel message?  

  

2. What are FOUR  characteristics of the Christian who is walking worthily of God’s calling? (Be able to describe each     characteristic) .   

 

3. Christians are to (a) devise methods to produce unity (b) preserve the unity already in existence (c) seek unity at all costs.  

 

4. What is the “one body” ?  

 

5. Who is the “one Spirit”?   

 

6. What is the “one hope of your calling” ?   

 

7. Who is the “one Lord”?  

 

8. What is the “one faith”?  

 

9. Is it correct to speak of “interfaith” activities?  Why or why not?  

 

10. The “one baptism” is (a) John’s baptism (b) baptism of suffering (c) baptism in water (d) baptism in the Holy Spirit (e) a more       distinct answer  (Prove your answer with Scripture).

 

11. In what THREE relationships does God stand to do all things?  

 

12. How can God be the “Father of all” when multitudes are “the children of the Devil”     (cf. Jn. 8:44) ?

 

13. To what does the word grace refer in 4:7?  

 

14. Why did Paul quote Psalm 68:18?   

 

15. What are the “lower parts of the earth” into which Christ descended?   

    

16. For what purpose did Christ ascend?  

 

17. In verse 11, how could these offices or activities of work be considered gifts?  

 

18. What essential work is common to all these offices?  

 

19. To what did Paul have reference when he spoke of  the “perfecting of the saints”?  

 

20. To what does “the unity of the faith” have reference?  

 

21. God wants us to deal with doctrinal error by (a) ignoring its existence (b) accept it if it comes from sincere teachers (c)           combat it by speaking truth in love.  

 

22. What must each several part do if the body is to make increase?