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Ephesians 4:1-16

 

[Grace and Peace] EPHESIANS_

 

[Activity] Spend some time exploring the logical flow of Ephesians 4:1-16…

 

Growing up, I was sometimes fortunate enough to receive a new computer console for either my birthday or Christmas… I can remember being so excited to actually unbox and play on this new console, that I didn’t bother to carefully read the set-up instructions before I started ripping all the packaging apart.
It didn’t take long to realise I didn’t know what I was doing and this wasn’t going to be as quick or simple as I first thought and inevitably, I would still have to read the instruction manual… I was so keen to operate the computer first and then (maybe) read the instructions later.

 

[Read Ephesians 4:1-6]

 

In the second half of this letter, Paul takes his readers back to the very practical and fundamental instructions for living the Christian life.

In verse 2, what does Paul mean by the phrase “ bear with one another in love” and how can we do this?

 

 

Describe the unity that God has given to us with other believers (unity with others in our local church, as well as around the world) even when we have differences with them (verses 3-6)…

 

What are the possible threats to the unity of your Christian community?

 

 

How can we both maintain and guard this unity we have with other believers?

 

 

In verses 4-6, what is the “single hope” that goes with our call?

 

[Read Ephesians 4:7-16]

 

 

Of course, Paul explains that some diversity does exist within Christian communities. In verses 7 & 11, what is this diversity?

 

 

Why does God give some believers the particular leadership gifts mentioned in verses 11-12?

 

 

This list that Paul lays out in verse 11 isn’t exhaustive (elsewhere Paul adds others to his list) but here, Paul mentions 5 that were crucial to establishing the first generation of the church…

Apostles.
Prophets.
Evangelists.
Pastors.
Teachers.


It’s not the particular gift that matters, but it’s using the gifts that’s important. In verses 13-16, what are the results of using the gifts God gives us?

 

 

Taking the image that Paul uses in verse 14, what seem to have been the main big obstacles to this early church’s faith in Jesus?

 

 

Where do you see our church needing to grow toward maturity?

 

 

How can you use the gifts God has given you to enable this to take place?

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