Ephesians
Week ending 09/25/11
Background: “Ephesus was the queen city of Asia. Though its port facilities were silting up in the first century, Ephesus remained the Asian center of the cult of Artemis. Its temple was one of the wonders of the ancient world, drawing many thousands of visitors to the city annually. Its priesthood used their wealth to become the bankers of the East, accepting deposits and paying interest, and making vast loans to individuals and even nations. First–century Ephesus represented the materially “successful” religion of that era. Yet Ephesus also displayed the spiritual void that existed in the first century. Ephesus was a center of occult practice, as its citizens turned to magic, witchcraft, and sorcery to manipulate hostile spiritual powers to their advantage.
Against this background of religion and superstition, Paul writes of the church created and sustained by God. The Father is the architect of this temple, Jesus its builder, and the Holy Spirit the divine presence that dwells in it. God’s temple is not constructed of stone but of living flesh. Its treasury is void of gold and silver, but stocked with spiritual blessings in heavenly places. God’s church is vitally alive, it’s every member recreated for good works. God’s church is not directed by a priesthood but by Christ, its living Head. God’s church is not at the mercy of hostile spiritual forces but guarded by One whose power is supreme above every rule and authority. God’s church is no heap of cold marble, but rather a vital, loving family, enriched and sustained by caring relationships. God’s temple is not some ancient, weathering edifice but a growing, nurturing fellowship, which keeps on building itself up in love. How appropriate this epistle was written to the Ephesians, where pagan religion ruled but left life empty and unfulfilled.” (Richards: “The Bible Reader’s Companion”)
Purposes:
• To teach about the church as the body of Christ, composed of both Jewish and Gentile believers.
• To exhort believers to conduct themselves properly toward one another because of their oneness in Christ.
• To equip them for spiritual warfare. (Wilmington’s Bible Handbook)
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Eph. 1: Spiritual Blessings in Christ
Ø When we talk about salvation, is it we who choose God or is it He who chooses us?
Ø List the benefits that Paul includes when we are chosen. (Vs. 4-14)
Ø Notice Paul’s prayer in verses 15-23. What can we learn from this prayer?
Eph. 2: We Are Made Alive in Christ
Ø Who is “the ruler of the kingdom of the air”? Is he still an issue for people today or was he only active during Paul’s time?
Ø Why did God see fit to save us?
Ø What does salvation do for those who accept Christ according to verses 2:4-22)?
Eph. 3: Paul Sent to the Gentiles
Ø What is the “mystery” bout which Paul speaks?
Ø Why did God not review this “mystery” sooner? (Vs. 3:10-12)
Ø 3:14-21 is a powerful prayer that we can use for ourselves and for everyone else!
Eph. 4-6:9: The Unity of the Body of Christ
Ø Paul calls himself a “prisoner of the Lord” several times. What does he mean by this description?
Ø What does it mean “to live a life worthy of the calling you have received”?
Ø What does Paul mean when he says that Jesus “descended to the lower earthly regions”?
Ø Who is it that gave gifts to the church and for what reason were those gifts given?
Ø As believers in Christ how should we live? (Vs. 4:17-6:9)
Eph. 6:10-24: The Armor of God
Ø What is the purpose of “the armor of God”?
Ø Against whom is our struggle as Christians? Why do we fight amongst ourselves?
Ø Was prayer important to Paul? Why did he ask his readers to pray for him? Do we seek out other believers and ask them to pray for us?
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