Ephesians Curriculum jethrotools.org
Teaching Text: Ephesians 2:1-10
Teacher Study Notes:
Teaching Text: Ephesians 2:1-10
Teacher Study Notes:
- There is a connection between Ephesians 1:3 and Ephesians 1:23 in that God has blessed the Ephesian believers with every blessing (1:3) and therefore they and the church are full (1:23) of the fullness of Him. They are so full that they cannot get any more. Paul now expands and explains how bad off the people were (2:1-3). Then he tells them what they now have in Christ (2:4-10).
- Notice the negative portion of verses 1-3. Notice how Paul uses the words you and we. Why does Paul include himself in this passage? Think back through all that has been covered so far in the letter to the Ephesians. Could it be that Paul is trying to help the people remember and also remind himself of where they have come from?
- Think about Paul’s use of the word grace in this passage. Notice how it is repeated and how it is used. Grace cannot be earned or worked for. It is a gift given by God so one can brag about their spiritual position and what they have attained. Examine how God’s grace is connected with Ephesians 1:3 and every spiritual blessing.
- Attraction of the audience to your Bible lesson with an illustration.
The ocean floor and even some of the surrounding lakes contain the wreckages of various boats. Some were big and some small but they all developed some neglect or leak and sank. However there are salvage operators that locate these boats and raise back to the surface to be used again. That boat on the bottom is just like us as people, stuck, sunk and hopeless. But there is God who provides His grace and raises us up.
Transition: In this Bible passage we are going to see that God is to one who steps into
the terrible situation of sin in our lives and provides His grace. - Read the Bible passage
Read the Bible passage out loud or ask someone else to read it out loud, open in prayer Make general important observations about the passage and the context.
Briefly review by telling what has been presented up to this point in the book. Summarize for the group what will be covered in this section. - Examination of the Bible passage with the group
(These questions are to guide your thinking and development of your Bible lesson.) What is the main point of this passage? For a clue look for the repeated words. Define the word grace.
There are two main divisions in this passage.
Where is it divided and why? What is the difference? Look for contrast. Where do the negative and positive lifestyles come from?
What are the things that are noted about a negative lifestyle?
What are the things that are noted about a positive lifestyle? - Application of the Bible lesson
Think back on your life and the changes that have taken place.
What has God brought you out of?
How has God shown His grace to you?
How could being a demonstration of God’s grace (vs 6) and doing or walking in good works (vs 10) be combined in our lives?
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