Ephesians 3:1-13

Ephesians Curriculum jethrotools.org

Teaching Text: Ephesians 3:1-13
Teacher Study Notes:

In this section Paul discusses the body of Christ (the church) and how the Jewish and Gentile believers are connected and united because of Christ. Notice the similarities and connections with chapter 2. However, this section is different as Paul makes a shift in his writing. He moves from talking directly about God to the personal way that God’s grace through Christ has affected him and the gentiles.
In some ways this passage is difficult to work through. Up to this point the book has been fairly clear and straight forward in thought. In a way, Paul is taking a break from the main thought and is now thinking more along the line of his relationship to God and his application of God’s grace. In a way you might say that Paul went on a rabbit trail or wrote a parenthetical thought. Take your time as you study. Perhaps try to summarize one sentence at a time. As you do that you should see that there is a connection with the surrounding context.
As you think about this passage pay attention to the way that God’s grace has been used to bring the necessary changes in the lives of the Ephesians. There is a powerful application and correlation between what Paul was called to do and what the church and individual believers are called to do today. Think through how we can be messengers of God’s grace to unbelievers and those different from us.

Presenting the Bible Lesson

Attraction of the audience to your Bible lesson with an illustration.
Describe a time when you hurt yourself and the process that it took to heal. Transition: This passage will show us that God has a gracious purpose and plan for everyone, even those in difficult situations.
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 reason in verse 1?
What is the main point or idea of this passage?
Can you summarize it in one or two words?
Do you see a key verse that helps identify the main point? What is God’s mystery?
Note that a mystery is something hidden and later revealed.
What has God hidden from people and now revealed? Look at the text. What words are repeated?
What is the purpose of the repeated words?
Application of the Bible lesson
Think back on your life and the spiritual changes that have happened.
How can God use you to reach others that are racially and culturally different for Him?

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