Ephesians Curriculum jethrotools.org
Teaching Text: Ephesians 4:17-32
Teacher Study Notes:
Copyright © 2020 Ken Gibbs jethrotools.org
Teaching Text: Ephesians 4:17-32
Teacher Study Notes:
- Overview / Review: The last half of the book is now focusing on how to live as a result of God’s grace. Paul made the directional change from God’s working in the Ephesian believers (chapters 1-3) to God working through the Ephesian believers (chapters 4-6). The first part of chapter 4 is dealing with the relationships that the Ephesian believers have with each other. This part of the chapter is dealing with how to live a life for God. As you study this passage think about the possible connection to Revelation 2:1-7.
- Paul’s focus on walking in righteousness becomes more specific in this passage. Note how he begins talking about the generalities of life and ends with the details. Paul reminds the Ephesian believers about the change that God has done in them. He encourages them to continue to live out the grace that they have been shown by living a life that is completely different and holy. It is only by the grace of God that the Ephesian believers could live, as Paul encourages them to live in the final verses of this passage.
- GRACE: Paul has finished talking about how the Ephesian believers are connected in Christ as one united body. Once again he mentions the life of the past. Note the similarity between this passage and Ephesians 2:1-10. Once again Paul references the work of God’s grace in the life of the believer, but now he draws it down to a very practical application. He challenges the Ephesians to forgive each other in the body just as they have been forgiven by God through the work of grace provided by Christ.
- Attraction of the audience to your Bible lesson with an illustration.
Tell a personal story of how you forgave someone.
Transition: In this lesson we will see that the Ephesians are challenged to be kind, loving and forgiving not in their own strength but because of God’s 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.) The word walk is repeated again (vs 17). Why?
Think about how the idea of walking has been used so far in chapter 4. Is there a key verse that describes how to walk?
Look for the progression from the general to the specific in the whole passage. Verse 17-24 show a contrast. What is the contrast? Where does it change?
What is the difference between the two regarding the mind? What is the therefore there for in verse 25?
Why does Paul mention “members of one another” in verse 25 and 32?
What is the connection between this and the rest of the book? Summarize verses 25-27 and verses 28-32. What is the progressive difference? How does verse 32 relate to the rest of the book? Why is this important? - Application of the Bible lesson
Have the group think about their spiritual relationship with other believers. Discussion: How can we practice and imitate the grace that God has shown to us? Application: Forgive others
Copyright © 2020 Ken Gibbs jethrotools.org
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