ephesians college 2009 ibs

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Ephesians

h i g h c a

l l i n g

h i g h c o n d u

c t

college version



Version 3.0 - Copyright ©2009 Grace Bible Church, College Station, X

Version 2.0 - Copyright ©2004 Grace Bible Church, College Station, X Version 1.0 - Copyright ©1995 Grace Bible Church, College Station, X

Created and edited by the pastors and sta o Grace Bible Church

Scripture taken rom the NEW AMERICAN SANDARD BIBLE®,© Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995

by Te Lockman Foundation, used by permission.

Tis document may be reproduced and distributed reely,

but you may not charge a ee greater than your manuacturing costs.No section o this document may be modied without the written consent

o Grace Bible Church, College Station, X.



Itodctio

Welcome to our study o Ephesians, a book that highlights the high calling and conducto the church, the corporate body o Jesus Christ. Troughout this rich book, we willlearn about the church’s inherited stewardship, multi-ethnic identity, distinct liestyle,and spiritual opposition.

Te eleven lessons in this packet are designed to walk us through this challenging booko the Bible. During the rst lesson (Survey), we will look at the overall message o thebook o Ephesians. Te next nine lessons will ocus on studying key passages in detail.Ten, in our last lesson (Synthesis), we will summarize what we have learned or uturereerence.

In studying each passage in detail, we will be learning and using a number o basic Biblestudy methods. Tese methods t under three undamental skills that are meant to bepracticed in order each week - observe, interpret, and apply. Tese skills are summa-rized on the next ew pages, which are designed as a “Quick Reerence Guide” that youcan ip back through during your study. Tere are also advanced Bible study skills in the

Appendix or those who want to go deeper in their study.

As you use this packet to study Ephesians, please keep in mind a couple o things. Tereare more questions than you may have time to answer in any given lesson. So ocus onthe questions that seem most signicant to understanding the passage’s meaning. Andmake sure that you don’t skip your own observations o the passage as this is the mostimportant step o Bible study.

Bible Study Method Summary 4 Lesson 7 - Ephesians 4:17-32 70

Lesson 1 - Ephesians Survey 10 Lesson 8 - Ephesians 5:1-14 80

Lesson 2 - Ephesians 1:1-14 16 Lesson 9 - Ephesians 5:15-6:9 92

Lesson 3 - Ephesians 1:15-23 & 3:14-21 26 Lesson 10 - Ephesians 6:10-24 104

Lesson 4 - Ephesians 2:1-10 38 Lesson 11 - Ephesians Synthesis 114

Lesson 5 - Ephesians 2:11-3:13 48 Appendix - More Study Skills 120

Lesson 6 - Ephesians 4:1-16 61

Tb of Cotts



Every time we study the Bible, the rst thing to ask is, “What do I see?”. Tis is the cruciaskill o observation, which lays the groundwork or the rest o our study. Here are our tasksinvolved in observation which should be perormed in the order below:

Obstio Tsk 1: Mark up the passage by visually identiying the ollow-ing specic elements:

Underline all verbs.• A verb is a word or group o words used to indicate either that an actiontakes place (“He came ... to you”) or that a state or condition exists (“you ... have been broughtnear”). Verbs are oten the most signicant indicators o the author’s ow o thought.

Circle key words or phrases.• Tese are words or short phrases that are important theologically (like “grace” in 2:8) or thematically set the theme or main idea o the passage (like “madeus alive” in 2:5).

Highlight repeated words or phrases.•

Include words and phrases that are closely relatedeven i not exact duplicates (such as “trespasses” and “sin”). You’ll want to highlight thingsthat are repeated rom previous passages (such as “riches” ound in 1:7, 18).

Box connecting words.• Tese important words indicate the logical connection betweenwords, phrases, and clauses. Here are eight types o common connecting words to look or:

CO1. MPARISON: either points out similarities between two or more related ideas or simply joins like ideas. Comparison words include: and, like, as, just as, also, so also, even so(e.g. “humility AND gentleness” 4:2).

CONRAS:2. points out dissimilarities between ideas. Contrast words include: but

rather, yet, however (e.g. “one God and Father o all ... BU to each one o us” 4:6-7)

PUR3. POSE: indicates the intended goal o an idea or action, whether or not it was realizedPurpose words include: that, so that, in order that (e.g. “I pray ... SO HA you will knowwhat is the hope o His calling” 1:18).

RESUL:4. very similar to “purpose,” but indicates the actual consequence, whether ornot it was intended. Result words include: that, so that, as a result, with the resultthat (e.g. “Christ ... gave Himsel up or her SO HA He might sanctiy her” 5:25-26).

CAUSE:5. expresses the basis or cause o an action. Cause words include: because, since, and

sometimes or (e.g. “excluded from the life of God BECAUSE of the ignorance that is in them” 4:18)

EXPLANAION6. : what ollows urther explains the previous idea, giving reasons why it istrue, why it occurred, or simply adding additional inormation. Look or the key word or(e.g. “FOR we are His workmanship” 2:10).

B I B L E S T U D Y M E T

H O D S Q U I C K R E F E R E N C E

G U I D E



INFERENCE:7. provides a logical consequence, conclusion, or summary to the previous dis-cussion. Inerence words include: thereore, or this reason (e.g. “HEREFORE be imita-tors o God” 5:1).

CONDIION:8. presents a condition that must occur beore a certain action or conclusioncan occur. Te statement may or may not reect reality (i.e. it could be hypothetical). Keyword is i (e.g. “IF indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him” 4:21).

Obstio Tsk 2: List 2-3 primary themes you see in the passage each week. A primary theme is the big idea, the central truth or command that the passage ocuses

on, such as “grace” in 2:1-10. Ater reading the passage, write your themes as single words orshort phrases. Identiying these themes at the beginning o your study will help you develop agood overall grasp o the passage.

Obstio Tsk 3: Write two or more observations per verse. Our observations might identiy people, places, or events, point out repeated words or

key terms, record important connections between words and sentences, or even point out some-thing missing that we expected to see.

Obstio Tsk 4:Record your own interpretive questions.Here are a ew examples:

WHA is the......meaning o this word?...signicance o this phrase?...implication o this statement?

...relationship between these phrases?

WHY did Paul......choose this word?...include this phrase, statement,

or command?...connect these ideas?...not say ______?

WHO is......Paul talking about?...accomplishing the action?

...beneting rom the action?

HOW ......was this action accomplished?...will this situation occur?



InTerpreT: Wht dos it m?

6

Our observation o a passage should stir interesting yet challenging questions, leading us to thesecond stage o our Bible study, interpretation. Fortunately, we do not have to run to a commentary or study Bible or answers (though these are helpul tools to check our conclusions). Use theollowing six methods, as needed, to tackle a variety o questions. Also, make sure to amiliarize

yoursel with the three “Principles o Interpretation” that appear in the Appendix on page 121

Itttio Mthod 1: Use the context. Look or important clues in the sentences and paragraphs that come beore and ater the

verse in question. ry to ollow Paul’s ow o thought through the whole chapter. Tis may takeyou to the previous lesson, so have it handy as a review. You may need to read ahead in Ephesianor clues.

Itttio Mthod 2:Compare multiple translations.Tis packet uses the New American Standard (NASB) translation. You can oten nd

helpul interpretive clues by comparing this translation with other translations. Te New KingJames Version (NKJV), like the NASB, is a airly word-or-word translation o the Greek textTe New International Version (NIV) and the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) are ex-cellent phrase-to-phrase translations o the Greek and are thus oten easier to read. Anotherexcellent phrase-to-phrase Bible, which includes extensive translation notes, is the New Englishranslation (NE) available online or ree at www.bible.org. You can nd and compare numer-ous translations o any Bible passage at www.biblestudytools.net.

Itttio Mthod 3: Look up key words. While looking up a key word in English is helpul, doing so in Greek is ar better and is

surprisingly easy, thanks to the internet. Simply log onto www.biblestudytools.net, and as anexample, type in “Ephesians 2” in the “search or:” box, set the “using:” box to “NAS with Strong’Numbers” and click “Find.” All o Ephesians 2 will appear on the screen with most o the wordshighlighted in blue. Clicking on any o these will bring up a new screen that will explain the Greekword used here, its possible denitions, and the total number o times it is used in each book othe New estament (N). Click on any o the other N books (under the title “NAS Verse Count”and get a display o every verse in that book that uses this Greek word. o rene your under-standing o Paul’s use o a word, look at some o his uses in his other books, such as Romans orPhilippians.

Itttio Mthod 4: Study cross-reerences (Xres). XRes are simply other passages in the Bible that are somehow related to the verses you

are studying. Tey oten prove incredibly helpul as we seek to understand our passage. You cannd a ew XRes in the margins o most Bibles, but you can nd many more by logging onto an-other helpul website: net.bible.org. In the top let o the screen under “Display Bible,” choose“Ephesians,” then the chapter you are interested in, and then click “Go.” A new screen will appear with the NE Bible translation o the chapter you requested. Click the “XRe ” tab at the topo the screen, and this will take you to an extensive list o XRes or every verse in this chapterbased on the classic book Te reasury o Scripture Knowledge. Clicking any o these will bring upthe single verse, but you can then click “context” to see the verse in the midst o its surroundingcontext.

B I B L E S T U D Y M

E T H O D S Q U I C K R E F E R E N C E G U I D E



Itttio Mthod 5: Look up background inormation You can nd helpul insights by looking up conusing names or words in a Bible diction-

ary or by looking up the particular verses you are studying in a background commentary. One o the best dictionaries is Te New Bible Dictionary by Wood & Marshall, but you can also nd the

older Int’l Standard Bible Dictionary [ISBE] online or ree (net.bible.org/dictionary.php). Te IVP Bible Background Commentary by Craig Keener is an excellent example o a verse-by-versebackground commentary.

Itttio Mthod 6: ackle tough questions step-by-step.When trying to answer the most challenging questions, ollow this our step process:(1)

LIS ALL HE OPIONS. Always start by brainstorming every possible answer to your ques-tion. (2) LIS PROS AND CONS FOR EACH OPION. See all the evidence you can nd thateither argues or or against a particular option. Tis evidence comes rom your study o keywords, the grammar o the sentence, the context o surrounding verses and the book as a whole,

cross reerences to other books, and comparison with your overall understanding o Christiantheology. (3) CHOOSE HE MOS LIKELY OPION . Look at your evidence or each option.ypically, evidence rom the immediate context is most important, ollowed closely by evidencerom the book as a whole. Evidence rom other books o the Bible, or rom Christian theologyas a whole, does not carry quite as much weight unless the solution contradicts a clear passageelsewhere or a major tenant o Christian doctrine. In that case, since Scripture never lies and Godcannot contradict Himsel, you must eliminate that option. (4) DECIDE ON YOUR CERAINY LEVEL. Once you have chosen the best solution, step back or a second and humbly gauge howcertain you are o its accuracy (90% = I am very sure this is correct... 60% = this solution is justa bit more likely than the others!) Finally, talk with others and check commentaries or reerencebooks to see what solutions they have chosen and why.



apply: How dos it wok?

8

Our Bible study is not over until we apply what we have learned to our everyday lives. And lest weunderestimate the value o this last step, remember that in God’s eyes it is the person who doesnot just know His Word, but also obeys His Word that truly loves Him (See John 14:21). So howdo we apply a passage to our lives? Application involves the ollowing two tasks:

aictio Tsk 1: List potential principles rom your passage. A “principle” is simply a act or command stated or implied in a particular passage that is

practically relevant to our lives. Legitimate principles are not specic to a particular person (e.g1 imothy 5:23 is just or imothy) nor a particular time (e.g. “do not leave Jerusalem” in Acts1:4). An example rom Ephesians 1 would be, “God’s blessings in our lie should lead us to praiseHim.” It is oten helpul when listing principles to consider the ollowing questions:

Is there something to worship or thank God or?p

Is there a promise or me to claim or a truth or me to believe?p

Is there something I am convicted about that I need to change or begin doing?p

Is there something or someone I need to pray or specically this week?p

Is there any relationship I need to work on?p

aictio Tsk 2: Choose one principle, and create a plan to apply it to yourlie this week.

Once you complete your principle list, prayerully choose the one principle you most need towork on (Do not just choose the easiest to apply!). I you elt deeply convicted about one in par

ticular, that is probably the principle God is leading you to apply. Once you have chosen a specicprinciple, answer these two questions:

Whatp exactly will I do diferently this week to apply this principle to my lie (Be specic)?

Whom, other than the Lord, will I ask to help me ollow through with this application?p

B I B L E S T U D Y M

E T H O D S Q U I C K R E F E R E N C E G U I D E



m ots



S th Big pictepHeSIanS Survey

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pBegin this time in prayer, conessing any sins you know o,thanking the Lord or the git o His Word, and asking or HisSpirit to guide your study.

Surveying a book like Ephesians allows you to grasp the big picture and the overall storylineo the book beore getting caught up in the details. Tis survey provides a helpul road map toguide your study during the coming weeks. So begin this crucial rst step by taking the nextthirty minutes to read straight through Ephesians without stopping. Ten answer the questionsbelow beore moving on to the next page.

S K I l l

Survey: Wht is th big id?

1.How wod o dscib p’s tioshi to ths bis?

2.Wht th mjo thms o big ids i this book? (Hit: look fo tdwods d ids.)

3.now tht o h d thogh th ti book, wht p’s oss iwriting it? Be as specic as you can.

4.Bsd o o ehsis, how do cig d codct t to o oth?

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auTHOrSHIp

Paul was born in arsus into Roman citizenship (Acts 22:28) and later educated under the illustr

“Saint Paul Writing His Epistles” by Valentin de Boulogne (ca. 16th century)

ous rabbi, Gamaliel (Acts 22:3). Zealous or theLaw, Paul became the chie persecutor o the ear-ly church until his conversion when Jesus Christappeared to him on the road to Damascus (Acts9). Immediately, Paul began to proclaim Jesusas Savior, eventually ocusing several mission-ary journeys to the Gentiles throughout AsiaMinor. During his journeys, he traveled to Ephe-

sus and ministered there or almost three years(Acts 20:31). Ater Paul departed rom Ephesus,he let imothy behind to combat alse teaching(1 imothy 1:3). At some later point, Paul wrote

BckgodOnce you have completed the introductory questions on the previous page, read this backgrounarticle on the book o Ephesians (portions compiled rom Te Bible Knowledge Commentary an

Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary).

this letter while in prison either in Caesarea or Rome as one o his many “Prison Epistles” in A.

60-62. Despite recent debate that the book was written by someone who did not use his own nambut instead claimed to be Paul, there is no strong reason to reject Pauline authorship o the boo

reCIpIenTS

Ephesus was a leading city on the west coast o Asia Minor. It essentially linked the western aneastern portions o the Roman Empire on the main highway and even possessed the most avoable seaport in the province o Asia. Due to its location within the Empire, Ephesus exerted greinuence culturally, economically, and religiously. With a population over 300,000 people, Ephsus contained a theatre that seated an estimated 25,000 people. It became the center or worsho the goddess Artemis (Diana in Roman mythology), which oten included temple prostitutioHer temple ranked as one o the Seven Wonders o the Ancient World and became not just a center orworship but also the primary banking institution orall o Asia Minor. As a result, Paul’s apostolic ministrythat turned people to Christ and away rom Artemis

represented a signicant nancial threat to temple-related businesses like that o the silversmith, Dem-etrius (Acts 19:23-41). Ephesus also became a centero occult practice as many used magic, witchcrat,and sorcery to manipulate hostile spiritual powers totheir advantage (Acts 19:11-20).

Ephesus Library

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1:1-14p

1:15-23p

2:1-10p

2:11-22p

3:1-13p

3:14-21p

4:1-16p

4:17-32p

5:1-14p

5:15-33p

6:1-9p

6:10-24p

purpOSe

Paul’s letter to the Ephesian believers does not seem concerned with any particular heresies as

we see in Galatians and Colossians, nor with any particular occurrences o immorality as 1 Cor-inthians. Rather, Paul’s purposes are to declare the glory o God and the extravagant riches givento the Church. Paul ocuses on the call, identity, and conduct o the Church, the body o Christ,throughout this rich epistle.

M ehsis Oti...

The Mediterranean region as Paul traveled to Ephesians for rst time. From the NET BIBLE on Bible.org.

Oti th BookHaving read the background article on the book o Ephesians, now skim through Ephesians one

more time and create your own title or each o the major sections below (you can divide these intosmaller sections, each with its own title, i you wish). Do not use the titles in this packet or in yourBible. Create your own titles that capture your understanding o the main idea o each section.

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End your study by returning to the Lord in prayer. Tank Him owhat you have learned this week, ask Him to help you apply the principle you have chosen, and lay beore Him the needs o your ellosmall group members.

p

Wh dos this mtt?Facing the likely prospect o impeachment in 1974, President RicharNixon became the only U.S. President in history to resign rom ofc

America had learned that our 37th President had been a willing paticipant in a campaign o deception to cover up a break-in at the headquarters o the Democratic Party at the Watergate hotel in a scandthat would become known as “Watergate.” Not only had the Presidenlied, but also tapes o private White House conversations revealethat he swore and made anti-Semitic comments to his sta as wel

While public opinion turned strongly against him, it is important to notice a couple o thingabout this scandal. First, it ollowed years o aithul and eective service to the nation. In achistory has proven that Nixon was a capable and even brilliant leader particularly in the realm oreign policy. He greatly improved relations with communist China and the Soviet Union anbrought an end to the Vietnam War. Second, Nixon’s “sins” in the Watergate scandal were not athat uncommon. Most Americans have lied to protect themselves, many curse in private compan

and many nurse racial biases. And yet, the vast majority o Americans condemned his actions ansupported his resignation.

Why? Why did he ace such harsh opposition rom an American public guilty o his same trangressions? Simple: because he was our President. Tere is no vocational calling in our nation higher than that o President. When we elect a person to this most prestigious position, we expectgreat deal rom them. We expect their conduct to be above reproach, to lead with condence anwisdom, and even to represent America to the world. Te high calling o President demands a higstandard o conduct!

Wh is th cig of God o o if high th th cig of th psidtthe United States? Does your conduct reect the high calling you have received?

o

I o ow oiio, wht is th tioshi btw cig d codct?o

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m ots

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rjoic i BssigepHeSIanS 1:1-14

f or yo u i n Ch r i st

- - G o d

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p

Mmoiz

Begin this time in prayer, conessing any sins you know o,thanking the Lord or the git o His Word, and asking or HisSpirit to guide your study.

Ephesians 1:5 | Write it out to get your memorization started.

Wh dos this mtt?om loathed his menial job – reviewing returns nine hours aday or the IRS. By 2pm o any given day, he was desperate to

grab his keys, sprint or the door, and never come back. Helonged to take a ew weeks o and travel to the ty acres o undeveloped, orested land his ather had let him. But therewas no time. Between rent, crushing credit card debt, andnever-ending bills, he had to work every hour he could spareto make ends meet. Lie was downright hateul to om. Littledid he know that the ty acre plot, untouched by surveyors,armers, or developers, sat atop a substantial pocket o un-

tapped oil. Had he only taken o a day or two to explore his land and to see the small puddles o black liquid bubbling up in a ew o its gullies, his whole situation would have changed. Day aterday, he earned peanuts at a job he hated when nearly limitless wealth stood within his grasp.

If o ihitd miios of dos, wht wod o do with it? How wod it chgo d-to-d if?

Wht socs ik mo, ossssios, tts, o dctio do o ct hthat you are not taking advantage of? A boat you never go shing in? A cabinowned by a relative you never visit? A degree you aren’t benetting from? Skills youdo’t gt to s? Wht ks o fom tkig dtg of ths thigs?

o

o

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Every time we study the Bible, the rst thing to ask is, “What do I see?”. Tis is the crucial skillo observation, and it lays the groundwork or the rest o our study. We will learn a new ob-servation skill each week to practice along with the others we have already learned. Tis week,simply read the passage below, and then write one or two observations or each verse in the boxthat ollows. Our observations might identiy people, places, or events, point out repeated

words or key terms, record important connections between words and sentences, or evenpoint out something missing that we expected to see. Te rst ew have been done or you. S K

I l l

ehsis 1:1-14

1Paul, an apostle o Christ Jesus by the will o God, o the saints who are at Ephesus and who a

aithul in Christ Jesus: 2Grace to you and peace rom God our Father and the Lord Jesus Chris

3Blessed be the God and Father o our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritu

blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him beore the oundation o

the world, that we would be holy and blameless beore Him. In love 5He predestined us to adop

tion as sons through Jesus Christ to Himsel, according to the kind intention o His will, 6to th

praise o the glory o His grace, which He reely bestowed on us in the Beloved. 7In Him we hav

redemption through His blood, the orgiveness o our trespasses, according to the riches o H

grace 8which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight 9He made known to us the mystery o

His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him 10with a view to an admin

istration suitable to the ullness o the times, that is, the summing up o all things in Chris

things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him 11also we have obtained an inheritanc

having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things ater the counsel o H

will, 12to the end that we who were the rst to hope in Christ would be to the praise o His glor

13In Him, you also, ater listening to the message o truth, the gospel o your salvation—havin

also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit o promise, 14who is given as a pledge o

our inheritance, with a view to the redemption o God’s own possession, to the praise o His glor

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ThmsList out any themes or big ideas you see in this passage.

M obstios

- Paul identifies himself as “an apostle of Christ Jesus”- Paul identifies his Ephesian audience as those “who are faithful”- Paul states that these Ephesian believers have received “every spiritual blessing”

1-3

4-7

8-10

11-14

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While this skill will be introduced and explained later by detailed instructions on page 84, yohave the opportunity to begin practicing it now or Ephesians 1:1-14! Tis skill is a antastic wato visually discover the author’s intended ow o thought. Remember that there is not on“right” way! In general though, remember these summarized rules ...

1) First, identiy the main subject and verb o the rst sentence, and put it at the top let o pag

2) Continue by placing any modiying phrases or words directly under the words they modiy.

3) Your map will continue moving to the right o your paper until the author begins a new ideTen, put the next main clause back to the let o your paper under the idea it modies or all thway to the let i it is a brand new idea, and begin at step one again.

M th pssg

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Our observation o Ephesians 1:1-14 should have stirred up interesting questions like, “What isan apostle?”. So how do we answer such a challenging question? Fortunately, we do not have torun to a commentary or study Bible or the answer (though these are helpul tools to check ourconclusions)! God desires that all o us become approved workmen, “accurately handling the Wordo truth” (2 imothy 2:15). o that end, we will learn a new interpretive skill each week topractice along with the others we have already learned. Tis week’s skill is the most important -USE HE CONEX . Look or important clues in the sentences and paragraphs that come beoreand ater the verse in question. ry to ollow Paul’s ow o thought through the whole chapter.Tis may take you to the previous lesson, so have it handy as a review. You may also need to readahead in Ephesians or clues.

S K

I l l


1.list of th “siit bssigs” o s i this ssg gi b God to bis. Whto dos ch pso of th Tiit (th Fth, th So, d th Ho Siit) i oidigs ths bssigs?

2.Wht dos it m to b “sd with th Ho Siit” (13)? Wht mst so do toci this? How dos this sig t to o ihitc d dmtio?

3.accodig to 1:4-6, 11-12; d roms 8:23-30 …Wht dos it m to b “chos” o “dstid” b God?

Wh did God dsti s?

Wh did God dsti s? I oth wods, wht is th os of His choic?

Wh dos of this mtt? Is dstitio jst big thoogic dbt, odos it h ctic ictio to o is?

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Wod Stdry doing a word study on redemption (ἀπολύτρωσις). While this skill will be explained later in dtailed instructions on page 43, you have the opportunity to begin practicing it now! Just remember that the MEANING o a word is determined by its USAGE. So isolate each usage o the worin Greek at www.biblestudytools.net, determine a range o meanings or the word, and nalchoose the best meaning o the word in the present context.

continued...

4.Wht dos it m to b “ho d bmss”? a w cosidd to b this w igow (s ehsis 5:25-27; Coossis 1:21-23)?

5.Shod w b ookig fo osts ik p to d s tod? Wh o wh ot? To this qstio, ook 1 Coithis 9:1-2; 12:28-30; 2 Coithis 12:12; Gtis 1:1; eh2:19-22; d 3:1-7 d cosid ths qstios:

Wht is th bsic mig of th tit “ost”?

What qualications did an apostle need?

Wht w th sosibiitis of ost?

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M Smm

In God’s eyes it is the person who does not just know His Word, but also obeys His Word thattruly loves Him (See John 14:21). So our Bible study is only complete once we apply what we’velearned. o that end, we will learn the rst two steps in the process o application this week.First,

start each lesson by answering a ew reection questions designed to demonstrate how each pas-sage relates to our own lives. Second, step back and look at the passage as a whole and list poten-tial principles. A “principle” is simply a act or command stated or implied in a particular passagethat is practically relevant to our lives. Legitimate principles are not specic to a particular person(e.g. 1 imothy 5:23 is just or imothy) nor a particular time (e.g. “do not leave Jerusalem” in

Acts 1:4). A couple o examples are provided or you on the next page.

S K I l

l


vs 3 mks mzig sstio – tht God hs d gi s sigsiit bssig – H’s hodig othig bck! Bt do o bi it? Do of ik God hs d gi o good thigs? If ot, wht do o f tht ock fom Him?

God ms fo th tth of dstitio to ffct o di is. How dos it ffctyours? Be specic.

How shod o stts s God’s chos d dotd chid ffct o d-to-dis?

o

Reect on your life

o

o

Use your own words to describe the main point that Paul communicates in this passage in one sentence.

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list icisList at least ve principles rom Ephesians 1:1-14. (Remember, a principle is simply a act or com-mand stated or implied in the passage that is relevant to your own lie.)

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

End your study by returning to the Lord in prayer. Tank Him o

what you have learned this week, ask Him to help you apply the principle you have chosen, and lay beore Him the needs o your ellosmall group members.p

God’s blessings in our life should lead us to praise Him.

We can find security for our future in God who chose us.

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m ots

25 / leSSOn



p with powepHeSIanS 1:15-23 & 3:14-21

26 / leSSOn 3



p

Mmoiz


Ephesians 1:18-19a | Write it out to get your memorization started.

Wh dos this mtt?Many o us learned some o lie’s most important lessons rom a tall,yellow bird, a green grouch, and their cadre o colorul riends living

on Sesame Street. In one such memorable lesson, the Cookie Mon-ster (perhaps the greatest o all Sesame Street characters!) is grantedthree wishes by a powerul genie. What should he ask or? Cookies,o course! But rst he needs something to hold all those cookies heplans to receive. No one wants to eat their cookies o the ground, a-ter all! So or wish number one, he asks or a plate to hold his manycookies. With plate in hand, he moves to wish number two – time

or cookies! Oh, but wait, a plate really isn’t that large when you think about it – not nearlylarge enough or the plethora o cookies a Cookie Monster can eat. So or wish number two, heasks or a big box with plenty o room or his cookie stash. But now, with box in hand, Cook-ie Monster realizes that a box isn’t big enough either. He wants enough cookies to last a lie-

time. Without hesitation, he asks or a dump truck – surely that will hold enough cookies! Andnow, with a dump truck at the ready, he asks or enough cookies to ll it. “Sorry, no-can-do,”replies the genie who then disappears having ullled his promise o granting three wishes. Heleaves behind a dish, a box, a dump truck, and one sad, but hopeully wiser, Cookie Monster.

C o c tims gowig wh o skd o ts fo thigs tht smdimott o f t th momt, bt w ot stisfig i th og ?

Thik bot o ct if. Wht do o sk God fo? a o qstig thbst, most imott thigs o scod thigs most of th tim? How do o kowwht’s bst to sk Him fo?

o

o

27 / leSSOn



Like last week, read the passage below and write down your observations in the box on the ol-lowing page. Tis week, we will begin to write our own questions as well. ry to write out eightquestions next to the relevant verses on the ollowing page. Tis is probably the simplest skill o all, just record the questions that naturally come to mind as you try to understand and apply thepassage! I you need help getting started, you can use these examples:

WHA is the......meaning o this word?

...signicance o this phrase?

...implication o this statement?

...relationship between these phrases?

WHY did Paul......choose this word?...include this phrase, statement, or command?

...connect these ideas?

...not say ______?

WHO is...

...Paul talking about?...accomplishing the action?

...beneting rom the action?

HOW ......was this action accomplished?

...will this situation occur?

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ehsis 1:15-23

15For this reason I too, having heard o the aith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and you

love or all the saints, 16do not cease giving thanks or you, while making mention o you in m

prayers; 17that the God o our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father o glory, may give to you a spirit o wi

dom and o revelation in the knowledge o Him. 18I pray that the eyes o your heart may be enligh

ened, so that you will know what is the hope o His calling, what are the riches o the glory o His i

heritance in the saints, 19and what is the surpassing greatness o His power toward us who believ

Tese are in accordance with the working o the strength o His might 20which He brought about

Christ, when He raised Him rom the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly place

21ar above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not on

in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And He put all things in subjection under His eet, and gav

Him as head over all things to the church,23which is His body, the ullness o Him who lls all in a

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M obstios - 1:15-23

15-16

17-18

19-21

22-23

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ehsis 3:14-21

14For this reason I bow my knees beore the Father,15rom whom every amily in heaven and on eart

derives its name, 16that He would grant you, according to the riches o His glory, to be strengthene

with power through His Spirit in the inner man, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts throug

aith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18may be able to comprehend with all th

saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19and to know the love o Christ whic

surpasses knowledge, that you may be lled up to all the ullness o God. 20Now to Him who is ab

to do ar more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works with

us, 21to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations orever and ever. Ame

Obstios cotid

30 / leSSOn 3




M obstios - 3:14-21

14-15

16-17

18-19

20-21

31 / leSSOn



M th pssg

While this skill will be introduced and explained later by detailed instructions on page 84, yohave the opportunity to begin practicing it now or Ephesians 1:15-23! Tis skill is a antastway to visually discover the author’s intended ow o thought. Remember that there is not on“right” way! In general though, remember these summarized rules ...




32 / leSSOn 3



Last week we learned to use the context to help us answer our interpretive questions. Tis week,we will add our second interpretive skill - COMPARE MULIPLE RANSLAIONS. Tis packetuses the New American Standard (NASB) translation. As you tackle the questions below, lookup the passage in other translations and compare to the NASB to look or helpul clues or clearer

wording. Te New King James Version (NKJV), like the NASB, is a airly word-or-word transla-tion o the Greek text, and thereore, quite accurate or Bible study. Te New International Ver-sion (NIV) and the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) are excellent phrase-to-phrase trans-lations o the Greek and are thus oten easier to read. Another excellent phrase-to-phrase Bible,which includes extensive translation notes, is the New English ranslation (NE) available onlineor ree at www.bible.org. You can nd and compare numerous English translations o any Biblepassage at www.biblestudytools.net.

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1.Ct d sw two of o ow itti qstios fom this ssg:

)

b)

2.Rewrite Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians in 1:15-23 in your own words. What, specically, does he

ask God for? (Hint: Try to dene the meaning of phrases like “a spirit of wisdom and of revelation”d “th s of o ht m b ightd.”)

3.Wht do w bot ch pso of th Tiit i ths s? Cosid th foowig ...To which of thm shod w ? Wh (S 1 Coithis 15:22-28.)?

Wht o dos th Ho Siit i o is?

Wh is Jss ow, d wht is H doig?

What is the signicance of being “at the right hand” of God (See Acts 5:31; Hebrews 1:3-13.)?

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Wod Std

ry doing a word study on head (κεφαλή). While this skill will be explained later in detailed in

structions on page 43, you have the opportunity to begin practicing it now! Just remember ththe MEANING o a word is determined by its USAGE. So isolate each usage o the word in Greek www.biblestudytools.net, determine a range o meanings or the word, and nally choose thbest meaning o the word in the present context.

continued...

4.Why is it signicant that Jesus Christ is exalted right now (See Acts 2:32-36; Hebrew4:14-16; 10:11-18.)?

5.If Chist hs d cid thoit i h d th fom th Fth, thwhy is this world still such a broken and evil place? Why does Satan still have such inuench (S acts 1:6-7; 2:32-36; 3:17-21; d 1 Coithis 15:22-28)?

34 / leSSOn 3



M Smm

As in the previous lesson, complete the reection questions, and then list a ew principles youlearned rom the passage. Tis week, we add a third application step - choose one principle, and

create a plan to apply it to your lie this week. Once you have completed your principle list, prayerully choose the one principle you most need to work on (do not just choose the easiest to apply).I you elt deeply convicted about one in particular, that is probably the one God is leading you toapply! Once you have chosen a specic principle, ollow the directions on the next page to developa realistic and specic plan to apply it to your lie.

S K I l l


How dos o ow if com with p’s?

a o ct ig fo fow bis? If so, how do o k tck of whtyou pray for and how God responds to your prayers? If not, list ve names of believersi o if, d fo ch of thm ch d this wk.

o

Reect on your life

o


35 / leSSOn



list icisList at least ve principles rom Ephesians 1:15-23 and 3:14-21. (Remember, a principle is simply aact or command stated or implied in the passage that is relevant to your own lie.)

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

a o this wkCircle the one principle above you will seek to apply this week. Now create a plan to apply thisprinciple by answering these two questions:

Wht exactly wi o do difft this wk to this ici to o if (b

specic)?

Whom, oth th th lod, wi o sk to h o foow thogh with thisictio?

o

o


p

36 / leSSOn 3



m ots

37 / leSSOn



Std i GcepHeSIanS 2:1-10

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p

Mmoiz


Ephesians 2:8-9 | Write it out to get your memorization started.

Wh dos this mtt?Tree years into this teaching position and Sandra’s once indomitable optimism was beginning towane. Ater graduating near the top o her class at exas A&M, she had passed up coveted teach-

ing oers at wealthy school districts to serve as a seventh grade math teacher in an impoverishedschool in one o the roughest parts o New Orleans. She had been motivated by a sense o greathope, hope that the education she oered could bring real improvement and restoration to a re-cently devastated city. She had heard the call to service rom the President himsel who said thateducation would be the “silver bullet” to xing what ailed the nation.

Yet ater two years the results were mixed at best. While she had connectedwith a ew students, most remained distant and uninterested. Sadly, hal the students rom her rst class o seventh graders had already dropped outo school. Worst o all, two o her avorite students rom the previous yearhad been arrested during the summer or participating in a gang-related

assault - just another senseless act o violence in a city plagued by it. All herhard work seemed to be having so little eect. Sure, some o the kids werelearning at least a little bit about math, but their lives were, on average, justas broken as they were beore they met Sandra. “How could that be?”, shewondered. I education really was the solution our nation so needed, then

why were her eorts having so little eect?

Wht kid of imomt c dctio, coomic domt, iomtctiism, o oth gomt ogm big to th hm c? Wht thimittios of ths ogms?

o

Wh w so qick to gg i soci ctiism, bt so sow to sh th gos?o

39 / leSSOn



Like last week, read the passage below and write down your observations and questionsin the box on the ollowing page. You have probably noticed the “Temes” section that precedesthe box or your observations each week. Tis is our third observational skill - list out 2-3 pri-mary themes you see in the passage each week. A primary theme is a central idea, truth, orcommand that the passage ocuses on, such as “wisdom” or “strength” in 1:15-23.

Tere are a couple o simple ways to identiy these central themes. First, begin to CIRCLE ALL OF HE KEY WORDS OR PHRASES. Tese are words or short phrases that are importanttheologically (like “grace” in 2:8) or thematically set the theme or main idea or the passage (like“made us alive” in 2:5). Second, begin to HIGHLIGH REPEAED WORDS OR PHRASES, suchas “grace” throughout this passage. Also, include words and phrases that are closely related, eveni not exact duplicates (such as “trespasses” and “sins”). You will also want to highlight thingsthat are repeated rom previous passages (such as “riches” ound in 1:7, 18). Repeated conceptsreveal something important to the author’s argument or provide clues to understanding his owo thought. For example, notice how oten Paul uses words like “mercy” or “grace” in Ephesians2:1-10, a good indicator that this is one o the key themes o the passage.

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ehsis 2:1-10

1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2in which you ormerly walked according to th

course o this world, according to the prince o the power o the air, o the spirit that is now workin

in the sons o disobedience. 3 Among them we too all ormerly lived in the lusts o our esh, indulg

ing the desires o the esh and o the mind, and were by nature children o wrath, even as the res

4But God, being rich in mercy, because o His great love with which He loved us, 5even when we we

dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6an

raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7so that i

the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches o His grace in kindness toward us in Chri

Jesus. 8For by grace you have been saved through aith; and that not o yourselves, it is the git o

God; 9not as a result o works, so that no one may boast. 10For we are His workmanship, create

in Christ Jesus or good works, which God prepared beorehand so that we would walk in them

40 / leSSOn 4




M obstios

1-3

4-5

6-7

8-10

41 / leSSOn



M th pssg





42 / leSSOn 4



As you answer the questions below, continue using your rst two interpretive skills (use the con-text and compare multiple translations), and add this third one - LOOK UP KEY WORDS (suchas “grace,” “saved,” or “aith” in this passage). While doing so in English is helpul, looking themup in Greek is ar better and is surprisingly easy thanks to the internet. Simply log onto www.

biblestudytools.net, type in “Ephesians 2” in the “search or:” box, set the “using:” box to “NASwith Strong’s Numbers” and click “Find.” All o Ephesians 2 will appear on the screen with mosto the words highlighted in blue. Clicking on any o these will bring up a new screen that will tellyou the Greek word used here, its possible denitions, and the total number o times it is used ineach book o the N! You can even click on any o the other N books (under the title “NAS VerseCount”) and get a list o every verse in that book that uses this Greek word! What used to takehours now takes seconds.

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1.Ct d sw two of o ow itti qstios fom this ssg:

)

b)

2.Wht dos p m b “dd” i 2:1? To sw this qstio…

Fist, comt wod std o “dd” (νεκρός) ccodig to th istctios bo.

(p tic tttio to lk 9:60; roms 6:11-13; 7:8; 8:10; 1 Coithis 15:12,42;Hbws 9:14; rtio 3:1.)

Scod, ook ths coss-fcs to gt bibic dstdig of th coctof “dth” – Gsis 2:16-17; Isih 59:2; roms 5:12-21; ehsis 4:16; 1 Timoth 5:6.

Thid, smmiz i o stc wht p ms b “dd” i 2:1.

43 / leSSOn



continued...

3.Dene what Paul means by each of the descriptions in verses 2-3. Then summarize o stc so’s coditio withot Chist.

4.God’s stio of s is dscibd with th mi bs i ss 4-6. Fo ch odene exactly what Paul means, and then provide at least one cross reference where thid is s swh i Scit.

“md s i togth with Chist”

“isd s with Him”

“std s with Him”

5.How would you dene “grace” in your own words (see Genesis 6:8; Exodus 33:192 Sm 24:24; roms 4:4-5)? Wht is it? Who gts it? O wht coditios is it gtd

6.C thos who h cd thi fith i Jss (ss 8-9) choos ot to do th goowoks tht God d fo thm? I oth wods, how do o good dds t to ostio? poid scit sot fo o sw.

44 / leSSOn 4



M Smm

Tis week’s application section involves the same three steps as last week’s, which we will con-tinue to use throughout our study: refect on your own lie, list at least ve principles, andchoose one to apply this week. It is oten helpul when working through the second and third

steps to consider the ollowing list o questions:

Is there something to worship or thank God or?•

Is there a promise or me to claim or a truth or me to believe?•

Is there something I am convicted about that I need to change or begin doing?•

Is there something or someone I need to pray or specically this week?•

Is there any relationship I need to work on• ?

S K I l

l


If o w to std bfo God toight d H ws to sk o, “Wh shod I t o itoh?” wht wod o s?

How dos God’s gc ffct o di if? How dos it chg th w o s osf,th w o s oths, d th w o ct?

o

Reect on your life

o


45 / leSSOn




1.

2.

3.

4.

5.



specic)?


o

o


p

46 / leSSOn 4



m ots

47 / leSSOn



Ist i th FmiepHeSIanS 2:11-3:13

48 / leSSOn 5



p

Mmoiz



Wh dos this mtt?For 100 days in 1994, the central Arican nation o Rwanda truly experienced “hell on earth.” Inthat short time, Rwandans o Hutu ethnicity executed approximately one million o their utsi

countrymen, including men, women, and children. Tose who were not shot to death were slaugh-tered with machetes or trapped in buildings, even churches, and burned alive. Tousands o utsiwomen were raped by Hutu soldiers in an attempt to eradicate the utsi race. In the atermath,many utsi survivors armed themselves and retaliated against Hutus, even those who took nopart in the genocide. More than a decade later, the emotional wounds remain raw or many whowere aected by this tragedy. Even or many believers, orgiveness and reconciliation with mem-bers o the other race seems impossible. Tat’s where Celestin Musekura steps in, a Rwandan pas-tor who lost ve amily members to the violence. Celestin’s mission is to help pastors and churches

throughout Central Arica become places where peopleo all races orgive one another and grow to love one an-other. He believes that knowledge o the work o Christ

as revealed in Scripture can tear down the walls o divi-sion between groups o people even ater decades o vio-lence and conict. Celestin himsel had an opportunityto practice what he preaches when, a year ater the geno-cide, he met the individuals who had killed his loved onesand, with little hesitation, oered them orgiveness.

pt osf i Csti’s shos s h stood fc-to-fc with th m who mddhis fmi. Wht wod o s? Wod o b b to fogi thm? Wod o bb to ct o thm? If th, too, w bis, wod o b b to ttd

th sm chch s th do d s i miist togth?

Can you think of other examples where the gospel has brought peace, healing,d fogiss to two gos of o std b s of ioc?

o

o

49 / leSSOn



As in previous weeks, read the passage below and write down your observations, questions,and themes on the ollowing page. Also, circle all key words and highlight all repeated words orphrases. Tis week, we will begin to UNDERLINE ALL OF HE VERBS. Quick review: a verb isa word or group o words used to indicate either that an action is taking place (“He came ... toyou”) or that a state or condition exists (“you ... have been brought near”). Because verbs express

the action o the passage, they are oten the most signicant indicators o the author’s ow o thought within the passage. S K

I l l

ehsis 2:11-22

11Tereore remember that ormerly you, the Gentiles in the esh, who are called “Uncircumc

sion” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is perormed in the esh by human hands— 12r

member that you were at that time separate rom Christ, excluded rom the commonwealth

Israel, and strangers to the covenants o promise, having no hope and without God in the worl

13But now in Christ Jesus you who ormerly were ar o have been brought near by the bloo

o Christ. 14For He Himsel is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down th

barrier o the dividing wall, 15by abolishing in His esh the enmity, which is the Law o com

mandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himsel He might make the two into one ne

man, thus establishing peace, 16and might reconcile them both in one body to God throug

the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. 17 AND HE CAME AND PREACHED PEAC

O YOU WHO WERE FAR AWAY, AND PEACE O HOSE WHO WERE NEAR; 18or throug

Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. 19So then you are no longer strang

ers and aliens, but you are ellow citizens with the saints, and are o God’s household, 20hav

ing been built on the oundation o the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himsel being th

corner stone, 21in whom the whole building, being tted together, is growing into a holy temp

in the Lord, 22in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling o God in the Spiri

50 / leSSOn 5




M obstios

11-13

14-16

17-19

20-22

51 / leSSOn



ehsis 3:1-13

1For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner o Christ Jesus or the sake o you Gentiles— 2i indeed yo

have heard o the stewardship o God’s grace which was given to me or you; 3that by revelatio

there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote beore in brie. 4By reerring to this, whe

you read you can understand my insight into the mystery o Christ, 5which in other generation

was not made known to the sons o men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles an

prophets in the Spirit; 6to be specic, that the Gentiles are ellow heirs and ellow members o

the body, and ellow partakers o the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, 7o which

was made a minister, according to the git o God’s grace which was given to me according to th

working o His power.8

o me, the very least o all saints, this grace was given, to preach to th

Gentiles the unathomable riches o Christ, 9and to bring to light what is the administration o

the mystery which or ages has been hidden in God who created all things; 10so that the manio

wisdom o God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authoritie

in the heavenly places. 11Tis was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out

Christ Jesus our Lord, 12in whom we have boldness and condent access through aith in Him

13Tereore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behal, or they are your glor

Obstios cotid

52 / leSSOn 5




M obstios - 3:1-13

1-3

4-7

8-10

11-13

53 / leSSOn



M th pssg





54 / leSSOn 5



Here is a ourth interpretive skill - LOOK UP BACKGROUND INFO. You can nd very helpul in-sights about what a passage meant to its original readers by looking up conusing names or wordsin a Bible dictionary (best is Te New Bible Dictionary by Wood & Marshall, but you can nd theolder Int’l Standard Bible Dictionary [ISBE] online or ree at net.bible.org/dictionary.php) or

looking up the particular verses you are studying in a background commentary (e.g. Te IVP Bible Background Commentary by Craig Keener). Here is an example rom Ephesians: An Exegetical Com-mentary by Harold Hoehner on verses 14-15 that should help with question #4.

S K

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1.Ct d sw two of o ow itti qstios fom this ssg:)

b)

2.How does 2:11-22 relate to 2:1-10? Trace Paul’s ow of thought through chapter 2.

3.Wht dos p m b sig tht i th st Gtis, o-Jws ik most of s, idwithout hope and without God? To nd out, answer the questions below. Use the followingpassages to develop your answers: Genesis 12:1-3; Exodus 19:5-6; Numbers 15:14-16; 1 Kings8:41-43; psms 147:19-20; Isih 56:6-7; acts 14:16-17; 17:24-31; roms 3:1-2; 9:3-5.

Did God c bot Gtis dig OT tims?

Cod Gtis h tioshi with God dig OT tims? If so, wht did Godqi of thm?

What exactly did Jews possess that Gentiles lacked?

“Others have thought [the dividing wall] reers to the Mosaic Law ... Telaw required the Jews to be holy and separate. Tus they could not eat withGentiles or intermarry with them. Right within the present context the law o circumcision marked a real separation between Jews and Gentiles. Tis oten ledto a hostility o Jews toward Gentiles and was a cause o Gentile hatred o Jews... Oten an attitude o superiority crept in that in turn engendered hostility”

55 / leSSOn



Wod Std

Tis week, complete a word study on mystery (μυστήριον). Even though this skill was explainein detail on page 43, just remember that the MEANING o a word is determined by its USAGSo isolate each usage o the word in Greek at www.biblestudytools.net, determine a range omeanings or the word, and nally choose the best meaning o the word in the present context.

continued...

4.rd acts 10:9-29; 15:1-11; 21:27-28; roms 7:4-6; 10:4 to sw th foowig qstiogdig “th bi of th diidig w” i 2:14 ...

What exactly was it? And why did it create hostility between Jews and Gentiles?

How did Chist bk dow this w (gi coss fc to sot o sw)

Wht is th chch’s tioshi to this w ow?

5.p ss th og of “bod” i 2:19-22 to chctiz this w commit oJews and Gentiles. What does this gurative language teach us about the church?

6.Hs th chch cd Is i God’s , o dos God sti h two distict osfor Israel and the church? What exactly is God’s purpose for creating the church (see 3:211; roms 9:1-5; 11:1, 5, 17-29)?

56 / leSSOn 5



M Smm

As always, refect on your own lie, list at least ve principles, and choose one to applythis week. Here is that helpul list o application questions to aid you in the second and thirdsteps:






S K I l

l


Do o och o siit if d o tioshi with God imi s idiid sit o s somthig o do i commit with oth bis? Wh?

p hs sch c ss of his God-gi cig d os i if. Do o hth sm kid of bodss d cit s to wht God hs cd o to i this if?

o

Reect on your life

o


57 / leSSOn



list icisList at least ve principles rom Ephesians 2:11-3:13. (Remember, a principle is simply a act or command stated or implied in the passage that is relevant to your own lie.)

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.



specic)?


o

o


p

58 / leSSOn 5



m ots

59 / leSSOn



m ots

60 / leSSOn 5



Wk i uitepHeSIanS 4:1-16

61 / leSSOn



As in previous weeks, read the passage below and write down your observations, questions,and themes on the ollowing page. Also circle all key words and highlight all repeated words orphrases. Tis week, we will begin to BOX CONNECING WORDS. We will learn our types o connecting words this week:

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ehsis 4:1-161Tereore I, the prisoner o the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy o the calling wit

which you have been called, 2with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing toleranc

or one another in love, 3being diligent to preserve the unity o the Spirit in the bond o peac

4Tere is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope o your calling; 5on

Lord, one aith, one baptism, 6one God and Father o all who is over all and through all and i

all. 7But to each one o us grace was given according to the measure o Christ’s git. 8Tereor

it says, “WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH, HE LED CAPIVE A HOS OF CAPIVES, AND H

GAVE GIFS O MEN.” 9(Now this expression, “He ascended,” what does it mean except tha

He also had descended into the lower parts o the earth? 10He who descended is Himsel als

He who ascended ar above all the heavens, so that He might ll all things.) 11 And He gave som

as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teacher

12

or the equipping o the saints or the work o service, to the building up o the body o Chris13until we all attain to the unity o the aith, and o the knowledge o the Son o God, to a m

ture man, to the measure o the stature which belongs to the ullness o Christ. 14 As a result, w

are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind

doctrine, by the trickery o men, by cratiness in deceitul scheming; 15but speaking the truth i

love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, 16rom whom th

whole body, being tted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the prop

working o each individual part, causes the growth o the body or the building up o itsel in lov

COMPARISON: either points out similarities between two or more related ideas, or simply

joins like ideas. Comparison words include: and, like, as, just as, also, so also, even so (e.g. “humility AND gentleness” 4:2).

CONRAS: points out dissimilarities between ideas. Contrast words include: but, rather,yet, however (e.g. “one God and Father o all ... BU to each one o us” 4:6-7).

PURPOSE: indicates the intended goal o an idea or action, whether or not it was realized.Purpose words include: that, so that, in order that (e.g. “I pray ... SO HA you will knowwhat is the hope o His calling” 1:18).

RESUL: very similar to “purpose,” but indicates the actual consequence, whether or not itwas intended. Result words include: that, so that, as a result, with the result that (e.g.“Christ ... gave Himsel up or her SO HA He might sanctiy her” 5:25-26).

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M obstios

1-6

7-10

11-13

14-16

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How do we answer difcult interpretive questions when more than one option seems possible?Tis requires two skills, the rst o which is ... LIS ALL HE OPIONS WIH PROS AND CONS.

Always start by brainstorming, listing every possible answer to your question. Be open-mindedand creative, and do not rush this process. You will oten nd that your third option proves better

than your rst. Once you have created a list o possible options, list both pros and cons or eachone. You are looking or all the evidence you can nd that either argues or or against a particularoption. Tis evidence comes rom your study o key words, the grammar o the sentence, the con-text o surrounding verses and the book as a whole, cross reerences to other books, and compari-son with your overall understanding o Christian theology. Once you have thought about it or awhile individually, eel ree to talk with others and to check commentaries or reerences to see i you have missed any options (However, do not just assume that their avorite option is necessarilycorrect!) Having done that, we move on to the second skill ... CHOOSE HE MOS LIKELY OPION AND DECIDE ON CERAINY . Look back at all o your evidence or each option. ypically,evidence rom the immediate context is most important, ollowed closely by evidence rom thebook as a whole. Evidence rom other books, or rom Christian theology as a whole, does not carryquite as much weight, unless the solution you are looking at contradicts a clear passage elsewhereor a major tenant o Christian doctrine. In that case, since Scripture never lies and God cannotcontradict Himsel, you know that option is invalid. Once you have chosen the best solution, stepback or a second and humbly gauge how certain you are o its accuracy. (90% = I am very sure thisis correct... 60% = this solution is just a bit more likely than the others!) Finally, talk with othersand check commentaries or reerence books to see what solutions they have chosen and why.

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1.Ct d sw two of o ow itti qstios fom this ssg:)

b)

2.How dos this ssg t to wht cm bfo it i ehsis?

3.Wht dos it m to “wk i m woth of th cig”? Wht dos woth wkook ik ccodig to ehsis chts 4-6? How dos o cig motit o wk?

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continued...

4.Wht is p tkig bot i ss 9-10? Wh did Chist “dscd” d to wh didscd? I od to sw sch chgig qstio...

First, consider what possible options exist for the timing and place of His descent?(S psm 63:9-10; Joh 3:13; roms 10:7; phiiis 2:10; 1 Thssois 4:16.)

now go bck to o ist of otios d dd os d cos fo ch ossibiit. as owigh citi, cosid how ss 9-10 cotibt to p’s gmt i th ssg

Fi, cic o fd iw d dtmi o of ctit.

5.accodig to this ssg, og with roms 12:3-8; 1 Coithis 12:1-30; 1 pt 4:10-Create your own denition of the term “spiritual gifts.”

What specic spiritual gifts are mentioned in the New Testament?

Wht ws Chist’s timt os i giig ths gifts?

Should we expect to see all of these gifts in our church today? Why or why not?

6.lookig t ss 12-16, stt p’s go fo th chch bod i o ow wods.

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M Smm







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W h cid th highst of cigs fom God. Do o i “i mwoth of th cig” o h cid? If ot, wht ds to chg i o if?

Wht o siit gifts? I wht ws o sig thm to h oths i thchch gow? Wht s cod o b doig to btt tiiz ths gifts this ?

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Reect on your life

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1.

2.

3.

4.

5.



specic)?


o

o

MmoizEphesians 4:1-2 | Write it out to get your memorization starte

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m ots

End your study by returning to the Lord in prayer. Tank Him orwhat you have learned this week, ask Him to help you apply the prin-ciple you have chosen, and lay beore Him the needs o your ellowsmall group members.

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Do’t T BckepHeSIanS 4:17-32

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Wh dos this mtt? Annie was hal-way through her two-week vacation in East Asia, and itwas time to get some laundry done by the hotel service. Te group o tour-

ists she was traveling with were gathered around the ront desk as Annieturned in her laundry bag. o her horror, the desk clerk began removingand holding up each piece o her laundry, including undergarments, dil-igently recording each one on a check-in sheet. “Oh man,” she thought,turning red with embarrassment, “I’m not in Kansas anymore!”

Annie’s not the rst to experience culture shock or the disorientation elt when people must oper-ate within a dierent and unknown cultural or social environment. Each culture possesses certainsocial norms and customs that distinguish what is appropriate and honoring rom what is not. It istrue or every culture and involves every acet o lie rom greeting to eating, and even to laughing.

Have you ever experienced culture shock? If so, what specic social customs ors diffd btw o ow ct d th o o w isitig? How dido hd th diffc?

Hs wkig with Jss Chist ft ik ct shock withi o ow ct?Wht soci cstoms o s diff cosidb btw o ct d thifst th Scits c s to foow?

o

o

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As in previous weeks, read the passage below and write down your observations, questions, andthemes on the ollowing page. Also, circle all key words and highlight all repeated words or phras-es and continue to BOX CONNECING WORDS. Here are our more types to box this week:

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ehsis 4:17-3217So this I say, and afrm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles als

walk, in the utility o their mind, 18being darkened in their understanding, excluded rom the li

o God because o the ignorance that is in them, because o the hardness o their heart; 19and the

having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality or the practice o every kind

impurity with greediness.20

But you did not learn Christ in this way,21

i indeed you have heard Himand have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, 22that, in reerence to your ormer manner o

lie, you lay aside the old sel, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts o deceit,23an

that you be renewed in the spirit o your mind, 24and put on the new sel, which in the likeness

God has been created in righteousness and holiness o the truth.25Tereore, laying aside alsehoo

SPEAK RUH EACH ONE o you WIH HIS NEIGHBOR, or we are members o one another.26B

ANGRY, AND yet DO NO SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27and do not give the dev

an opportunity. 28He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, perorming wit

his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need.29Le

no unwholesome word proceed rom your mouth, but only such a word as is good or edicatio

according to the need o the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. 30Do not griev

the Holy Spirit o God, by whom you were sealed or the day o redemption. 31Let all bitternes

and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away rom you, along with all malice.32Be kin

to one another, tender-hearted, orgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has orgiven yo

CAUSE: expresses the basis or cause o an action. Cause words include: because, since, andsometimes or (e.g. “excluded from the life of God BECAUSE of the ignorance that is in them” 4:18).

EXPLANAION: what ollows urther explains the previous idea, giving reasons why it is true,or why it occurred, or simply adding additional inormation. Look or the key word or (e.g.“FOR we are His workmanship” 2:10).

INFERENCE: provides a logical consequence, conclusion, or summary to the previous discus-sion. Inerence words include: thereore, or this reason (e.g. “HEREFORE be imitators o God” 5:1).

CONDIION: presents a condition that must occur beore a certain action or conclusion canoccur. Te statement may or may not reect reality (i.e. it could be hypothetical). Key word isi (e.g. “IF indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him” 4:21).

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M obstios

17-20

21-24

25-28

29-32

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M th pssg





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Wod StdTis week, complete a word study on mind (νοῦς). Even though this skill was explained in detail opage 43, just remember that the MEANING o a word is determined by its USAGE. So isolate eacusage o the word in Greek at www.biblestudytools.net, determine a range o meanings or thword, and nally choose the best meaning o the word in the present context.

continued...

5.Verses 22-23 present a signicant interpretive challenge. In Greek they can be translateith s commds (“ sid th od sf … b wd … t o th w sf) o fct sttmts of st itis (“o h id sid th od sf … o biwd … o h t o th w sf”). Th Gk ows ith otio, so o mdecide from the context of chapter 4 (See also Romans 6:6 and Colossians 3:9). Whicotio do o thik is bst d wh?

6.Based on your answer to the previous question, dene the following terms, andtmi whth th f to idiid so o to go of o. poid st o coss fc fo ch.

“od m/sf”

“w m/sf”

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M SmmUse your own words to describe the main point that Paul communicates in this passage in one sentence.







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Of th tio commds p gis i ss 25-32 (i.. sk tth, do ot tth s go dow o o g, sk o whosom wod, tc.), which do ostruggle with most? Give a recent example of this struggle in your life.

a th tioshis i o if tht ct stid o stgd dto past conict, anger, or hurtful speech? What can you do to begin the process ofcociitio d hig?

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Reect on your life

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1.

2.

3.

4.

5.



specic)?


o

o


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Cofom to ChistepHeSIanS 5:1-14

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Mmoiz



Wh dos this mtt?“Quit copying me! Mom … he’s doing it again. Make him stop, please!”Steve looked up rom his breakast to nd his kid brother Justin

dressed in exactly the same clothes, eating the same cereal, readingthe same sports page, and listening to his iPod, just as Steve was do-ing. Teir parents assured Steve that Justin was imitating his everymove out o admiration and a desire to be like his older brother. Aterall, “Imitation is the most sincere orm o attery,” they said. Stevewasn’t so sure. Perhaps his pesky little brother just knew how to pushhis buttons!

Social psychology has long suggested that children learn through imi-tation. In 2007, the National Academy o Sciences reported that children actually over-imitateadults. In repeated experiments, groups o three-to-ve year-old children consistently imitated

both the necessary and irrelevant steps they saw adults perorming in simple retrieval tasks. Testudy supported ongoing evidence that humans appear to be powerully “hardwired” to learn byimitation.

In what areas of your life have you discovered a tendency to imitate or be inuencedb oths?

o

In what areas of your life do you provide a good example for others to imitate?o

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As in previous weeks, write down your observations, questions, and themes on the ollowingpage. Also, circle all key words, highlight all repeated words or phrases, and continue to box con-necting words. A new observational skill will be introduced ater you have nished.

ehsis 5:1-14

1Tereore be imitators o God, as beloved children; 2and walk in love, just as Christ also love

you and gave Himsel up or us, an oering and a sacrice to God as a ragrant aroma. 3But im

morality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saint

4and there must be no lthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not tting, but rathe

giving o thanks. 5For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or cove

ous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom o Christ and God. 6Let no on

deceive you with empty words, or because o these things the wrath o God comes upon th

sons o disobedience. 7Tereore do not be partakers with them; 8or you were ormerly dark

ness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children o Light 9(or the ruit o the Ligh

consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), 10trying to learn what is pleasing to th

Lord. 11Do not participate in the unruitul deeds o darkness, but instead even expose them

12or it is disgraceul even to speak o the things which are done by them in secret. 13But all thing

become visible when they are exposed by the light, or everything that becomes visible is ligh

14For this reason it says, “Awake, sleeper, And arise rom the dead, And Christ will shine on you

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M obstios

1-3

4-7

8-10

11-14

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Tis week, we will begin to MAP HE PASSAGE. Tis skill is a antastic way to discover the au-thor’s intended meaning and ow o thought. It also will help you answer many o your interpre-tive questions. Te rst rule o mapping a passage is: Tere is not one “right” way! Howeveryou create your map, your goal should be to discover the author’s ow o thought by graphicallylaying out the passage. Beore you complete the passage map or Ephesians 5:1-6 on the next

page, here are some general rules to ollow with examples rom Ephesians 1:3-5 ...

1) First, identiy the main subject and verb o the rst sentence (Tese orm the main clauseo your sentence). Write the main clause at the top let o your paper. Tink o your map as anoutline: Tis would be your Roman numeral I.

1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus ChristTis is the main clause o Eph. 1:3

2) Continue writing the rst sentence, placing any modiying phrases or words directly underthe words they modiy. A modiying phrase describes something in the main clause – how, why,when, to whom, etc. In an outline, this would be your rst subheading.

1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ

who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing “who” modies, or is talking about, God in this sentence

3) I there are multiple modiers (several phrases or words all talking about the same thing), linethem up underneath each other, under the word or phrase they are modiying.

1:3 ...who has blessed us...

4 just as He chose us...5 ...He predestined us...Both o the phrases in vv4-5 will have modiers in your nal map, but the phrasesthemselves should be lined up since they both modiy God’s act o blessing. Tis is

like the a., b., c. in your outline.

4) Continue writing out the phrases in your sentence, each under whatever word(s) they modiy,until you reach the end o the sentence or idea being discussed.

5) Your map will continue moving to the right o your paper until the author begins a new idea. At that point, you would put the next main clause back to the ar let o your paper and begin atstep one again. Ideally, you should be able to glance down the let side o your paper and see themain ideas o the passage you are mapping.

6) As you work, box all connecting words, and note how they are being used.

1:4 just as He chose us ... {AS implies comparison}

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ehsis 5:1-6

1Tereore be imitators o God, as beloved children; 2and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you

and gave Himsel up or us, an oering and a sacrice to God as a ragrant aroma. 3But immorality

or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; 4and there

must be no lthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not tting, but rather giving o

thanks. 5For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who

is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom o Christ and God. 6Let no one deceive you with

empty words, or because o these things the wrath o God comes upon the sons o disobedience.

M th pssg

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For the next ew weeks, we will learn three undamental PRINCIPLES OF INERPREAION that help us to use our interpretive skills accurately. Principle #1 - Your goal is to discernthe author’s intended meaning to the original audience. Unortunately, most people be-gin their Bible study by asking, “What does this passage mean to me?” While there may be mul-

tiple possible applications to my lie, there is only one meaning, the author’s intended meaning;and we must rst seek this out. Tis involves three important steps:

Always1. start your study with prayer, asking the same God who composed Scripturethrough these ancient authors to give you insight to understand His intended meaning.Be very careul to2. avoid reading your 21st century circumstances and theological is-sues into the text as they will skew your understanding.Work diligently to see the text3. rom the point o view o the original readers. o dothis: [a] dig into the historical and cultural background using Bible dictionaries and com-mentaries, and [b] spend a ew moments thinking about the original audience’s religiousunderstanding by asking - What books o the Bible did they have access to? What did theyknow about God? about Jesus? about salvation? etc.

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1.Ct d sw th of o ow itti qstios fom this ssg:)

b)

c)

2.How dos this ssg t to 4:17-32?

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3.Fo ch of th foowig sis, (1) oid bif dscitio of th si, d (2) dscibhow it is cot to Chist-ik o…

immoit & imit (1 Coithis 5:1; 6:15-18; 1 Thssois 4:3-5)

gd (Coossis 3:5)

lthiness, silly talk, and coarse jesting (Ephesians 4:29)

4.Fo of s who h gi i to immoit o cotosss, 5:5 c sod ik pretty terrifying threat! What does Paul mean in this verse? To nd out, consider the following ...

Who is this wig dictd towd? How c o t?

Wht is th ihitc tht th m miss? To sw this qstio, bgi bcomtig th wod std o inheritance on the next page.

Can a person who currently ts the description of verse 5 have eternal life?

5.How should we go about exposing the deeds of darkness (5:11)? Should we be pointingot th sis of o o-Chisti fids?

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continued...

6.Wh dos p icd th qottio i 5:14? Wht oit dos it mk?

Wod Std

Tis week, complete a word study on inheritance (κληρονομία). Even though this skill was eplained in detail on page 43, just remember that the MEANING o a word is determined by its US

AGE. So isolate each usage o the word in Greek at www.biblestudytools.net, determine a rango meanings or the word, and nally choose the best meaning o the word in the present contex

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I wht tioshi(s) do o stgg th most to imitt Chist’s o? How co sod to this so difft this wk i od to btt imitt Chist?

I o ow if, wht sct sis do o d to big ito th ight? Whom co cofss ths sis to this wk?

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1.

2.

3.

4.

5.



specic)?


o

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Sbmit to O aothepHeSIanS 5:15-6:9

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Mmoiz



Wh dos this mtt?No employee at the nancial rm had ever risen as ast as Cath-erine rom the ranks o entry-level analyst to Vice President.

Senior management had been quick to notice and reward herrare combination o technical competence, rapport with cus-tomers and peers, and a knack or making wise and timely deci-sions under pressure. As young as she was, the board alreadylooked to her as a potential CEO in years to come. No one at thecompany showed such promise as a uture leader o the Fortune500 company. So, it was shocking to Catherine as she listenedto the sermon to hear her pastor say that women were called tosubmission. She had become a believer only a month beore andbegan attending the church with a neighbor. She had not grown

up in a Christian home and had never spent much time reading the Bible beore this month. So

she was caught completely o guard as her pastor led the congregation through Paul’s instructionsto women. In her world o ast paced nancial deals and sti competition or senior positions,“submission” was practically a curse word! o submit was to lose, to give-up, to surrender ground.How could God expect her, one o the most talented leaders in the company’s history, to practicesubmission towards others? How could God call her to submit to her husband when she had a arstronger git or leadership and decision making than he did? How could God “ban” her rom thehighest levels o leadership in the church when she could accomplish so much as a leader?

Wh is sbmissio iwd so gti i o ct? Wht is it bot sbmissiotht o ct jcts? not, this is ot jst bot sbmissio of wif to hsbd,bt th sbmissio of so to thos i thoit.

o

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We have no new observation skills this week. As in previous weeks, read the passage, under-line the verbs, circle the key words, box any connecting words, and highlight repeated words orphrases. Ten, write your observations and questions on the ollowing page. Now that you havepracticed all the basic skills, eel ree to add your own techniques. Some people preer to workon a computer., making mapping a passage much easier. Others like to use colored highlighters

or pencils to mark verbs, key words, and connecting words. Many nd it helpul to add arrowsconnecting related ideas or symbols to highlight important names (such as a cross any place thatJesus is mentioned).

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ehsis 5:15-33

15Tereore be careul how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16making the most o you

time, because the days are evil. 17So then do not be oolish, but understand what the will o th

Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, or that is dissipation, but be lled with the Spir

19speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melod

with your heart to the Lord; 20always giving thanks or all things in the name o our Lord Jesu

Christ to God, even the Father; 21and be subject to one another in the ear o Christ. 22Wives, b

subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23For the husband is the head o the wie, as Chri

also is the head o the church, He Himsel being the Savior o the body. 24But as the church

subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything. 25Husbands, lov

your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himsel up or her, 26so that He migh

sanctiy her, having cleansed her by the washing o water with the word, 27that He might presen

to Himsel the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that sh

would be holy and blameless. 28So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bo

ies. He who loves his own wie loves himsel; 29or no one ever hated his own esh, but nourishe

and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, 30because we are members o His body. 31FO

HIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FAHER AND MOHER AND SHALL BE JOINE

O HIS WIFE, AND HE WO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH. 32Tis mystery is great; but I am

speaking with reerence to Christ and the church. 33Nevertheless, each individual among you als

is to love his own wie even as himsel, and the wie must see to it that she respects her husban

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M obstios

15-20

21-24

25-29

30-33

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ehsis 6:1-9

1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, or this is right. 2Honor your ather and moth

er (which is the rst commandment with a promise), 3so that it may be well with you, an

that you may live long on the earth. 4Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, bu

bring them up in the discipline and instruction o the Lord. 5Slaves, be obedient to thos

who are your masters according to the esh, with ear and trembling, in the sincerity o you

heart, as to Christ; 6not by way o eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves o Christ, do

ing the will o God rom the heart. 7With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not t

men, 8knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back rom th

Lord, whether slave or ree.9

And masters, do the same things to them, and give up threaten

ing, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him

Obstios cotid

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M obstios - 6:1-9

1-2

3-4

5-6

7-9

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M th pssg

Since this skill has already been introduced, begin practicing it consistently by mapping Ephesian5:18-30! Remember that there is not one “right” way! In general though, remember thessummarized rules ...




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Tis week we will learn our second o three PRINCIPLES OF INERPREAION. Principle #2- Assume a “normal” use o language. Te Bible was given to us because God desired to com-municate with us, not to hide Himsel rom us. Tereore, we should not be looking or hiddenmeanings as we study. Instead, we should use the normal techniques we would use to understand

any piece o literature:1. Study the grammar. Yes, most o us hated grammar in junior high, but it really is helpul

or understanding Scripture! So pay attention to nouns, verbs, adjectives, and prepositions.Tink through any gures o speech. Observe how phrases and clauses are connected intosentences and how sentences are linked together into paragraphs.

2. Remember that chapters came later. When Paul wrote Ephesians or Luke wrote the book o Acts, they wrote single, unied stories without verse or chapter divisions. Tese books weremeant to be read just like you would read a letter or a novel. So always keep the overall storyin mind as you study each passage.

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b)

c)

2.Based on surrounding context, what does it mean to be “lled with the Spirit”?Are all believers lled with the Spirit all the time? How do you know?

What hinders us from being “lled with the Spirit” (See Galatians 5:16-26.)?

What are some specic examples of Spirit-lled behavior according to the context?

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Wod Std

Tis week, complete a word study on submit (ὑποτάσσω). Even though this skill was explainein detail on page 43, just remember that the MEANING o a word is determined by its USAGSo isolate each usage o the word in Greek at www.biblestudytools.net, determine a range o

meanings or the word, and nally choose the best meaning o the word in the present context.

continued...

3.Wht dos it m to “b sbjct” to somo s (5:21)?

C somo s mk o sbmit, o is sbmissio ti ot?

In what relationships does God expect us to practice submission? (See 1 Corinthia15:28; ehsis 1:22; Tits 2:5, 9; 3:1; Jms 4:6, 7; 1 pt 2:13, 18; 5:5.)

What exactly does it mean for a wife to “submit” to her husband?

Wh dos God c wis to sbmit to thi hsbds? Is it bcs th somhow ifio to thi hsbds? Is it bsd o socit obms i th st (iwom w s ot dctd i th cit wod)? (S Gsis 1:26-28;2:18-24; Gtis 3:28-29; 1 Coithis 7:2-4; 11:3-12; 1 pt 3:1-7; phiiis 2:5-

4.Do p’s commds to ss codo th istittio of s? Wh o wh ot? Whdos p h to s bot th iss of s i his oth tts?

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I wht sittios o tioshis h o b cd o to sbmit to somoelse? Did you nd it easy or hard to submit? Why? How can you better honor ands i this sittio o tioshi this wk?

look t th fmi os/ositios mtiod i 5:22-6:9. Which of ths most to o so t this tim i o if? How o doig i this o t? Howc o do btt?

o

Reect on your life

o


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list icisList at least ve principles rom Ephesians 5:15-6:9. (Remember, a principle is simply a act or com-mand stated or implied in the passage that is relevant to your own lie.)

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.



specic)?


o

o


p

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m ots

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p fo BttepHeSIanS 6:10-24

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p

Mmoiz


Ephesians 6:11 | Write it out to get your memorization started.

Wh dos this mtt?Private Riley scanned the crowd as merchants loudly advertised theirproduce to passing shoppers. Despite the stiing heat, the bazaar teemed

with lie, a act that would have surprised Riley early in his tour o duty.Not only should the heat be keeping these crowds indoors, but also thewreckage and ashes o a suicide bomb one week ago were still visiblenear the center o the market. Yet lie had to go on or the citizens o Fallujah, Iraq. It was Riley’s mission on this mid-summer day to preventa repeat o last week’s carnage. Unortunately, such attacks had prov-en remarkably hard to prevent. Te terrorists he was looking or werenot only growing more cunning in their planning and more eective intheir weaponry, but they enjoyed one great advantage that conoundedRiley’s best eorts: they looked and talked exactly like every other person in the market. Suicidebombers were usually recruited rom among the native population. Tis made it incredibly difcult

or Riley to identiy potential threats in time to prevent another attack. And so, despite months o training and the mental hardness that came rom past battles, Private Riley spent the eight hourso his shit on this hot summer day hoping and praying that it might pass without another attack.

How wod o f if, ik pit ri, o fcd th costt tht of immitttck b kow ssit? Wht wod o motio stt b ik?

I g, do o s f sf d sc s o go thogh th d, o og ookig ot fo thts o dgos sittios? Wh?

o

o

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We have no new observation skills this week. As in previous weeks, read the passage, under-line the verbs, circle the key words, box any connecting words, and highlight repeated words orphrases. Ten, write your observations and questions on the ollowing page.

ehsis 6:10-24

10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength o His might. 11Put on the ull armor o Go

so that you will be able to stand rm against the schemes o the devil. 12For our struggle is no

against esh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world orces o

this darkness, against the spiritual orces o wickedness in the heavenly places. 13Tereore, tak

up the ull armor o God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done ever

thing, to stand rm. 14Stand rm thereore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WIH RUH, an

HAVING PU ON HE BREASPLAE OF RIGHEOUSNESS, 15and having shod YOUR FEE

WIH HE PREPARAION OF HE GOSPEL OF PEACE; 16in addition to all, taking up the shie

o aith with which you will be able to extinguish all the aming arrows o the evil one.17 And tak

HE HELME OF SALVAION, and the sword o the Spirit, which is the word o God. 18With a

prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with a

perseverance and petition or all the saints, 19and pray on my behal, that utterance may be give

to me in the opening o my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery o the gospe

20or which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ough

to speak. 21But that you also may know about my circumstances, how I am doing, ychicus, th

beloved brother and aithul minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you. 22I hav

sent him to you or this very purpose, so that you may know about us, and that he may como

your hearts. 23Peace be to the brethren, and love with aith, rom God the Father and the Lor

Jesus Christ. 24Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible lov

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M obstios

10-13

14-17

18-20

21-24

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M th pssg

Since this skill has already been introduced, begin practicing it consistently by mapping Ephesian6:10-20! Remember that there is not one “right” way! In general though, remember thessummarized rules ...




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Tis week we will learn our last o three PRINCIPLES OF INERPREAION. Principle #3 -Let Scripture interpret Scripture. Since God is unchangingly truthul and always consistent(Jn 17:17; Heb 3:6; James 1:17), we can, and should, expect the same o His Word. Tis has twopractical applications:

1. Check your conclusions. Always compare your conclusions with the teachings o Scriptureas a whole. I you nd that your interpretation o a passage contradicts the clear teaching o Scripture elsewhere, you probably need to revise your conclusions.

2. Allow clear passages to illuminate ambiguous passages. Whenever you encounter a pas-sage that is conusing or open to multiple possible interpretations, use clearer passages o Scripture to guide you to the correct interpretation.

One last caution - remember that God revealed Scripture progressively, not all at once. Tere-ore, we should not be surprised by dierences between how people related to and understoodGod at dierent times in the history o Scripture. For example, while Abraham needed only be-lieve that God was aithul in order to be justied (Gen 15:6), in the N era, we must believe in thedeath, burial, and resurrection o Jesus to be saved (1 Corinthians 15:1-7).

S K

I l l



b)

c)

2.How dos this ssg t to th st of th book?

3.Wh s h w s th ids of God’s stgth o ow i ehsis? To whtdid tht stgth f? How do w tk dtg of tht stgth?

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Wod Std

Tis last time, you pick a word to study and to present to the group. Even though this skill waexplained in detail on page 43, just remember that the MEANING o a word is determined by iUSAGE. So isolate each usage o the word in Greek at www.biblestudytools.net, determinerange o meanings or the word, and nally choose the best meaning o the word in the presencontext.

continued...

4.Who are our enemies (See 2:2; 1 John 5:19; 1 Peter 5:8.)? What specic tactics do thes (S Gsis 3:1-5; Job 1:9-12; lk 4:1-13; Joh 8:44; 1 Timoth 4:1-3; 1 pt 5:8-9.)?

5.List each piece of spiritual armor. What does each mean? Be specic (e.g. what “truth,” and what is the signicance of the imagery “having girded your loins with thtth”?). How dos ch ic of mo cotibt to o biit to std stog i thmidst of spiritual warfare? Finally, explain how each piece is received and used (e.gexplain what the “breastplate of righteousness” is, how it helps us stand strong, and how t it o).

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M Smm







S K I l

l


How w o of siit oositio i o if? Dos it z o o do o cosid it?

How c w miti siit igic t tims?

I wht ws c o if bcom mo ffcti i this siit btt?

o

Reect on your life

o


Most of s h foght i w, so w do’t kow wht it is ik to h o hsicis costt t isk. How, s w’ d fom ehsis 6, momt b momto siit is idd t isk.

o

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list icis


List at least ve principles rom Ephesians 6:10-24. (Remember, a principle is simply a act or com-mand stated or implied in the passage that is relevant to your own lie.)

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.


specic)?


o

o


p

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m ots

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pt it Bck TogthepHeSIanS SynTHeSIS

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p

Mmoiz


Review your memory verses or each o the previous lessons.

Wh dos this mtt?In the case study o lesson one (page 14), we looked at the ignoble resignation o President RichardNixon whose conduct had ailed to live up to the high calling he received when elected to the ofce

o President. Tese same themes o calling and conduct have dominated the book o Ephesians.Having studied the book o Ephesians in detail, answer the ollowing questions ...

With th book of ehsis s who i mid, wht dos it m tht God “cd”s? Wht did H c s ot of? Wht iigs d bssigs icdd i His c?

According to Ephesians, what standards of conduct does God expect of us? In otherwords, how does He expect those whom He has called to act in this world?

o

o

1:5•

1:18-19a•

2:8-9•

2:13-14•

4:1-2•

4:22-24•

5:1-2•

5:17-18•

6:11•

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During the past nine lessons, we have observed, interpreted, and applied the entire book o Ephesians. Tat is no small task! Now it is time to draw our detailed study to a useul conclusion,a process known as synthesis. Our goal is to create an overall summary o the book o Ephesiansthat we can quickly review any time in the uture to remind us o the ow and content o the book.

But rst, please realize how much we have developed as students o the Word during this study!Tough you have ocused on Ephesians, you have actually learned and practiced a method o Bible study that will help you understand and apply to your lie any passage o Scripture! Ob-serve, interpret, and apply. Tese are the three undamental steps o all Bible study, and theywill serve you well or a lietime. As we draw Ephesians to a close, please continue to practice andrene these skills so that you will be, “a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accuratelyhandling the Word o truth” (2 imothy 2:15).

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SynTHeSIS: How does it all t together?

Oti th BookTe rst step o this synthesis is to CREAE YOUR OWN OULINE OF HE BOOK. Review thwork you completed each week, especially the summary sentences you have written or each pasage in the “My Summary” section. Ten, create your own brie outline on the next page. Feel reto use any outlining style, but here is an example o how you might start.

Greetings rom Paul to the church in Ephesus (1:1-2)1.

Praise or God’s blessings to the church (1:3-14)2.

Predestined adoption by the Father (1:3-6)a.

Gracious redemption by the Son (1:7-12)b.

Sealed inheritance through the Spirit (1:13-14)c.

observe applyinterpret

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M ehsis Oti

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Te second step o this synthesis is to RECORD WHA YOU LEARNED OR WERE REMINDEDOF. Tis is more personal than your outline. Create a list o the theological truths and lie les-sons you have either learned or the rst time or been reminded o rom your study o Ephe-sians. As an example o a theological truth, you might write:

I ws tght tht th Ho Siit is dg o gt of o tihitc to com i th ft (1:13-14).

An example o a lie lesson would be:This book midd m tht siit gowth is commit ojct -sd ot idiid bt coot.

List at least ten theological truths and ten lie lessons on this page that you learned rom yourstudy o Ephesians, and record the verses where each is addressed.

S K

I l l


Thoogic Tths I’ ld

lif lssos I’ ld

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Te nal step o this synthesis is to PRAYERFULLY CHOOSE WO APPLICAIONS O PRAC-ICE. Tese can be applications that you developed and began to practice during previous les-sons, or you can create entirely new applications. Whatever your choice, two things must be trueabout them:

Both applications should touch on1. areas o your lie where you are currently in need o growth. Do not choose “be kind to others” i this is already something you do very well.

Both should2. be specic with a clear plan or growth and the name o someone who will holdyou accountable. So, “study the Word more” is not sufciently detailed. Instead, develop a spe-cic plan such as “ I will read through Romans this next month and write down my observations,

interpretive questions, and applications in a journal - Steve will hold me accountable weekly .”

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Principle rom Ephesians:

Verses where it is discussed:

Plan o Action: I wi...

aictio #1

Principle rom Ephesians:

Verses where it is discussed:

Plan o Action: I wi...

aictio #2

End your study by returning to the Lord in prayer. Tank Him orwhat you have learned this week, ask Him to help you apply the prin-ciple you have chosen, and lay beore Him the needs o your ellowsmall group members.

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AppendixPrinciples of Interpretation- p1211.

Creating Lists - p1222.

Discipleship Resources - p1233.

20



1) picis of Itttio

Principle #1 - Your goal is to discern the author’s intended meaning to the original audi-ence. Unortunately, most people begin their Bible study by asking, “What does this passage meanto me?” While there may be multiple possible applications to my lie, there is only one meaning, theauthor’s intended meaning; and we must rst seek this out. Tis involves three important steps.

Always1. start your study with prayer, asking the same God who composed Scripture

through these ancient authors to give you insight to understand His intended meaning.

Be very careul to2. avoid reading your 21st century circumstances and theological is-sues into the text as they will skew your understanding.

Work diligently to see the text3. rom the point o view o the original readers. o do this:[a] dig into the historical and cultural background using Bible dictionaries and commentaries,and [b] spend a ew moments thinking about the original audience’s religious understandingby asking - What books o the Bible did they have access to? What did they know about God?about Jesus? about salvation? etc.

Principle #2 - Assume a “normal” use o language. Te Bible was given to us because Goddesired to communicate with us, not to hide Himsel rom us. Tereore, we should not be look-ing or “hidden” meanings as we study. Instead, we should use the “normal” techniques we woulduse to understand any piece o literature:1. Study the grammar. Yes, most o us hated grammar in junior high, but it really is helpul

or understanding Scripture! So pay attention to nouns, verbs, adjectives, and prepositions.Tink through any gures o speech. Observe how phrases and clauses are connected intosentences and how sentences are linked together into paragraphs.

2. Remember that chapters came later. When Paul wrote Corinthians or Luke wrote the booko Acts, they wrote single, unied stories without verse or chapter divisions. Tese bookswere meant to be read just like you would read a letter or a novel. So always keep the overallstory in mind as you study each passage.

Principle #3 - Let Scripture interpret Scripture. Since God is unchangingly truthul andalways consistent (John 17:17; Hebrews 3:6; James 1:17), we can, and should, expect the sameo His Word. Tis has two practical applications:1. Check your conclusions. Always compare your conclusions with the teachings o Scripture

as a whole. I you nd that your interpretation o a passage contradicts the clear teaching o Scripture elsewhere, you probably need to revise your conclusions.

2. Allow clear passages to illuminate ambiguous passages. Whenever you encounter a pas-sage that is conusing or open to multiple possible interpretations, use clearer passages o Scripture to guide you to the correct interpretation.

One last caution - remember that God revealed Scripture progressively, not all at once. Tere-ore, we should not be surprised by dierences between how people related to and understoodGod at dierent times in the history o Scripture. For example, while Abraham needed only be-lieve that God was aithul in order to be justied (Genesis 15:6), in the N era, we must believein Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection to be saved (1 Corinthians 15:1-7).



2) Bos Ski: Ctig lists Tis skill involves identiying a key word, subject, person, place, or event in the passageand then listing every act given about that word. For example, i you made a list on “God” rom2 imothy 1, it might look like this:

God...1. md p ost b His wi (1)2. gis gc, mc d c (2)3. is th Fth (2)4. is thkd d sd (3)5. gis gifts (6)6. dos’t gi siit of timidit (7)7. gis siit of ow, o, d sod mid (7)8. gis ow fo sffig (9)9. sd s (9)10. cd s (9)

As you read this list, what jumps out at you? Perhaps you see that “God gives” is men-tioned ve times in this list. What a gracious and loving God we serve! You have discovered oneo the characteristics o God: His generous grace toward men. By creating these lists, you will begin to see patterns o truth that you will want to study urther. For example, this list about Godmay lead you to do a word study on give or nd all the other reerences in Paul’s epistles to God’sgiving nature. Furthermore, this list can now be used or meditation, to praise and worship Godto encourage others, and to proclaim the character o God to the lost.

One word o caution about lists, however. Just because you are able to create a list cen-tered on a key word, such as “God” in 2 imothy 1, does not mean that Paul’s main point in the

passage is to talk about that key word. Paul’s emphasis in 2 imothy 1, in act, is not to discussattributes about God; it is to encourage imothy to press on in the ministry o the gospel. Somake sure that beore you create any lists, you complete the initial processes o observation: listthemes, mark up the text, and record your most signicant observations. However, ater theseinitial tasks, creating lists is a great way to deepen your study o a passage!

A P P E N D I X

22



3) Discishi rsocsOne o the predominant themes throughout the book o Ephesians is the relationship be-

tween our high calling and our high conduct. It is important that we know the truth o the Bibleand that our lives would more and more begin to reect Jesus Christ. Spiritual growth clearlyinvolves study o God’s word, but it also involves transormation o our character and lie. Tis

process is oten called “discipleship” and reers to an intentional relationship between a maturebeliever and a younger believer where the ormer trains the latter towards the goal o spiritualmaturity. Paul’s discipleship o imothy (and itus as well) is one the greatest examples we haveo this process in all o Scripture. And like Paul, we too can make a lasting impact or God’s king-dom by spiritually reproducing ourselves in the lives o others.

Going through this Bible study was one o the best steps you could take to prepare you todisciple someone else because now you know how to explain and deend key biblical truths likethe gospel, spiritual leadership, grace, and salvation. Just as important, you have now learnedand practiced the basic method o Bible study - survey, observe, interpret, apply, synthesize.Tese are key steps towards spiritual maturity that you can now pass on to others!

But where can you go rom here to learn more about spiritual multiplication? Here are aew helpul resources:

Te Master Plan of Evangelismp by Robert ColemanTis is a highly motivational analysis o Jesus’ own principles o evangelism and discipleship.

Te Lost Art of Disciple Making p by Leroy EimsTis very practical resource will give you a detailed structure to ollow and great contentto cover as you begin to disciple a new believer.

A Survey of Bible Doctrinep by Charles Ryrie

Tis is not a book about discipleship. It is, instead, an easy-to-read, relatively short system-atic theology primer that you can walk a new believer through to ground them in the aith.

Essentials of the Faithp by Grace Bible Church, CS XTis small group Bible study packet walks a new believer through the undamental truthsand practices o the Christian aith in ten sel-paced lessons.

ephesians college 2009 ibs

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