Further Thought: We conclude by reflecting on Ephesians Chapter 6, where we discover that we, the church, are the peace-waging army of God. In Ephesians, Paul has portrayed the church as the body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23; Ephesians 4:11-16), as God’s temple (Ephesians 2:19-22), and as the bride/wife of Christ (Ephesians 5:21-33). In Ephesians 6:10-20, Paul describes the church as … Continue reading –>
As you read Ephesians 5:1-33, reflect on how Paul asks us to live out the gospel in our relationships with others. Which of his exhortations is especially meaningful to you? If you start reading Ephesians 5:1-33 at its beginning, you may miss the full power of an important theme. So start instead with Ephesians 4:32, in which … Continue reading –>
In Ephesians 4:1-32, Paul asks believers to stop doing some things and to be sure to do others. What are those things? Ephesians Chapter 4 begins and ends with calls to care for each other as church members (Ephesians 4:1-3, Ephesians 4:32). Between these invitations, Paul offers strong support for the idea that we should nourish unity … Continue reading –>
Why is it both important and exciting to be part of God’s church? Ephesians 3:1-21. We are encouraged when we hear church members say positive things about the church. However, the most enthusiastic among us falls short of Paul’s exuberant testimony in Ephesians 3:1-21 about the church. Paul starts a report of his prayers for believers … Continue reading –>
Lesson 14 *September 23-29 Ephesians in the Heart SABBATH AFTERNOON Read for This Week’s Study: Ephesians 1:1-23-Ephesians 6:1-24 . Memory Text: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in … Continue reading –>
As you read Ephesians 2:1-22, seek to answer this question: What has God done for us through His Son Jesus Christ? “But God … .” Those two words must be the most hope-filled ones known to humankind. In Ephesians 2:1-10, Paul describes the grim past of his audience. Sharing the plight of all humanity, they were bent … Continue reading –>
Someone has described Ephesians as the Alps of the New Testament. Paul, our mountaineering guide, takes us on a rapid ascent in Ephesians 1:1-23. We are quickly breathless and amazed at the view from the summit. Reflect on Ephesians 1:1-23. What especially inspires you? What peaks do you see? Ephesians 1:3-14 functions like a map at a … Continue reading –>
Sabbath Afternoon Read for This Week’s Study: Ephesians 1:1-6:24 . Memory Text: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we … Continue reading –>
Power of a Few Words By Andrew McChesney When armed conflict erupted in his homeland of Ukraine in 2022, Alexei Arushanian was living safely across the border in Poland, where he had worked for several years, installing windows in people’s homes. But he had many relatives in Ukraine, and he was worried about them. He … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: “An army in battle would become confused and weakened unless all worked in concert. If the soldiers should act out their own impulsive ideas, without reference to each other’s positions and work, they would be a collection of independent atoms; they could not do the work of an organized body. So the soldiers … Continue reading –>
