Drawing on Psalm 68:18, Paul has just described the risen, exalted, conquering Jesus as giving gifts to His people from on high. What “gifts” does the exalted Jesus give, and for what purpose? Ephesians 4:11-13. Paul identifies four groups of “gifted” people as part of the treasure trove of the exalted Jesus that He gives to His church: … Continue reading –>
“However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ. That is why the Scriptures say, ‘When he ascended to the heights, he led a crowd of captives and gave gifts to his people.’” “Notice that it says ‘he ascended.’ This clearly means that Christ also descended to our lowly … Continue reading –>
The book of Ephesians shows us “How to Follow Jesus in Trying Times”: Hymn 623 – I Will Follow Thee, My Saviour so that our actions will always speak louder than our words. Paul encourages us to ask Come, Holy Spirit – Hymn 269 to help us Be Like Jesus – Hymn 311, all because The Church … Continue reading –>
Key Thought: One way we foster unity is by being active parts of the body and contributing to its health and growth. August 12, 2023 1. Have a volunteer read Ephesians 4:1-10. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage. How does Paul encourage believers … Continue reading –>
Lesson 7 *August 5-11 The Unified Body of Christ SABBATH AFTERNOON Read for This Week’s Study: Ephesians 4:1-16 ; Philippians 2:3 ; Psalm 68:18 ; Acts 2:1-47 ; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 1 Corinthians 12:27-30 ; Isaiah 5:4 . Memory Text: “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip … Continue reading –>
What seven “ones” does Paul cite in support of his theme of the unity of the church? What point is he seeking to make with this list? (Ephesians 4:4-6). Paul’s list of seven “ones” has a poetic feel to it and may echo a hymn of affirmation used in Ephesus. The list begins by mentioning two “ones” … Continue reading –>
Read Ephesians 4:1-16. How does Paul encourage believers to nurture the unity of the church? Paul begins the second half of Ephesians (chapters 4-6) with a stirring call to unity, but in two major parts. First, in Ephesians 4:1-6 he asks believers to nurture “the unity of the Spirit” by exhibiting unity-building virtues (Ephesians 4:1-3), a call he supports … Continue reading –>
Sabbath Afternoon Read for This Week’s Study: Ephesians 4:1-16; Philippians 2:3; Psalm 68:18; Acts 2:1-47; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 1 Corinthians 12:27-30; Isaiah 5:4. Memory Text: “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-12, ESV). One of Aesop’s fables is called “The Belly … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: Ellen G. White, “Modern Revivals,” in The Great Controversy, Pages 461-478. “How can we harmonize our dwarfed spiritual condition with the presentation of our text [Ephesians 3:14-19] that describes the fullness of knowledge it is our privilege to possess? How can Heaven look upon us, who have had every spiritual and temporal advantage that … Continue reading –>
What is the mystery of the Gospel? Join us as we discuss Lesson 6, The Mystery of the Gospel. (2)
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