Further Thought: Looking back at Ephesians 5:1-20 as a whole, we watch Paul take a strong stance against sin and evil, especially in the form of sexual immorality and crude speech. He is unwilling to accept the presence of corrupt behavior among the people of God. Instead, he calls the believers in Ephesus to a high standard … Continue reading –>
Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. Ephesians 4:29 NLT Forgive me (and I know you will because Ephesians 4:32 tells us to) for tarrying in last week’s Sabbath School lesson a little longer, but … Continue reading –>
Is this True or False? Covetousness/Greed is a less grievous sin than sexual immorality. Join us as we discuss Lesson 9, Living Wisely. (1)
Continue reading -->In Ephesians 5:18-20, Paul imagines Christians gathered to worship. What does he depict them as doing in that worship? In his final argument in Ephesians 5:1-20, Paul urges believers to turn away from the mind-numbing use of wine and instead experience together the presence and power of the Spirit. Paul bans drunkenness (probably with a quotation from Proverbs 23:31 in … Continue reading –>
Paul concludes Ephesians 5:1-20 with two clusters of exhortations, Ephesians 5:15-17 and Ephesians 5:18-20, completing a section with sustained interest in sexual purity. The first cluster begins with the exhortation, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise” (Ephesians 5:15, ESV), restated as “do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:17, … Continue reading –>
The book of Ephesians does show 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. Work For The Night Is Coming – Hymn 375 portrays what is in our Memory Text this week: “making the best use of … Continue reading –>
Key Thought In Ephesians 5, Paul contrasts what pagans and believers value. Believers need to forget about partying and focus on all that is good, right, and true. August 26, 2023 1. Have a volunteer read Ephesians 5:1-10. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this … Continue reading –>
Read Ephesians 5:11-14. What powerful warning is Paul giving here, and how does this apply to our present situation? To understand Ephesians 5:11-14, it is helpful to observe that Paul repeatedly offers two exhortations, alternating between them: (1) live a God-honoring lifestyle as “children of light” (Ephesians 5:8; see also Ephesians 5:1-2, Ephesians 5:4, Ephesians 5:9-10, Ephesians 5:11, Ephesians 5:13-14); (2) don’t live … Continue reading –>
Lesson 9 *August 19-25 Living Wisely SABBATH AFTERNOON Read for This Week’s Study: Ephesians 5:1-20; 1 Corinthians 5:1-11; Revelation 16:1-16; Colossians 4:5; Proverbs 20:1; Proverbs 23:29-35; Acts 16:25. Memory Text: “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore … Continue reading –>
Paul writes, “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience” (Ephesians 5:6, NKJV). Paul has identified those who practice various sins without shame or repentance, the “sexually immoral, or impure, or who is covetous” (Ephesians 5:5, ESV). He has offered a blunt … Continue reading –>
In what sense does Paul intend believers to be “imitators of God”? See Ephesians 5:1-2, NKJV. Paul urges the believers in Ephesus to walk in love, a call important to this section (see Ephesians 5:8, Ephesians 5:15). This “walking in love” (see Ephesians 5:2) is to be modeled after Christ’s own love for us (compare Ephesians 4:32), expressed in His atoning sacrifice. Paul affirms four things … Continue reading –>
Sabbath Afternoon Read for This Week’s Study: Ephesians 5:1-20; 1 Corinthians 5:1-11; Revelation 16:1-16; Colossians 4:5; Proverbs 20:1; Proverbs 23:29-35; Acts 16:25. Memory Text: “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:15-17, ESV). … Continue reading –>
