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Category Archives: Ephesians Together

“Growing Up Together” is a study through the book of Ephesians to help us understand the importance of the church to our spiritual growth.

Before and After – Ephesians 2:1-22

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This is the third lesson for an online Bible study through the book of Ephesians. The entire lesson is posted below. You can read it here and answer the questions in a journal or you can download the PDF or Word Docand print a hard copy. Either way, I would love for all of you to interact with me and each other in the comments section of this blog page. Post insights, ask questions, and discuss the lesson. Let’s get started!

We’ve all seen them many times. Those “before and after” photos that portray the dramatic difference that some diet, makeover, or remodeling project wrought. Even many popular television shows like “The Biggest Loser,” “What Not to Wear,” and “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” find their success in the “before and after” theme.

The “before” lacks something vital, suffers from some affliction, or fails to fulfill its purpose. The “after” has received what it lacked, been healed and made whole, and can meet its fullest potential. We love this transformation, the process of becoming an “after.”

Chapter two of Ephesians reads like “Extreme Makeover: Spiritual Edition.” Paul paints a graphic picture of what we looked like before God saved us. Then Paul reveals the beautiful “after” portrait. He also clearly shows us what Christ did to cause the transformation.

Read Ephesians 2:1-22 to get the “big picture” effect.

Now, let’s dig in. You’re going to need something to write on, so grab a tablet, piece of paper, or your journal. If you printed a hard copy of this lesson, you can even turn it over and use the back. Now draw a line right down the middle from top to bottom. Label the left column “before” and the right column “after.”

Before

Look back through 2:1-22. As you do, in the left column of your paper list all words, phrases, and facts that describe our condition “before” God saved us.

My list was long – and ugly. How about yours? Before God saved us our condition was dire and “hopeless.” Let’s condense all of Paul’s disturbing descriptions to two basic truths:

  1. We were dead in our sins.
  2. We were separated from God.

Read Romans 5:12-14 and Romans 6:23. Explain why we were “dead” before God saved us.

We were separated from God, who is Spirit, because our spirits were dead from the effects of sin. We were “objects of wrath” – deserving of God’s punishment. We were unbelieving and under God’s condemnation (see John 3:17-18). But praise God, He did not leave us that way!

After

Look through chapter two again. This time look for the words and phrases that describe our condition “after” God saved us. Write these words and phrases in the right column of your paper. When possible right them across from the corresponding condition in the left column. For instance, “before” salvation we were “dead in our transgression” but after salvation we are “alive in Christ.”

Here is a picture of our spiritual “before and after.” Before, God intervened we were dead and eternally separated from God, but after His saving work of grace, we are alive in Christ and reconciled to God. Very similar descriptions are found in several other biblical passages. Let’s take a look.

Read Titus 3:3-7. What additional “before and after” descriptions do you find in this passage?

 

According to verse 5, what causes our spiritual rebirth?

Jesus talked about this spiritual rebirth in a conversation with a Pharisee named Nicodemus.

Read John 3:1-8. What did Jesus say must happen for someone to be saved (“enter into the Kingdom of God”)?

Sin-dead spirits made alive again by the powerful activity and presence of the Holy Spirit! But does God simply pour out His Spirit on sinners because He loves us? Scripture is clear that God loves us and desires to have a relationship with us. But no matter how great His love, our holy God cannot ignore our sin. In his classic devotional, My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers elaborates.

The great miracle of the grace of God is that He forgives sin, and it is the death of Jesus Christ alone that enables the divine nature to forgive and to remain true to itself in doing so. It is shallow nonsense to say that God forgives us because He is love. Once we have been convicted of sin, we will never say this again. The love of God means Calvary – nothing less! The love of God is spelled out on the Cross and nowhere else. The only basis on which God can forgive me is the Cross of Christ. It is there that His conscience is satisfied. – Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, November 19

God’s love desired mercy. But God’s justice required that the price for sin be paid. God demanded the death penalty for our sin and then provided it Himself through the death of Christ. Ultimate mercy. Transforming grace.

Transforming Grace

Although God’s work of grace on our behalf is sprinkled throughout the entire chapter, the heart of God’s transforming work is found in verses 4-10. The first three verses of chapter 2 paint a dismal scene of our “before” condition. But then we get to the “but!”But because of His great love for us…

Reread Ephesians 2:4-10. Write every phrase that includes a “with Christ,” “in Christ,” or “with Him” or “in Him.”

Now reread Ephesians 1:19-20. What parallels do you see?

Christ’s death and resurrection satisfy the justice of God. Our salvation is possible because of this work of Jesus on our behalf. According to what we see here in Ephesians, Christians – those who have trusted in Christ’s work for salvation – also indentify with His resurrection and glorification! Our new life is truly “in Christ.” We have been joined with Him. God’s work through Christ is His work in us.

God works through Christ for our benefit. We cannot buy or earn our salvation. God graciously gives it through the vehicle of faith. And even our faith is a gift of God through the Holy Spirit (2:8-9). We have no reason to boast only great cause to glorify our Savior.

Eternal grace. Paul tells us why God undertook this great spiritual “before and after.” God made us alive in Christ, raised us up with Christ, and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms so He could continue to display His incomparable grace and kindness throughout all eternity (2:7). We are His glorious masterpiece (2:10), proof of God’s great goodness and unceasing mercy. May He be praised!

Repurposed

Recently, I met with a staff member of a local church. After our meeting she gave me a tour of their lovely facility. The older section of the building had just been remodeled and updated. My guide used the term “repurposed” to highlight the fact that the rooms were being used differently than they had been before. For instance, the former sanctuary is now a gathering room for groups and old children’s classrooms are now offices for preschool staff.

Reread Eph 2:10. How have you been spiritually “repurposed?” Describe the difference between “your” purpose for your life before salvation and God’s purpose for your life after salvation.

God has a purpose for your life. He poured out His grace and gave your new life. He raised you up in Christ and even now you “sit with Him in the heavenly realms.”

I’d love to hear your thoughts about your “before and after.” What’s the biggest difference God has made in your life personally?

Please respond to any of today’s questions in the comment section of this post. Share insights, ask questions, or simply praise our God.

Weekly Challenge

(Each week, in addition to the weekly lesson, I will provide an opportunity – for those who have the time and desire – to go a little deeper. If you are unable to do this, please don’t worry, but if you can, take the plunge!)

Do you know Ephesians 2:8-9 by heart? If not, I challenge you to memorize these two verses this week. These verses, which encapsulate the Gospel message, will help you share the Good News with those around you!

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Powerful Prayer – Ephesians 1:15-23

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This is the third lesson for an online Bible study through the book of Ephesians. The entire lesson is posted below. You can read it here and answer the questions in a journal or you can download the PDF or Word Doc and print a hard copy. Either way, I would love for all of you to interact with me and each other in the comments section of this blog page. Post insights, ask questions, and discuss the lesson. Let’s get started!

I love technology. I have a laptop, an iPad, an iPhone, and a Kindle. There is no end to the wonders I can perform with these four marvelous tools. With my iPhone alone I can remotely turn on my porch lights, record my favorite television show, and never again lose my car in a parking garage.

The power to do all that and more is in the palm of my hand. Just one problem: My knowledge of how to do it is limited. I can do a lot with these tools – in fact, I’ve even taught others who know less than me. But I still have much to learn before I will be using these devices at their full potential.

The Christian life is similar. Last week we learned that God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ. As Peter put it, we have everything we need for life and godliness. All this is available to us through the presence of the Holy Spirit. But have we learned how to stand on, rest in, and apply these blessings to our lives?

In the passage we studied last week (1:1-14), Paul beautifully elaborated on the spiritual blessings we have in Christ. Then, beginning in verse 15, Paul shifts from praising God for what He has done into thanking God for his readers and interceding with the Father on their behalf.

Paul’s Prayer

Read Ephesians 1:15-23.

When Paul wrote this letter, it had been at least five years since he had seen the believers in Ephesus, but he had heard wonderful reports about their faith. Their continued growth encouraged him and fostered thanksgiving. In turn, Paul encouraged them with his letter and prayers for them. Paul’s relationship with the believers in Ephesus demonstrates that God designed our faith to be relational. He never meant for us to be lone Christians! We see this truth all throughout Scripture and will look at it more closely later in this study.

These believers had “every spiritual blessing” and strong faith in Christ, yet Paul still prayed for them. Why? Although the full power of the Holy Spirit resided within them, they had not accessed everything God had already made available. They still had some growing and learning to do. It sounds just like me! How about you?

Look back at verses 15-23. Make a list of the specific things Paul prayed for the believers in Ephesus. Focus on verses 17-19.

One thing that helped me see the heart of Paul’s requests for the Ephesians was to temporarily take away the descriptive words and phrases. Here’s what I ended up with:

I pray God will give you insight and discernment so you will grow in your knowledge of Him. I pray God will help you understand: 1) the hope to which He has called you; 2) the riches of your eternal inheritance; and 3) the resurrection power that is available to believers.

Before we take a brief look at each of these, let’s recall how this “insight, discernment, and understanding” is possible. To do that, we’ll take a quick detour to two of Paul’s other letters.

Read Romans 8:9-10. Who lives within every believer?

Read 1 Corinthians 2:9-16. How are believers able to understand spiritual things? How is it possible for believers to grow in their personal knowledge of God?

Growing in Knowledge and Understanding

Now that we’ve confirmed that God is able to answer these prayers through the presence of the Holy Spirit, let’s get back to Paul’s requests. First, Paul prayed that the Ephesian believers would grow in their knowledge of God. The Greek word translated as “know” in the NIV and “knowledge” in the ESV is epignosis. It refers to the “fullness of knowledge acquired through personal acquaintance.”

What’s the difference between knowing about someone and knowing them personally?

What are some things you are purposefully doing to get to know God better? Is there something else you could be doing to experience God, His character, and His ways?

Next, Paul prayed that the Ephesians would grow in their understanding of three specific things. He asked God to help them understand the present benefits of their salvation in Christ, their future inheritance as children of God, and the power that made both possible.

The Greek word translated as “calling” or “called” in verse 18 is “used especially of God’s invitation to man to accept the benefits of salvation” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words). Paul uses the same word in Ephesians 4:1 to refer to our current earthly life. Our relationship with God gives hope for this life, not just the next.

In what ways have you experienced God’s blessings in this life? How does your relationship with God give you hope for today?

Read Titus 3:7, Matthew 25:34, and Galatians 3:26-4:7. Compare these passages to Ephesians 1:5 and 18. These passages help us understand the nature of our “future inheritance.” Check all of the following statements that accurately reflect the teaching of these passages.

___Those God saves become His child and Jesus’ sibling and co-heir.

___God’s heirs will inherit eternal life.

___God’s heirs will share in His Kingdom.

___Each of God’s heirs are on equal standing with all God’s children.

___God’s heirs are Abraham’s seed, children of promise.

___God’s heirs also receive the Spirit of His Son.

Are you reeling yet from the enormity of all God’s promises? If you’re still on your feet – or in your chair – the impact of this next truth should take care of that.

Resurrection Power

Reread Ephesians 1:19-20. What miracle does Paul say was accomplished by the same power that is working inside believers?

Did you tremble when you answered that question? The exact same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead and gave Him authority over all things is the exact same power that is available to believers today!

Believer, what area of your life needs to experience this power today? Are you facing an overwhelming challenge? Does some stronghold have a stranglehold on you? Has God called you to a task, ministry, or area of service for which you feel inadequate? If so, write that below.

Considering the “incomparably great power for us who believe,” how can God work in the area of your life you wrote above?

As Paul ended his prayer in chapter one, he reflected on the power and position of Christ. We serve a Savior who has both the power and authority to rule and reign!

Reread Ephesians 1:20-23. Rewrite these glorious truths about Jesus in your own words.

Here’s two ways we can interact with each other this week:

  1. Respond to any of today’s questions in the comment section of this post. Share insights, ask questions, or simply praise our God.
  2. Share ways the rest of the group can pray for you. If you see a request, feel free to post a prayer. That way we can all pray for each other this week.
  3. Wait! One more thing! I’d also like to know if you accepted last week’s challenge and memorized Ephesians 1:3.

Weekly Challenge

(Each week, in addition to the weekly lesson, I will provide an opportunity – for those who have the time and desire – to go a little deeper. If you are unable to do this, please don’t worry, but if you can, take the plunge!)

Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians can help us pray for ourselves and others. When we pray Scripture, we can be assured we are praying in God’s will! Print a hard copy of Ephesians 1:15-23. Put it in your Bible or where you have your quiet time. Use it this week to pray for others.

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Every Spiritual Blessing – Ephesians 1:1-14

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This is the second lesson for an online Bible study through the book of Ephesians. The entire lesson is posted below. You can read it here and answer the questions in a journal or you can download the PDF or Word Doc and print a hard copy. Either way, I would love for all of you to interact with me and each other in the comments section of this blog page. Post insights, ask questions, and discuss the lesson. Let’s get started!

 

Imagine that a dear friend left a large package on your doorstep. The heavy box, which was beautifully wrapped, was topped with a note written in your friend’s hand.

Absolutely everything you will ever need is in this box. I give it to you freely, with much love.

What would you do? Would you bring it inside, open it and use the contents or would you simply talk about it and admire the wrapping? Most of us would begin to excitedly rip off the paper while we were dragging it inside! Then we would call our friend and profusely thank him for the indescribable gift. Next we would pull it all out of the box and begin to use it!

God has blessed us with everything we need to live an abundant life of faith in Christ. This is Paul’s focus in the first chapter of Ephesians.

“He has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ” (1:3, NIV).

But before we explore what this incredible promise means, let’s begin our study of the book of Ephesians at the beginning of the book!

Read Ephesians 1:1-2. Who wrote the letter? To who was the letter sent?

The first two verses of Ephesians is a conventional first-century address. Typically, the writer identified himself, addressed the recipients, and offered a traditional greeting. As mentioned last week in the introductory lesson, this letter was also likely distributed among all the churches in the Roman province of Asia. This is probably one of the reasons that the letter doesn’t seem to address a specific problem or issue. Although the content is more general in nature, it is full of deep truth about the working of God’s grace in our lives.

Read Ephesians 1:3-14.

The verses you just read are all one long sentence in the Greek. Once Paul started praising God he didn’t stop to take a breath for twelve verses! It reminds me of an excited young child who wants so much to tell you everything; she doesn’t even slow down enough to breathe. I can see Paul, hunched over the papyrus, writing with excitement and joy over what God has done.

Read 2 Peter 1:3 and compare it to Ephesians 1:3. This verse in 1 Peter helps us understand what “every spiritual blessing in Christ” means. Using the information in these two verses, describe the nature and purpose of what God has blessed us with. (For instance, are these blessings material or something else? Why does God give us these blessings?)

God has not promised us physical health or worldly wealth. His promises are spiritual in nature and eternal in scope. The blessings He lavishes on us are exactly what we need to deepen our relationship with God, grow to Christ-likeness, and fulfill God’s purposes for our lives.

Contemplating this glorious truth moved Paul to praise. Paul’s praise includes a long list (though not exhaustive) of some of the many ways God has indeed “blessed us in the heavenly realms,” centering on what the Father has done for us in Christ.

Work your way back through verses 4-14. Make a list of all the blessings we have “in Christ.”

Look back at your list. This is why Paul got so excited. Don’t you just want to shout out loud? Or jump up and down?! We are chosen, adopted, redeemed, and forgiven! God has lavished His grace on us (love this!) and sealed us with the Holy Spirit until we receive our eternal inheritance as His beloved daughters! Amen and amen!

Verses 4-14 are a beautiful description of what God does when He saves us. Before salvation, we are separated from God because of our sin. But then God intervenes! Paul’s description shows how each member of the Trinity works in our salvation. Let’s consider the vital role of each.

Describe the role God the Father has in our salvation:

Describe the role Jesus has in our salvation:

Describe the role the Holy Spirit has in our salvation:

Our salvation is based solely on the character and action of God. The Father initiates our salvation. He chooses us in love and calls us to hope in Christ. Jesus makes our salvation possible by satisfying the requirements that God’s justice demands. “The wages of sin is death” (Rom 6:23). Jesus paid our debt with His own blood. The Holy Spirit applies God’s saving work to our lives. He restores our spiritual life. The Spirit’s presence with every believer is God’s promise that we belong to Him. The Spirit protects us and guarantees our eternal life to come!

God’s spiritual blessings for us proceed from the Father, are made possible by the Son, and are activated in our lives by the power of the Holy Spirit.

We’ve seen what God has blessed us with and how we receive His blessings. Now let’s consider “why.”

Why did God choose to “bless us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ?” Make a list below of all the reasons you can find in verses 3-14.

You may have really had to dig to answer that last question because there are so many treasures hidden in that passage. So, to summarize, God saved us and lavished His blessings on us because:

  • He wants to make us holy and blameless (vs 4)
  • It pleased Him and He wanted to (vs 5)
  • Our salvation will bring Him praise (vs 6)
  • He is loving and full of grace (vs 6-7)
  • To carry out His plans and purposes in Christ (9-11)

Oh, there is so much more in these verses we could dig out! But we must finish up for today or I am afraid you won’t come back! But, before we go, let’s make some personal application.

Think about your current life circumstances – physical, relational, and spiritual. Even though God’s blessings to us are spiritual in nature, they powerfully apply to every single thing God has allowed into our lives. What circumstance in your life needs to be affected by His blessings today? How can the “riches of God’s grace” work in this circumstance to bring Him praise?

Contemplate the blessings of God today and respond with praise!

Please respond to any of today’s questions in the comment section of this post. Share insights, ask questions, or simply praise our God.

Weekly Challenge

(Each week, in addition to the weekly lesson, I will provide an opportunity – for those who have the time and desire – to go a little deeper. If you are unable to do this, please don’t worry, but if you can, take the plunge!)

This week I challenge you to memorize Ephesians 1:3. I’ve been working on 1:3-6 for a couple of weeks now, so I know you can do it!

 

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Growing Up Together – Ephesians Introduction

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I have waited for today with great anticipation! I am so excited about everything Ephesians holds for us and so honored that you have decided to join in. Before we jump in, I’d like to praise our God with His own words from Ephesians 3:20: “Now to him who is able to do abundantly more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

This is the introductory lesson for an online Bible study through the book of Ephesians. The entire lesson is posted below. You can read it here and answer the questions in a journal or you can download the PDF or Word Doc and print a hard copy. Either way, I would love for all of you to interact with me and each other in the comments section of this blog page. Post insights, ask questions, and discuss the lesson. Let’s get started!

Grace.  Grace.  Grace.

Paul’s letter to the Christians in Ephesus is a beautiful declaration of God’s grace working in our lives. From salvation, throughout our earthly life, and into eternity, God graciously works in us to bring us to our full potential in Christ.

Ephesians presents God’s purpose, power, and plan for living the abundant life in Christ.

Our salvation is just the beginning of what God wants to do in our lives. He has earthly plans and spiritual purposes He wants to accomplish through us, by His power working in us. In order to accomplish these plans and purposes, God must grow us up spiritually until we reach “the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (4:13).

Our salvation is God’s work from beginning to end. And only the Holy Spirit has the power to transform us into the image of Christ (2 Cor 3:18; Eph 1:19-20). But as we will see in Ephesians, both the individual and the church have indispensible roles in a believer’s spiritual growth. Our spiritual maturity is a joint venture! God, the believer, and the church work together to grow us up in Christ.

Cooperative Effort

Let’s take a quick look at each role. But first, I want to emphasize that neither individual believers nor the church can fulfill the role God has given us without His grace and power working in us to accomplish it. Isn’t it amazing that God includes us in the work that only He can do?!

God’s Role: Read Ephesians 2:8-9. Describe this work of God’s grace in our lives.

Our Role: Read Ephesians 4:17 and 5:1. Describe God’s expectations for the individual believer.

The Church’s Role: Read Ephesians 4:11-13. Describe God’s intention for the church in the lives of believers.

I hope this “sampling” whet your appetite for what we are going to explore in depth together over the next 6 weeks. Next Wednesday we will start with Ephesians chapter one! But before we end our time together today, let’s briefly discuss the background of the book to gain the context we need to best understand the letter.

Background and Beginnings

It is generally and traditionally accepted that the Apostle Paul (1:1 and 3:1) wrote this letter to the Christians in Ephesus in the early 60’s AD from prison in Rome (3:1, 3:13, 4:1 and 6:20). Likely, the letter was also intended to be circulated to the other churches in the Roman province of Asia as well. That would include the seven churches mentioned in Revelation.

Paul established the Ephesian church during his second missionary journey around 50-51AD. Since, Ephesus was the capitol of Asia and a hub for commerce, rooting Christianity here provided the opportunity for growth throughout that part of the world.

Read Acts 18:18-21. Paul’s first visit to Ephesus was brief, he could not stay. Who did he leave behind to carry on the work he started?

Paul spent about three years, approximately 52-55, in Ephesus during his third missionary journey (see Acts 19:1-41 and 20:1). What struck me as I read this account in Acts was the power with which the Gospel message was displayed.  This powerful display generated radically different responses.

Read Acts 19:11-12. In what ways did God display His power and validate the Gospel message?

Read Acts 19:17-20. How did those who accept the Gospel respond?

Now glance over Acts 19:23-41. Those who felt threatened by the message of Christ responded with hatred and violence. Same message. Drastically different responses. Those in Ephesus who hated the message ran Paul out of the city, but the message remained and spread.

Paul’s commitment to the message of Christ cost him his freedom and eventually his life at the hand of a Roman executioner. But he would not turn back. When Paul wrote Ephesians, the readers knew he was in prison for his faith in Christ. One of Paul’s purposes in writing to them was to make sure his suffering did not discourage them in their commitment to stand firm in their faith (Ephesians 3:13). In fact, he encouraged them to continue to grow to reach their full potential in Christ (4:13).

For discussion: As we close our first lesson in Ephesians prayerfully consider your spiritual condition. Are you steadily growing in spiritual maturity? Are you discouraged and tempted to give up? Or maybe you’re somewhere in between and need encouragement to keep moving forward toward God’s purpose for you. Where are you now?

 

Weekly Challenge

(Each week, in addition to the weekly lesson, I will provide an opportunity – for those who have the time and desire – to go a little deeper. If you are unable to do this, please don’t worry, but if you can, take the plunge!)

Before next Wednesday, read the entire book of Ephesians in one sitting. It’s just six chapters! Keep a pen and paper handy. As you read, take note of the following recurring themes:

  • God’s grace
  • The intercession of Christ on our behalf (lots of “with/in/through/by Christ”)
  • Contrast of life without Christ and life with Christ
  • Praise and prayer

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An invitation to spiritual growth

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We can’t make ourselves grow spiritually. Only the Holy Spirit has the power to transform us into the image of Christ (2 Cor 3:18). But God does expect our obedient and active cooperation (1 Cor 9:24-27). One way we can purposefully “train ourselves to be godly” (1 Tim 4:7-8) is by studying God’s Word and applying its truths to our lives.

Here’s an opportunity to “train yourself for godliness.”

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Join me Wednesday, January 18th for the first lesson in “Growing Up Together: A Study of Ephesians.”

I would love to know if you plan on joining in!

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