Off the Shelf Sunday School--Ephesians

The Preservation Of Unity Through Diversity (4:7-16)

But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men.” (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

1.  Grace is the unmerited favor of God. People do not have equal gifts and talents. Everyone has been given unique blessings that define us; our places in the world (and for Christians, in the body of Christ). (1 Pet 4:10)

2.  Paul summarizes the work of Jesus in descending from heaven to be born. His sacrificial death and his resurrection and ascension into heaven. Salvation is totally the work of Jesus and so he is the one who bestows the grace of salvation through election. Believers are being made into a holy people through the work of the Holy Spirit. This work will be completed at the resurrection of believers. Jesus is the supreme king over every part of the universe. (Jn 3:35; 1 Pet 2:9-11)

3.  Jesus, through working of the Holy Spirit and in keeping with the will of the Father, calls and enables people to become part of his body which is the Church. The Church is founded upon leaders who were the apostles, prophets (Mark/Luke), evangelists (Stephen/Phillip), pastors (elders/presbyters), and teachers.

4.  The work of the church leaders is to equip God’s people for works of service. These good works grow the number of believers. Sound biblical teaching helps Christians to have a stronger faith through knowledge about Jesus and promotes unity. What is the fullness of Christ?

 5.  Think of some “mature” Christians. What qualities or characteristics do they have that cause you to think of them as mature Christians? (Gal 5:22-26)

6.  Mature Christians have confidence in Jesus because they know and believe in the Bible. They also have a deep and personal love relationship with Jesus that enables them to speak truth with love. Truth and love are both needed to grow other Christians and to reach the lost. (1 Pet 3:15-16)