EPHESIANS: BEING THE BODY OF CHRIST - A Survey of the Bible
Ephesians: Being the Body of Christ
A Survey of the Bible
For the bulletin in PDF form, click here.
Ephesians Chart - Wilson
Introduction to Ephesians - David Garland
The Message of Ephesians - John Stott
Ephesus and the Ephesian Disturbance - Sandra Glahn
Artemis of the Ephesians - Sandra Glahn
Context: Who, Where, When, and Why?
• Who composed Ephesians?
• Who was the original audience of Ephesians?
• When and where was Ephesians written?
• Why was Paul writing?
Content: How and What?
• How is Ephesians organized?
Introduction: Greeting and Blessing- “Grace and Peace” (1:1-2)
Position: The Wealth of the Believer - We are “in Christ” (1:3-3:21)
• DOXOLOGY: The Praiseworthy Work of the Trinity in our Salvation (1:3-14)
• A Prayer for Understanding (1:15-2:23)
• REDEMPTION - Made Alive in Christ (2:1-10)
• RECONCILIATION - Peace Through Christ (2:11-22)
• MINISTRY - The Mystery of Christ (3:1-13)
• A Prayer for Growth (3:14-21)
Main Idea: Walk Worth of Your Calling - "Practice Your Position” (4:1)
Practice: The Walk of the Believer - We should live “as Christ” (3:1-6:20)
• Walk in Unity (4:1-16)
• Walk in New Life (4:17-32)
• Walk in Love (5:1-6)
• Walk in Light (5:7-14)
• Walk in Wisdom - Filled with the Spirit (6:15-6:9)
• Stand in Armor - Spiritual Warfare (6:10-20)
Conclusion: Summary, Exhortation, and Benediction (6:21-24)
• What is the message of Ephesians?
Conviction: So What?
• Where does Ephesians fit?
- Ephesians is Paul’s most generic letter. It does not address a particular problem or issue. Because of this, it was quickly circulated to many churches.
- Ephesians is abundantly enthusiastic, perfectly balanced, and extremely clear.
- Ephesians shows how duty flows out of doctrine; our belief leads to our behavior.
• What should we believe?
- We have been saved by grace and are children of God.
- We have abundant provisions for living the successful Christian Life.
• How should we behave?
- Walking worthy of our calling. Practicing our position.
- Allowing the Holy Spirit to control all of our relationships.
- Standing strong in the midst of spiritual warfare.
Next Steps
• Know the full package of what you believe.
• Live out your faith in light of who you are.
This Week's Growth Guide
God’s Word is both central and critical to your spiritual growth. We invite you to utilize the Growth Guide during the week to further your application of the Truth from the message.
•. Monday - Ephesians 1:1-14
•. Tuesday - Ephesians 1:15-23 (Prayer)
•. Wednesday - Ephesians 2:1-10
•. Thursday - Ephesians 3:14-21 (Prayer)
•. Friday - Ephesians 4:1-16
•. Saturday - Ephesians 5:15-6:9
•. Sunday - Ephesians 6:10-20
Home Church
Our Home Churches meet weekly to facilitate quicker relational depth, study the same passage taught
Sunday to help apply Scripture in the context of community, and pray with one another.
Home Church Questions
• What encouragement or challenge did you receive from Ken’s message on Ephesians?
• Chapter 1 portrays our inheritance as obtained in Christ (verse 11), sealed by the Holy Spirit (verse 14), and awarded by the Father (verse 18). What aspects of your spiritual inheritance, both now and in eternity, do you most appreciate?
• How might Paul’s prayer for the Ephesian believers (1:15-19) guide you in praying for others, particularly the three ways that their heart might be “enlightened?”
• Paul declares that “we are God’s workmanship” (2:10), created to do good works. How does this truth affect the way you view your daily life?
• Read Paul’s description of the source and result of power that is available to us as believers (3:16-21). How have you seen God’s power working in your life to do immeasurably more than all that you ask or imagine?
• The section 4:1-16 describes the church as an entity of unity within diversity? What danger exists to the unity of the church from the diversity of personalities and backgrounds? How should you respond to those diverse elements?
• Read the description of the church body in 4:16. How would you describe your role as a “supporting ligament” in the growth and health of the church?
• Paul warns us to “be very careful” in the way we live, “making the most of every opportunity” (5:15). Discuss what is included in “every opportunity” in our daily and weekly lives.
• Apply 6:5-9 to your work life. What kind of workstyle is described, and how are you doing?
• Read the description of the armor of God in 6:10-18. It is provided to “stand against the schemes of the devil” (verses 11, 13, 14). What are the “schemes” that the devil uses in your life to direct you away from God?
• What is your personal take-away from the book of Ephesians? What steps can you take in response?
Finances
Weekly Budget 32,692
Giving For 04/07 48,529
Giving For 04/14 19,249
YTD Budget 1,373,077
Giving 1,459,713
OVER/(UNDER) 86,636
Mobile Pack | April 25 | 6-8 PM
Fellowship has blocked off spots to pack meals for children this Thursday evening, April 25, from 6-8 PM so we can serve together as a church body in this meaningful way. To reserve your spots, go to fellowshipconway.org/register.
New to Fellowship?
We are so glad that you chose to worship with our Fellowship Family this morning. If you are joining us for the first time or have been checking us out for a few weeks, we are excited you are here and would love to meet you. Please fill out the “Connect Card” and bring it to the Connection Center in the Atrium, we would love to say “hi” and give you a gift.
Easter offering update
Thank you so much for your generous giving to the Easter Offering to update the bathrooms and atrium, while making the space better for ministry. There is still time to give. Offering envelopes are at each basket by the doors, or you can give online at fellowshipconway.org/give.
Fellowship on the Lawn | April 28 | 4:30 p.m.
Next Sunday, we will gather at 4:30 PM for fellowship, fun, and food. Food trucks available as well as inflatables for the kids and Kona Ice will be served from 5-6:00 p.m. See you next Sunday!
Invest in the Next Generation
We are wrapping up the school year and preparing to head into summer. We are ending our three-year journey through the Bible and we need you to help us do that. Our children are ready to learn about and worship Jesus. We have positions beginning in the nursery all the way up through fourth grade. Be a part of laying that foundation of faith for our kids. Contact Heather today at hmckinney@fellowshipconway.org.
Women’s Summer Study
Join us for “To the praise of His Glory,” a six-week study of Ephesians led by Heather Harrison. The study is Tuesdays, starting June 4th, from 6-8:00 p.m. here at Fellowship. For child care, text Shanna at 501-336-0332. Register at fellowshipconway.org/register.
Vacation Bible School
Today we are kicking off VBS registration, as well as recruiting for all volunteer positions. VBS is for children currently in grades Kindergarten – 4th grade. For more information and to register, go to fellowshipconway.org/register. Dates for VBS are June 24-28. Cost is $5 per child.
Baby Dedication
Fellowship loves partnering with parents to dedicate them to the Lord. Sunday, May 12th, during both services, we will have a time for parents to dedicate their children and be prayed over by Ken. If you would like to have your children dedicated, email Lisa at lgerdes@fellowshipconway.org. Please include what service you would like.