EPHESIANS LIVE-IT-OUT GUIDE

(MEMBER VERSION)

 

SESSION 7: EPHESIANS 4:1-16

 

OPENING DISCUSSION:  

 

Worthy of the Calling –  The past few years have not been great for the reputation of law professors in Singapore. In 2013, a professor from the NUS Faculty of Law was sentenced to 5 months in jail after a high-profile sex-for-grades case involving a 21-year-old student. Although the High Court eventually acquitted him of corruption, it was not without strong words for the professor, who was referred to as a “man without honour”. In 2015, another law professor was sentenced to 4 months in jail for clobbering a taxi driver while under the influence of alcohol. Events like this cause us to raise our eyebrows. Shouldn’t law professors know better? After all, don’t they teach the law?

 

In a case like this, we might say that “the man proved unworthy of his high office as a law professor”. In other words, the professorship deserves a better man. When we say something like that, notice how our focus is on the worth of the office and not on the man. We are saying that the greatness of his calling should have constrained him to lead a life worthy of his call. But it didn’t. And now the public has much less regard not only for him, but for all law professors.

 

Have you encountered a similar situation – where someone has failed to live in a manner worthy of his or her calling? How did it affect your view of this person’s calling? 

 

 

GOING DEEPER

 

Read Ephesians 4:1-16

 

Brief Recap: Chapter 4 verse 1 is the big “hinge” in the book of Ephesians. In the first 3 chapters, Paul has explained to us, in great detail, what God has done, according to God’s eternal plan to unite all things in Christ. From chapter 4 onwards, Paul shifts from what God has done to what we must be and do. Paul shifts from belief to behaviour; position to practice; calling to conduct. Let’s take a look.     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.      In today’s passage, Paul’s main exhortation is for us to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,” (verse 1, ESV). Remember our opening discussion? Compared to law professors, Christians have an even greater calling. And this calling deserves much from us.  

 

a.      In verse 1, why does Paul remind us that he is a “prisoner for the Lord” (ESV)?

 

 

 

 

 

b.      In verses 2 and 3, Paul explains to us what it means to walk in a manner worthy of our calling. What does Paul focus on?  

 

 

 

 

 

c.       According to verses 4 to 6, what is the basis for unity within the Church?

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.      Now the big question is this: How do we maintain the unity of the Spirit? Fortunately, we are not left on our own to figure this out. From verse 7 to 16, Paul describes a 3-part process.

 

Part 1 focuses on Christ. Grace is given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift (verse 7, ESV). All of us need God’s grace to be humble, patient and loving. This grace comes from Jesus’ triumphant work on the cross (His descending and ascending – verse 8 to 10).

 

In verse 8, Paul quotes Psalm 68:18. Take a moment to read Psalm 68:1-19. What is the main idea in these verses? Why you do think Paul refers to this Psalm in Ephesians 4:8? 

 

(Note: In some Bible translations, Psalm 68:18 reads: “You ascended on high… receiving gifts from men”. The original Hebrew word can be translated as both “receiving” and “giving” – a conqueror receives gifts from his captives and then gives them to his own people.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.      Part 2 focuses on 4 types of people that Christ has given to the Church: apostles, prophets, evangelists and shepherd-teachers (verse 11).

 

a.      Who are these 4 types of people and what do they have in common?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

b.      According to verses 12 to 14, what is their role?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

c.       Before we are equipped by word ministries to be united in the knowledge of God, we will be like “children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes” (verse 14, ESV).

 

On a scale of 1 to 10, to what extent do you feel like this kind of child?

(1 = Not like this child; 10 = Fully like this child)   

 

God’s desire is for us to be mature and stable in the faith. How can we better place ourselves under word ministries inside and outside PMC? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

d.      As a LG, spend some time praying for evangelists and shepherd-teachers you know.

 

 

 

 

4.      Part 3 focuses on every Christian. Instead of avoiding conflict and sweeping things under the rug, the Church is meant to maintain unity by “speaking the truth in love” (verse 15, ESV).

 

a.      What do you find more difficult: Speaking the truth? Or speaking in a loving manner? Why?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

b.      When was the last time you spoke the truth in love to a fellow Christian? Or had someone speak the truth in love to you? Share with your group.

 

 

 

 

 

 

c.       Within your LG, practice speaking the truth in love to one another. Are there any conflicts that need to be resolved or concerns that should be openly expressed?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CLOSING PRAYER

 

Close the session with prayer, asking God for grace to walk in a manner worthy of our calling.