Jesus and Me A Study of the Book of

Build discussion Ephesians

Chapter 4
OBJECTIVES
1. to see the importance of walking in purity and unity
2. to appreciate the gifts Christ has given the church for our edification, and the need for each one to do
their share

SUMMARY
Paul exhorts the Ephesians to walk in a manner worthy of their calling starting in this chapter until the
last chapter. He pleads them to “walk in unity” and went as far as to give ways on how to do it (1-7). The unity
of the Spirit is then defined as consisting of one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and
one God (4-6). Perhaps as motivation, Paul reminded them of the gifts Christ gave the church (11). Paul shows
us how to stay safely on God's path through all the twists and turns that church life, marriage, family
relationships, work, and even spiritual battles can bring. Are you ready? Let's start!

OUTLINE
I. A call to walk in unity
A. Preserving the unity of the Spirit
1. To walk worthy of our calling (1)
2. With the proper attitudes (2-3)
a. Humility
b. Gentleness
c. Patience
d. Loving Tolerance
e. Diligence in preserving unity

3. The unity of the Spirit defined (4-6)

a. One Body
b. One Spirit
c. One hope of your calling
d. One Lord
e. One faith
f. One baptism
g. One God and Father of All

Living Insights

How gentle are your words? Your tone? Do your words create a safe place for others? Or do you tend to
launch sharp, flaming arrows that cause others to raise their shields? How well does gentleness mark your
speech? How would you like to grow in this aspect?

As with our attitudes and actions, we need to align our words with a God-given purpose: safe-guarding
the unity Christ created for us on the cross. Now, we won't always agree with each other, and we will hurt and
offend and anger each other as we bump along the path toward heaven together. We're still human, remember,
which means that things are likely to get bumpy! But the WAY we deal with these disagreements and hurts and
offenses can make ALL the difference.
 B. Edifying the Body of Christ
1. For to each one grace was given as measured out by Christ (8-10)
a. as foretold in the Scripture
b. having ascended far above all the heavens to fill all things

2. Gifts Christ gave to His church (11)

a. apostles
b. prophets
c. evangelists
d. pastors
e. teachers

3. Reasons for God's gifts to the Church (12-16)

a. for the equipping of the saints
b. for the work of service
c. for the building up of the body

4. Signs of a Built-Up Body

a. Mature minds (13)
b. Stability (14)
c. Truthful Tongues (15)
d. Cooperation (16)

Review Questions
1. What gracious gifts has been given by Christ to His church?
2. What are the purpose of such gifts or functions?
3. As we speak the truth in love, what are we to be doing? What assists us in this?

II. A call to walk in purity

A. Here's how to get dressed
1. The Old Wardrobe
a. a dark mind
b. a hard heart
c. a sin- filled life
2. A Change of Wardrobe
a. cleaning up with a renewed mind
b. putting on the likeness of God

B. Living Free (Ephesians 4:25-32)

1. Freedom from falsehood
2. Freedom from anger
3. Freedom from theft
4. Freedom from unwholesome speech
5. Freedom from unkindness and unforgiveness

Words of Wisdom
“We have our part to do in dressing ourselves with the divine wardrobe, for here, clothes do make a man---and a
woman! We must daily set aside the rotting garments of the old man. We must formally reject sensuality and
selfish pride and materialism and bitterness. We must read the Word and ask God to renew our minds through the
Spirit. We must work out our salvation by doing those things that will develop a biblical mind. We must put on
our new shining garments of light. We must put on what we are!
 R. Kent Hughes
 Further Reading
What does renewing of the mind mean?

Read these verses and write in your own words what each one teaches about renewing of the mind:

1. Psalm 1:1-2
2. Romans 12:1-2
3. 2 Corinthians 10:5
4. Philippians 1:9-11
5. Philippians 4:8-9
6. 2 Timothy 3:14-17

References

Copeland, Mark. (2001). the epistle to the ephesians- a study guide with introductory comments,
summaries, outlines, and review questions. Retrieved fromhttp://www.executableoutlines.com. Date
retrieved June 2, 2015.

Swindoll, Charles. (2001). Becoming a people of grace. USA: Insight for Living.