Lesson 8
Read Mark Learn Bible Studies
To the Praise of His Glory
A Study in Ephesians
But that is not the way you learned Christ!--assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus. Ephesians 4:20-21
Ephesians 4:17-32
Read Ephesians 4:17-32
In our study of chapter two we learned that we were once dead in trespasses and sins, we once followed the course of the world, and we once lived in the passions of our flesh. What we once were is no longer true of us now that we are in Christ. Again, Paul exhorts us to not walk according to our old nature, our old identity.
1) How does Paul describe unbelievers?
2) What are they ignorant of and what reason is given for this ignorance?
3) In Ephesians 4:19 Paul speaks of the consequences of having a calloused heart. What does a hardened heart cause?
4) But, that is not the way you learned Christ. While unbeliever' minds are darkened, believers have light and learn Christ. What is it that we learn in Christ? See verses 20-24.
As we learn Christ he changes us from the inside out!
5) In Ephesians 1 and 2 we learned what we are in Christ. Paul now tells us how we can make our positional righteousness a practical reality by putting on the new self. Paul contrasts the old self with the new self. What other contrasts do you find in this passage?
6) Having come out of darkness into the light of truth we have an obligation to one another for a certain kind of conduct by which we will be a blessing. What instructions does Paul give in Ephesians 4:25-29 regarding:
7) Paul warns against giving the devil an opportunity. What kinds of opportunities do you think Paul refers to and how can we prevent Satan from gaining a foothold?
8) A new heart produces a new kind of conduct. We have been given a new heart yet we are still able to fill our hearts and minds with the wrong things just as we are able to walk according to what we were before we knew Christ. What command does Paul give in verse 30?
Our hearts, minds, actions, and speech affect our relationships with man and with God. We can live in a way that glorifies God or we can grieve him. Is there a hard spot in your heart that grieves the Holy Spirit? Do you grieve him with unedifying speech? Ask God to reveal anything in your life that grieves him, confess it and ask him to work in that area for transformation.
9) Verse 31 begins with Let all.... God himself will deal with things in our lives that don't belong there. What things does this verse say we are to allow to be put away from us?
10) Paul does not only give a negative command of don't, he also gives a positive command of do. After putting on the new self and being renewed in the spirit of our minds, how are we to treat each other?
11) The degree to which we act like Jesus is the degree to which we have put on the new self (our true self) and have been renewed in the image of Christ. What areas of your life will you seek God for transformation that you could become more like him?
Copyright © 2007, Carol Duffy. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Read Mark Learn Bible Studies
To the Praise of His Glory
A Study in Ephesians
But that is not the way you learned Christ!--assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus. Ephesians 4:20-21
Ephesians 4:17-32
Read Ephesians 4:17-32
In our study of chapter two we learned that we were once dead in trespasses and sins, we once followed the course of the world, and we once lived in the passions of our flesh. What we once were is no longer true of us now that we are in Christ. Again, Paul exhorts us to not walk according to our old nature, our old identity.
1) How does Paul describe unbelievers?
2) What are they ignorant of and what reason is given for this ignorance?
3) In Ephesians 4:19 Paul speaks of the consequences of having a calloused heart. What does a hardened heart cause?
4) But, that is not the way you learned Christ. While unbeliever' minds are darkened, believers have light and learn Christ. What is it that we learn in Christ? See verses 20-24.
As we learn Christ he changes us from the inside out!
5) In Ephesians 1 and 2 we learned what we are in Christ. Paul now tells us how we can make our positional righteousness a practical reality by putting on the new self. Paul contrasts the old self with the new self. What other contrasts do you find in this passage?
6) Having come out of darkness into the light of truth we have an obligation to one another for a certain kind of conduct by which we will be a blessing. What instructions does Paul give in Ephesians 4:25-29 regarding:
- our anger?
- our work?
- our speech?
7) Paul warns against giving the devil an opportunity. What kinds of opportunities do you think Paul refers to and how can we prevent Satan from gaining a foothold?
8) A new heart produces a new kind of conduct. We have been given a new heart yet we are still able to fill our hearts and minds with the wrong things just as we are able to walk according to what we were before we knew Christ. What command does Paul give in verse 30?
Our hearts, minds, actions, and speech affect our relationships with man and with God. We can live in a way that glorifies God or we can grieve him. Is there a hard spot in your heart that grieves the Holy Spirit? Do you grieve him with unedifying speech? Ask God to reveal anything in your life that grieves him, confess it and ask him to work in that area for transformation.
9) Verse 31 begins with Let all.... God himself will deal with things in our lives that don't belong there. What things does this verse say we are to allow to be put away from us?
10) Paul does not only give a negative command of don't, he also gives a positive command of do. After putting on the new self and being renewed in the spirit of our minds, how are we to treat each other?
11) The degree to which we act like Jesus is the degree to which we have put on the new self (our true self) and have been renewed in the image of Christ. What areas of your life will you seek God for transformation that you could become more like him?
Copyright © 2007, Carol Duffy. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
