Ephesians Week 12

Day 1 

READ 

Ephesians 5:10-11 

10 Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. 11 Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them 

Paul wants believers to exercise their knowledge and wisdom to do that which pleases the Lord. Notice what Paul calls the works of evil and darkness—they are “worthless.” Rather than taking part in these useless activities, believers are to use their spiritual insight and energy to expose them. One way to expose them is by living in a significantly different way so it will be obvious to unbelievers that a believer in Christ does not live as they do. 

REFLECT 

Are you doing all you can to make sure your life is pleasing the Lord? Live your life in such a way that others will realize you have no part in worthless acts of evil and darkness. 

RESPOND 

Read Romans 7:4-6 to see more about what Paul says about the deeds of evil and good. 

Day 2 

READ 

Ephesians 5:12-14 

12 It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. 13 But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, 14 for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” 

On the one hand Paul says to expose evil deeds, now he says it is shameful to talk about such things. How does one reconcile these statements? One can talk about what is evil, such as sex outside of marriage and adultery within marriage, without going into the graphic details about them. Here Paul refers not only to the evil deeds of unbelievers but also to “their evil intentions.” The motivations of the heart will be exposed when the light of Christ shines on them.  

REFLECT 

Pray for your unbelieving friends that they will turn to Jesus in faith for salvation and they will be made aware of their motivations for wrongdoing. 

RESPOND 

With your disciple, read Galatians 5:16-18 that tells about the struggle between obeying the sinful nature or obeying what the Spirit wants. The Holy Spirit was given to help believers be discerning in this.  

Day 3 

READ 

Ephesians 5:15-17 

15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. 

Believers in Christ are not to be careless in the way the live, but careful. Others are watching so believers need to be wise in this regard. The day has only 24 hours in it, but believers are to take every opportunity they have to honor Christ in these evil days. Only those who are foolish do not care what pleases the Lord. Believers are to be different. They are to understand what the Lord wants them to do.  

REFLECT 

Even if it is sometimes difficult to determine exactly what the Lord’s will is, do you have the desire to please Him in whatever you do? 

RESPOND 

Talk with you disciple about the importance of doing God’s will. His will can only be found in the Bible. Seldom is it directly stated but it is in such passages as 1 Thessalonians 4:3; 5:18; and 1 Peter 2:15. Read these verses and assess how you and your disciple are doing in following the direct will of God. 

Day 4 

READ 

Ephesians 5:18 

8 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, 

Observe the contrast in this verse: the one drunk with wine is controlled by the wine; the one filled with the Holy Spirit is controlled by the Spirit. But how does one become filled with the Holy Spirit? When one believes in Jesus for salvation, nothing is being held back—even life itself. At that point the Holy Spirit comes into the life and takes control. That which takes Him out of control is something the believer does that dishonors the Lord. When that is confessed, the Spirit again takes control. 

REFLECT 

Do you have any unconfessed sin preventing the Holy Spirit from controlling you? 

RESPOND 

Read and think about 1 John 1:8-10. Believers are in the family of God by trusting Jesus. Personal sin does not remove them from the family but breaks fellowship. This passage tells how to restore the fellowship. 

Day 5 

READ 

Ephesians 5:19-20 

19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. 20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Paul now tells what the behavior is like for those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit. Praising God in music will be an outflow of those believers filled with the Spirit even if that music is only “in your hearts.” Another indication of a Spirit-filled life is giving thanks for “everything.” Each circumstance in life may not be something for which you can be thankful, but you can thank the heavenly Father that all these things are working together for good, as Romans 8:28 says. 

REFLECT 

Have you noticed joy in your heart when you have no unconfessed sin? Are you thankful for everything by knowing it can all work into God’s plan for you? 

RESPOND 

It is perhaps the most difficult to give thanks for some difficult people you know. Read 1 Timothy 2:1-3 to see what Paul says about giving thanks for all people.