Ephesians Week 14

Day 1 

READ 

Ephesians 5:31 

31 As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” 

Here Paul quotes Genesis 2:24. After God had made Eve from Adam’s rib, Adam exclaimed, “This one is bone from my bone, and flesh from my flesh! She will be called ‘woman,’     because she was taken from ‘man.’” Jesus also referred to this when He said, “Haven’t you read the Scriptures? They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female’” (Matthew 19:4). God’s plan has always been one man for one woman. He allowed polygamy but He never approved it. 

REFLECT 

Notice how Jesus referred to people and events in Genesis as real people and real events. 

RESPONSE 

With your disciple, read Deuteronomy 17:16-18 to see what God said about kings multiplying horses, wives and wealth. As said above, God allowed multiple wives but He never approved it. 

Day 2 

READ 

Ephesians 5:32-33 

32 This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. 33 So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. 

Still referring to marriage as an illustration of Christ and the Church, Paul said it is a “mystery.” That is, the body of Christ was not revealed in the Old Testament but is now in the New. Jesus and His body—the Church—are one just as the husband and wife are one. Paul concludes referring to the Christian marriage by saying the husband is to love his wife as himself and she is to respect her husband. His discussion of this related to how believers reveal they are filled with the Spirit (5:18). 

REFLECT 

Does it help you grow in your appreciation to realize how many things are revealed in the New Testament that were not in the Old? This is particularly true about the Church—the body of Christ. 

RESPOND 

Read Colossians 1:17-19 to be reminded of Christ being the head of the Church. Notice also that Jesus is the one who “holds all creation together.” All He has to do is remove His hand and everything would fly apart. 

Day 3 

READ 

Ephesians 6:1-3 

Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. 2 “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: 3 If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.” 

As he continues to show how believers evidence they are filled with the Spirit, Paul now moves from marriage to children. Note Paul is still addressing a Christian family as the children “belong to the Lord.” To obey is the “right thing” for them to do. It is also the way a child reveals he or she is Spirit-filled. Paul here refers to Exodus 20:12, one of the Ten Commandments, in urging children to obey their parents. 

REFLECT 

It must be distinguished that Paul is addressing “children” here and not grown adults. Children are to trained how to be good husbands/wives in the future and how to treat their own children. The example of father and mother will be the greatest influence on their lives. 

RESPOND 

Discuss with your disciple the differences of children living at home and those who are living in homes of their own. Honor and respect are always pleasing to the Lord. 

Day 4 

READ 

Ephesians 6:4 

4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord. 

How do Christian fathers evidence they are Spirit-filled? Paul says it is about not provoking their children. One translation says, “Don’t keep on scolding and nagging your children, making them angry and resentful.” The word “discipline” is related to “training” not to “punishment.” The Christian father should “bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.” Fathers should view their children as potential men and women of God. 

REFLECT 

Do you know of families who evidence these characteristics? Perhaps it is your own, if not your own, what other family comes to mind? 

RESPOND 

Read Proverbs 22:6 about training children. If you have other translations available, check how they render this verse.  

Day 5 

READ 

Ephesians 6:5-6 

5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. 6 Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. 

Paul has touched on wives, husbands, children, fathers, and now he talks about slaves. In the Roman Empire slaves were common. The word “servants” is now used to refer to cultures that do not have slavery. The Greek word translated “slave” is doulos, which refers to a “bound one.” A Christian who is bound to his master, whether a slave or servant, should follow Paul’s instructions. Serve with deep respect and fear; please them; do not be a clock-watcher. Paul addresses his remarks to those who are actually “slaves of Christ.”  

REFLECT 

What lessons do you take to heart from this passage? 

RESPOND 

Read Exodus 21:4-6 that gives the background for what is commonly referred to as a “bond-slave.” It is one who is bound to his master, loves him, and does not want to leave him.