Ephesians Week 8

Day 1 

READ 

Ephesians 4:5-6 

5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, 

who is over all, in all, and living through all. 

Paul wrote to the believers about their need for personal unity. Now he expresses the unity in the heavenly realm One Lord Jesus Christ, one faith by which everyone becomes right with God, and one baptism associated with Jesus may be water baptism by which believers identify with Christ and His followers. Paul reveals how ultimate and sovereign the heavenly Father is—He is over all, in all and living through all. What a high privilege all believers in Jesus have. 

REFLECT 

Even though believers are not able to fully understand all that Paul wrote they can understand enough to know they serve a great God. 

RESPOND 

For the “one faith” read the one-chapter letter of Jude and what he wrote in verses 3-4. This faith has been “once for all” delivered to believers and they are urged to defend it. Nothing yet needs to be added. 

Day 2 

READ 

Ephesians 4:7-8 

7 However, he has given each one of us a special gift[a] through the generosity of Christ. 8 That is why the Scriptures say, “When he ascended to the heights, 

he led a crowd of captives and gave gifts to his people.”[b] 

Just as conquers in Old Testament times gave gifts to their loyal subjects, here Paul sees Jesus doing something similar. Notice this includes each believer. None can justifiably claim that he or she has been left out. Paul will mention later that these gifts are gifted people given to build up the Church, the body of Christ. Each believer has a part in doing this. 

REFLECT 

What spiritual enablement do you think the Lord has given to help you encourage and build up other believers? 

RESPOND 

On the topic of spiritual gifts, with your disciple read other passages such as Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:27-31; 1 Peter 4:10-11. This will give you a better understanding of spiritual gifts along with Ephesians 4. 

Day 3 

READ 

Ephesians 4:9-10 

9 Notice that it says “he ascended.” This clearly means that Christ also descended to our lowly world. 10 And the same one who descended is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that he might fill the entire universe with himself. 

At the time of His crucifixion, Jesus experienced death, burial and resurrection. After His resurrection Jesus was on earth 40 days appearing in His resurrected body to prove He was alive.  Ten days later He ascended to the Father. Jesus had come from the Father when He took on a human body so He could grow to adulthood and die for the sins of the world. After His resurrection He ascended to the Father and gifts were given to the Church.  

REFLECT 

Ponder all that Jesus went through for you and all mankind. Thank Him that your eternal destiny has been changed from hell to heaven by believing in Him.  

RESPOND 

Luke the physician and historian wrote a gospel by his name and the book of Acts. Read Acts 1:1-11 to read about the ascension of Jesus into heaven.   

Day 4 

READ 

Ephesians 4:11 

11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 

Paul now lists the gifts referred to earlier. Notice that these are people that Christ gave after His ascension as gifts to the early church and beyond. The apostles and prophets were foundational before the Scriptures were complete. Evangelists, pastors, and teachers build on that foundation.  

An evangelist is one who proclaims the need to trust in Jesus as Savior; pastors are shepherds of their people; teachers are those who explain the Scriptures. All use the same holy Bible but minister in different ways. 

REFLECT 

Do you fit into one of these categories of gifted people Paul mentioned?  

RESPOND 

With your disciple, read 2 Timothy 4:1-6. The word “preach” in some translations means “proclaim.” All believers can do this even in a one-on-one relationship. Notice even if one does not have the gift of evangelist, each believer is to do the work of an evangelist. 

Day 5 

READ 

Ephesians 4:12-13 

12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. 

Now Paul lists the responsibilities of these gifted people Jesus gave to the Church. They are not to do the work of the ministry; they are to equip others to do it. This process should result in building up the body of Christ. How long should it last? Until believers have such unity in their faith they will be mature in the Lord. The goal should always be to measure up to the standards Christ has set.  

REFLECT 

Are you one who is equipping others or are you one who is being equipped to do God’s work? 

RESPOND 

Talk with your disciple about what is being learned from this passage. In a local church some want the “professional” leaders to do all the work. Stress to your disciple that these leaders are to equip others to do the work.