Week 4: Embrace The Purpose

“There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

- Ephesians 4:4-5

DAY 1

Read Ephesians 4:1-13

  • According to these verses, how should we treat each other?  

  • What five gifts are listed here? And what is the purpose of the gifts? 

  • What are your gifts, skills, and talents?

DAY 2

Read Ephesians 4:14-16

  • What description is given of the body of Christ?

  • What does speaking the truth in love mean to you?

  • The process of growing from spiritual infancy to maturity is a lot like the growth of our physical bodies.  People ideally progress from self-centered, completely dependent infants into autonomous, other-centered adults, with many steps of growth in between.  If we were to compare our spiritual growth stages to physical growth stages, they might look something like this:

    • Infancy – Exploring the faith, uncommitted to Jesus, & completely dependent on more mature Christians to introduce the faith and offer a sense of connection 

    • Childhood – Newly committed to Jesus & very dependent on more experienced Christians to guide in the faith and assist with connection

    • Young Adult – Growing in commitment to Jesus & beginning to independently exercise the faith through presence, prayers, resources, gifts, and witness 

    • Adult – Completely committed to Jesus & becoming increasingly outward-focused, discipling newer Christians within the church, witnessing to unreached people, and intentionally using resources for God’s work in the world

    In which stage(s) do you fit best at this point in your spiritual journey?  Explain.

DAY 3

Read Ephesians 4:17-24

  • According to these verses, what are some of the symptoms of a hardened heart?

  • In your own words, what does it mean to put off our old self and put on our new self?

  • What is something about your thoughts, words, or actions that has changed because of your relationship with Jesus?

Day 4

Read Ephesians 4:25-28

  • What are the reasons for work?    

  • What are the dangers of venting our anger?  Of holding onto our anger?  What is a better way to handle anger than these two approaches?

  • When have you experienced having a relationship damaged by lying or anger?    

Day 5

Read Ephesians 4:29-32

  • What rules should govern our speech?  

  • How should we act? Why?

  • Which one of these areas (lying, anger, useful work, speech, or forgiveness) do you personally struggle with the most?  Why?

DAY 6

Reread Ephesians Chapter 4

  • Lingering questions? New insights?

  • Consider the following note for Ephesians 4:12,13 in the NIV Study Bible:

     “It is a human tendency to overestimate what we can do by ourselves and to underestimate what we can do as a group.  But as the body of Christ, we can accomplish more together than we would dream possible working by ourselves.” 

  • Think about the gifts you see within your group.  Make a short list of the gifts which are easily recognizable to you.  How do you see this group working together to support each other or accomplish work for God?