In this “Ephesians 4-5” lesson taught by Joy Welsh in a women’s Bible study video from Refuge Calvary Chapel, you’ll delve into the importance of unity and walking worthy of God’s calling. The lesson focuses on using your spiritual gifts, loving like Christ, and avoiding sinful behavior while living in the light of God’s glory. It emphasizes the need to speak truth, work hard, be kind, forgiving, and grateful. The lesson also highlights the significance of being filled with the Holy Spirit and submitting to one another. The study ends with a prayer of thankfulness and a reminder to continue studying God’s word. So get ready to dive into these two powerful chapters of Ephesians and discover how you can live a life that glorifies God and reflects His love and grace.
Lesson 4: Ephesians 4-5
Introduction
In this Bible lesson from Ephesians 4-5, taught by Joy Welsh in a women’s Bible study, we will explore the key teachings and messages from these chapters. The lesson emphasizes the importance of unity and walking worthy of God’s calling. It encourages followers of Christ to use their spiritual gifts, love like Jesus, and avoid engaging in sinful behavior. Additionally, it highlights the significance of living in the light of God’s glory, speaking truth, working hard, being kind, forgiving others, and expressing gratitude. The lesson also emphasizes the need to be filled with the Holy Spirit and submit to one another in love. Finally, we will conclude with a summary of key lessons, encouragement to apply the teachings, and some final thoughts and reflections.
Context and Background
Before diving into the specific teachings from Ephesians 4-5, it is important to understand the context and background of these chapters. The video of this lesson is from Refuge Calvary Chapel, and it addresses the key themes found in the book of Ephesians. The apostle Paul wrote this letter to the Ephesian church while he was in prison. The first three chapters of Ephesians focus on what God has done for us, while chapters 4 onwards provide directions on how we are to walk and live our lives as followers of Christ.
Importance of Unity and Walking Worthy
Unity in the Body of Christ
Paul begins this section by urging believers to walk in a manner that is worthy of the calling they have received. He uses the metaphor of a prisoner of the Lord to emphasize his complete surrender to God’s will. Paul implores the Ephesian church, and us, to have a walk that is worthy of the calling with which we are called. This means living a life that is characterized by humility, gentleness, patience, and love. It also entails bearing with one another and working towards maintaining unity in the body of Christ.
Living a Worthy Life
Living a worthy life is not about earning or deserving God’s grace, but rather responding to His love and salvation with gratitude and obedience. It involves walking in a manner that reflects our identity as children of God and ambassadors of Christ. This means being intentional about our thoughts, words, and actions, and aligning them with the teachings of Scripture. It also means being faithful stewards of the spiritual gifts that God has given us.
Understanding God’s Calling
God’s calling on our lives is not just a personal invitation, but also a shared purpose as members of the body of Christ. We are called to unity, love, and service in the body. Our calling involves being faithful witnesses of Christ’s love and grace to the world. By living according to God’s calling, we bear witness to His transformative power and bring glory to His name.
Using Spiritual Gifts and Loving like Christ
Identifying and Using Spiritual Gifts
Every believer has been given spiritual gifts by the Holy Spirit. These gifts are not qualifications for leadership, but rather tools to serve others and build up the body of Christ. It is important for each believer to identify their spiritual gifts and use them faithfully for God’s kingdom. By using our spiritual gifts, we contribute to the unity and growth of the church.
The Importance of Love
Love is central to the Christian faith. Paul emphasizes the importance of walking in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us. Love should permeate every aspect of our lives, motivating our thoughts, words, and actions. It is through love that we reflect the character of Christ and draw others to Him.
Imitating Christ’s Love
As followers of Christ, we are called to imitate His sacrificial love. This means putting others’ needs before our own and actively seeking ways to serve and bless others. We are called to love not just in word, but in deed and truth. By imitating Christ’s love, we demonstrate God’s love to a world in need.
Warning Against Sinful Behavior
Avoiding Lying and Unwholesome Talk
Paul warns believers to avoid engaging in sinful behavior such as lying and unwholesome talk. Instead, we are called to speak the truth in love, edifying and encouraging one another. Our words have the power to build up or tear down, so we must use them wisely and for God’s glory.
Rejecting Anger and Stealing
Paul also urges believers to set aside anger and stealing. Instead, we are called to be kind, tender-hearted, and forgiving towards one another. By rejecting sinful behavior, we demonstrate the transformative power of Christ’s love and reflect His character to the world.
Rejecting Unwholesome Words
In addition to avoiding lying and unwholesome talk, Paul also warns against using obscene, foolish, and filthy language. Instead, we are called to speak words that are filled with grace, encouragement, and thanksgiving. Our words have the power to impact others, so let us use them to build up and bring glory to God.
Living in the Light of God’s Glory
Walking as Children of Light
Paul exhorts believers to walk as children of light, shining the light of God’s truth and goodness in a dark world. As children of light, we are called to live a life of holiness and righteousness, avoiding participation in the unfruitful deeds of darkness.
Exposing Fruitless Deeds of Darkness
Living in the light involves exposing the fruitless deeds of darkness through our transformed lives. By living in purity and integrity, we demonstrate the power of Christ’s salvation and draw others to Him.
Seeking Wisdom and Understanding
Living in the light also entails seeking wisdom and understanding from God’s Word. We are called to walk in wisdom, making the most of every opportunity, and understanding the will of the Lord. By seeking God’s wisdom, we navigate the challenges of life with discernment and godly wisdom.
Speaking Truth, Working Hard, and Being Kind
The Power of Truthfulness
Paul encourages believers to speak truthfully to one another, avoiding falsehood and deceit. Speaking the truth not only fosters trust and genuine relationships, but it also reflects the character of God, who is the ultimate source of truth.
The Virtue of Hard Work
Paul emphasizes the importance of working hard and putting in our best effort. By engaging in honest labor, we provide for ourselves and others, and we honor God with our work.
The Importance of Kindness
Kindness is a virtue that should characterize our interactions with others. It involves treating others with gentleness, compassion, and care. By showing kindness, we reflect the love and kindness of our Heavenly Father.
Forgiveness and Gratitude
Forgiving Others as Christ Forgave
Forgiveness is an essential aspect of the Christian life. Just as God forgave us through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, we are called to forgive others. Forgiveness sets us free from bitterness and resentment and fosters unity and reconciliation in our relationships.
Living a Life of Gratitude
Gratitude is a powerful antidote to discontentment and selfishness. A thankful heart acknowledges God’s provision and faithfulness in our lives. By cultivating gratitude, we develop a perspective of abundance and contentment.
Developing a Thankful Heart
Developing a thankful heart involves intentionally recognizing and expressing gratitude for all of God’s blessings, big and small. It is a daily practice that transforms our attitudes and draws us closer to God.
Being Filled with the Holy Spirit
The Role and Importance of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is an essential part of the Christian life. He empowers and enables believers to live in obedience to God, equips them with spiritual gifts, and guides them into all truth.
Allowing the Holy Spirit to Guide
Being filled with the Holy Spirit involves continually surrendering to His leading and allowing Him to guide our thoughts, words, and actions. By relying on the Holy Spirit, we experience His guidance, comfort, and transformation in our lives.
Experiencing the Fruits of the Spirit
The Holy Spirit produces fruit in the lives of believers. These fruits include love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. As we walk in step with the Holy Spirit, these fruits become evident in our character and relationships.
Submitting to One Another
Mutual Submission in Relationships
Believers are called to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. This mutual submission is not about one person exerting control or dominance over another, but rather about placing others’ needs and interests before our own.
Humility and Putting Others First
Humility is a key characteristic of mutual submission. It involves recognizing our own limitations, weaknesses, and need for God’s grace. Humility also means considering the needs, interests, and well-being of others above our own.
Exemplifying Christlike Submission
Christ is the ultimate example of submission. He willingly humbled Himself, even to the point of death on the cross, for the sake of others. As followers of Christ, we are called to emulate His example of selfless love and sacrificial service.
Conclusion
In this comprehensive Bible lesson from Ephesians 4-5, we have explored important teachings on unity, walking worthy of God’s calling, using spiritual gifts, loving like Christ, avoiding sinful behavior, living in the light of God’s glory, speaking truth, working hard, showing kindness, forgiving others, expressing gratitude, being filled with the Holy Spirit, and submitting to one another. Let us remember these key lessons and apply them in our lives, so that we may bring glory to God and be a blessing to others. May these teachings enrich our faith journey and inspire us to continue studying and applying the Word of God in our lives.