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People are busy, schedules are filled, and there are now so many online options for “virtual church.” So you may wonder, if you can watch a service from home when it fits into your schedule, then is it really necessary to be part of a local church? In his letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul conveys two huge truths. First, believers are united in Christ. It’s a truth that defines our position and describes our possessions as believers. Second, believers are stronger and more effective together. Our connection in a local church is our primary place to exercise spiritual gifts, find encouragement, grow spiritually, receive support, and engage in God’s kingdom. When believers experience true biblical community, it will enhance our personal walk with God and show why we are stronger together. Join us as we study God’s desire for Christians and the Church.
October 16, 2022 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#1 in series)
Ephesians 1:1-2
Paul’s apostleship would convey at least three ideas with the original audience.
1) He __ to Christ.
2) He was sent __ by Christ.
3) He had __ from Christ.
Paul defines Christians in three ways. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, said that these qualities define the “irreducible minimum of what constitutes a Christian.”
1) Christians are __.
2) Christians are __.
3) Christians are __ Christ.
Being in Christ is a statement of __. It describes someone who is __ to Christ in such unity that what is true of Him is also true of us.
KEY DEFINITION: A Christian is someone who is set apart by God, __ in faith to the gospel, remaining __ to the process, and whose life is found in Christ.
The purpose of the letter is found in the primary themes of this letter.
October 30, 2022 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#2 in series)
Ephesians 1:3-14
Points of application that will help you see what’s at stake in studying these verses:
1) These truths set the stage for a lifetime of __ as a Christian.
2) These truths help guide our __ in every situation.
3) These truths result in a heart of __.
4) These truths bring __ even when life seems unstable.
These verses are nicely arranged around the three persons of the Trinity:
Verses 3-6 describe the __ of the Father.
Verses 7-12 describe the __ of the Son.
Verses 13-14 describe the __ of the Spirit.
What do we have in the account?
The heart of the doctrine of election is that “ __ comes from the Lord” (Jonah 2:9).
Paul makes God’s role in salvation clear:
November 06, 2022 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#3 in series)
Ephesians 1:5-7
What has God placed in our spiritual bank account?
1) Election
The heart of this doctrine is that “salvation comes from the Lord” (Jonah 2:9). God “chose us” (v. 4), “predestined us” (v. 5), “gave us grace” (v. 6), “forgave our sins” (v. 7), “lavished His grace” (v. 8), “made known His will” (v. 9), “purposed all things” (v. 9), “included us” (v. 13), and “marked us with the seal of the Holy Spirit” (v. 13). Salvation is God’s work.
2) __
“He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ” (v. 5)
Adoption means becoming God’s sons and daughters with all the __ implied.
3) __
“In him we have redemption through His blood” (v. 7a)
Redemption is used in paying a ransom to release a person from __, especially that of slavery.
In the Old Testament, there were two means of redemption: by __ and by __.
In the New Testament Context, a person could become a slave in one of three ways:
– They could be __ a slave.
– They could become a slave by __.
– They could become a slave by the inability to pay a __.
4) __ of Sins
“… the forgiveness of our trespasses…” (v. 7b)
Redemption means being freed from sin’s power, so that it no longer rules over us. Forgiveness means that God wipes the slate clean so that our __ no longer are held over us.
November 20, 2022 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#4 in series)
Ephesians 1:3-14
What are the blessings in our spiritual bank account?
1) Election
2) Adoption
3) Redemption
4) Forgiveness of Sins
5) God revealed His will to us in __ and insight
6) The __ of the Holy Spirit
In New Testament times, seals were used for three purposes:
1) A seal was used to __ an object or document as being true and genuine.
2) A seal was used to make something personal property.
3) A seal is used to make something __.
7) An __ in Christ
Our inheritance in Christ is an aspect of salvation which is primarily future.
December 04, 2022 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#5 in series)
Ephesians 1:1-14
There are two ways that people approach Christianity:
The Christ-life is a focused pursuit to be with God __ , recognizing Jesus as your life and __ Him to live His life through you.
What does it mean to be “in Christ?”
It means we are united to Christ in such __ that what is true of Him is also true for us.
Christians are one in Christ. We are in Christ and Christ is in us. Our lives are joined together to such a degree that what is true of Him is also true for us.
1) __ together (Romans 6:6; Galatians 2:20)
2) Died together (Romans 6:8; Colossians 2:20; 2 Timothy 2:11)
3) __ together (Romans 6:4, 5; Colossians 2:12)
4) Made alive together (Ephesians 2:5; Colossians 2:13)
5) __ together (Ephesians 2:6; Colossians 2:12, 13; 3:1)
6) Seated together (Ephesians 2:6)
7) __ all things together (Romans 8:32)
8) Life is hidden together (Colossians 3:3)
9) __ together (Romans 8:17; Ephesians 3:6; 1 Peter 3:7)
10) Sharers together (Ephesians 3:6)
How do you access your spiritual account in Christ?
__ in Him!
What does it mean to abide?
The person who is abiding in Christ is the one whose life is intentionally placed in the __ of God.
They live in a state of God-awareness that prompts regular interaction throughout the day. Nothing comes into that person’s life that does not become a part of the relational dialogue.
February 05, 2022 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#6 in series)
Ephesians 1:15-23
There is a progressive nature of knowledge:
In verses 3-14, Paul shared the unlimited __ that believers have in Christ.
In verses 15-23, Paul prays that we will fully __ those blessings in a knowledge gained by experience.
The prayer has four parts. Paul prayed…
February 12, 2023 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#7 in series)
Ephesians 1:15-23
There is a progressive nature of knowledge:
The prayer has four parts. Paul prayed…
Proficient disciples __ God’s glory!
Satan knows that he can never __ God’s glory, but he is relentless in his pursuit to __ God’s glory.
February 19, 2023 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#8 in series)
Ephesians 1:15-23
There is a progressive nature of knowledge:
The prayer has four parts. Paul prayed…
Paul reminds us of Jesus’ power in every realm of life. Jesus has…
April 23, 2023 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#9 in series)
Ephesians 2:1-3
God’s __ requires God’s __.
To show us that God’s power is unlimited, the Apostle Paul uses four Greek words for power in verse 19 and then five verses to explain this power. He spoke of…
Key Truth: Humanity is separated from God by sin and incapable of __ the relationship.
Paul uses three descriptions to show why humanity is separated from God. Apart from Christ, we are…
Apart from Christ, we are…
Important thoughts:
Reflection:
April 30, 2023 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#10 in series)
Ephesians 2:1-3
Key Truth: Humanity is separated from God by sin and incapable of reconciling the relationship.
In verses 1-3, Paul uses three descriptions to show why humanity is relationally separated from God and spiritually dead.
Apart from Christ, we are…
“Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned…” – Romans 5:12
In verses 2 and 3, there are three forces that encourage disobedience:
By __, children of wrath (v. 3b)
The wrath of God has been gradually __ and intensifying in __ to sin.
“Humanity’s position apart from Christ is __, disobedient, __, and doomed.” – Warren Wiersbe
We’ll never know how __ the good news is until we first see how __ the bad news was.
August 20, 2023 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#11 in series)
Ephesians 2:8-9
The gospel is the good news that tells of God’s design, sin’s intrusion, and Christ’s solution for human flourishing.
The Redemptive Story of God (The Gospel)
RAIL 1
30,000-ft view
Big story of redemption from Genesis to Revelation
Key Truth 1: Humanity is separated from God by sin and incapable of reconciling the relationship. (vv. 1-3)
– God’s design, sin’s intrusion
Key Truth 2: God loved us while we were sinners and made reconciliation possible through Jesus’ death and resurrection. (vv. 4-5)
– Christ’s solution for human flourishing
Why are we separated and incapable of reconciling?
How did God love us and make reconciliation possible?
RAIL 2
30-ft view
Individual truths of redemption in Ephesians 2
Apart from Christ we are…
– Dead in trespasses and sins (v. 1)
– Alive to the lusts of the flesh (vv. 2-3a)
– By nature, children of wrath (v. 3b)
God accomplished this work by:
– Jesus’ birth
– Jesus’ death
– Jesus’ resurrection
The Redemptive Story of God (The Gospel)
RAIL 1
Key Truth 3꞉ At salvation, we are united with Christ and our position is permanently changed according to God’s great and gracious purposes. (vv. 6-7)
– Christ’s solution for human flourishing
Key Truth 4꞉ Salvation is God’s gift of __ that is received through __ in Christ. (vv. 8-9)
– Christ’s solution for human flourishing
What brought the change and why is union with Christ so important?
How does a person enter and abide in relationship with God?
RAIL 2
Christ’s work in redemption brought three big changes:
– “To make alive together with”
(synzōopoieō)
– “To raise up together with”
(synegeirō) “
– “To sit down together with”
(synkathizō)
Our relationship with God is꞉
– By grace
– Through faith
__
__
__
– Not of yourselves or your work
August 13, 2023 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#12 in series)
Ephesians 2:6-7
The gospel is the good news that tells of God’s design, sin’s intrusion, and Christ’s solution for human flourishing.
The Redemption Story of God (The Gospel)
RAIL 1
30,000-ft view
Big story of redemption from Genesis to Revelation
Key Truth 1: Humanity is separated from God by sin and incapable of reconciling the relationship. (vv. 1-3)
– God’s design, sin’s intrusion
Key Truth 2: God loved us while we were sinners and made reconciliation possible through Jesus’ death and resurrection. (vv. 4-5)
– Christ’s solution for human flourishing
Key Truth 3꞉ At salvation, we are __ with Christ and our position is __ changed according to God’s great and gracious purposes. (vv. 6-7)
– Christ’s solution for human flourishing
Why are we separated and incapable of reconciling?
How did God love us and make reconciliation possible?
What brought the change and why is union with Christ so important?
RAIL 2
30-ft view
Individual truths of redemption in Ephesians 2
Apart from Christ we are…
– Dead in trespasses and sins (v. 1)
– Alive to the lusts of the flesh (vv. 2-3a)
– By nature, children of wrath (v. 3b)
God accomplished this work by:
– Jesus’ birth
– Jesus’ death
– Jesus’ resurrection
Christ’s work in redemption brought three big changes:
– “To make alive together with”
(synzōopoieō)
– “To raise up together with”
(synegeirō) “
– “To sit down together with”
(synkathizō)
August 20, 2023 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#13 in series)
Ephesians 2:8-9
The gospel is the good news that tells of God’s design, sin’s intrusion, and Christ’s solution for human flourishing.
The Redemption Story of God (The Gospel)
RAIL 1
30,000-ft view
Big story of redemption from Genesis to Revelation
Key Truth 1: Humanity is separated from God by sin and incapable of reconciling the relationship. (vv. 1-3)
– God’s design, sin’s intrusion
Key Truth 2: God loved us while we were sinners and made reconciliation possible through Jesus’ death and resurrection. (vv. 4-5)
– Christ’s solution for human flourishing
Key Truth 3: At salvation, we are united with Christ and our position is permanently changed according to God’s great and gracious purposes. (vv. 6-7)
– Christ’s solution for human flourishing
Key Truth 4: Salvation is God’s gift of __ that is received through __ in Christ. (vv. 8-9)
– Christ’s solution for human flourishing
Why are we separated and incapable of reconciling?
How did God love us and make reconciliation possible?
What brought the change and why is union with Christ so important?
How does a person enter and abide in relationship with God?
RAIL 2
30-ft view
Individual truths of redemption in Ephesians 2
Apart from Christ we are…
– Dead in trespasses and sins (v. 1)
– Alive to the lusts of the flesh (vv. 2-3a)
– By nature, children of wrath (v. 3b)
God accomplished this work by:
– Jesus’ birth
– Jesus’ death
– Jesus’ resurrection
Christ’s work in redemption brought three big changes:
– “To make alive together with”
(synzōopoieō)
– “To raise up together with”
(synegeirō) “
– “To sit down together with”
(synkathizō)
Our relationship with God is:
– By grace
– Through faith
__
__
__
– Not of yourselves or your work
September 24, 2023 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#14 in series)
Ephesians 2:10
The gospel is the good news that tells of God’s design, sin’s intrusion, and Christ’s solution for human flourishing.
RAIL 1
30,000-ft view
Big story of redemption from Genesis to Revelation
Key Truth 1: Humanity is separated from God by sin and incapable of reconciling the relationship. (vv. 1-3)
– God’s design, sin’s intrusion
Key Truth 2: God loved us while we were sinners and made reconciliation possible through Jesus’ death and resurrection. (vv. 4-5)
– Christ’s solution for human flourishing
Key Truth 3: At salvation, we are united with Christ and our position is permanently changed according to God’s great and gracious purposes. (vv. 6-7)
– Christ’s solution for human flourishing
Key Truth 4: Salvation is God’s gift of grace that is received through faith in Christ. (vv. 8-9)
– Christ’s solution for human flourishing
Key Truth 5: As we __ in Christ, God accomplishes His good __ in us and through us.
– Christ’s solution for human flourishing
Why are we separated and incapable of reconciling?
How did God love us and make reconciliation possible?
What brought the change and why is union with Christ so important?
How does a person enter and abide in relationship with God?
What are some “good works” of God, and why is abiding in Christ necessary?
RAIL 2
30-ft view
Individual truths of redemption in Ephesians 2
Apart from Christ we are…
– Dead in trespasses and sins (v. 1)
– Alive to the lusts of the flesh (vv. 2-3a)
– By nature, children of wrath (v. 3b)
God accomplished this work by:
– Jesus’ birth
– Jesus’ death
– Jesus’ resurrection
Christ’s work in redemption brought three big changes:
– “To make alive together with”
(synzōopoieō)
– “To raise up together with”
(synegeirō) “
– “To sit down together with”
(synkathizō)
Our relationship with God is:
– By grace
– Through faith
Knowledge
Assent
Trust
– Not of yourselves or your work
– “workmanship” – comes from “poima” where we get “poem”
– “in Christ Jesus” – speaks of positional truth; __
– “good works” – can be understood with John 15
– “walk” – a __, repeated behavior
October 01, 2023 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#15 in series)
Ephesians 2:11-13
“Our greatest fear as individuals and as a church should not be of , but of __ succeeding at things in life that don’t really __ .” – Francis Chan
There are three major themes that are emphasized throughout this letter:
1) All Christians are __ together in the Body of Christ.
2) All Christians have __ they need in Christ.
3) All Christians are called to live out these spiritual truths for the __ of the Father, the building up of the Body, and the __ of God’s Kingdom.
For 12 verses, Paul has outlined the deep contrast between where we were then and where we are now. Starting at the top of chapter 2 and going down…
In verse 4, the bad __ ends with “But God…”
In verse 13, our old __ end with “But now…”
January 07, 2024 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#16 in series)
Ephesians 2:14-18
January 21, 2024 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#17 in series)
Ephesians 2:14-18
Unity is emphasized throughout the New Testament. But it’s not unity at any cost, but rather, unity with God’s blessing. There are passages where God explicitly says, “For the sake of ultimate unity, cut off fellowship with a person or group.”
With people who are habitually and continually stirring up strife, we are told to reject that person after a second warning.
(Titus 3:9-10)
Big Truth: Jesus removed what kept us divided so that we can be united in what keeps us together.
What kept us divided?
What unites us together?
January 28, 2024 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#18 in series)
Ephesians 2:14-18
Big Truth: Jesus removed what kept us divided so that we can be united in what keeps us together.
What kept us divided?
What keeps us together?
Just as the Apostle Paul stresses “in Christ” to indicate a Christian’s __ and __, he also stresses “in the Spirit” to emphasize a Christian’s __. The Christian life is not lived by our ability; it is empowered by the Holy Spirit.
February 04, 2024 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#19 in series)
What does it look like to live together in the Father’s house?
1) We’re no longer __; we’re family. (v. 19)
“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household,”
2) We’re blessed with __ because of a solid __. (v. 20)
“having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone,”
One of the greatest gifts you can give your kids is a godly __ and a stable __.
3) We’re being __ together by a loving Father. (vv. 21-22)
“in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.”
Part of your spiritual growth can only be done personally. But there’s another part of your spiritual growth that can only take place within the community of believers.
Your __ to the church is essential in your __ as a disciple.
Reflection/Response: As you understand more of God’s design in the Father’s house, ask additional follow-up questions and obey as God leads.
February 25, 2024 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#20 in series)
Ephesians 3:1-13
March 03, 2024 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#21 in series)
Ephesians 3:14-21
How does a person go from information to transformation?
Big Truth: __ precedes. __ Submission to God precedes transformation by God.
There are two basic ways that people approach the Christian life:
1) Living from __
2) Christ living __
In a very short prayer, Paul asks God to do three things according to the riches of His glory.
1) __ believers in the inner man (vv. 16-17a)
“…strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith…”
2) __ believers in love (vv. 17b-19a)
“…and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth (of His love), and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge…”
The __ of love fosters the __ of sin.
3) __ believers with the fullness of God (v. 19b)
“…that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.”
To be __ with God is to be __ of self.
March 17, 2024 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#22 in series)
Ephesians 4:1, 22, 24
How do we walk in a worthy manner?
Over the years, believers have developed “methods” to bring out conduct, the walk, or the behavior they want to see.
The __ of behavior is determined by the __ of our heart.
“1Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,… 22…lay aside the old self… 24and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.” – Ephesians 4:1, 22, 24
There are two primary ways that Christians attempt to walk worthy:
A worthy walk requires two big steps:
1) Walking worthy requires “laying aside the old self.” That includes rejecting the __ in its fullness, the idea of acceptance by __, and attempts to change by self-effort.
2) Walking worthy requires “putting on the new self.” That includes living from our new __, enjoying acceptance by God’s __, and staying __ for Jesus to live through us.
March 24, 2024 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#23 in series)
Ephesians 4:1-3
Big Truth: Our __ informs our responses. Our responses __ our quality of life, the opportunities we’re given, and the __ we enjoy.
At the end of chapter 3, we were left with this major truth:
Submission precedes __. Submission to God precedes transformation by God.
When we walk in a worthy manner, what Christ-like characteristics are displayed?
July 21, 2024 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#24 in series)
Ephesians 4:1-6
Big Truth: Our character informs our responses. Our responses impact our quality of life, the opportunities we’re given, and the relationships we enjoy.
At the end of chapter 3, we were left with this major truth: Submission precedes transformation. Submission to God precedes transformation by God.
When we walk in worthy manner, what Christ-like characteristics are displayed?
July 28, 2024 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#25 in series)
Ephesians 4:7-16
__ is crucial for growth.
Big Truth: God has __ and gifted us for growth. When growth stops, we have either rejected the position and/or __ the gifts.
There are two positional changes…
1) From being in __ to being in Christ
2) From __ God’s family to inside God’s family
What gifts has God given to those in His family?
__ operating apart from grace can be harsh, abrasive, and presumptuous.
__ operating apart from gifts leaves the church ill-equipped to minister to each other and the world.
What is our part?
__ in our position and __ the gifts God gave us.
August 04, 2024 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#26 in series)
Ephesians 4:7-16
Big Truth: God has positioned and gifted us for growth. When growth stops, we have either rejected the position and/or abandoned the gifts.
The first part of the positional change is…
From being…
In __ (1 Corinthians 15:22)
Broken by sin (Romans 3:32)
In bondage (Romans 6:17)
Dead in sins (Ephesians 2:1)
__ by Satan (John 10:10)
To being…
In Christ (Colossians 3:1-3)
Blessed by grace (Romans 5:1-2)
Set __ (Galatians 5:1)
Alive in Christ (Ephesians 2:4-5)
Blessed by God (Ephesians 1)
The second part of the positional change is…
From being…
Outside God’s Family (Ephesians 2:3)
__ (Ephesians 2:12-13)
Divided (Ephesians 2:14)
Robbed by Satan (John 10:10)
To being…
Inside God’s Family (Ephesians 2:19)
Included (Ephesians 2:13)
United (Ephesians 2:15-16)
__ by God (Ephesians 4)
God has given us…
A spiritual gift is a special __ given by the Holy Spirit to every believer, that is to be used to __ others and build up the Body of Christ.
September 01, 2024 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#27 in series)
Ephesians 4:12-14
Big Truth: __ your Bible will make you “__” for a lot of preaching.
What is truth?
God’s __ is truth, and God’s __ is truth.
How do you make sure that the “equippers in the faith” are aligning with God’s standard for truth? These are basic principles of hermeneutics (biblical interpretation).
1) Establish the right __ for truth.
2) __ is crucial to interpretation.
3) There is one __; there are many __.
4) Scripture __ Scripture.
5) The Holy Spirit is your __.
6) Know the truths worth __ over.
September 08, 2024 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#28 in series)
Ephesians 4:15-16
Ephesians can be broken down into two primary sections:
Chapters 1-3: Our __ in Christ
Chapters 4-6: Our __ in Christ
Chapter 4:1-16
Big Truth: Spiritual maturity is growth in __, growth in service, and growth in __.
Growth in love is a sign of spiritual growth because it connects us back to many essential parts of our faith.
September 22, 2024 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#29 in series)
Ephesians 4:17-24
Section 1: There are four characteristics that show we’re walking according to our old nature.
“So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk…
Section 2: There are four characteristics that show we’re walking according to our new nature.
Big Truth: The __ you want is found in the new __ you have.
We’re going to see our big truth from three angles. I want you to be able to…
When we walk according to our old nature, it is characterized as…
September 29, 2024 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#30 in series)
Ephesians 4:17-24
Section 1: There are four characteristics that show we’re walking according to our old nature.
“So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk…
Section 2: There are four characteristics that show we’re walking according to our new nature.
Big Truth:
The freedom you want is found in the new nature you have.
We’re going to see our big truth from three angles. I want you to be able to…
When we walk according to our old nature, it is characterized as…
When we walk according to our new nature, it is characterized as…
October 20, 2024 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#31 in series)
Ephesians 4:25-32
Basic Premise
Walking in truth __ every aspect of how we __.
Key Idea
We cannot walk in __ while holding onto __.
Walking in truth changes our…
• __ (v. 25)
• Personal __ (v. 26)
• __ exposure (v. 27)
• Selfish __ (v. 28)
• __ conversations (v. 29)
• Emotions and __ (v. 31)
• __ to others (v. 32)
