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Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Session 5--October 24-31--Continuation of Week 4
We will continue in the Bible Study from last time. Please refer to the previous post. Thanks and looking forward to seeing you there. Rev. Carol and Terri
Monday, October 5, 2009
SESSION 4--Week of October 11-17
RESPONDING TO GRACE--Ephesians 4:1-16, 4: 25-5:2
A LIFE WORTHY OF YOUR CALL--Read Ephesians 4:1-16
1. Ephesians 4:1 summarizes Paul's ethical teaching: "live a life worth of the calling you have received." How has Paul described your calling in 1:1-14 and 2:1-22?
2. Why do you think Paul wants awareness of what God has done for us in Christ to motivate our ethical behavior? Why isn't he content simply to tell us what the rules are?
3. a. Humility (4:2) is the oppotisite of ego and self centeredness. Why is self-centeredness unworthy of the calling we've received?
b. Gentleness (4:2) is the opposite of harshness, careless treatment of others, and violence. Why are these unworthy of our calling to be in Christ?
c. Patience (4:2) is willingness to set aside one's own agenda, giving others time and space to fail and learn. Why is that worthy of those who follow Christ?
4. What is your reaction to the idea that following Christ involves discipline and effort? Does that sound appealing or unappealing? Is it consistent with grace or opposed to grace? Explain.
5. How does Paul describe what unity is supposed to look like in 4:2-16?
FOLLOW GOD'S EXAMPLE--Read Ephesians 4:25-5:2
6. What motivations does Paul give for each of these instructions?
--Put off falsehood and speck truthfully (4:25), because...
--In your anger do not sin (4:26), because...
--Work instead of stealing (4:28), because...
--Don't say things that tear people down (4:29), because...
--Be kind and forgiving instead of bitter, quarreling, or malicious (4:31-32), because...
--Walk in the way of love (5:2), because...
7. Which of those motivations have to do with responding to what God has done for us?
8. Love is the sphere in which Christians are to live and walk (5:2). In 3:17-18, Paul prays that his readers will comprehend just how much God loves them. Deeply knowing we're loved is essential if we are to love others. What helps you know you're loved? Or what hinders you from fully believing it?
9. Paul keeps going back to the idea that we do what we do because we are Christ's body (4:4, 12-13,15-16,25). How easy is it for you to think of yourself as so connected to other Christians that you suffer or thrive, succeed or fail, grow to maturity or not, with them? What helps or hinders you in seeing your life this way?
10. If a person has trouble getting over anger (and thus goes to bed still mad, 4:26), struggles with bitterness, tends to get into arguments, or makes hostile jokes or comments (4:29-31), how can he or she overcome those habits?
11. How do you think other Christians should deal with a person like this? What would Paul say?
12. Does all this ethical teaching sound to you like legalistic rule-making cloaked in theological language? Why or why not?
A LIFE WORTHY OF YOUR CALL--Read Ephesians 4:1-16
1. Ephesians 4:1 summarizes Paul's ethical teaching: "live a life worth of the calling you have received." How has Paul described your calling in 1:1-14 and 2:1-22?
2. Why do you think Paul wants awareness of what God has done for us in Christ to motivate our ethical behavior? Why isn't he content simply to tell us what the rules are?
3. a. Humility (4:2) is the oppotisite of ego and self centeredness. Why is self-centeredness unworthy of the calling we've received?
b. Gentleness (4:2) is the opposite of harshness, careless treatment of others, and violence. Why are these unworthy of our calling to be in Christ?
c. Patience (4:2) is willingness to set aside one's own agenda, giving others time and space to fail and learn. Why is that worthy of those who follow Christ?
4. What is your reaction to the idea that following Christ involves discipline and effort? Does that sound appealing or unappealing? Is it consistent with grace or opposed to grace? Explain.
5. How does Paul describe what unity is supposed to look like in 4:2-16?
FOLLOW GOD'S EXAMPLE--Read Ephesians 4:25-5:2
6. What motivations does Paul give for each of these instructions?
--Put off falsehood and speck truthfully (4:25), because...
--In your anger do not sin (4:26), because...
--Work instead of stealing (4:28), because...
--Don't say things that tear people down (4:29), because...
--Be kind and forgiving instead of bitter, quarreling, or malicious (4:31-32), because...
--Walk in the way of love (5:2), because...
7. Which of those motivations have to do with responding to what God has done for us?
8. Love is the sphere in which Christians are to live and walk (5:2). In 3:17-18, Paul prays that his readers will comprehend just how much God loves them. Deeply knowing we're loved is essential if we are to love others. What helps you know you're loved? Or what hinders you from fully believing it?
9. Paul keeps going back to the idea that we do what we do because we are Christ's body (4:4, 12-13,15-16,25). How easy is it for you to think of yourself as so connected to other Christians that you suffer or thrive, succeed or fail, grow to maturity or not, with them? What helps or hinders you in seeing your life this way?
10. If a person has trouble getting over anger (and thus goes to bed still mad, 4:26), struggles with bitterness, tends to get into arguments, or makes hostile jokes or comments (4:29-31), how can he or she overcome those habits?
11. How do you think other Christians should deal with a person like this? What would Paul say?
12. Does all this ethical teaching sound to you like legalistic rule-making cloaked in theological language? Why or why not?
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