Ephesians 4

I was gone this week so we had the privilege of having Steve share with us during the teaching time. He did a great job, but due to some technical difficulties we were unable to record the teaching for the podcast. Bummer. Here are the questions that jump started our discussion time:

1. Ephesians centers on God: the Father, Christ the Lord, and the Holy Spirit. How does (or should) this emphasis on God—especially what God has done for humanity’s well being (salvation)—serve to renew/correct our thinking and our living?

2. The focus on the Church permeates all of chapter 4, perhaps as much as any other place in the New Testament. While many Christians reading the letter and this chapter tend to think and apply its message in individualistic terms, the author clearly places the emphasis on corporate, communal understanding and practices. So while not eliminating the diversity of individuals and their gifts to the body, the emphasis is unquestionably the unity of the whole body of Christ, and the reality of our oneness that needs to be lived out. How does (or should) this more community-oriented understanding of the text affect your own thinking and living?

3. There is a major emphasis on Christian’s/the Church’s behavior here in chapter 4, yet always with the underlying point that it’s because of God’s love, Christ’s sacrifice, and the Spirit’s uniting presence that we can live out these commands. What difference does it make (or has it made) when the Church behaves in accordance with these good attitudes and behaviors? What difference does it make (or has it made) when it does not?

What do you think? Please share your thoughts on these questions or on any other part of chapter 4 that comes to mind.