Answers for Ephesians Chapter 4

About These Answers

DAY ONE
Questions and Answers

1. In verses 1-3 of Ephesians Chapter 4, what are the 4 things Paul exhorts the Ephesians to do ?

  • verse 1 - live a life worthy of the calling you have received
  • verse 2 - Be completely humble and gentle
  • verse 2 – Be patient, bearing with one another in love
  • verse 3 - Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace

2. List the seven reasons for Paul’s call to unity in verse 3 that are provided in verses 4-6 of Ephesians Chapter 4.

  • One Body
  • One Spirit
  • One Hope
  • One Lord
  • One Faith
  • One Baptism
  • One God and Father

3. Listed below are 12 major Christian denominations from the World Almanac and Book of Facts. Not listed are hundreds of smaller churches not affiliated with a particular denomination and divisions amongst the different major denominations.

12 Major Christian Denominations

  1. Baptists
  2. Church of Christ (Disciples)
  3. Episcopalians
  4. Jehovah's Witnesses
  5. Latter-day Saints (Mormons)
  6. Lutherans
  7. Methodists
  8. Orthodox
  9. Pentecostal
  10. Presbyterians
  11. Roman Catholics
  12. United Church of Christ

Seeing the seven aspects of oneness to Christianity in Ephesians Chapter 4, verses 4 through 6, why do you think there are so many different denominations today? Why do you think there was division  in the early church?

Charles Draper comments on this in the Apologetics Study Bible.  He observes that Jesus prayed that His followers would be one (John 17).  He also states that different denominations  developed out of different churches desires to fellowship with one another and to conduct joint ministry works, which is a biblical idea (Acts 11:27-30).

On the other hand, Draper points out that different modern denominations were generally formed as renewal movements. The renewal movements were centered around doctrinal beliefs and distinctions.  Basically, there are so many denominations because there are disagreements about doctrinal and practical issues in the church. 

Draper offers some sound advice: "The most important thing to do, is to examine a church's teaching and practice to see if it is consistent with Scripture."  With this guidance, mature Christ followers should be able determine if his or her church is the right place to be with so many choices. 



DAY TWO
Questions and Answers


1. What are the two aspects of Christian doctrine does Paul contrast in Ephesians Chapter 4, verses 4 through 13?

  • In verses 4 through 6 he says we are of the same Father, faith etc. we are to be united as one
  • In verses 7 through 13 he states each one of us is given different gifts so although we are united we have different functions

2. What does it mean when it states that Jesus “led captives in his train” in Ephesians Chapter 4, verse 8?

It is a military term denoting triumph, the victorious King would return to his home from battle with a train or trailing of captured treasures – often including prisoners led captivity captive. It is a phrase used in the Old Testament to signify a conquest over enemies, especially over such as formerly had led others captive; see Judg 5:12. Captivity is here put for captives, and signifies all our spiritual enemies, who brought us into captivity before. He conquered those who had conquered us; such as sin, the devil, and death.(from Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1991 by Hendrickson Publishers, Inc.)

3. Jesus gave us the gifts of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. These gifts progressively benefit the church. What are the 4 stated purposes for these gifts that build upon one another described in Ephesians Chapter 4, verses 11, 12 and 13? Describe in your own words what the end result of the gifts on the church should be.

  • To prepare God's people for works of service (verse 12)
  • That the body of Christ may be built up (verse 12)
  • Unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God (verse 13)
  • We become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ (verse 13)

ONE MAN'S OPINION:

Church members prepared for works of service, building up the body of believers, united in faith and the knowledge of Jesus Christ, mature believers spiritually complete in Christ.

Only you can answer this question, so there’s no need to compare.

However, consider sharing your answer with others.  



DAY THREE
Questions and Answers


1. Describe the two results or benefits of spiritual maturity provided in Ephesians Chapter 4, verses 14 and 15?

  • stability, anchored in truth of the scripture, resistant to devilish deceit
  • knowing and speaking the truth, growing in Christ-likeness

2. The Living Bible translation of Colossians Chapter 3, verses 10 and 11 says:

You are living a brand new kind of life that is continually learning more and more of what is right, and trying constantly to be more and more like Christ who created this new life within you.

What do you think are the habits we need to develop as individual believers to reach our spiritual maturity? You can probably guess them.

Only you can answer this question, so there’s no need to compare.

However, consider sharing your answer with others.  


ONE MAN'S OPINION:

The four habits that I believe we should have to develop spiritually are:

Reading God’s Word
John 8:31-32 - 31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

Prayer
John 15:7-8 -7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

Giving
Luke 14:33 - In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple. Deut 14:22-23 - 23 Bring this tithe to eat before the Lord your God at the place he shall choose as his sanctuary; this applies to your tithes of grain, new wine, olive oil, and the firstborn of your flocks and herds. The purpose of tithing is to teach you always to put God first in your lives. TLB

Fellowship
John 13:34-35 - 34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."


DAY FOUR
Questions and Answers


1. Who were the people in the following verses that were considered spiritually mature? Why?

  • John 1:43-46
  • Acts 17:10-11

Both Phillip and the Bereans used scripture as the authoritative reference

Teaching point – Mature Christians who know scripture will not be tossed about by every wind of doctrine

2. Describe the 7 aspects of the life of the Gentiles provided in Ephesians Chapter 4, verses 17 through 19.

  • Living in the futility of their thinking
  • Darkened in their understanding
  • Separated from the life of God
  • Hardened hearts
  • Given over to sensuality
  • Indulging in every kind of impurity
  • Continual lust for more

3. Paul states that the Ephesians were taught certain things in Ephesians Chapter 4, verses 22 through 24. What were they taught?

  • Verse 22 - To put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires
  • Verse 23 - To be made new in the attitude of your minds
  • Verse 24 - To put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness


DAY FIVE
Questions and Answers


List all the fifteen things we should do as Christians as provided in the following verses from Ephesians Chapter 4.

  1. Verse 15 – Speak the truth in love
  2. Verse 15 – Grow up into Christ
  3. Verse 16 – Do my part
  4. Verse 17 – Don’t live as non-Christians
  5. Verse 25 – Put off falsehood
  6. Verse 25 – Speak truthfully to my neighbor
  7. Verse 26 – Do not sin in anger
  8. Verse 26 – Don’t be angry for a long period of time
  9. Verse 27 – Do not give the devil a foothold
  10. Verse 28 – Don’t steal, but work
  11. Verse 28 – Share with those in need
  12. Verse 29 – Don’t let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs
  13. Verse 30 – Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption
  14. Verse 31 – Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
  15. Verse 32 - Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you


DAY SIX
Questions and Answers


1. How are we to put off the old man and put on the new self? What can we do to renew our minds as it says in Romans 12:2?

ONE MAN'S OPINION:

  • Memorize scripture
  • Read the Word
  • Speak the Word

Only you can answer this question, so there’s no need to compare.

However, consider sharing your answer with others.