Study Notes and Questions for May 4, 2008
Read Ephesians 1:3-1:14
What is your first reaction to these verses?
How would you summarize these verses?
Start with verse 3 – RE-read it aloud. What is this verse about? Name at least 4 points in this verse:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Christian faith and life have their center in God’s Son and the Epistle therefore opens with an expression of gratitude for all that is found in Him. It is cast in the form of a Jewish berakah, or blessing.
The “Praise be to” at the beginning is eugogetos and is used exclusively of God in the NT to indicate the One who alone is worthy of worship (remember the heresy in Colossians?).
In verse 4 – Where does Paul trace every spiritual blessing to? Explain the answer.
The word “chose” here is the usual one employed in connection with God’s choice of Israel. Specifically, it implied the taking of a smaller number out of a larger.
Why would it be important for God to have chosen us before time began?
The life of Christians DEPENDS on a love that never had a beginning and never has an end. Election in Christ has a moral aim in view. It is expressed both positively and negatively. To be “holy” (hagios) means to be set apart for God in order to reflect His purity (note the word REFLECT). “Blameless” (amomos) is “free from blemish,” like the sacrificial animals presented on the altar in the old dispensation. It applied to Christ Himself (Heb 9:14; 1 Peter 1:19), to the ideal church (Eph 5:17), and to Christians in the end of the age (2 Peter 3:14; Jude 24) and also now (Phil 2:15).
Read verse 5 –
What are the main points of this verse?
What does it mean to be a son/daughter of Christ? What does it mean to be adopted?
Why does He adopt us? For what purpose?
Note what ends verse 4 and really begins verse 5 (this is why you cannot pull verses out of context and expect good things). Any interpretation of this mysterious doctrine on predestination that detracts from the Love of God is suspect.
Under Roman law, an adopted son enjoyed the same status and privileges as a real son. Christ is God’s Son “by nature”. Believers are so only by adoption and grace, yet they are co-heirs with him (Romans 8:17). The ground of this gracious action is to be discovered in the character of God Himself. Behind the fulfillment of His perfect will there lies His pleasure (eudokia) – that which brings Him satisfaction because it represents the expression of His being.
Write out verse 6 –
What is the ultimate aim of the divine plan of redemption? What is to be our response to this plan?
Read verse 7 –
What blessings flow from the matchless grace of God?
Note that all the blessings are “in Christ”. They are sourced from Christ and part of His sphere (Col 1:14). They are also enjoyed by the believer in the present. The tense is continuous – “we have an are still having.”
Redemption (apolytrosis) has to do with the emancipation either of slaves or of prisoners. The NEB has “release”. The term also implies the payment of a being “through his blood” (Col 1:20). The price paid for man’s redemption from bondage to sin was constly beyond measure. It was the very lifeblood of Christ Himself, poured out in death.
Forgiveness (aphesis) is loosing someone from what binds them. It stems from a verb meaning to send away (John 20:23). What God deals with our sin, it is dispatched into the wilderness like the scapegoat (Lev 16:20-22). Here, however, the reference is not to sin (harmartia) as in Col 1:14, but to sins (paraptoma) or derivations from the right path. The first term denotes a sinful CONDITION, the second, sinful ACTS. Forgiveness deals with both.
Are you forgiven from your condition of sin?
Do you still commit sinful acts?
Are those sinful acts forgiven? How do you know?
Summarize verse 7 – 10 –
What do these verses me to YOU and YOUR life NOW
Why do you believe that predestination is called out?
Are there any practical applications around today’s study that God has revealed to you? What will you do now?
Who and what will you pray for this week?
NOTE: Don’t become discouraged around this lesson. If predestination and God’s choosing is difficult or concerning that is OK! Theologians have been debating this for centuries now just like they have been trying to explain the Trinity of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. We will cover the fundamentals around reasons for choice and forgiveness this Sunday. Have a great week!
Andy
Friday, April 25, 2008
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Class Notes and Questions for April 29, 2008
Study Notes and Questions for April 29, 2008
Who are we accountable to?
Read Ephesians 1:1 to 1:2
Who is writing this letter beyond the name given? What does he mean when we says “an apostle of Christ Jesus”
Who is this letter intended for?
What is vs. 2 talking about? What do these words mean to YOU?
Certainly Paul adopts the conventional form of address used in letters of the period. Usually the writer identified himself, named the perspective recipients, and added some expressions of greeting.
“Apostle” is a comprehensive term for one who bears the NT message. It is applied firs the original disciples and then to other Christian missionaries. Paul claimed that, like that of the Twelve, his commission came directly from Christ (Acts 26:16-18; 1 Cor 9:1)
Who do you think of when you think Apostle?
Note that the title not only stressed the authority of the sender but also the accountability to whom they were sent by. Paul does not allude to God’s will in order to draw attention to his own status but to reflect his awareness that his mission did not arise from any qualification he himself might possess.
To whom are you accountable? Make a list here. After listing that person list WHY you are accountable to them.
“Saints” is the normal NT designation for Christians. It denotes inward, personal consecration to God.
What does it mean to be a Saint? Are you a saint?
“Faithful” is a parallel designation of believers combining the ideas of trust and fidelity.
What does Fidelity mean to you? What does it mean to your spouse?
“Grace and peace” reflect the standard greetings in Greek and Hebrew. The word here is exactly as in Romans 1:7b. Paul prefers to replace the Greek chaire (rejoice) by charis as embodying the essence of the gospel. For “peace” (Heb. Salom) Ezra 4:17; 5:7; 7:12, Daniel 4:1; 6:25, etc.
Where do you see people searching for peace? What practical steps are people taking to create or obtain peace?
Notice how Paul associates “the Lord Jesus Christ” with “God our Father” as the originator of these blessings. These do NOT come from ourselves or “inner peace”
Where has God given you Grace and Peace this week?
Are there any practical applications around today’s study that God has revealed to you? What will you do now?
Who and what will you pray for this week?
Who are we accountable to?
Read Ephesians 1:1 to 1:2
Who is writing this letter beyond the name given? What does he mean when we says “an apostle of Christ Jesus”
Who is this letter intended for?
What is vs. 2 talking about? What do these words mean to YOU?
Certainly Paul adopts the conventional form of address used in letters of the period. Usually the writer identified himself, named the perspective recipients, and added some expressions of greeting.
“Apostle” is a comprehensive term for one who bears the NT message. It is applied firs the original disciples and then to other Christian missionaries. Paul claimed that, like that of the Twelve, his commission came directly from Christ (Acts 26:16-18; 1 Cor 9:1)
Who do you think of when you think Apostle?
Note that the title not only stressed the authority of the sender but also the accountability to whom they were sent by. Paul does not allude to God’s will in order to draw attention to his own status but to reflect his awareness that his mission did not arise from any qualification he himself might possess.
To whom are you accountable? Make a list here. After listing that person list WHY you are accountable to them.
“Saints” is the normal NT designation for Christians. It denotes inward, personal consecration to God.
What does it mean to be a Saint? Are you a saint?
“Faithful” is a parallel designation of believers combining the ideas of trust and fidelity.
What does Fidelity mean to you? What does it mean to your spouse?
“Grace and peace” reflect the standard greetings in Greek and Hebrew. The word here is exactly as in Romans 1:7b. Paul prefers to replace the Greek chaire (rejoice) by charis as embodying the essence of the gospel. For “peace” (Heb. Salom) Ezra 4:17; 5:7; 7:12, Daniel 4:1; 6:25, etc.
Where do you see people searching for peace? What practical steps are people taking to create or obtain peace?
Notice how Paul associates “the Lord Jesus Christ” with “God our Father” as the originator of these blessings. These do NOT come from ourselves or “inner peace”
Where has God given you Grace and Peace this week?
Are there any practical applications around today’s study that God has revealed to you? What will you do now?
Who and what will you pray for this week?
Why Ephesians?
April 19, 2008
Why Ephesians?
The last 13 weeks we have been talking about Experiencing God through a study by the same name. This was a great follow up after our study of the Colossians and the heretical teaching they were and we are facing. Once were determined to stay away and dismiss heretical teaching, Experiencing God was great and heart opening in specifics of how we can hear and obey the will of God. This was significant in growing us toward taking action at each moment to ‘see where God is working and going there’. Turning our attention and running to meet where God is working is exciting. I know we have been challenged in our relationship with him across the seven realities that the study called out so clearly.
As we came near to the end of the study, there were many requests around topical studies of marriage and family. Certainly many parts of the Word of God reveal practical truths about marriage and family. It was not hard to pick a relevant book, however. As the Experiencing God study continued 3 things became obvious:
1) We need to continue our focus on the Word of God - the one source of written truth
2) We need to continue our focus on prayer – our personal communication and lifeline with our Lord
3) We need to continue our focus on fellowship – intentional relationships to honor and glorify the Lord
The letter to the Ephesians is very clearly a book in which the practical applications of the Word, prayer, and fellowship coincide. I believe we will be challenged to a new level of relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ as well as honoring and glorifying Him in our day-to-day relationships.
We will be studying 2 main things in Ephesians:
I. Our Standing – where are we in relation to the Lord
II. Our Condition (our struggles) – how our Standing affects our day to day lives and relationships
I DO NOT expect this study to be an easy one. I would ask that each of you pray earnestly for wisdom, both for me, as I attempt to be a witness for Christ (which, by the way, is a humbling and pretty messed up idea) and for each of the class members.
I DO expect that we will come closer to the Lord Jesus through this study. I DO expect that we will be challenged with the main question of all of the universe: “But what about you?” He asked, “Who do you say I am?” Peter Answered, “You are the Christ.” Mark 8:29 and how this affects us daily and moment by moment with our spouse, our friends, and, most importantly, our savior Jesus Christ.
I am very excited about how God can continue to mold and shape us as spouses, parents, and friends to glorify Him through this study.
Warm Regards,
Andy
Why Ephesians?
The last 13 weeks we have been talking about Experiencing God through a study by the same name. This was a great follow up after our study of the Colossians and the heretical teaching they were and we are facing. Once were determined to stay away and dismiss heretical teaching, Experiencing God was great and heart opening in specifics of how we can hear and obey the will of God. This was significant in growing us toward taking action at each moment to ‘see where God is working and going there’. Turning our attention and running to meet where God is working is exciting. I know we have been challenged in our relationship with him across the seven realities that the study called out so clearly.
As we came near to the end of the study, there were many requests around topical studies of marriage and family. Certainly many parts of the Word of God reveal practical truths about marriage and family. It was not hard to pick a relevant book, however. As the Experiencing God study continued 3 things became obvious:
1) We need to continue our focus on the Word of God - the one source of written truth
2) We need to continue our focus on prayer – our personal communication and lifeline with our Lord
3) We need to continue our focus on fellowship – intentional relationships to honor and glorify the Lord
The letter to the Ephesians is very clearly a book in which the practical applications of the Word, prayer, and fellowship coincide. I believe we will be challenged to a new level of relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ as well as honoring and glorifying Him in our day-to-day relationships.
We will be studying 2 main things in Ephesians:
I. Our Standing – where are we in relation to the Lord
II. Our Condition (our struggles) – how our Standing affects our day to day lives and relationships
I DO NOT expect this study to be an easy one. I would ask that each of you pray earnestly for wisdom, both for me, as I attempt to be a witness for Christ (which, by the way, is a humbling and pretty messed up idea) and for each of the class members.
I DO expect that we will come closer to the Lord Jesus through this study. I DO expect that we will be challenged with the main question of all of the universe: “But what about you?” He asked, “Who do you say I am?” Peter Answered, “You are the Christ.” Mark 8:29 and how this affects us daily and moment by moment with our spouse, our friends, and, most importantly, our savior Jesus Christ.
I am very excited about how God can continue to mold and shape us as spouses, parents, and friends to glorify Him through this study.
Warm Regards,
Andy
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Ephesians Summary
Author: Ephesians 1:1 identifies the author of the Book of Ephesians as the Apostle Paul.
Date of Writing: The Book of Ephesians was very likely written between 60-63 A.D.
Purpose of Writing: Paul intended all those that long for Christ-like maturity to receive this writing. Enclosed within the Book of Ephesians is the discipline needed to develop into true sons of God. Furthermore, a study in Ephesians will help to fortify and to establish the believer so he can fulfill the purpose and calling God has given. The aim of this epistle is to confirm and to equip a maturing church. It presents a balanced view of the body of Christ and its importance in God's economy.
Key Verses:
Ephesians 1:3, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ."
Ephesians 2:8-10, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Ephesians 4:4-6, "There is one body and one Spirit - just as you were called to one hope when you were called - one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
Ephesians 6:10-11, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes."
Brief Summary: Doctrine occupies the greatest portion of the Book of Ephesians. Half of the teaching in this epistle relates to our standing, and the remainder of it affects our condition. All too often those who teach from this book bypass all the foundational instruction and go directly to the closing chapter. It is this chapter that emphasizes the warfare or the struggle of the saints. However, to benefit fully from the contents of this epistle, one must begin at the beginning of Paul's instruction in this letter.First, the follower of Christ must fully understand who God declares him to be. He must also become grounded in the knowledge of God's accomplishment for all humanity. Next, our present existence and walk must become exercised and strengthened. This must continue until we no longer totter or stagger back and forth with every spirit of teaching and subtlety of men.Paul’s writing breaks down into three main segments.
(1) Chapters one through three introduce principles with respect to God's accomplishment.
(2) Chapters four and five put forth principles regarding our present existence.
(3) Chapter six presents principles concerning our daily struggle.Practical Application: Perhaps more than any other book of the Bible, the Book of Ephesians emphasizes the connection between sound doctrine and right practice. Far too many people ignore "theology" and instead want to only discuss things that are "practical." In Ephesians, Paul argues that theology is practical. In order to live out God's will for us in our lives practically - we must first understand who we are in Christ doctrinally.
From Gotquestions.org
Date of Writing: The Book of Ephesians was very likely written between 60-63 A.D.
Purpose of Writing: Paul intended all those that long for Christ-like maturity to receive this writing. Enclosed within the Book of Ephesians is the discipline needed to develop into true sons of God. Furthermore, a study in Ephesians will help to fortify and to establish the believer so he can fulfill the purpose and calling God has given. The aim of this epistle is to confirm and to equip a maturing church. It presents a balanced view of the body of Christ and its importance in God's economy.
Key Verses:
Ephesians 1:3, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ."
Ephesians 2:8-10, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Ephesians 4:4-6, "There is one body and one Spirit - just as you were called to one hope when you were called - one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
Ephesians 6:10-11, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes."
Brief Summary: Doctrine occupies the greatest portion of the Book of Ephesians. Half of the teaching in this epistle relates to our standing, and the remainder of it affects our condition. All too often those who teach from this book bypass all the foundational instruction and go directly to the closing chapter. It is this chapter that emphasizes the warfare or the struggle of the saints. However, to benefit fully from the contents of this epistle, one must begin at the beginning of Paul's instruction in this letter.First, the follower of Christ must fully understand who God declares him to be. He must also become grounded in the knowledge of God's accomplishment for all humanity. Next, our present existence and walk must become exercised and strengthened. This must continue until we no longer totter or stagger back and forth with every spirit of teaching and subtlety of men.Paul’s writing breaks down into three main segments.
(1) Chapters one through three introduce principles with respect to God's accomplishment.
(2) Chapters four and five put forth principles regarding our present existence.
(3) Chapter six presents principles concerning our daily struggle.Practical Application: Perhaps more than any other book of the Bible, the Book of Ephesians emphasizes the connection between sound doctrine and right practice. Far too many people ignore "theology" and instead want to only discuss things that are "practical." In Ephesians, Paul argues that theology is practical. In order to live out God's will for us in our lives practically - we must first understand who we are in Christ doctrinally.
From Gotquestions.org
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Announcment on Pictorial Directory
From the LBC Church Office -
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!
We are producing a new pictorial directory for our church. Families will have the opportunity to have their photographs taken and will receive a complimentary 8x10 portrait and a directory at no cost for participating.
To make our directory a success we need VOLUNTEERS!
If you can help schedule appointments before and/or after worship services on April 27, May 4 and/or May 11 or serve as a host or hostess during the actual photography sessions beginning May 13, please sign up below, email Jeanne Hultgren jeanne@lenexabaptist.com or call the church office.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!
We are producing a new pictorial directory for our church. Families will have the opportunity to have their photographs taken and will receive a complimentary 8x10 portrait and a directory at no cost for participating.
To make our directory a success we need VOLUNTEERS!
If you can help schedule appointments before and/or after worship services on April 27, May 4 and/or May 11 or serve as a host or hostess during the actual photography sessions beginning May 13, please sign up below, email Jeanne Hultgren jeanne@lenexabaptist.com or call the church office.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Our Next Study - Marriage, Parenting, Employment
As mentioned in the email we will begin a study of Ephesians on April 20, 2008.
I am really excited about this study and all that we can learn from this book. In the next week I will be publishing notes and readings again. Each post will be for the upcoming Sunday.
Please let me know either here or via email what you think about this study, if you have concerns or comments, or anything else you would like me to know before we begin.
Andy
I am really excited about this study and all that we can learn from this book. In the next week I will be publishing notes and readings again. Each post will be for the upcoming Sunday.
Please let me know either here or via email what you think about this study, if you have concerns or comments, or anything else you would like me to know before we begin.
Andy
Experiencing God Follow Up
There is one group now starting up the Experiencing God study at the church. I would appreciate any comments, concerns, or questions you would have wanted to know about or would like to post for that class or future classes of this study.
You can post anonymously so please speak your mind openly.
Thanks!
Andy
You can post anonymously so please speak your mind openly.
Thanks!
Andy
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