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P E R S O N A L ST U DY G U I D E
6 TEACHINGS
ON CD & DVD
PERSONAL
STUDY GUIDE
EPHESIANS
BOOKLET
A BIBLE STUDY
of
EPHESIANS
Knowing Who You Are in Christ and
Learning How to Live in Him
One of the things that most impacted my life is studying the Bible. I
have spent more than 40 years studying Gods Word, and I can honestly
say it has totally changed everything!
Romans 12:2 says, Let God transform you into a new person by changing
the way you think. Then you will learn to know Gods will for you, which is
good and pleasing and perfect (NLT). This scripture explains why Im so
passionate about teaching the Word of God: Its literally the key to
experiencing the abundant life Jesus died to give us!
Over the years Ive focused on helping people learn how to practically
apply the truth in the Bible to their lives in areas we all struggle with,
like the mind, mouth, moods and attitudes. But Im so excited to do
something Ive never done beforestudy a specific book of the Bible in
great detail with you. In this study of Ephesians, Ive included material
that will help you walk through each chapter and sometimes, verse by
verse. With this approach, its like were doing a personal Bible study
together.
I chose the book of Ephesians because I love that it is easily broken
down into two distinct sections. The first three chapters explain our
relationship with God and how much He loves us, while the last three
chapters focus on our behavior as Christians.
When we know who we are in Christ and how much He loves us, we will
fall deeper in love with Him. And when we fall deeper in love with Him,
changing our behavior is something we want to do because of His great
love for us.
As you watch and listen to the CDs and DVDs in this Bible study, I
encourage you to use the pages of the study guide as an added benefit
in your personal study time. Answer the questions, take notes and
journal about what God shows you through this study.
My prayer is that this will encourage you to spend more time with God,
both in prayer and by studying His Word. He loves you and wants a
deep, intimate relationship with you. And I can tell you from my own
experience that if you commit to studying the Word of God, youll see
amazing changes in your life too!
HISTORY
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17
25
38
46
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A BIBLE STUDY
of
EPHESIANS
HISTORY
CHAPTERS 1-3
OUR
RELATIONSHIP
WITH GOD
EPHESIANS
CHAPTER 1
verse 1
Paul, an apostle (special messenger) of Christ Jesus (the Messiah), by the divine will (the purpose and the choice of God) to the
saints (the consecrated, set-apart ones) at Ephesus who are also
faithful and loyal and steadfast in Christ Jesus.
It is important for us to be in Gods will if we want to be successful
at what we do.
How much time do you spend seeking the will of God? How
convinced are you that you are in the will of God?
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verse 2
verse 3
| Receiving by Faith
EPHESIANS 1:3
11
verse 4-5
| Gods Love
12
verse 6
| Gods Acceptance
[So that we might be] to the praise and the commendation of His
glorious grace (favor and mercy), which He so freely bestowed on
us in the Beloved.
How has God made you feel accepted? Cherished? Special?
verse 7-13
| In Christ
13
14
What are some ways you are enjoying true unity in your life?
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verse 14
| Gods Guarantee
verse 15-20
| Pauls Prayer
The same power that raised Christ from the dead dwells in us. (See
Romans 8:11 and Luke 10:19.)
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verse 21-23
| Christs Authority
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The Good Dinosaur movieThe baby dinosaur lost his father and
lived in fear. He was being chased by critters and he wanted his
dad to come back and take care of him. But his dad wanted him to
know that he already had inside of him what he needed to meet
any challenge. There was one statement in the movie toward the
end that I took for myself!
Son (daughter), you have me in you and much morego get that
critter!
In what ways do you feel strong in God? How are you
experiencing the power that is yours in Christ?
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EPHESIANS
CHAPTER 2
You might say that Ephesians, Chapter 2, reveals the Christians past,
present and future. It speaks of who we were before accepting Christ,
who we are now in Christ, and who we are foreordained to become as
we continue growing spiritually and walking in the good plan of God.
verse 1
verse 4
| But God!
EPHESIANS 2:4
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of him, BUT GOD meant it for good. As for you, you thought evil
against me, but God meant it for good, to bring about that many people
should be kept alive, as they are this day.
John 10:10 The devil comes to kill, steal and destroy, BUT JESUS
came that we might have and enjoy life. The thief comes only in order
to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life,
and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).
What situation do you have in your life that you need to trust
God to interrupt and work it out for good?
verse 5-6
EPHESIANS 2:5-6
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verse 7-9
EPHESIANS 2:7
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verse 10
| Gods Masterpiece
EPHESIANS 2:10
1. God created us. Satan, sin and the world damaged us, but
God recreated us and made us new!
2. W
e are partners with God. He has provided a good life for
us and we are told to choose to live in it.
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Are you making choices that allow you to live the good life?
Are there any choices you need to make right now that will
help you do more good works and live a better life?
verse 11-12
| Remember...
EPHESIANS 2:11-12
Therefore, remember that at one time you were Gentiles (heathens) in the flesh, called Uncircumcision by those who called
themselves Circumcision, [itself a mere mark] in the flesh made
by human hands.
[Remember] that you were at that time separated (living apart)
from Christ [excluded from all part in Him], utterly estranged
and outlawed from the rights of Israel as a nation, and strangers
with no share in the sacred compacts of the [Messianic] promise
[with no knowledge of or right in Gods agreements, His covenants]. And you had no hope (no promise); you were in the world
without God.
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verse 13-16
| But Now!
verse 17-20
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26
EPHESIANS
CHAPTER 3
verse 1-5
verse 6
| Fellow Heirs
[It is this:] that the Gentiles are now to be fellow heirs [with the
Jews], members of the same body and joint partakers [sharing]
in the same divine promise in Christ through [their acceptance
of] the glad tidings (the Gospel).
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
The Gentiles becoming fellow heirs with the Jews was a cultural
shock to Jew and Gentilemore than we can even imagine!
The Jews had worked hard and followed the rules for centuries, and
now the Gentiles who had never done that were to be given the
same benefits as the Jews.
Example: The oldest child in a family often feels this way about the
baby who has it easier than the oldest child ever did! They
frequently say, He gets everything handed to him, but I had to
work for everything I got!
Matthew 20:1-15 The parable of the master who hired workers at
various times of the day, but paid them all the same amount.
John 1:17 The law came through Moses, but grace and truth came
through Jesus! For while the Law was given through Moses, grace
(unearned, undeserved favor and spiritual blessing) and truth came
through Jesus Christ.
Why give the law? Why not just start with grace?
The dispensation of the law/The dispensation of graceBoth were
long periods of time in which God interacts with His people in
different ways.
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NOTE: The law had to be given so man could discover that he could never
keep it! He needed God and His help.
ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURES
After Adam and Eve sinned, God waited to find someone to work
through in order to return things to His original plan. He planned
to get His man back and restore His authority.
See Luke 4:6 The devil told Jesus that power had been turned over
to him, but he was unaware that Jesus was prepared to take it back!
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1 John 3:8 The reason Jesus came was to destroy the works of the
devil!! [But] he who commits sin [who practices evildoing] is of the
devil [takes his character from the evil one], for the devil has sinned
(violated the divine law) from the beginning. The reason the Son of God
was made manifest (visible) was to undo (destroy, loosen, and dissolve)
the works the devil [has done].
God works through people. We are partners with God! He worked
through Abraham, Moses, Joseph, Esther, Ruth, Daniel, the
prophets, etc.
See Genesis 12:1-3 He found Abraham and made a covenant of faith
with him that in essence said, You trust me (believe) and I will make
you great.
If God spoke to you, would you be willing to leave all and
follow Him, even if you did not know where you were going?
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Eventually the king had a disturbing dream and was told of Joseph,
who had ability to interpret dreams.
The dream revealed years of famine coming, and a plan to store up
grain to make sure there was enough food.
Joseph was put in charge of the plan.
When his brothers who had abused him came to Egypt for help,
they had no idea they would be asking Joseph for help.
Joseph helped them without reproach or faultfinding.
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32
Do you believe that God has a plan for your protection and
deliverance, even though you dont know what it is? Explain.
verse 7-8
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verse 12
| Approaching God
EPHESIANS 3:12
verse 13
| Press On
EPHESIANS 3:13
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verse 14-19
| Pauls Prayer
1. P
aul prayed, May you be strengthened with mighty power
in the inner man, by the Holy Spirit indwelling your
innermost being and personality!
Wow! A spirit-filled personality!
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verse 20-21
| Greater Things
EPHESIANS 3:20-21
Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power
that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and]
do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or
think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts,
hopes, or dreams]
To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all
generations forever and ever. Amen (so be it).
NOW, (after we know the love of God and the strength of God that
is ours)
He is able to do more than we could ever dare to hope, ask, think or
imagine according to His power that works in us. Unconditional love
gives us courage to pray boldly!
God intends to do greater things than you could imagine through you
not just for you, but through you.
Think big, hope aggressively, ask for the impossible, and let your
imagination run wild with the things that are possible with God!
Do you pray, plan, ask, think and imagine big? Explain.
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RECAP
One of the keys to experiencing Gods great plan for our life
is knowing who we are in Christ and how much He loves us.
Studying these first three chapters of Ephesians has shown
us what that truth looks like and how to put it into action in
our own life.
We also learned about the importance of Gods grace and
peace in our life. When we know how to receive Gods grace,
it will help us experience Gods peace. We cannot enjoy the
life Christ died to give us until we understand and accept
Gods grace.
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CHAPTERS 4-6
OUR
BEHAVIOR
AS BELIEVERS
IN CHRIST
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EPHESIANS
CHAPTER 4
verse 1
| An Appeal to Believers
I therefore, the prisoner for the Lord, appeal to and beg you to
walk (lead a life) worthy of the [divine] calling to which you have
been called [with behavior that is a credit to the summons to
Gods service.
If we are going to call ourselves Christians, we should purpose to
behave as He did.
The fig tree with only leaves and no fruit.
Matthew 21:18-19 In the early dawn the next morning, as He was
coming back to the city, He was hungry.
And as He saw one single leafy fig tree above the roadside, He went to
it but He found nothing but leaves on it [seeing that in the fig tree the
fruit appears at the same time as the leaves]. And He said to it, Never
again shall fruit grow on you! And the fig tree withered up at once.
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verse 2
EPHESIANS 4:2
Living as becomes you] with complete lowliness of mind (humility) and meekness (unselfishness, gentleness, mildness), with
patience, bearing with one another and making allowances
because you love one another.
HUMILITY
MEEKNESS (unselfishness, gentleness, mildness)
Matthew 11:29 The reason Jesus came was to destroy the works
of the devil! Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle
(meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and
ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls.
Philippians 2:5 Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble]
mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example
in humility:].
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verse 3-6
verse 7-14
is now a conquered foe. He has been led captive at the chariot wheels
of Christ, and our Lord has now ascended as Man and taken His
place upon the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, and there from
His exalted seat in glory He gives these gifts to His church for its
edification and blessing. 1
1. H. A. Ironside, Ephesians: An Ironside Expository Commentary, Kregel Publications,
Kegel, Inc., Grand Rapids, MI, 1937, 2007, p. 107.
Apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher are given for the
perfecting of the saints that they might do the work of the
ministry, growing into maturity and perfection of character.
verse 15-17
| Grow Up!
EPHESIANS 4:15-16
Rather, let our lives lovingly express truth [in all things, speaking
truly, dealing truly, living truly]. Enfolded in love, let us grow up
in every way and in all things into Him Who is the Head, [even]
Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
For because of Him the whole body (the church, in all its various
parts), closely joined and firmly knit together by the joints and
ligaments with which it is supplied, when each part [with power
adapted to its need] is working properly [in all its functions],
grows to full maturity, building itself up in love.
So this I say and solemnly testify in [the name of] the Lord [as in
His presence], that you must no longer live as the heathen (the
Gentiles) do in their perverseness [in the folly, vanity, and emptiness of their souls and the futility] of their minds.
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verse 22-24
| Change
verse 26-27
EPHESIANS 4:26-27
When angry, do not sin; do not ever let your wrath (your exasperation, your fury or indignation) last until the sun goes down.
Leave no [such] room or foothold for the devil [give no opportunity to him].
Anger is an open door for the devil! Dont give him the opportunity
to invade your life.
How is your anger affecting those around you? Are you
allowing deep rooted unforgiveness to remain in your life?
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verse 28-29
| Our Behavior
EPHESIANS 4:28-29
Let the thief steal no more, but rather let him be industrious,
making an honest living with his own hands, so that he may be
able to give to those in need.
Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only
such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of
others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a
blessing and give grace (Gods favor) to those who hear it.
verse 30-32
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God [do not offend or vex or
sadden Him], by Whom you were sealed (marked, branded as
Gods own, secured) for the day of redemption (of final deliverance through Christ from evil and the consequences of sin).
NOTE: If we know who we are in Christ and understand that God views us as
righteous and that His love is not based on our behavior, then we will
welcome chastisement in our lives and we will love hearing and studying
scriptures that confront our behavior.
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EPHESIANS
CHAPTER 5
verse 1-9
Because of the great work Christ has done in our behalf, we should
be imitators of Him.
Dont compromise!
Walk in love.
It requires daily vigilance because our flesh is selfish! The Holy
Spirit works with us reminding us to choose to walk in the Spirit.
1 Corinthians 13:1-8 Love can be seen and felt!
1 John 3:14-18 Love is not mere theory or words, but deeds and
actions.
In what ways could you improve how you treat people? How
do you treat people the way you would like to be treated?
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Greediness
Indecency
Coarse jesting
verse 10-13
| Pleasing God
verse 14-17
verse 18-20
Dont get drunk! If you stay filled with the Holy Spirit and
maintain a happy heart, you will be happy without that.
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verse 21-23
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EPHESIANS
CHAPTER 6
verse 1-9
| Honoring Others
VERSES 2 & 7
EPHESIANS 6:2
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EPHESIANS 6:7
EPHESIANS 6:8
Knowing that for whatever good anyone does, he will receive his
reward from the Lord, whether he is slave or free.
CHAPTERS 5:22-6:9
verse 10
EPHESIANS 6:10
verse 11-13
| Spiritual Battle
God supplies us with armor to protect us, but we must put it on.
Do all each crisis demands and then stand (abide) in Christ. Do
what God assigns you to do and then wait, trusting Him to do what
only He can do.
verse 14-18
We are fighting a real enemy. We dont see him or his army with
our natural eye, but we do see and feel the results of their attack.
We are protected from our enemies by putting on the armor that
God gives us.
Revelation 16:15 Behold, I am going to come like a thief! Blessed
(happy, to be envied) is he who stays awake (alert) and who guards
his clothes, so that he may not be naked and [have the shame of
being] seen exposed!
Spiritual clothing! We dont see this clothing, but it is clearly seen
in the spiritual realm.
Put on Christ, love, mercy, and the full armor of God!
Judges 6:34 But the Spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon with Himself
and took possession of him, and he blew a trumpet, and [the clan of]
Abiezer was gathered to him.
Job 29:14 I put on righteousness, and it clothed me or clothed
itself with me; my justice was like a robe and a turban or a diadem
or a crown!
KEEP GROWING!
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Habakkuk 2:4 Look at the proud; his soul is not straight or right
within him, but the [rigidly] just and the [uncompromisingly]
righteous man shall live by his faith and in his faithfulness.
Let faith be mixed with everything you do. Walk in faith.
Live by faith.
Lift up the shield refers to RELEASING your faith!
Faith is released by praying, saying and doing (actions and
attitudes).
EPHESIANS 6:16 Lift up OVER ALL the shield of saving faith!
Take a minute and think about what you are thinking about.
In what way(s) could you think more like God?
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Revelation 19:15 From His mouth goes forth a sharp sword with
which He can smite (afflict, strike) the nations; and He will shepherd
and control them with a staff (scepter, rod) of iron. He will tread the
winepress of the fierceness of the wrath and indignation of God the
All-Ruler (the Almighty, the Omnipotent).
Do you regularly speak Gods Word over your life and
situations? If you dont, you can start now!
If you dont like your answer, today is the right day to make a
change!
NOTE: Ephesians gives a full picture of the Christians privilege, inheritance
and responsibilities. Study it often. I pray this series of teachings has helped you!
RECAP
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( N LT )