Background
What is one of the wonders of the world that was located in Ephesus?
The Temple of Artemis (or the Temple of Diana).
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us ______ with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
Alive (Ephesians 2:4-5)
It is by _______ you have been saved.
Grace (Ephesians 2:8-9)
The spiritual battle is not against flesh and blood, instead it is against what?
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
In Ephesians 4:1 it says, As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. What is one way we can do that?
Live for the Lord.
Seek His Will first.
Know His Word and live it out.
Stay close to the Lord.
(Answers May Vary)
What kind of city was Ephesus?
Populous/Large: The city had a population of more than 250,000, making Ephesus the second largest city in the known world.
Multicultural- many languages spoken there
Very wealthy with a wonder of the world and with the trade and commerce there.
For we are God’s ___________, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Handiwork, workmanship (Ephesians 2:10)
From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in _____, as each part does its work.
Love (Ephesians 4:16)
What is the sword of the Spirit?
The Word of God.
Ephesians 4:3 says: Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. What is one day to do that?
2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
(Answers May Vary)
On which missionary journey did Paul visit Ephesus? 1, 2, or 3?
He went to Ephesus on his second missionary journey.
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life _______ of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of ______.
Love (Ephesians 5:1-2)
What should you not let come out of your mouth?
Unwholesome talk (crude jokes, bitterness, slander)
Ephesians 4:22-24 says: You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. What's one way to put off your old self and put on your new self?
Be aware of our sinful nature, and then to choose to believe and act in the manner of Christ.
(Answers May Vary)
After Paul preached and performed miracles in Ephesus, some were obstinate while others who responded positively responded in this way:
Some were seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. 19 A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. 20 In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with _______ spiritual blessing in Christ. For he _____ us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
Every, chose (Ephesians 1:3-6)
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one _______, one baptism; one God and Father of all.
Faith (Ephesians 4:4-6)
What should you let come out of your mouth instead of unwholesome things?
Only what is helpful for building others up; that which will benefit those who listen. (4:29)
Ephesians 5:21 says: Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. How does one practically live this out?
Remember what Christ has done for me, and to love others as Christ loved us.
(Answers May Vary)
What was the riot all about? (Give 3-4 things that happened.)
Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, called together workers in related trades, and said: “You know, my friends, that we receive a good income from this business. 26 And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that gods made by human hands are no gods at all. 27 There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited; and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty.”
There was a huge riot and they seized two of Paul's companions and rushed into the theater together.
The Jews in the crowd pushed Alexander to the front, and they shouted instructions to him. He motioned for silence in order to make a defense before the people. 34 But when they realized he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
The city clerk quieted the crowd and dispersed them at the end with reason and reminding them that this riot was actually illegal.
In him we have _________ through his blood, the _________ of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
redemption, forgiveness (Ephesians 1:8-10)
We will be shown the incomparable riches of His ________.
Grace (Ephesians 2:7)
Name at least five piece of the armor of God:
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Ephesians 6:10 says: Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. How might we live this out practically?
In context, this verse comes from putting on the whole armor of God. So ... uh... that. :P
(Answers May Vary)