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Introduction to Ephesians 5:15 - 6:18

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Introduction to Ephesians 5:15 - 6:18 Introduction to Ephesians 5:15 - 6:18 This is the final series of studies for Life Groups in the letter to the Ephesians. Over the next few weeks we are going to be looking at some very challenging yet very inspiring words from Paul as we explore Ephesians 5:15 - 6:18. OBJECTIVES: Ephesians 5:15-21 is a key ‘transition passage’ in the overall book of Ephesians. It takes us from considering how we live as ‘children of light’ into some practical applications, namely: 1. how do we relate to one another in specific relationships (e.g. the husband/wife relationship, the parent/child relationship and the employer/employee relationship)? 2. how do we equip ourselves spiritually to live in the real world as participants / warriors / fighters in a spiritual battle? The transition begins with a warning in Ephesians 5: 15 ‘Be very careful, then, how you live …’. That word ‘then’ is a lot like the word ‘therefore’. It means as we read and study ahead and examine how we do relationships and how we face spiritual warfare, we need to keep in mind what we’ve learned in earlier chapters. Paul is essentially saying, ‘Because of what we have learned (i.e., who we are IN CHRIST) we now need to live that out carefully in the world in which we live.’ In the remaining passages of Ephesians Paul now gives some very practical illustrations from life in general as to how we are to act, speak and behave so that our being IN CHRIST is then reflected out into the world. This transition hinges on one short section of verse found in Ephesians 5:18 ‘…. be filled with the Spirit, ….’. Paul recognises the fact that in order to take what we have learned from earlier themes to be applied in everyday practical living going forward, we as Christians need to be filled with the Spirit. This is a constant theme in Paul’s teaching – and one that hopefully we can portray accurately as we go through the notes. Living as Jesus wants us to, responding to the storms and demands of life without compromise or defeat, relating to others in a way that honours God and facing the daily spiritual battle we are all in cannot be done in our own strength. We NEED the Holy Spirit to empower and enable us to live up to the high call placed upon us. One of the challenges that Christ calls us to, and to which we need the filling of the Holy Spirit to help enable us, is ‘Submit to one another ….’ As Paul takes on the theme of relating to one another in certain relationships, the understanding of ‘submission one to another’ is vital. In society today many think that the ‘lesser’ (the child, the employee) always submits to the ‘greater’ (the parent, the boss). Paul’s statement here emphasises that in all relationships there must be equal submission and in fact places increased emphasis on ‘the greater’ serving and submitting to ‘the lesser’. In these studies therefore we will consider what it means to be ‘filled with the Spirit’ and what that will look like: 1. as Church (Eph 5:15-21) 2. in certain relationships a. the husband/wife relationship (Eph 5:22-33) b. the parent/child relationship (Eph 6:1-4) c. the employer/employee relationship (Eph 6:5-9) 3. in our personal spiritual warfare. (Eph 6:10-17) Be Filled With the Spirit – Life Groups 2015 – Term 3 1 Be Filled With the Spirit – Life Groups 2015 – Term 3 2 Series: Filled with the Spirit Wednesday, September 16th Theme: ‘Be Filled with the Spirit’ Ephesians 5:15-21 Be Filled With the Spirit – Life Groups 2015 – Term 3 3 Leaders preparation notes Be Filled With the Spirit – Life Groups 2015 – Term 3 4 Wednesday, September 16 BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT OBJECTIVE: The focus for today is ‘be filled with the Spirit’ and what that will look like in our lives and as a Church. We will consider how the analogy Paul uses of drunkenness (being filled with wine) helps us understand the imperative to be ‘filled with the Spirit.’ CREATIVE: Can anyone in the group share a story of something you did or witnessed where something simply ‘overflowed.’ What were the circumstances? What was the effect? What was the reaction of others around? __________________________________________________________________________________ READING: Ephesians 5:15-21 [page 1176] PART 1 – BE CAREFUL HOW YOU LIVE. This passage starts with some very challenging words, ‘Be very careful, then, how you live, … because the days are evil!’ Wow! Today, just as in New Testament times, Christians are surrounded by godlessness and darkness on many sides (see Ephesians 5:3-7 as an example) and Paul’s encouragement is to ‘pay attention’ to how we live. ° Why do you think Paul uses this kind of language to the Ephesian church – to the early church – to the Bridge Church? In the middle of this challenge Paul encourages believers, firstly, to be wise, and secondly, to make the most of every opportunity. ° Why is wisdom required to live for God when ‘days are evil’? ° For you - in your situation of life right now - what might be some practical examples of ‘making the most of every opportunity’? How might God use you to impact someone else with the Gospel? Paul starts the next verse of this passage, verse 17, with the word, 'Therefore, ....". Paul is setting us up to consider three things that we need in order to live carefully, wisely and opportunistically. First - we need to understand what the Lords will is (v. 17) Second - we need to be filled with the Spirit (vs. 18-21) Third - we need to submit to one another (v. 21) Tonight we will skip over the first part of understanding what the Lords will is. That is a huge subject to be looked at in the future. Instead, we will look a little deeper at Paul’s challenge to 'be filled with the Spirit', and during our next session together we will look a little more closely at what Paul is getting at when he says, 'submit to one another'. PART 2 - A COMMUNITY UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF THE SPIRIT In Ephesians 5:18 Paul offers up another challenge for us, 'Be filled With the Spirit.’ The phrase ‘be filled with the Spirit’ can be translated ‘be continually controlled by the Spirit’. In helping us to understand what being filled with the Spirit might look like, Paul contrasts it to something that is common in many societies and cultures down through the ages - that of living under the influence of alcohol. ° What areas of our thinking, behaviour and relationships are changed through drunkenness? ° How can the effects of drunkenness lead to debauchery (wasteful living)? ° How would our thinking, behaviour and relationships be changed if we are filled - continually controlled by - the Spirit? ° What is the contrast to ‘wasteful living’? ° What might we need to do in practice/in action to make sure that we are daily living in the fullness of the Spirit? Be Filled With the Spirit – Life Groups 2015 – Term 3 5 In verses 19-21 of this passage Paul focuses on four key areas of our lives that need to come under the influence of the Holy Spirit. They are: 1. how we speak 2. how we praise 3. how we give thanks 4. how we submit to one another. ° Imagine and discuss what this might have looked like for the early Church? Here are some Bible references which may help: o Acts 12:25-13:3 [p.1106] o Acts 16:25 [p.1112] o 1 Corinthians 14:15 [p. 1155] o Colossians 3:15-17 [p. 1184] o Hebrews 13:15-17 [p.1212] PART 3 - OUR COMMUNITY UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF THE SPIRIT Now that we've considered how it might have looked for the early church, can we apply it to ourselves here at the Bridge church and here in our own life group. ° In practice, what should 'being filled with the Spirit' look like for each of us in how we speak, praise, give thanks and submit to one another? o Take time to consider how our lives match up individually. What might be one or two areas I as an individual need to focus on? ∏ Note - as the leader you may want to allow some time for quiet, personal reflection here ..... a time of silence ..... a time for each person just to be quiet with and in the presence of the Holy Spirit Himself. o Take time to consider how our lives match up as a body / community. Consider how we allow the Holy Spirit greater reign in our life group. For example: Is there a way we could change what we do in life group to give greater space for the Holy Spirit to work? How can we relate to one another differently that would allow the Holy Spirit to speak through us to one another? __________________________________________________________________________________ CLOSING THOUGHTS: 1. This week, take time to think about each of the four example areas (how we speak, praise, give thanks and submit to one another). How are these integrated in our lives on a daily basis? 2. The New Testament letters contain many expressions of praise and thanksgiving which were often used and spoken by the Christians. The Psalms and Old Testament are regularly referred to. Consider the significance of the Bible and Holy Spirit in your life. Be Filled With the Spirit – Life Groups 2015 – Term 3 6 Series: Filled with the Spirit Wednesday, October 7th Theme: ‘Submit to One Another’ Ephesians 5:21-33 Be Filled With the Spirit – Life Groups 2015 – Term 3 7 Leaders preparation notes Be Filled With the Spirit – Life Groups 2015 – Term 3 8 Wednesday, October 7 SUBMIT TO ONE ANOTHER OBJECTIVES: In this study we will seek to do three things: 1.
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