Ephesians Teacher’s Guide A 24 Week Inductive Bible Study Scripture Paths Bible Studies By Lisa Hughes Scripture Paths Bible Studies Discovering the Treasures of the Word Ephesians Lesson #1, Introduction Teacher’s Guide Read through the book of Ephesians two times before you begin answering the questions below. Using only the text of Ephesians, try to answer the following questions. Be sure to note the Scripture references to show where you found your answer from the Bible. At this point in the lesson you may not be able to answer every question using only your Bible. You will have an opportunity at the end of this lesson to come back and complete your answers using other Bible study sources. 1. Who wrote the book? Paul 1:1; 3:1 2. To whom is it written? To the church at Ephesus 1:1; possibly delivered to the church by Tychicus (6:21-22). Tychicus also took the letter to the Colossians so it is reasonable to suppose that he would bring this one as well (Col. 4:7-9). 3. When was the book written? See Acts 28:30 (16-31)– during Paul’s Roman imprisonment of house guard. Sometime around AD 60-62 See Eph. 3:1; 4:1; 6:20 while he was a prisoner. 4. Where was it written? Sometime around AD 60-62, possibly early in his imprisonment in Rome. 5. What is the general tone of the author in the book? Instructive; didactic; encouraging; revealing on Paul’s part about his current circumstances and his past life; Paul is laboring to build them up into strong Christians. 6. What is the author’s purpose in writing this book? To teach the church to love God and love the saints. 7. What topics are included in this book? Doctrine about God, about Christ, about our salvation. What God has done for us and for Christ. Salvation. Christ’s great work of reconciliation. The unity of the body of believers. Examples of prayer. The unity of the body at work in service. How to walk in newness of life. How the new life affects every aspect of your life from lying, from stealing, to speech, to purity. How to walk in the Spirit. Husband/wife relationships and Christ’s love for the church. Children and slaves. Spiritual Warfare and how to pray for Paul! www.scripturepaths.com | 1 copyright©2006 Lisa Hughes Scripture Paths Bible Studies Discovering the Treasures of the Word 8. What are the key words of the book? Key words are words that are repeated or carry an important thought. God, Christ, walk, in Him, [God’s] will, grace, wisdom, built (build), glory, power, one, saints, formerly, love, faith. 9. What are the main themes of the book? A theme is the main idea, the overall message. God’s sovereign working in the lives of men through Jesus Christ; our complete inability to save ourselves and Christ’s complete ability to do so; the unity of the body of Christ; how to live out your new life in word and deed; in the home, in the church, and in the world; the armor of God. 10. What attributes of God do you see in this book? His grace and mercy to undeserving sinners; His eternality; His sovereignty over the world and the hearts of men; His kindness; wisdom; His purpose and timing of all events which happen perfectly. The depth of His being; His power; His wrath ready upon mankind; His approachability even though He is holy; His power over Satan. 11. What attributes of Christ do you find in this book? Christ adopted us, redeemed us, sacrificed Himself for us. He forgave us. He showered the riches of His grace upon us. All things are summed up in Christ – He is preeminent. He is eternal. He is worthy to be praised. He is Lord and sovereign. He invades the lives of men and calls and redeems us. He is powerful. He dispenses salvation and our inheritance. All things are in subjection to Him. He is loving. He is one with the Father and the Spirit. He dispenses gifts of the Spirit. He is the head of the Church. He loves us. The church is subject to Him. We are to serve Him. Now you can go back and add to your answers above using a Bible dictionary or Bible commentary. 12. What insights have you gained thus far in your study of Ephesians? I see the incredible amount of love and power that God extends to us sinners. I see that salvation can and should make a difference in every area of our lives. I see that God has given us every resource available if only we would rely on Him. I was reminded of the unity of the body of Christ that God desires for us. If only we would work diligently at it and give glory to Him. 13. What’s one verse in the book that has caught your attention? How did it encourage or convict you, or make you want to study and think about it more? www.scripturepaths.com | 2 copyright©2006 Lisa Hughes Scripture Paths Bible Studies Discovering the Treasures of the Word Ephesians Lesson #2, Chapter 1 Observation Teacher’s Guide The goal of this lesson is to teach you how to look at and begin to study a text of Scripture. Observation is a necessary part of Bible study, yet can often be overlooked or rushed through. Observation begins with reading through the chapter and then reading and rereading it again and again! At this stage in the Bible study you're noticing and then recording what God has put into the chapter. You're not making any interpretations about what it means or how it applies to your life—that will come later, I promise. Don’t rush through this lesson. Set aside time this week to peer into the living and abiding Word of God. You’ll be glad you did! I’ve included Chapter 1 at the end of this lesson so you can print it out and mark it up if you’d like. I find it helps me see items more easily if I’m marking and noting things as I go. How to Do a Chapter Observation 1. Begin with prayer. Ask God to show you how His word fits together. Ask Him to reveal the gems of His word. Pray for a clear mind and a patient heart as you look at His word for this lesson. 2. Read straight through the chapter using the Ephesians Bible Text handout in this lesson. This will show you the flow of the chapter. 3. Now, summarize the contents of Chapter 1. This is not the time to be super detailed; instead, think of trying to tell a 4th grader the contents of the chapter. a. Summarize paragraph 1 (verses 1-2). Greeting b. Summarize paragraph 2 (verses 3-14). God is praised for the many blessings He has given us: choosing us, predestined us, redeeming us, making known the mystery of His will, giving us an inheritance, sealing us with the Holy Spirit. c. Summarize paragraph 3 (verses 15-23). Paul thanks God for the Ephesians and asks that they would grow in wisdom and understand the hope and power they have in Christ. 4. After reviewing the chapter and what you wrote for your summaries, ask yourself: What is the main point of this chapter? How do all these details and events reveal the main idea of the chapter? Record your answer below. The unveiling of the magnificent blessings God has poured out on His children. www.scripturepaths.com | 1 copyright©2006, 2019 Lisa Hughes Scripture Paths Bible Studies Discovering the Treasures of the Word 5. Now you're ready to title your chapter. Your 3-5 word title should reflect the contents of the chapter. Remember, a title’s purpose is to help you remember what is in each chapter. God’s Magnificent Blessings 6. On the Ephesians Bible Text handout mark key words. God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit are always key words. Start with these first. Mark words or phrases that are repeated at least 3 times. Mark any other words that seem important to the chapter or are strongly emphasized. Mark words or phrases by creating a symbol or using a certain colored pencil every time it appears. This will enable you to see at a glance how often a word is used in the chapter or note a progression of thought. 7. Next, list the phrase containing the key words on a separate sheet of paper. This step will allow you to pull together the information you noted from marking the key words. Be sure to cite the verse references when you list your key word information. For example, with God as your key word you would begin to make a list of the information you discovered every time God is mentioned in Ephesians chapter 1. Your chapter 1 list about God should begin by looking something like the one below. Vs. 1 – by the will of God Vs. 2 – grace to you and peace from God Vs. 2 – God our Father Vs. 3 – Blessed be the God and Father Vs. 4 – just as He chose us 8. Mark any commands that are listed in the chapter and any actions that are required of the reader. 9. Now, list them on your separate sheet of paper in the same way you did for the key words.