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OPENING UP EPHESIANS: A Study for New Christians and Young People
Peter Jeffery
Peter Jeffery is one of the clearest and ablest expounders of God's truth alive today. His books have circled the globe and been translated into several languages.
This book is intended to explain and apply the book of Ephesians for those in the formative years of their Christian life. Perfect for High School and College age Sunday School classes, New Believer's Sunday School, Bible Studies or personal study, it has several challenging questions following each chapter, plus a Digging Deeper section for those eager to search the Bible more thoroughly.
"When I hear the name Peter Jeffery, I immediately think of the author who is known for his ability to put profound biblical truth in readable, understandable and memorable language. That ability is on display again in this volume as Mr. Jeffery explains both the sublime doctrine and the practical instruction of the apostle Paul in his letter to the Ephesians. The young people for whom this volume is intended will find Peter Jeffery's clear and perceptive style much to their liking. They are certain to come away from their reading of it with a greater understanding of the glory of salvation and with firm determination to live more for the glory of the One who graciously provided it." - Roger Ellsworth
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Author's Preface
Introduction to this Series
How to Get the Most out of this Book
Summary of Ephesians
1. A Fanfare of Truth
2. Prayer for Fellow Believers
3. By Grace Through Faith
4. One in Christ
5. The Mystery Revealed
6. Prayer for Spiritual Strengthening
7. Unity, Diversity and Effort
8. A Changed Life
9. Walk in Love, Light and Wisdom
10. Spirit Filled Relationships
11. The Armor of God
12. Ultimate Victory in Christ
Appendix: Digging Deeper into Ephesians
Jeffery Five-Pack
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Additional Information
• Table of Contents
• The Author
• Introducing the New Series
• The Author's Preface
• Sample
• Commendations
| Sample |
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Digging Deeper into Ephesians 2:1-10
For Personal Study
1) Compare verses 1-3 with the description of fallen man found in the following passages: Genesis 6:5; 8:21; 1 Kings 8:46; Proverbs 20:9; Ecclesiastes 7:20,29; 9:3; Isaiah 64:6,7; Jeremiah 17:9,10; Matthew 15:17-20; John 8:42-44; Romans 1:18-32; 3:9-20. From these passages construct a defense of the doctrine of man's lost condition which you can use to witness to your friends.
2) In verse 3 Paul declares that we were once 'objects of [God's] wrath.' Study the doctrine of God's wrath from the following:
Genesis 19:23-26; Exodus 12:29,30; Leviticus 10:1-7; Numbers 16:31-35; Deuteronomy 32:15-26; Luke 3:7-9; Romans 1:18; 2:5-9; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10; Hebrews 12:29; Revelation 6:12-17; 20:11-15. Let us tremble before these words, and embrace Christ who alone delivers from the wrath to come.
For Group Discussion
3) Paul uses three great words in verses 4-9, 'mercy', 'love' and 'grace'. Divide into three groups assigning one word to each. You will have three passages supplied for each term; you search for more: mercy (Ex. 34:6,7; Ps. 89:1,2; Tit. 3:3-7), love (Isa. 43:1-7; Jer. 31:3; 1 Jn. 4:7-11), and grace (Acts 15:6-11; Rom. 5:19-21;
2 Cor. 8:9. Discuss together how these words should lead us to worship and serve God more faithfully.
4) As a group discuss the place of good works in the Christian life from verses 8-10. Examine Romans 4:1-8; 11:1-7; Galatians 3:1-11 and James 2:14-26. Relate James to Ephesians 2:8-10.
For Prayerful Reflection
5) Read back over these ten verses in private. Pause and ponder as you read verses 1-3, and ask yourself if this describes your past or your present condition. If they apply to your past, praise God right now. If this is still your present condition cry out for mercy in Christ.
From The Summary of Ephesians
Paul spent three years at Ephesus (AD 54-57) and he obviously had a great love for this church which he had founded. It is not surprising, therefore, that during his imprisonment at Rome (AD 61-63), his thoughts turn to those saints and he writes to them this most beautiful letter.
The church at Ephesus was like any other church in that it had its problems, but at the time this epistle was written, there appeared to be no major difficulty and the letter is more general than, for instance, Galatians. Some think it was a circular letter sent to Ephesus and other churches in the area. As Ephesus was the capital of the Roman province of Asia, this is quite possible. The fact that it was not written to deal with any particular problem perhaps gives Ephesians a special value, as it presents to us basic Christianity.
The epistle to the Ephesians presents us with a worthy and exalted view of God. Paul starts by describing himself as being an apostle 'by the will of God'. But he does not stop there. If we are Christians, it is only because God chose us (1:4), predestined and adopted us (1:5). Our redemption is 'according to his good pleasure' (1:9). God works to a set purpose (1:9), to a plan which embraces everything (1:11), and our salvation is ultimately 'for the praise of his glory' (1:12).
Chapter 2 is one of the greatest statements of the gospel in the New Testament. The contrast between the first three verses and the last four is quite amazing. The opening verses describe what the Ephesians were before they became Christians. Deadness, hopelessness and helplessness are the condition of all in sin. How different are verses 19-22! 'You are no longer' like that, says Paul. The transformation is almost unbelievable. What has caused it? The bridge between these two extreme conditions is verses 4-18, the grace of God.
The Christian is God's workmanship (v. 10); faith is the result of God's mercy, grace and love working in our lives. There is no other possible explanation for the transformation that takes place at conversion. The gospel brings men into a state of peace with God and breaks down ancient barriers that separate man from man (vv. 14-18). Peace is established between those who were enemies because both have been reconciled to God by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The wonder of all this moves Paul in chapter 3 to pray for the Ephesians. Notice the phrase 'for this reason' in verses 1 and 14. He starts to say something in verse 1, then he stops and digresses for a while (vv. 2-13) before he comes back to his original thought in verse 14. This is not unusual in Paul's writings. He often goes off on a bypass before coming back to his main thought, but there is always a valid reason. The reason here is given in verse 13. Paul is writing this letter as a prisoner and he is concerned that the Ephesian Christians should not be discouraged by this. He encourages them by reminding them that though he is in a Roman prison, he is no prisoner of Rome but a prisoner of Jesus Christ (cf. 3:1; 4:1). In other words, God is still in control of the situation, despite the appearances. He uses the same sort of argument to the Philippians (1:12-18).
The prayer for the Ephesians (3:14-21) is prompted by the greatness of God's grace already shown to these Christians in the salvation already described. But no matter how much of the grace of God we have experienced, there is always more. The gospel does so many great things for us that Paul's application of it to the Christian is that we should live a life worthy of the grace of God. This he spells out in the remaining three chapters.
Notice the strength of the language in 4:17: 'So I tell you this and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do.' He is insisting that the great transformation indicated in chapter 2 be evidenced by a change of attitude and behavior. The Christian is no longer in darkness; therefore he is to live as a child of the light (5:8). This means doing what pleases the Lord (5:10).
The Christian life is impossible without an experience of the great truths expounded in the first three chapters, but even then it is not easy and demands effort on our part. This effort is twofold. Firstly, it involves a putting off of the old self and its habits (4:22). We do this by rejecting the approaches of sin and by saying 'No!' to it (4:25-31). We are not to wait for something to happen to us; we are to 'get rid' of sin. There is not to 'be even a hint' of sin in our lives (5:3). Secondly, we are 'to put on the new self' (4:24). This we do by promoting the fruit of the light (5:9) in our lives. Paul works these things out in the specific relationships that most of us know: wives and husbands, children and parents, workers and employers. These are all to be affected by the filling of the Spirit (5:18).
The Christian life is not easy. In fact, it is a battle, and the great enemy, the devil, is ever vigorous in his opposition. So the Christian needs the armor of God (6:10-17). God supplies the armor, every piece, but we are responsible to put it on. Paul's teaching on the armor of God does not finish with verse 17; he immediately goes on to show us how vital prayer is in the battle. Even though prayer is not a part of the armor, it is indispensable to the success of the armor.
Paul then concludes this powerful letter with some personal words of instruction and encouragement (6:21-24). As was his custom, he seeks for them all 'peace ...love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.' May these three be your portion as you begin to study this precious epistle.
