From Salvation to Discipleship
A Study in Paul's Epistle to the Ephesians
Teacher Copy
Friends & Fellowship Community Group
McLean Bible Church
Study Overview
Session
Date
Session Title
Applicable Verses
1
05/14/2017
The Road to Salvation
 God Did All the Hard
Work
 Our Part is Easy
Ephesians 1:3-12; Romans
8:28-30
Eph. 1:13-14; John 11:2526; Romans 10:8-13; 1 Cor.
12:3
2
05/21/2017
Our Identity in Christ
Ephesians 2 & 3; 1 Peter
3
05/28/2017
Discipleship Empowered
by the Holy Spirit
Ephesians 4; 1 Corinthians
12
4
06/05/2017
Disciple's Walk with
Christ
Ephesians 5:1-6:9
5
06/11/2017
Disciple's Place in God's
Army
Ephesians 6:10-18; Job 1 & 2;
Joshua 5:13-6:5; Revelation
19:11-21
6
06/18/2017
The Rise and Fall of the
Church in Ephesus: A
Warning to Make
Disciples
Acts 18:18-19:41;
Ephesians 1:15 ; Revelation
2:1-7
Session 3: Discipleship
Empowered by the Holy Spirit
(Continued)
Recap of Session 3



The Oneness of Jesus & His Disciples

One God, One Father, One Lord, One Spirit

One Body, One Faith, One Baptism, One Hope
Jesus Gave Spiritual Gifts

To help us attain spiritual maturity and not be tossed to and fro
by false doctrine

To equip us to be His disciples so we can help build His church,
His Body
The Holy Spirit is the Key to the Spiritual Gifts

“ But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the
profit of all:” (1 Corinthians 12:7)

“But one and the same Spirit works all these things (spritual
gifts), distributing to each one individually as He wills.” (1
Corinthians 12:11)
Examples of the Spiritual Gifts at Work

Given to the Service of God

Miracle of Samuel's birth (1 Samuel 1:1-2:11)

Samuel's mother dedicates Samuel to the Lord's service (1
Samuel 2:18-21)

Samuel called by the LORD (1 Samuel 3:1-18)

Reading: 1 Samuel 3: 19-21


“... And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was
no open vision.” 1 Sam 3:1
“...and the Lord was with him [Samuel] and let none of his words fall to
the ground.” 1 Sam. 3:19

Obvious: v 19 is stunning! Whatever Samuel proclaimed, God fulfilled.

Implication: Samuel never said anything that did not come from God.

Derived: Samuel was guided by the Holy Spirit.
Examples of the Spiritual Gifts at Work

The Day of Pentecost

Reading: Acts 2:1-13

Peter preaches his first sermon (Acts 2:14-40)

Reading: Acts 2:41

Discussion (5 min.)

What happened when the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples of
Jesus?


1
 2
 3
What was the result of the events of Acts 2:1-13?

What was the result of Peter's sermon?

What was the end result of the Holy Spirit's manifestation?
Examples of the Spiritual Gifts at Work

The Day of Pentecost

Reading: Acts 2:1-13

Peter preaches his first sermon (Acts 2:14-40)

Reading: Acts 2:41

Discussion (5 min.)

What happened when the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples of
Jesus?




1 They spoke out boldly concerning Christ Jesus
 2 They spoke in languages they did not know
 3 They captured each listeners' attention
What was the result of the events of Acts 2:1-13? The disciples got
people's attention.
What was the result of Peter's sermon? People were convicted in
their hearts, i.e. their conscience .
What was the end result of the Holy Spirit's manifestation? 3000 were
added to the church.
SO WHAT!?!


We develop the wisdom:

So that success comes through obedience.

To understand that the spiritual gifts are not ours to use as
we chose, but as the Holy Spirit directs!

To rejoice that God chooses us to be His vessel.

To participate in God's building of His church.
Why Spiritual Gifts are important to us

The Holy Spirit gives us power, authority, & boldness to serve
our God and Father through Christ Jesus

We are brought closer to God, because God acts through us
… we get to help our Spiritual Daddy.

It is no longer what I do, but what God and we do together in
unity.
Session 4: Disciple's Walk with
Christ
Walking behind Jesus

The Disciple's Walk

Ephesians 5:1-7 Walking in Love (άγάπη – ag ah' pay)


Evidence: Jesus gave Himself for us
Discussion (5 min)

How do we show Love?


1
 2
 3
What “un-love” acts does Paul admonish us to avoid?






1
2
3
4
5
6
Walking behind Jesus

The Disciple's Walk

Ephesians 5:1-7 Walking in Love (άγάπη – ag ah' pay)


Evidence: Jesus gave Himself for us
Discussion (5 min)

How do we show Love?


1 Be like children imitating their Father
 2 Sacrifice yourself for others
 3 Give thanks
What “un-love” acts does Paul admonish us to avoid?






1 Fornication
2 All uncleanness
3 Covetousness
4 Filthiness
5 Foolish Talking
6 Coarse Jesting
Walking behind Jesus

The Disciple's Walk (continued)

Read: Ephesians 5:8-14 Walk in His Light


“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm
119:105)
What happens in the light?

Fruit of the Spirit grows in the light


Read: Galatians 5:22-23
 In the Greek (καρπόζ) fruit is singular
 Paul describes the fruit by naming 9 attributes of the fruit.
Highlights goodness, righteousness, truth

Exposes unfruitful works
Walking behind Jesus

The Disciple's Walk (continued)


Ephesians 5:15-21 Walk in Wisdom

From knowledge seek understanding

From understanding find wisdom
Wisdom
Discussion (5 min.)

How do we develop wisdom?









1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Understanding
Knowledge
Walking behind Jesus

The Disciple's Walk (continued)


Ephesians 5:15-21 Walk in Wisdom

From knowledge seek understanding

From understanding find wisdom
Wisdom
Discussion (5 min.)

How do we develop wisdom?










Understanding
1 Walk Circumspectly
Knowledge
2 Redeem the time
3 Understand what the will of God is
4 Seek not the euphoria of this world
5 Be filled with the Holy Spirit
6 Speak to each other in psalms, hymns & spritual songs
7 Sing & make melody to the Lord in your heart
8 Always give thanks for all things to our Father
9 Give thanks through Jesus Christ
10 Submit to one another in the fear of God
Disciple as Helpmate of Christ

Emulating Christ's Love

Reading: Ephesians 5:22-33

Christ's unconditional love for His Wife

Focus is Christ's love for His wife, the church

The disciple's love for the church should be as Christ's love


As part of the church we show love of the Husband by being obedient to
Him.
Discussion (5 min.)

What responsibilities do disciples have by being part of the wife of
Christ, the Church?


As disciples of Christ, how do we emulate the Husband with respect to
the church?


Disciple as Helpmate of Christ

Emulating Christ's Love

Reading: Ephesians 5:22-33

Christ's unconditional love for His Wife

Focus is Christ's love for His wife, the church

The disciple's love for the church should be as Christ's love


As part of the church we show love of the Husband by being obedient to
Him.
Discussion (5 min.)

What responsibilities do disciples have by being part of the wife of
Christ, the Church?


Show through our life and our words what submission to Christ
means
As disciples of Christ, how do we emulate the Husband with respect to
the church?


Love the church as Christ love the church
Help sanctify and cleanse the church with the word
Disciple as Helpmate of Christ

Being Christ's Helpmate


Reading:

Genesis 2:18

Genesis 2:21-24
Discussion (5 min.)


What is the significance of God taking a rib bone to form woman
(՚ishshah)?
Why didn't God take dirt and form woman in the same way He had
formed man?

Why did God form woman?

What “responsibilities” do we, as disciples, derive from the passage?
Disciple as Helpmate of Christ

Being Christ's Helpmate


Reading:

Genesis 2:18

Genesis 2:21-24
Discussion (5 min.)

What is the significance of God taking a rib bone to form woman
(՚ishshah)?


Woman is also the created image of God
 Woman is a partner with man ('yish)
Why didn't God take dirt and form woman in the same way He had
formed man?


God only needed one image of Himself
Why did God form woman? To be a partner helper, a helpmate

What “responsibilities” do we, as disciples, derive from the passage?
Disciples in the Family of God

Disciples as both children and parents

Reading: Ephesians 6:1-4

Discussion (5 min.)

In what way are disciples as children?

Who are the parents?

In what way are disciples as fathers?

What guidance does Paul provide for disciples to be like fathers?
Disciples in the Family of God

Disciples as both children and parents

Reading: Ephesians 6:1-4

Discussion (5 min.)

In what way are disciples as children?


We are under the authority of God.
Who are the parents?

Father – God
 Mother – church
In what way are disciples as fathers?



We have the responsibility of training others
 We have the responsibility of admonition those that stray
What guidance does Paul provide for disciples to be like fathers?

Don't provoke our “children” to wrath
Disciples in the Service of Jesus

Disciples as Slaves and Masters

Reading: Ephesians 6:5-9

Discussion (5 min.)

What traits should disciples learn from slaves and develop?


1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
As disciples, how are we like “masters” or “lords”?


How does Jesus expect His disciples to act in a leadership position?
Disciples in the Service of Jesus

Disciples as Slaves and Masters

Reading: Ephesians 6:5-9

Discussion (5 min.)

What traits should disciples learn from slaves and develop?


1 Be obedient to our leaders
 2 Obey with sincerity of heart
 3 Do the will of God from the heart
 4 Serve with goodwill
 5 Serve for the Lord
 6 Don't serve for the praise of others
As disciples, how are we like “masters” or “lords”?


We have the responsibility to lead others
How does Jesus expect His disciples to act in a leadership position?

We should emulate our Master, the Lord Jesus Christ
Conclusion


Disciple's Walk

Walk with God's unconditional love for others

Walk in the light of Jesus Christ

Walk in wisdom, not just knowledge.
Disciple's Nature

Emulate Jesus' love for His, wife the church

Be Jesus' Helpmate

Show the positive attributes of being both an obedient child
and a caring father.

Show the positive traits of being both a slave in Christ and a
lord under the Lord.