Ephesians                           by Dr. Ralph Wilson​

Lesson 9

One Body: Unity and Diversity (Ephesians 4:1-10)

The passage we're about to study offers:

• One Purpose
• Three Commands
• Seven Bonds
• Millions of Unique Giftings

One Purpose

Three Commands (Ephesians 4:1-3)

To bring about this unity, Paul delivers three commands:

1. "Live a life worthy of the calling which you have received" (Ephesians 4:1)

Q34. (Ephesians 4:1) According to verse 1, what is the standard of our behavior?

 What is the "calling" to which God has called us?

2. "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." (Ephesians 4:2)

Q35. (Ephesians 4:2) Why are patience and humility so important to preserving unity?

What happens to the reputation of Jesus Christ when we have right doctrine along with a sense of arrogance towards those who disagree with us?

How are we to be both "gentle" and to "fight the good fight of faith"?
 

3. "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:3)

Q36. (Ephesians 4:3) How much energy must we expend on Christian unity?

What is "the bond of peace"?

How do we strike at peace when we are intent on argument and dissension?

Seven Bonds (Ephesians 4:4-5)

Seven elements unite us, says Paul:

1. One body

2. One Spirit

3. One hope

4. One Lord

5. One faith

6. One baptism

7. One God and Father

Millions of Unique Giftings (Ephesians 4:7)

Spiritual gifts are no different. God has made human beings wonderfully diverse.

• Factor 1: physical

• Factor 2: temperament

• Factor 3: family environment

• Factor 4: birth order

• Factor 5: artistic ability

• Factor 6: intellectual ability

• Factor 7: language ability

• Factor 8: emotional sensitivity

• Factor 9: spiritual aptitude

• Factor 10: affluence

• Factor 11: opportunities for development

• Factor 12: talents

The Victor Dispensing Gifts (Ephesians 4:8-10)

Q37. (Ephesians 4:7-10) Who gives spiritual gifts?

Can our "natural" talents be related to our "spiritual" gifts?

How?

What is the difference between a natural God-given talent and a spiritual gift?

Prayer

Dear Lord, help me to love my Christian brothers and sisters -- the ones I agree with and the ones that see some things differently than I do. Help me to simply love and so reflect you. We ask you to heal the scandal of schism in your Church so that Jesus might be seen in us and that people will know that we are your disciples. In Jesus' mighty name, we pray. Amen.

Key Verses

(Ephesians 4:1) "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received."

(Ephesians 4:3) "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."