Studying the Epistle of Ephesians

by Mitchell Tan
May 29, 2019

COMMENCING ON A NEW EPISTLE

It is good to give thanks to God for His grace in completing our studies in the epistle to the Philippians. And now we are going to embark on a new epistle by the apostle Paul. May each book that we study help us to grow further in faith and in our walk with the Lord. The next book that we are going to learn from together is the epistle of Ephesians.

THE CITY OF EPHESUS

1. The city of Ephesus was the capital of the Roman province of Asia.

2. It was situated on the interaction of major trade routes.

3. It was the place where there was a famous temple of the goddess Diana.

4. There were also some who practised black magic (Acts 19:19).

PAUL’S MINISTRY AT EPHESUS (ACTS 19)

1. The apostle Paul had come to minister at Ephesus.

2. He helped a group of former disciples of John to receive the Holy Spirit.

3. He reasoned boldly in the synagogue for three months.

4. When there was opposition against him, He continued to reason daily in the school of Tyrannus for two years.

5. He also did great miracles.

6. He also faced much persecution from the Jews.

GOALS FOR STUDYING THIS BOOK

Why are we studying this book?

1. TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE CHURCH OF THE LORD JESUS IS ABOUT

a. Paul explained extensively what the Church is.

b. When we are saved, we become part of the Church community.

c. Christ is the chief cornerstone and the Church is built with Him and the word of God as our foundation.

d. We become part of the family of God.

2. TO LEARN HOW TO SERVE WITHIN THE CHURCH

a. Paul also explained how he served the Lord Jesus.

b. We are meant to walk worthy of our calling and serve Him as one.

c. The Lord is the one who would give gifts of servants of God for the Church to grow and have unity.

d. The church can grow as one towards spiritual maturity through the teaching of servants of God.

3. TO LEARN ABOUT PRACTICAL RAMIFICATIONS OF BEING A CHURCH

a. The challenge is also for us to practise what we have learnt in Christ and to love each other.

b. To understand that within the church there are multiple relationships.

4. TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE CHURCH IS AT WAR

a. We would also learn to put on the complete armour of God.

b. We also learn to stand strong for the Lord in the face of spiritual warfare.

I hope you are excited about studying the book of Ephesians with these reasons in mind. Let’s look forward to discovering the Lord and His Church in the months ahead.

 

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