Reading Paul, Hearing Jesus (GEPC)
Ephesians 4:1-16
This chapter may be Paul’s most succinct statement on what the church is and what it does.
Monday, May 5
Read Ephesians 4:1-16. According to Paul, what is our calling? Notice the different roles in the church. What if we all figured out our roles – apostles (sent ones), prophets (truth tellers), evangelists (recruiters), shepherds (nurturers) and teachers (communicators) – what role or roles would you fit in? What’s the benefit of the entire body of Christ fitting into one or more of these roles?
Tuesday, May 6
After reviewing Ephesians 4:1-16, read Matthew 11:25-30, 18:21-35. How do these two passages from Matthew help us to understand the basis for what Paul writes in Ephesians 4:2?
Wednesday, May 7
After reviewing Ephesians 4:1-16, read Matthew 3. We follow Jesus into the water in our baptism and receive what he received. What is the role of baptism in the church? How is our life different after baptism than before?
Thursday, May 8
After reviewing Ephesians 4:1-16, read 1 Corinthians 12. The church is the body of Christ. All of us play a part. That’s why we call it membership. Do we think of church membership like being members of a body? How should we view our different roles within the membership? Who’s most important?
Friday, May 9
After reviewing Ephesians 4:1-16, read John 17. Jesus prays that we are unified just as the Son of God is unified with the Father. Why is unity so important? Describe a situation where the church wasn’t unified. What happened to their witness?
Saturday, May 10
After reviewing Ephesians 4:1-16, read Matthew 18:15-20. Jesus shows us how to speak the truth in love. What is the goal of this process in Matthew 18? What is Paul’s goal for us to speak the truth in love? When did you have to speak the truth in love to someone else?
Bethel Lutheran Church, St. Paul, MN – bethelstpaul.com