Ephesians 5:1-14 (Be Imitators of God)

Eph 5:1-2     In what ways are we to be imitators of God?  See Eph 5:2, 4:32.  How did Christ love us?  See Eph 5:2.  What does this teach us about what it means to walk in love?  What is the significance that Christ’s sacrifice was a fragrant or soothing aroma to God?  See Lev 1 (esp. Lev 1:9, 13, 17) and Num 28 (esp. Num 28:2, 6, 8, 13, 24, 27).  Since Christ has already made the literal sacrifice of Himself to God through His physical death, in what manner are we to love others just as Christ loved us, and how is that also a fragrant or soothing aroma to God?  See Rom 12:1, Phil 2:17, 4:18, 2 Cor 2:14-16.

Eph 5:3-6     What three sins does Paul mention in Eph 5:3 to be particularly avoided by Christians?  What is the great danger of falling into such sin?  See Eph 5:5.  With what are people deceived that such sins are not as damning as they actually are?  See Eph 5:6a, 2 Pet 2:18-19.  Why are such words vain or empty?  See Eph 5:6b, Gal 6:7-8.  Who are the sons of disobedience?  What comes upon them?  If a person has no inheritance in God’s kingdom but instead the wrath of God comes upon him, is that person saved?  See Rom 5:9.  What is meant by impurity, and what activities of men and women might be classified as impurity?  See also Eph 5:4, Rom 1:24, 2 Cor 12:21, Gal 5:19, Col 3:5.  Is it surprising that Paul equates greed as being as heinous as sexual immorality and impurity?  Is there a connection?  See Eph 4:19.  What is meant by filthiness, silly talk, and course jesting?  Note: the NIV translates these as obscenity, foolish talk, and course joking.  What good seed does Paul recommend planting in our hearts in place of these weeds that are pulled out, and in what way is that somehow their antithesis?  See Eph 5:4, Rom 1:21.

Eph 5:7-14   For what two reasons should a Christian not be a partaker with the sons of disobedience?  See Eph 5:6 & 8.  What does Paul mean that those who come to Christ are light in the Lord?  See Mat 5:14-16.  What does it mean to walk as children of light?  See Eph 5:9-10.  How do we learn or prove what is pleasing to the Lord?  See Rom 12:2.  Are there any trees good for fruit which grow where there is no light?  What sort of plants do grow in the darkness?  (Mushrooms).  Upon what do they feed?  (Dead things!)  What sorts of dead things do the sons of disobedience feed upon today?  Instead of becoming partakers with the sons of disobedience in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, what does Paul say we should do?  See Eph 5:11.  How is that accomplished practically?  Are there secret things in our own hearts and lives that are shameful and in need of the light of God’s truth to chase away their darkness?  What is the ultimate source of such light?  See Eph 5:14.  Why is it that those who walk in darkness will not come to the light?  See Gen 3:8-10, John 3:19-20.  When the light shines upon one’s darkness, what is the response of those whose greatest desire is to know and walk in the truth?  See John 3:21.  What is the response of those who would rather believe a lie?  See Acts 7:54-60.

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The Atonement of Christ's Blood: Understanding How the Blood of Christ Saves and Reconciles us to God

  • What is the relationship between Jesus’ sacrifice and our redemption, forgiveness and receiving an inheritance per the terms of the covenant / will that was effected by His death?
  • From what, and to what, are we saved? Is it Jesus’ death alone that saves us? What part does His resurrection have in our salvation?
  • Does the justice of God demand the satisfaction of blood before He will forgive, similar to what pagans throughout history have believed?
  • What was the purpose of the Old Testament sacrifices?
  • Does blood alone atone for sin?
  • How does Christ’s death render powerless the devil?
  • To whom was Christ’s life given as a ransom? From what are we ransomed?
  • Why did Jesus not only die, but suffer and die? If all that was necessary was His shed blood, why didn’t God sovereignly ordain a more merciful death for His own dear Son?
  • What is the relationship between a will or testament, and a covenant? What was willed to Jesus as an inheritance from His Father, and what was willed to us through the new testament in His blood?

 

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