Precept Upon Precept: Lesson 5: The Hidden Mystery Now Revealed

Let’s open our time of study with prayer as we continue to ask that the eyes of our hearts will be enlightened.

Day One: Overview, Ephesians 3:1-21

Kim's Paragraph divisions for Eph 3:1-21:

1-13 Paul's ministry to proclaim Gentiles' inclusion

14-19 Prayer to understand and be filled with God's love

20-21 Doxology

Our group list of key words in first three chapters:

Abundantly
According to...
All
Bless(ed)(ing)
Body
Build(ing)/Dwelling
Faith
Formerly
Glory
Grace
Holy Spirit
In Him
In the Heavenly places
Inheritance
Know(n)(ledge)
Love
Mystery
One
Peace
Power
Pray(ers)
Reconcile
Remember
To the praise of His glory
Walk

Did you see any patterns in the flow of thought in the first three chapters? {#3b p. 61}

Who we are and what we have in Jesus
How our lives flow: God (it always starts with God) -> we are sealed, saved and filled with power -> mystery moves from the Jews to be shared with the Gentiles -> because we are saved- we have peace and power
Blessings (In Christ)- Prayer -Blessings (Death to Life, Unity) -Prayer

Memory Verse: Ephesians 3:16-19 or 3:20-21

Day Two: Paul's Ministry

From Ephesians and other cross references, what have we learned about Paul? He is...

in prison
recieving tribulations on behalf of the Ephesians
close relationship to the Lord
He has a clear sense of his calling and ministry: to bring the gospel to the Gentiles
Confident and bold in sharing
finished well (2 Timothey 1:8-12)

How can we apply Pauls’ example to our own lives?

What is my purpose/mission for life?
Am I following the commands to all Christians (in general)?
I want to finish saying, "I have fought the good fight".
Stay focused on the ministry we know God has given us:

wife
mother: a high calling and responsibility
Time that has been given us to study His word (equipping of the Bride)

Day 3 – The Church, His Body

Throughout Ephesians, what are the various names and titles for the church? The graph on the left is the one that Kim drew for us in class.

· Mystery – #3466: mysterion

· The Jews understood they were God's chosen people and it was baffling that the Gentiles could be chosen too! Even throughout the Old Testament, God's heart has always been for everyone to be included. There were many Gentiles that were "grafted in", even in the lineage of Christ.