INTRODUCTION

This week, we look at Ephesians 4:1-6, where Paul urges those who have been called in Christ to “live a life worthy of the calling [they] have received” (v1). This duty is elaborated in Chapters 4-6, as Paul marks out the implications of what he wrote about the Christian calling previously, namely, the purpose of Christ, the grace of salvation, and the church’s mission.

Here, Paul focuses our attention on the church, also called the body of Christ. He lays out a vision of how each church member should function and interact with each other so that together, the body can unite in a way that pleases God’s heart.

DISCUSSION

1. What does it mean to live a life that pleases God’s heart?

   a.

   Share your experiences on this topic since you decided to follow Christ.

   b. How has your journey involved other people in the church?

2. In verse 1, Paul encourages believers to live out our faith in a manner consistent with the high and holy calling we have received from God.

   a. What is this calling? How did Paul describe this calling in Chapters 1-3?

   b. In verses 2 and 3, Paul outlines the qualities that should characterise the Christian walk. Humility, gentleness and patience are essential virtues for maintaining unity within the body of Christ.

3. When has practising these virtues in the church been difficult? Why so?

   a.

   How have these difficulties been managed?

   b. Is there a difference between “the unity of the Spirit” (v3) and “the unity of the church” in Paul’s thinking in Ephesians? Why or why not?

   c. Read Galatians 5:16-26. What is the connection between living a life guided by the Holy Spirit and maintaining unity in the body of Christ?

   d. Might there be times when someone is “led by the Holy Spirit” but disrupts the body’s unity?

   e. As we struggle against the desires of the flesh to live a life guided by the Holy Spirit, we may offend or hurt one another. How does this square with Paul’s guidance in verses 2 and 3? How should we react when this happens?

4. In verses 4 thru 6, Paul grounds the basis for our unity in a series of ‘one’s (i.e. body; Spirit; hope; Lord; faith; baptism; God and Father) and ‘all’s (i.e. of all; over all; through all; in all).

   a. What does each of the ‘one’s mean? What does each of the ‘all’s mean?

   b. What do these mean for you practically as a follower of Christ?

   c. Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-26. 

   (i) How does diversity contribute to the unity of the body of Christ?

   (ii) In what cases might diversity threaten that unity? And how might we discern and/or manage these threats?

5. Close your eyes and picture a church where everyone lives in accordance with Ephesians 4:1-6. Have someone read aloud these verses as you do so.

   a. What activities do you imagine them doing?

   b. How do these activities make you feel?

   c. Where do you see yourself in these activities?

   d. Where is God in this picture?

WHAT WILL YOU DO

As members of the body of Christ, we have a unique and essential part to play: to build each other up and work together harmoniously for the common good. However, as we come from diverse and different backgrounds, there are bound to be conflicts that arise. When they do so, remember:

• The free gift of salvation and new life we received
• The free gift of salvation and new life they received
• The God who loves us all

MEMORY VERSE

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. – Ephesians 4:1-6 (NIV)