Ephesians

Ephesians

called ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE
walk ACCORDING TO HIS CALLING

The letter to the Ephesians is rich with practical theology– revealing who God is and how we ought to live in light of Him. In chapters 1-3, Paul writes to the faithful believers to remind them of the mystery of the gospel that has been revealed to them, praising God for the blessings that are ours in Christ: calling, redemption, inheritance, death to sin, life in Christ. We are not called for our own sake or because of our own merits. We are called according to His purpose. In chapters 4-6, Paul tells the faithful believers how we are to live in light of this gospel in a way that is pleasing to God. We do not walk according to the futility of our minds. We walk according to His calling.

Find resources for your family to help your study of Ephesians on this page.

Message Notes
Recent Messages

reading plan

In 2023, we read the Old Testament. In 2024, we will read most of the New Testament twice. Part 1 begins with the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, & Luke) as we study Ephesians. As we study Philippians later in the year, Part 2 will take us through the New Testament again, beginning with the gospel of John.

2024 Reading Plan: Jan – July

resources

behind the message

Behind the Message is a resource to help you apply truth and take next steps of obedience out of the previous Sunday’s sermon. BTM meets on Wednesday nights at 6:30pm downstairs.

Commentaries

Commentaries are Bible reference tools that contain observations and explanations of biblical text. Use a commentary to aid your study of a passage, answer questions that arise during your own time of in-depth study, or to help remind you of primary themes throughout the book.
The recommended Ephesians commentaries below are listed in order moving from the most accessible to more scholarly.

Study Bibles

A study Bible is a helpful study tool that contains the full Bible text with additional resources such as tables, charts, articles, outlines, and book introductions, as well as brief commentary notes on many verses and passages.
View a recommended study Bible below or in the Resource Center.

Family discipleship plan guides

The middle school FDP includes a 14-week series through Ephesians: God is Holy – I am a Sinner/Saint. Use the Guides and Workouts at the link below as an additional resource to help you teach and talk through Ephesians with your children.

Click on any of the following headings to see resources for each series and chapter.

General and Introductory Resources

General

Introduction

Called According to His Purpose

In chapters 1-3 of his letter to the Ephesians, Paul writes to the faithful believers to remind them of the mystery of the gospel that has been revealed. He praises God for the blessings that are ours in Christ: calling, redemption, and inheritance. He teaches again of the gospel that made us alive when we were dead as children of wrath. We are called, not for our own sake, and not because of our own merits, but according to His purpose which has been set forth in Christ.

Ephesians Chapter 1

Ephesians 1 is rich with declarative truths of what God has done for us “in Christ.” The chapter finishes with Paul’s prayer for the saints– that they would be given wisdom and would know the hope of their calling: they are called according to His purpose.

Ephesians Chapter 2

Ephesians 2 reminds us of the gospel. We were dead in our sins, now we are alive by grace through faith in Christ. We are called, according to God’s purpose, to walk in the good works which He has prepared.

Ephesians 2:1-10 is a clear proclamation of gospel realities. Use the following Conversion Blueprint Guides to grow in, or to help someone else take a next step in, understanding and communicating the gospel with others.

Ephesians Chapter 3

Ephesians 3 contains Paul’s second prayer for the church. After he reminds them of the gospel realities that have been borne out in his life according to God’s purpose, he prays that in knowing Christ’s love, the people would worship Him.

Ephesians 1:15-23 and 3:14-21 record Paul’s prayers for the Ephesian church. Use them to grow in your own abiding by turning them back to God in prayer.

Walk According to His Calling

In Ephesians 4-6, Paul tells the faithful believers how we are to live in light of the gospel that we have received. We are united in the Spirit and called to build one another up. We put off the old self, and put on the new self. We walk in love as Christ loved us, as children of the light because light is found in all that is good and true, and in wisdom because the days are evil. We walk, not according to the futility of our minds, but according to the calling that is ours in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians Chapter 4

Ephesians 4 begins Paul’s exhortation to the church to walk according to their calling in Christ Jesus. We are united in the Spirit, and so must pursue unity with one another and equip one another to grow up to maturity in Jesus. We have been given new life in Christ, and so must put off the old self that is corrupted and put on the new self created after the likeness of God. We have been sealed with the Spirit, and so should respond to one another in a way that is honoring to Him. 

Ephesians 4 reveals that in Christ as members of the church, we are united, we are responsible for one another, we are gifted, and we are called to equip one another to grow up into the likeness of Christ. Use the following Blueprint Guides to help you or someone in your life take a next step of obedience in this area.

  • Love Your Church – Grow in the pursuits and practices of a faithful church member
  • Side by Side – Grow in helping others through times of difficulty
  • Replicate – Grow in helping others begin to be disciple makers
  • Spiritual Gifts – Grow in discernment and use of various spiritual gifts given to the church
Ephesians Chapter 5

Ephesians 5 continues Paul’s exhortation to the church to walk according to their calling in Christ by being imitators of God. Jesus followers walk in love, walk as children of the light, and walk in wisdom. This has implications for how we speak, act, relate to one another, and spend our time, as well as how we relate to one another in marriage and family. As we seek to build one another up into maturity as brothers and sisters in Christ, we will speak the truth in love to help one another grow in all of these areas.

Ephesians Chapter 6

Ephesians 6 completes Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus. Jesus followers are called to build one another up into maturity (Eph 4:15) and to walk as imitators of God (Eph 5:1) in every aspect of their lives. This has implications for our families and our service. Then, Paul reminds us where our strength comes from and how we fight to stand firm in the Christian life. 

More Resources

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Learn more about the Family Discipleship Plan

View Discipleship Blueprint Guides