Ephesians: Wholeness in a 
World
Week of July 31, 2005
This Week’s Scripture Reading
Ephesians 4:17-32
17 With the Lord’s authority let me say this: Live no longer as the ungodly do, for they are hopelessly confused. 18 Their closed minds are full of darkness; they are far away from the life of God because they have shut their minds and hardened their hearts against him. 19 They don’t care anymore about right and wrong, and they have given themselves over to immoral ways. Their lives are filled with all kinds of impurity and greed.
20 But that isn’t what you were taught when you learned about Christ. 21 Since you have heard all about him and have learned the truth that is in Jesus, 22 throw off your old evil nature and your former way of life, which is rotten through and through, full of lust and deception. 23 Instead, there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes. 24 You must display a new nature because you are a new person, created in God’s likeness – righteous, holy, and true.
25 So put away all falsehood and ‘tell your neighbor the truth’ because we belong to each other. 26 And ‘don’t sin by letting anger gain control over you.’ Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a mighty foothold to the Devil. 28 If you are a thief, stop stealing. Begin using your hands for honest work, and then give generously to others in need. 29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. 30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he is the one who has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of malicious behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Prayers for the Week:
Sunday |
Dear Lord, I want to thank you for saving me. I ask that you would help me to live a godly life. I do not want to live like I used to, but live in a way that pleases you. I ask that you would give me the grace to honor you. In Jesus’ name, Amen. |
Monday |
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for giving me your Holy Spirit. I ask that you would help me to always be obedient to Him. I do not want to lose all sensitivity to your voice, as the world has. I want to hear and obey you at all times. I ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen. |
Tuesday |
Dear God, I worship you this day. I ask that you would help me not to live as the world does. I want my life to be in complete contrast with the world. I want to please you through my lifestyle. Forgive me for the times I have failed, and help me to shine brightly for you. In Jesus’ name, Amen. |
Wednesday |
Dear Jesus, to you alone I give glory. I ask that you would help me to renew my mind. May the things that I think about today be pleasing to you. Help me to think only of things that are right and pure. In your name, Amen. |
Thursday |
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for changing my life. Help me to change my lifestyle as well. I want to strip off every sin that may entangle me. By you grace, may I live the kind of life that you desire of me. In Jesus’ name, Amen. |
Friday |
Dear Lord, help me to ‘put on’ Christ at all times. Help me to only do things which reveal your love, grace, and goodness. I want to be a testimony for you today. May others see you in me. In Jesus’ name, Amen. |
Saturday |
Dear Jesus, I praise your name! You have called me to a lifestyle of holiness. I ask that you would empower me to live in this way. Without you I cannot do it, but I ask you for your grace to live righteously. I ask this in your name, Amen. |
Background on the Text
Paul’s epistle to the church at Ephesus is divided into two primary sections. The first section (chapters 1-3) deal primarily with the subject of “how Christians are saved.” The second section (chapters 4-6) deals primarily with the subject of “how the saved must live.” Paul begins with the theological and then moves to the practical by exhorting how we as Christians must behave once we have been made new in Christ Jesus. There must be a difference in lifestyle from those who are “saved” and those who are “unsaved.” The Christian life is to be evidenced by the way we live our lives. Ephesians 4:17-32 makes this contrast. Verses 17-19 deal with the unsaved, while verses 20-24 deal with the saved. Paul then concludes his remarks by giving Christians “action points” to live by in verses 25-32, revealing that our behavior as Christians must be different from the world.
Monday
Observation: What does the text say?
Tuesday
Interpretation: What do these verses mean?
Wednesday
Application: How can I respond to the text’s insights and teachings?
Thursday
After reading and studying this text, reflect on the following discipleship growth points:
Encouraged and strengthened me by:
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Fallen short areas
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What will I do with these insights?
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Friday
After reading and studying this text, reflect on the following discipleship growth points:
What did God say to me this week?
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Share insights and growth points.
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Changed/transformed how?
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Saturday
Reflective Thoughts