Ephesians: Wholeness in a 
World
Week of August 28, 2005
This Week’s Scripture Reading
Ephesians 6:1-9
1 Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. 2 ‘Honor your father and mother.’ This is the first of the Ten Commandments that ends with a promise. 3 And this is the promise: If you honor your father and mother, ‘you will live a long life, full of blessing.’ 4 And now a word to you fathers. Don’t make your children angry by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction approved by the Lord.
5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. 6 Work hard, but not just to please you masters when they are watching. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all of your heart. 7 Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. 8 Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free. 9 And in the same way, you masters must treat your slaves right. Don’t threaten them; remember, you both have the same Master in heaven, and he has no favorites.
Prayers for the Week:
Sunday |
Dear Heavenly Father, I acknowledge that You are sovereign over everything. You are absolutely in control and have authority over all things. Help me to live with the recognition of your rule, and submit myself today to your plan. In Jesus’ name I ask this. . . Amen. |
Monday |
Dear Heavenly Father, I give my life to You today. May I live under your guidance and love in all things. Help me to walk in Your authority this day. May I honor You and please You, my Master. In Jesus’ name. . . Amen. |
Tuesday |
Dear Heavenly Father, Although I am under Your authority, I recognize that You also have given me authority. Help me to lead with justice and fairness in all my ways. I want to lead the right way. In Jesus’ name. . . Amen. |
Wednesday |
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You that I am part of Your family. I ask that You would help me to honor You with the human family that You have given me. I want my relationship with them to please you. I ask this in Jesus’ name. . . Amen. |
Thursday |
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You that You have placed me right where I am. Help me to be an example to others in what I do everyday. I want others to see You in Me in what I do. I ask this in Jesus’ . . . Amen. |
Friday |
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your faithfulness to me. Help me, in turn, to be faithful to You and to others. May I live righteously under Your authority. Keep me in step with Your Spirit always. In Jesus’ name. . . Amen. |
Saturday |
Dear Heavenly Father, I ask that You would help me to be fruitful in the relationship I have each day. I want to live as You would have me to, and may my authority always reflect Your authority over me. In Jesus’ name. . . Amen. |
Background on the Text
Ephesians 6:1-9 is the concluding verses in what has often been called the “Household Code.” In this portion of Ephesians (5:21-6:9), the apostle Paul gives practical application to how we as Christians can live by the power of the Holy Spirit in the various structures of authority that God has established. He uses Ephesians 5:21 as a type of “introductory statement” for the household code so that we may be submitted one to another (ie. submitted appropriately within the various contexts). The three basic contexts within the household was the “husband/wife;” “parent/child;” and “master/slave” relationships in the 1st century A.D. Although slavery does not exist within our situation in America today, the implications (though not perfectly parallel) can apply to the workplace. God desires all of our relationships to be governed ultimately by His authority, and submissive to the authority structures He has established within the family and 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