Commissioned

Q6. According to Ephesians 4:13-16, what is the purpose of constructing a healthy local congregation? The purpose of constructing a healthy local congregation is to bring them to maturity in Christ and not swayed by false teachings.

Q5. (Ephesians 4:11) From a strategic point of view, why is it vital that pastors focus on "equipping the saints for the work of ministry" rather than on serving as paid chaplains to the flock? This is vitally important, so that the congregation may take their place in ministry doing the work that they were called to do; which in turn helps other Believers and together the Body of Christ fitly joined and functioning as the Church Christ died for and will soon return to collect and present to Father. What actions might this equipping involve? The equipping might involve teachings, seminars, workshops, some one on one counselling, mentoring; or helping them to discover what their gifts are and prepare them to use them in ministry. It is also preparing them for struggles against principalities and powers -- and being successful. In what ways is "equipping ... for ministry" similar to what Jesus did when he trained his disciples? Jesus prepared his disciples for service in the Kingdom of God. This is the equipping pattern that pastors and teachers should be using today.

Q4. (Ephesians 4:11) How do pastors and teachers work to build up the Body? Pastors and teachers work to build up the Body by preaching and teaching the Word of God. In his capacity as Pastor, he is also charged with exercising other pastoral duties such as caring for the congregation. Do you recognize anyone in your church who has a pastoral or teaching ministry who is not an ordained clergyperson? What effect do they have upon the Body? Yes I do. They bring sound preaching and teaching of the Word of God. Members look to them for spiritual advice and counseling. What do small group leaders and Sunday school teachers do to build the Body? They teach the stories of the Bible. These stories stay with the children as they grow into adulthood and they relate God's workings in the lives of the Biblical characters and when faced in tough situations they can rely on a God who is the same yesterday, today and forever.

Q3. (Ephesians 4:11) What does an evangelist in a local congregation look like, in your experience? These are Ministers who bring people to faith in Christ. This could be done in special services, such as Evangelistic Crusades or as the Minister travels as an Itinerant Preacher. How does a local church evangelist function? In the local church an Evangelists might instruct other church members on how to effectively share their faith. How does he or she build up the body? They build the Body through teaching of the Word of God, in discipling and in instructing members how to be effective workers.

Q2. (Ephesians 4:11) How did (do) apostles and prophets build up the Body, in your opinion? The apostles and prophets in Biblical times were God's messengers to God's people. God used the prophets to give divine warnings and prophecies, some have come to pass and others are yet to happen. The apostles were used by God to oversee the establishment and administration of the churches. They wrote the Holy Scriptures which we use today to build our spiritual lives. Today, the apostles and prophets continue to build up the Body by overseeing the work of God and by being in place to hear from God and share the messages they receive from God for the Body.

(Ephesians 4:7) In what way does verse 7 teach that all Christians have received spiritual gifts? (See also Romans 12:6; 1 Corinthians 12:11; 1 Peter 4:10). According to the measure of the gift of Christ by grace, the Scripture teaches that every Christian has received spiritual gifts. If all have received spiritual gifts, what is the implication of this in light of the clause in Ephesians 4:16 that mentions "each/every part"? Since all Christians have Spiritual Gifts, working together we should use them for the edifying of the Body of Christ.

What act of Christian unity could you practice over the next two weeks that would help you live out this truth in your life? In what area do you need to repent? The act of Christian unity that I can think of immediately is believing and accepting my brothers and sisters of other demoninations without being judgmental. This also is the are that I should repent.

Q5. (Ephesians 4:5) In what sense should "one baptism" unite us rather than divide us? "One baptism" unite us rather than divide us because the act of baptism unites us with Christ. How can we maintain the unity of the Spirit and still disagree with other Christian groups about the administration of baptism? We maintain the unity of the Spirit and still disagree with other Christian groups about the administration of baptism when we accept that the methods may be different but the act of uniting with Christ is the end result that we all achieve. Should striving for unity blur our faithfulness to Biblical understanding? How do we balance the two? Striving for unity should never blur our faithfulness to Biblical understanding. If we obey Christ command to love each other we would maintain unity as we endeavor to understand the Bible. We balance the two by allowing the Holy Spirit to teach us truth and act on it.

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Q4. (Ephesians 4:4-6) What are the seven elements that unite all Christians mentioned in verses 4 through 6? The seven elements that unite all Christians mentioned in verses 4 through 6 are: One Body One Spirit One hope One Lord One Faith One Baptism One God and Father of all. Which one or two are most compelling to you? Why? Of the seven elements the most compelling to me is, "One Body" and "One Faith." Why? Because I am amazed that with all the different denominations and traditions God's desire is have "One Body" and "One Faith."

Q3. (Ephesians 4:3) According to verse 3, who brings about the unity? The Holy Spirit brings about the unity. Who is to maintain it? The Body of Christ are responsible for maintaining the bond of peace. What is a "bond of peace," do you think? A bond pf peace is peace that is part of the Christian's character. According to the wording in verse 3, is Christian unity to be a prime goal or a secondary goal for us? Christian unity is to be a primary goal for the Christian.

Q2. (Ephesians 4:2) What characteristics or attitudes are necessary for maintaining unity with other Christians according to verse 2? The characteristics or attitudes that are necessary for maintaining unity with other Christians are humility, gentleness, patience, forbearance and love. Which of these do you think is most important? Of all the characteristic the most important is Love. Which is most difficult? In my opinion the most differcult is patience.

Q1. (Ephesians 4:1) What does "living a life worthy of your calling" in 4:1 have to do with maintaining unity in the Church in verses 2-6? To live worthy of your calling means that you are to be one who is living every day according to the laws of God. What is "worthy" about unity? Unity is "worthy" because where there is unity there are men of like values and for Believers to be in unity means that they are living according to God's Word and is thus "worthy" of the call. What is "worthy" about separation from fellow Christians? Separation from fellow Christians renders you as one who is not walking "worthy" of your call. What is our "calling"? To be followers of Christ. To be called Believers or Christians.

Q5. (Ephesians 2:22) In what ways should your congregation be "a dwelling place for God in the Spirit"? Our congregation is a "dwelling place for God in the Spirit" because as Believers, we are of the Household of God. According to verse 22, how do the members of the congregation help bring this about? The members of the congregation help bring this about as we come together to form the Church of God. Not the local church, but a part of the larger Church. What shape should this take in your own life? In the life of your own congregation? In my life and that of my congregation we should always be mindfule that we are a part of something larger that the local body.

Q4. (Ephesians 2:20-21) How do "the apostles and prophets" contribute to your life today? To the life of your congregation? The apostles and prophets contributed to my life as they were the men God used to present the teaching for the church. They laid the foundation for my faith, which is preserved in scripture. This scripture brought me and those of my congregation to know Christ as Saviour and Lord and to live according to His commands. In what way should Jesus Christ serve as a cornerstone to your congregation? Jesus Christ serves as a cornerstone to our congregation as He is the "fit" that reconciled us to the Father. In what sense does a congregation "grow" (KJV, NRSV) or "rise" (NIV) into a holy temple in the Lord? In what way does growth occur to bring this about? A congregation "grow" into a holy temple in the Lord as Believers come together the Spirit of God is manifested. Our growth occurs as we love people enough to witness to them and lead them to accept Christ as Savior and Lord.

Q3. (Ephesians 2:19b) What does the phrase "members of God's household" tell us about the nature of the Church and about the nature of God? The phrase "members of God's household" tell us that all believers make up the Church of God and that God is the God of ALL. What does it tell us about the kind of fellowship that is appropriate in the local congregation? In the local congregation our fellowship should be as among family. What are the implications for those Christians who aren't faithful to gather with the local congregation? Thos who aren't faithful to gather with the local congregation is neglecting to meet with family members.

Q2. (Ephesians 2:19a) If we are fellow-citizens with the Jewish believers, what are we citizens of? In what sense are we "holy" or "saints"? We are fellow-citizens with the Jewish believers and we are all citizens in the Kingdon of God. We are "holy" or "saints" because we have been "set apart" for God.

q1. (Ephesians 2:16-18) Why is "access to the Father" important? Access to the Father is important because it is through this access that we receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. In what way is access to the Father similar having diplomatic relations? Access to the Father is similar to having diplomatic relations as you are afforded special privileges even though you have been grafted in to the family of God. How did we obtain this access? We obtained this access when Jesus gave his life for the forgiveness of our sins, cleansing us from all unrighteousness. As blood washed sons and daughters we are escorted into the presence of the Father by our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Extra credit: How does this access fulfill the two greatest commandments (Matthew 22:36-40) and God's purpose for us? The access allows all to come into the presence of God our Father and just as God loves us all we are to accept and love all men.

(Ephesians 3:20-21) Where does God's power work according to verse 20? God's power work in the believer according to verse 20. How much power is at work there quantitatively? The power is unlimited. Why isn't it more evident? It is only evident when believers exert the faith to operate in power. How does exercising Christ's power on earth bring glory to God? It brings glory to God because the church is exercising Christ power to accomplish His mission.

(Ephesians 1:23) What does it mean for us Christians that Christ is "head over everything for the church"? To the extent that Christ is "head over everything for the church," the church has the authority that comes with Christ headship. His power and authority is available to the believers and Christ exercises His power through the church for his purpose. What does this say about the Church's power? The Church has power and authority because we are full of Christ! We are designed to be the full expression of Christ on earth.

(Ephesians 2:6) From the standpoint of power, what is the significance of Paul's statement that "God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus...."? Paul's statement tells us that we have the same power and authority that Jesus has because we as believers are seated with him in heavenly realms we also have power and authority over demons and evil spirits; and as they are "under his feet" so are they under our feet.

(Ephesians 1:20-22) The Ephesian Gentile Christians believed in various spirit beings that exercised power over them. What is the significance to them of Paul saying that Christ is seated at God's right hand in the heavenly realms? When Paul stated that Christ is seated at God's right hand in the heavenly realms, he is pointing to the authority and power that Christ has in the present day realm and in the heavenly realms. In what sense are these spirit beings and powers "under his feet"? These spirit beings and powers are "under his feet" as He has been given all power and authority, in this world, in the heavenly realms and in hell.

(Ephesians 1:19) Why does Paul pray that God would open the Ephesians' eyes to discern "his incomparably great power"? Paul prays that God would open the Ephesians' spiritual eyes to discern "his incomparably great power" so that they would be able to see and their faith would be big enough to grasp the extent of the greatness that God has for them. What is wrong with their eyes? They are seeing using the natural and not by spiritual eyes. Where does this power operate according to 1:19? The power operates in us, believers, according to verse nineteen (1:19). Which miraculous event does Paul use as an example of this level and type of power? Paul used the resurrection as an example of this level and type of power.

Q4. (4:19-20) In this context, what is the condition that must be met for the promise to be valid? In this context, the condition that must be met for the promise to be valid is that there is a need to be fulfilled. What is the limit of the fulfillment of the promise? There is no limit in God's fulfillment of the promise. As many times as we approach him, He's willing to meet our needs. In your own words, what does the promise mean to you? It means that God will meet all of my needs, though not always the way in which I might expect, but in His timing and way the needs will be met. I have to trust God and be open to receive His manifested blessings no matter which way it comes.

Q3. (4:14-16) How were the Philippians' financial gifts credited to their heavenly account, do you think? The Philippians' financial gifts were credited to their heavenly account as they contributed to Paul's well being as he labored in the vineyard of the Lord bringing men, women and children to know Christ. They will share in Paul's heavenly reward for their part in his ministry. How was their giving linked to temporal blessings? As they invested in the work of the kingdom, God blessed them in the temporal so that they could go on financing the work of God's Kingdom here on earth.