Ephesians: In the Heavenly Realms


Preserving the Unity of the Spirit

Ephesians 4:1-6

– The Bible Teacher's Commentary –

Paul J. Bucknell

Ephesians 4:1-3 ~ Bible Study Questions on "Preserving the Unity of the Spirit" is 5 of 8 parts to The Bible Teacher's Commentary on Ephesians 4:1-6. These Bible study questions are meant to challenge a person to not only to understand Ephesians 4:1-3 but also to apply them to one's life.

Bible Study Questions
Ephesians 4:1-3

“I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:1-3, NASB).

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. (Ephesians 4:1-3, NIV).

  1. Read Ephesians 4:1-3. Discuss whether the church you see and hear of is typified by what Paul says here in these first three verses. Discuss.

  2. Look at the larger context for verses 4:1-3? Note how the word “therefore” {NASB} or “then” {NIV} connects this section with the former. How does what he say here connect with the former verses?

  3. How does the Apostle Paul describe himself in 4:1? Why might he have said this?

  4. What is the “calling” that he refers to in verse 1? Do we have the same calling?

  5. Verse 2-3 describe the “manner” in which we should walk. What should characterize our walk? (Write down the terms).

  6. What do each of these terms mean?

  7. Let’s focus upon the ‘unity of the Spirit.’ What might the ‘unity of the Spirit’ refer to?

  8. What does the use of the word ‘preserve’ (NIV-keep) imply about this unity of the Spirit?

  9. Why might he use the word “diligent” to talk about keeping this unity?

  10. How do the following verses (Ephesians 4:4 onwards) describe the origin of this unity?

  11. What does the ‘bond’ of peace refer to? (Note: bond here means ‘glue.’)

Application

  1. What are the challenges of “preserving the unity of the Spirit” for you as an individual?

  2. What challenges does your church have?

  3. What do you find so hard about preserving the unity of the Spirit?

  4. What steps can you take to help bring about this unity?

  5. Share one situation where you want to seek God’s unity. Pray for one another.

  6. Use the following diagram to summarize the two kinds of peace (vertical and horizontal) that are ours through the Gospel of Christ. Think and pray for one person who struggles with each kind of peace.

For reflection on this passage, make sure you read the whole Ephesians 4:1-3 series listed below.

Next => Ephesians 4:4-6 Bible Study Questions | Commentary



Most of BFF articles such as this one is nicely formatted for printing. This article also has a Powerpoint. Check out the great number of articles on the BFF Biblical Training Library all at one low cost.
BFF has lots of study questions
Romans Bible Study Questions
2 Peter Bible Study Questions
Mastering the Facts on Overcoming Anxiety
Questions on Reviving your Personal Devotions

 
Read more exciting and practical articles on the Book of Ephesians.

Introduction to the Book of Ephesians

Paul's Second Missonary Journey to Ephesus - Map
Chronology Chart of Pauline Letters
Ephesians 1:1-3 Introduction in text.

Ephesians 1

Ephesians 1:1-3 Every Spiritual Blessing

Ephesians 1:1-3 Every Spiritual Blessing
Ephesians 1:1 Only by the Will of God
Ephesians 1:2 Only in Christ Jesus
Ephesians 1:3 Every Spiritual Blessing
Ephesians 1:1-3 Bible Study Questions

Ephesians 1:4-6 Bible Study Questions
Ephesians 1:1-14 Redemption & Sovereignty
Ephesians 1:15-17 Bible Study Questions

Ephesians 2

Ephesians 2:1-3 Our Need, His Grace

Ephesians 2:1-3, an Introduction
Ephesians 2:1 A) Man's Nature
Ephesians 2:2 B) Man's World
Ephesians 2:3 C) Man's Heart
Questions (Ephesians 2:1-3)


Ephesians 2:8-10 Extraordinary Purpose
Ephesians 2:8-10, an Introduction
Ephesians 2:8-9 A) Purpose of Salvation
Ephesians 2:10 B) Purpose of our Lives
Questions (Ephesians 2:8-10)

Ephesians 2:19-22 Bible Study Questions

Ephesians 3

Ephesians 3:1-10 Growing in Our Commitment
Ephesians 3:1-10, Introduction
Ephesians 3:1 The Value of the Gospel
Ephesians 3:2-5 The Reliability of the Gospel
Ephesians 3:6-7 The Glory of the Gospel
Ephesians 3:8-10 The Calling of the Gospel
Questions (Ephesians 3:1-10)

Ephesians 3:14-21 The Fullness of God's Love

Ephesians 3:20-21 God's Unlimited Power
Ephesians 3:20-21 Unlimited Power
Ephesians 3:20 God's Amazing Power
Ephesians 3:21 God's Amazing Glory
Ephesians 3:20-21 Bible Study Questions

Ephesians 4

Ephesians 4:1-6 Preserving the Spirit's Unity

Introduction: Problems of Disunity
Ephesians 4:1 Calling to Unity
Ephesians 4:2-3 Our Oneness of the Body
Ephesians 4:3 Preservation of Unity
Ephesians 4:1-3 Bible Study Questions
Ephesians 4:4-5 Reason for Oneness
Ephesians 4:6 One God & Father
Ephesians 4:4-6 Bible Study Questions

Ephesians 4:11-16 The Purpose of Training

Ephesians 4:11-13: A) God's Word in the Church
Ephesians 4:11 Gifts in the church
Ephesians 4:12 Purpose of equipping
Ephesians 4:13 The final goal
Ephesians 4:11-13 Bible Study Questions

Ephesians 4:14 B) Responsibility 1. Deceit
Ephesians 4:15a 2. Speaking the truth in love
Ephesians 4:15b 3. Grow up into Christ
Ephesians 4:16 Summary: Function of the Church
Ephesians 4:14-16 Bible Study Questions

Ephesians 4:11-14 Chart: Equipping of the Saints
Ephesians 4:26-27 The Urgency of Resolving Anger
Ephesians 4:31 The Tree of Bitterness

Ephesians 5-6

Ephesians 5:22,24 Wives be Subject to your Husband
Ephesians 5:25 Marital Love
Ephesians 5:31-32 Redemptive Analogy & Marriage
Ephesians 5:31-33 Building a Great Marriage
Ephesians 6:1-3 Obedience to Parents
Ephesians 6:17 Sword of Spirit




  BFF Homepage  | Top | Back | BFF Topics | Ephesians 4:1-3 Commentary | Next (Ephesians 4:4-6) =>


Biblical Foundations for Freedom


Paul J. Bucknell


NASB Bible used