Bible Study Questions

Ephesians 4:11-16

The theological foundation for the church is founded in God and His mission. As an introduction to this study, make sure that you read Ephesians 4:1-10. The

A) God’s Work in the Church

Ephesians 4:11-13

1. The Means God enables His people (Ephesians 4:11)

And he gave some [to be] apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers.

1.    What is it that the Lord has given in verse 11? Who gives it and who does He give it to?

2.    What is it that He gives (11)?

3.    Do your best to distinguish each of the 4 (or 5) categories. What is different about each one? Who does each group primarily minister to?

4.    Discuss the place for apostles in today’s church. Refer to Acts 14:14. Is it possible that a ‘lesser’ apostle is a missionary or church planter working in an unreached area? Why or why not?

5.    What sets off a prophet from the other groupings? Why do some people believe there are no longer any need for prophets today? What does this passage say or imply about this?

6.    Using Ephesians 4:1-3, how are we to discuss these issues with others when there is strong disagreement? Find a person(s) who can talk on volatile subjects without getting riled up. Ask them how they approach these situations.

2. The Purpose God enables His people (Ephesians 4:12)

For the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ.

7.     Since each of these groupings are instructors of God’s Word, let us call them instructors. Why does God go out of His way to form these instructors? Make sure you state what 4:12 says.

8.    The NASB Bible and some others use the word ‘saints’ in 4:12. What does this word mean? Why does Paul here use it? (Notice also 1:1).

9.    Why does the Lord want to equip all the people in the church?

10.    Define the ‘work of the service’ in practical terms.

11.    How does the instruction from the instructors help the people in doing their work of service?

12.    What is the end goal for all these works of service? (4:11)

13.    Does your church(es) look like this? Why or why not?

14.    List three works of service (specific or areas) that God has involved you in. What difference does it make that you had instruction to rightly do these things?

3. The Duration God enables His people (Ephesians 4:13)

Until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fulness of Christ.

15.     Christian growth is often thought about so vaguely. What are the three goals of Christian growth mentioned in Ephesians 4:13.

16.     What might each of these three phrases in 4:13 mean?

17.     Using these three aspects of Christian growth, share how your church is strong and weak.

 

B) Our Responsibility as the Church

Ephesians 4:14-16

18.     The Apostle Paul first tells the people of God what God has designed to do in their lives (4:11-13). Now in 4:14-16 he gives three commands in order to properly implement it. What is the first command that the apostle gives to the people of God (see 4:14).

19.     Why might Paul write in such a way?

20.     What are some worldly philosophies and practices that have taken away from the model that God has given the church? Which one has affected you the most?

21.     What is the second command given in the first part of 4:15?

22.     Why is it that people tend to go to an extreme of focusing on love or truth at the cost of the other? Name some examples of these extremes, on both sides if possible.

23.     Is it difficult or easy to speak the truth in love? Go around and share what is hard about doing this? (If you are not in a small group, find two or three Christians and ask them about this).

24.     The third command is also found in 4:15. We are “to grow up in aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ.” What is the verb used here? Write down at least three synonyms or descriptions for this word.

25.     Why is it that so many Christians think of growth only as something that is necessary for young Christians? They think of belief in Christ as the end rather than the beginning.

26.     Reflect on your own desire to grow. Draw a graph of how much you have been growing since you became a Christian. What factors led you to grow more or less? What would you like for the future? Be specific and write down your hopes before the Lord.

27.     Ephesians 4:16 gives us a beautiful picture of the church. The image of course is after a person’s body. Try to find at least four characteristics of the church.

28.     What part do you think is most lacking in your own local church? Pray for that.