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Lesson Highlight: "peace" in Ephesians 2:14
In the "Teaching Tips for this week's lesson Greg Blake writes:
Verses 14-18 are widely recognized as a hymn of praise that the apostle inserted into his text. The “for” that marks the beginning of this section and the “now therefore” that signals its end in verse 19 clearly distinguish it from the rest of the surrounding texts. The overarching theme of this hymn is introduced in verse 14 — “he is our peace.” The peace Christ has brought is of two kinds. It is a peace between Gentiles and Jews (vs. 14, 15). Yet even more remarkable, it is a peace between all humanity and God.
Source: Galatians and Ephesians: Adult Teacher's Insights, pp. 57-58.
Lesson Highlight: "workmanship" in Ephesians 2:10
In the "Biblical Perspective" for this week's lesson, Dr. Marsh Jones writes:
The salvation that we enjoy comes by no work of our own, it comes only because of Christ’s sacrifice. But though we do not obtain our salvation through our works, we will naturally do good works once we have been redeemed. It is as natural for a Christian to seek to do the whole will of God as it is for a man to breathe.
Could we restate this as follows... we are God' craft, God's project? When you realize you have been specially designed by God for good works, how does this affect your view of yourself? How does it clarify your purpose in life?
Source: Galatians and Ephesians: Adult Teacher's Insights, June, July, August 2015, pp. 57-58.
Guided like a Flock
Read Psalm 78:52-55
“And he led them on safely, so that they feared not: but the sea overwhelmed their enemies” (v. 53).
I begged and begged for an orphan lamb. Thankfully, my mom liked animals, too, so one day Daddy and Mama went to a nearby sheep farmer and brought home a rejected twin lamb. Raggedy Ann promptly became my shadow. She followed me feeding calves, mowing the lawn, running with us as we played along the river, or just lying in the yard reading. She would even come bounding down the lane to greet me getting off the school bus.
Raggedy Ann had no idea how close to death she had come or how privileged she was to have a loving owner. She forgot she was a sheep, totally ignoring a flock of sheep pastured nearby, seeming to think she was a dog or even a human like her master.
God provides His children those same feelings, and the reality, of safety. One has to wonder how lost people, who do not know Jesus as their Savior and Shepherd, cope with all the dangers and fears that life brings. Safety is something this sinful world has little of. (Wanda Skeen)
In shady green pastures so rich and so sweet. . . .
Where the water’s cool flow bathes the weary one’s feet. . . .
Tho’ sorrows befall us and Satan oppose. . . .
Through grace we can conquer, defeat all our foes.
God leads His dear children along. - George A. Young
No amount of money, possessions, or defense strategy can equal the knowledge of God’s loving care.
This week's featured devotional is the Tuesday, August 4, 2015 entry of Opening the Word.
Privileges of the Household of God
Lesson 10 - August 9
FOCUS TEXT: Ephesians 2:10-22; 3:8-12
CENTRAL TRUTH: The Christian enjoys great privileges as part of God's family.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list several privileges they enjoy as Christians.
LESSON OUTLINE:
- Brought Together in Christ (Ephesians 2:10-13)
- The Reconciliation of Peace (Ephesians 2:14-18)
- Made Part of the Church (Ephesians 2:19-22)
- Access to God (Ephesians 3:8-12)
Lesson Highlight: Ephesians 6:11
In "Teaching Tips", Greg Blake writes:
Christians are made strong, then, by putting on the “whole armor” of God to protect and prepare them for their encounter with “the wiles of the devil” that will assault them. The “whole armor” refers to the entire stock of protective apparatus available to soldiers going into combat — a wholeness that is necessary so that no unprotected surfaces are open to harm. That Christians “stand” against these forces reasserts the simple foot-soldier image of the Christian — those who may expect to combat the enemy at close quarters, hand-to-hand and face-to-face.
Discussion: Are you comfortable with this imagery of you, as a Christian, being a foot soldier of the Cross? Are you dressed with the armor of God and ready for battle?
Source: Lesson 9 - "Made Alive in Christ", Adult Teacher's Insights, p. 52.
Lesson Highlight: Ephesians 2:8
Do you like getting gifts? Even as an adult, this writer finds it exciting to receive gifts. Tearing off the wrapping paper, opening the box, removing the packing ... even if completed in a few seconds, results in an adrenaline rush as you wonder, "What is it?" Of course, our salvation as a gift is more known than that mysterious package under the Christmas tree. Yet at the same time, the depth and breadth of God's grace is also unknown to us as we trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior. Truly, we continue to learn day-by-day more and more about His inexpressible gift.
Discussion: When we speak of God's grace, should we still have that childish glee in receiving a gift for one's birthday or Christmas?