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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?
Lesson Highlight: Ephesians 2:1
"Quicken" - this word is not used as much in common English today, but the basic meaning is "to make alive." Similarly, the concept that sin results in death seems out of vogue in society today, yet this truth remains. As you teach or participate in our "Made Alive in Christ" Sunday school lesson, how can you illustrate the death caused by sin and the being made alive again in Christ?
Newness of Life
Read Romans 6:1-5
“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (v. 4).
It is of deep concern that many professed Christians give little or no evidence of a new life in Christ. Water baptism is a beautiful thing when practiced according to Scripture. It is the outward testimony of an inward work.
In a recent baptismal service, a husband, wife, and teen-age son gave clear testimony of how salvation had come to their family, one member at a time. The newness of life that they could see in other members of the family gave them a desire to enjoy the same in their lives.
It should not be overlooked that there is a death involved in this baptism. It is a death to sin. In the context of our scripture, the question is asked: “How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” (v. 2). Paul’s clear answer is that Christians do not so live. Instead he exhorts us to walk “in newness of life.” Wycliffe Bible Commentary notes that “the translation to ‘walk in newness of life’ carries with it the day-by-day living in the ordinary routines of life.” (BAM)
What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought
Since Jesus came into my heart! . . .
And my sins which were many are all washed away. — Rufus H. McDaniel
A born again experience still brings newness of life!
This devotional is the Thursday, July 30, 2015 entry of Opening the Word.
Made Alive in Christ
Lesson 9 - August 2, 2015
Focus Text: Ephesians 2:1-9; Ephesians 6:10-20
Central Truth: God’s love creates life in a world of death.
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Lesson Highlight: Ephesians 3:14
Did you realize it was unusual for Jews to kneel in prayer?
According to Francis Foulkes in Tyndale New Testament Commentaries: Ephesians...
Among the Jews it was usual to stand to pray (see Mt. 6:5 and Lk. 18:11, 13). Kneeling for prayer, though it has become a regular Christian attitude, was formerly an expression of deep emotion or earnestness, and on that basis we must understand Paul's words here. Solomon knelt at the dedication of the temple (1 Ki. 8:54); Stephen at the time of his martyrdom (Acts 7:60); Peter at the death-bed of Dorcas (Acts 9:40); Paul at the tiem of his farewells on his last journey to Jerusalem (Acts 20:36; 21:5); our Lord himself in his agony in Gethsemane (Lk. 22:41).
Discussion: If it was unusual for Jews to kneel in prayer, then how should we understand the importance of what Paul prayed for in Ephesians 3? What is the significance of his prayer request?
Source: Foulkes, Francis (1989). Tyndale New Testament Commentaries: Ephesians. Inter-Varsity Press: Leicester, England. pp. 108-109.