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Ephesians study 1

1 The New Community - Christ and the Church   Ephesians 1–3


Purpose: To gain an overview of the main aspects of Paul's letter to the Ephesians. To gain a greater love for God's word.


Everyone needs community. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit have enjoyed community in their relationship for all eternity. Paul's Epistle to the Ephesians reveals the amazing fulfillment of the once hidden plan of God for His glory through His beloved people, the church…the new community of God.
In this study we'll look over the first half of the letter to orient us to some of the basic issues that will come up in later studies. Most importantly, it will help us put those issues in the context.


1.  What do you think real community should be like? What have been your experiences with community? 





2.  Read Ephesians 1–3. What are some of the main topics Paul covers in this letter?





3.  Although virtually nothing is stated directly about the people Paul is writing to, what can you infer about them from the kinds of subjects he brings up?





4.  What kind of person do you find Paul to be here? What would you say is the basic tone of the letter—gruff, friendly, serious, melancholy or what? Explain.



5.  What unifying theme, if any, do you see in this letter? Where do you see it?




6.  What in what we looked at together troubles you most, or what do you have the most difficulty understanding? Why? What do you find to be the most exciting or encouraging part of this letter? Why?
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