Ephesians: Discovering Your Identity and Purpose in Christ (A Discover Together Bible Study) by Sue Edwards- Lesson 9: Sit Down to Stand

Ephesians: Discovering Your Identity and Purpose in Christ (A Discover Together Bible Study)

by Sue Edwards

(I received this book for review purposes.)

I’m excited to bring to you a Bible study that I am participating in by Sue Edwards.  I participated in her 1 Peter Bible study.  It was rewarding.  I worked on the Ephesians Bible study this past week with Lesson 9: “Sit Down to Stand.”  I’m excited to share my thoughts with you.

This week’s focus was standing with Christ, by putting on the full armor of God and this is our last week of lessons.  I read Ephesians 6:10-24.  The memory verse was Ephesians 6:11-12.

“Your Source of Strength”

• The command in verse ten is be strong in the Lord.  Many people look for power in their jobs or with their wealth.
• God is our source of strength.  A woman who looks to the Lord for strength and power is a Proverbs 31 woman.
• To be strong and stand firm we need to put on God’s armor.  Jesus is our armor.

“Your Vicious Enemy”

• My enemy is Satan.  Satan is always behind our difficulties.  He is in the unseen world.
• I think that if you know that Satan is behind other peoples negative actions, that we can forgive and help those people more easily.

“Your Armor”

• I think we should always be on the offensive, because we need to be proactive in our actions against evil.
• Take a look at Ephesians 6:14-17 and identify the character quality or spiritual resource for the armor.  There is the belt, breastplate, shoes, shield, helmet, and sword.  There are more verses about how Christ is our armor in other verses of the New Testament, like Ephesians 2:14 and Revelation 19: 11 and 13.
• When we put on the armor of God we need to pray consistently, be thankful, ask God for wisdom, and we should not stifle the Holy Spirit.
• When we have Christ as our armor we have nothing to fear.

“Battle Prayer”

• We need to pray for others and be a prayer warrior. 

“Parting Words”

• Paul’s closing and opening of his letter to the Ephesians had repetition, because those were some of his most important thoughts.

“Conclusion and Endings”

• Standing is being firm and not moving from what you believe you.  You have to learn to be with God and work with others in God, then you can stand firm with your armor on.
• In five years, I will remember to talk well, live in the light, how to treat one another, the Lord is here for us, and Don’t Fear

Genre- Bible Study 
Published by- Kregel Publications 
Copyrighted- 2012
Number of pages- 128
Age Group- Adult
Description of book- Paperback, listed price- $12.99, ISBN 978-0-8254-4309-1

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Ephesians by Sue Edwards for free from Open Book Promotions and Kregel for this Bible Study.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.  All links were current when posted.

Ephesians: Discovering Your Identity and Purpose in Christ (A Discover Together Bible Study) by Sue Edwards- Lesson 8: Walk Worthy in Relationships

Ephesians: Discovering Your Identity and Purpose in Christ (A Discover Together Bible Study)

by Sue Edwards

(I received this book for review purposes.)

I’m excited to bring to you a Bible study that I am participating in by Sue Edwards.  I participated in her 1 Peter Bible study.  It was rewarding.  I worked on the Ephesians Bible study this past week with Lesson 8: “Walk Worthy in Relationships.”  I’m excited to share my thoughts with you.

This week’s focus was learning about how to have harmony in our relationships.  I read Ephesians 5:21-6:9.  The memory verse was Ephesians 5:21.

“Submitting to One Another”

• In our lives we are usually trying to boss people and not submit to one another.  We are to do this in fear of God. 
• I looked up the definition of submission.  When I hear the word, submission, I know I need to do it and it is not a bad thing, even though society says it is.

“The Wife”

• Paul counsels wives first.  A wife’s attitude is important, because she is the one who truly makes the house happy.
• I do find submission difficult sometimes, but our relationship is better when I do submit to my husband.
• I can still have disagreements and opinions, but he is the one in charge.    

“The Husband”

• Husbands should imitate Christ.  A husband could read the Word to his wife to encourage her.
• A husband should love his wife as much as he loves himself.  He is to nourish and cherish her.
• Marriage should be as stable and permanent as Christ is to the church.

“An Enduring and Growing Marriage”

• Marriages in this nation would be much stronger if we could love and submit. 
• The husband who is not doing his part can be changed by the spouse who is always submitting and loving. 

“Parents and Children”

• Children should obey their parents and honor them to have a long life on this earth.  Father’s should not provoke their children, but lead them and nourish them.
• We should not exasperate our children like, treat them younger than they are or nag them.  We need to nourish and love them.  We need to teach them about the Lord and how they should behave.

“The Workplace”

• In the workplace we should be obedient to our employers and do it with God in mind.  If the paycheck is small we should still do the best job possible.  Employers should treat their employees with respect and do it with Christ in mind.  Submitting to one another.

Genre- Bible Study 
Published by- Kregel Publications 
Copyrighted- 2012
Number of pages- 128
Age Group- Adult
Description of book- Paperback, listed price- $12.99, ISBN 978-0-8254-4309-1

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Ephesians by Sue Edwards for free from Open Book Promotions and Kregel for this Bible Study.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.  All links were current when posted.

Ephesians: Discovering Your Identity and Purpose in Christ (A Discover Together Bible Study) by Sue Edwards- Lesson Seven: Walking “Under the Influence”

Ephesians: Discovering Your Identity and Purpose in Christ (A Discover Together Bible Study)

by Sue Edwards

(I received this book for review purposes.)

I’m excited to bring to you a Bible study that I am participating in by Sue Edwards.  I participated in her 1 Peter Bible study.  It was rewarding.  I worked on the Ephesians Bible study this past week with Lesson 7 ‘Walking “Under the Influence”’  I’m excited to share my thoughts with you.

This week’s focus was learning about how to be “under the influence” of the Holy Spirit.  I read Ephesians 5:1-20.  The memory verses are Ephesians 5: 18b-20.

“Imitating God”

• We should walk in love and be as children.  When I was a child I imitated those I was around.  We should have love in all we do, because it makes life better for all those around us. 
• We need to walk and live in the Spirit to live a life of love!

“Danger”

• Sexual desire outside of marriage is very unhealthy.  It is dangerous for women, because they think emotionally and really become involved.  Sexual immorality can effect generations. 
• The danger in this society is the ease of access.  We have to turn it off or turn away.
• We are not about sexual immorality or greed, because God is about love and giving and purity.     

“A Dirty Mouth”

• Foolish talking and filthy talking grieves God.  We need to keep away from the jesting and have love and tenderheartedness. 

“Darkness and Light”

• We are the light and we need to walk in the light.
• Physically- light=can see, dark=cannot see
• Spiritually- light=good, dark=evil
• We need to do as God desires us to do.  We are not to have fellowship with the darkness. 
• Christ will give us light when we come to faith. 

“Walking in Evil Days”

• We need to understand the will of the Lord. 
• Today’s society makes the days evil.  We need to make sure we make the most of every opportunity by making sure we do everything is God’s name.
• We should not drink alcohol, but we should sing songs to the Lord and give thanks (be under the influence of the Lord).

Genre- Bible Study 
Published by- Kregel Publications 
Copyrighted- 2012
Number of pages- 128
Age Group- Adult
Description of book- Paperback, listed price- $12.99, ISBN 978-0-8254-4309-1

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Ephesians by Sue Edwards for free from Open Book Promotions and Kregel for this Bible Study.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.  All links were current when posted.

Ephesians: Discovering Your Identity and Purpose in Christ (A Discover Together Bible Study) by Sue Edwards- Lesson Six: Tripping Over Your Tongue? Talk Your Walk!

Ephesians: Discovering Your Identity and Purpose in Christ (A Discover Together Bible Study)

by Sue Edwards

(I received this book for review purposes.)

I’m excited to bring to you a Bible study that I am participating in by Sue Edwards.  I participated in her 1 Peter Bible study.  It was rewarding.  I worked on the Ephesians Bible study this past week with “Lesson Six: Tripping Over Your Tongue?  Talk Your Walk!”  I’m excited to share my thoughts with you.
This week’s focus was learning about the importance of watching our tongue and words.  I read Ephesians 4:17-32.  The memory verse was Ephesians 4: 29.
“Pay Attention, Please!”

• Paul is adamant that we are not to walk in the vanity of our minds.  According to Paul, pagans would not think of the right things in life or talk the right way.

“Off With the Old”

• No more old conversations, get rid of the old.
• We all need to get rid of the negatives things we say.  

“True Words”

• Paul’s first instructions are for us to tell the truth to each other.  Some ways we are false with others is when we don’t tell them the truth about their actions.
• We need to be truthful, because it causes distrust. 
• Paul said to speak truth in love, because if it is said in a mean tone it can make the problem worse.

“Taming Destructive Anger”

• Don’t sin when you are angry. 
• I think that we shouldn’t go to sleep angry, because if you do you will probably wake up angry or something could happen to either you or the person you are angry with.
• If you don’t handle your anger properly you can teach it to other people.

“Building Others Up”

• Paul tells the thief to steal no more and go to work so he could give to others.
• Your words should be used to build people up. 
• When I don’t control my tongue it makes the Holy Spirit sad.  I feel sad when I make the Holy Spirit sad.

“Forgiving One Another”

• We need to be tenderhearted.  If we are tenderhearted, we are more likely to be naturally nice.  We should forgive, since God forgave us. 
• This week I need to think very hard before I speak.
• If I build others up, they will build others up.

Genre- Bible Study 
Published by- Kregel Publications 
Copyrighted- 2012
Number of pages- 128
Age Group- Adult
Description of book- Paperback, listed price- $12.99, ISBN 978-0-8254-4309-1
Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Ephesians by Sue Edwards for free from Open Book Promotions and Kregel for this Bible Study.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.  All links were current when posted.

Ephesians: Discovering Your Identity and Purpose in Christ (A Discover Together Bible Study) by Sue Edwards- Lesson Five: Sit Down to Walk

Ephesians: Discovering Your Identity and Purpose in Christ (A Discover Together Bible Study)

by Sue Edwards

(I received this book for review purposes.)

I’m excited to bring to you a Bible study that I am participating in by Sue Edwards.  I participated in her 1 Peter Bible study.  It was rewarding.  I worked on the Ephesians Bible study this past week with “Lesson Five: Sit Down to Walk.”  I’m excited to share my thoughts with you.

This week’s focus was the way we live our daily lives.  I read Ephesians 4:1-16.  The memory verses were Ephesians 4: 2-3.

“Four Imperatives”

• The four qualities Paul mentioned are, lowliness (humble), meekness (submissiveness), long suffering (patiently enduring wrongs), and forbearing (patient, restrained). 
• I would have to say that my greatest struggle is with patience. 
• These characters are important in the church, because without them everyone will be there just for themselves.

“Unity of the Spirit”

• Paul said to keep the unity of the Spirit.  Unity in church is important, because otherwise people will leave and nobody will want visit there.  We can’t do unity ourselves, we need God to do it.
• The parts that bond all believers together are one body, one spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God, one Father. 

“Spiritual Gifts”

• Verse seven begins with the word but which means however.  Christ is the giver of our gifts and as a result freedom.
• There are many gifts; apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, ministry, exhortation, wisdom, knowledge, healing, faith, miracle worker, discerning of spirits, speaking in tongues,  and interpreting of tongues.

“Core Four”

• My gifts are pastoring, helping (tie) and it is also a tie with faith, encouragement, and writing.  These gifts should work together to help me live for Christ.
• I am not always using these gifts, some are dormant.  The gifts I am using right now are pastoring and encouragement, because of my children and homeschooling them.  I need to make sure I am actively using my gifts in a positive manner.
• I think that if spiritual gifts are overemphasized then people can become prideful.

“Secure and Growing Together”

• If we work together with our gifts we will be unified in Christ. 
• We will not be children tossed about and deceived.  If you are tossed around then you need to read the Bible and form your own opinions.

“Truthing in Love”

• We need to speak everything in love, even the disciplining, because it will be better received.  I sometimes struggle, because it is hard to show love in attitudes when you are not receiving the love.
• You will grow in Christ when walking in truth and love.
• The Holy Spirit is telling me to use my gifts in truth and love.

Genre- Bible Study 
Published by- Kregel Publications 
Copyrighted- 2012
Number of pages- 128
Age Group- Adult
Description of book- Paperback, listed price- $12.99, ISBN 978-0-8254-4309-1

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Ephesians by Sue Edwards for free from Open Book Promotions and Kregel for this Bible Study.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.  All links were current when posted.

Ephesians: Discovering Your Identity and Purpose in Christ (A Discover Together Bible Study) by Sue Edwards- Lesson Four: Sit Down Together

Ephesians: Discovering Your Identity and Purpose in Christ (A Discover Together Bible Study)

by Sue Edwards

(I received this book for review purposes.)

I’m excited to bring to you a new Bible study that I am participating in by Sue Edwards.  I participated in her 1 Peter Bible study.  It was rewarding.  I worked on the Ephesians Bible study this past week with “Lesson Four: Sit Down Together.”  I’m excited to share my thoughts with you.

This week’s focus was coming together in Christ, all of us.  I read Ephesians 2: 11-22.

“The Peacemaker”

• Both the Ephesian Jews and Gentiles are now together in Christ.  Christ can help them overcome their problems.  He is our peacemaker, so we should not make barriers in the church.  I do not dislike anyone based on race, culture, or tradition.

“Fulfilling the Law”

• Christ abolished the law that kept the Gentiles separate.  When Christ did that it means that the Gentiles are now included and we should all work together.  We all have access to God through the Holy Spirit.

“The New Family”

• If I am feeling excluded, I know that I am part of God’s family.  We are all part of God’s family, so nobody is a stranger.  Jesus is the cornerstone and the apostles and prophets are the foundation of the church.  They left us with the Holy Spirit to help bind us.  We are the bricks in the building.  I have never witness a severe disagreement or church split.

“Optional: Read Ephesians 3:1-13”

• The mystery Paul discusses is that the Gentiles are now equal to the Jews and can be a part of God’s family.  God wants the heavenly beings to know we are part of his family.  Paul suffers for the Ephesians, but he is doing it for their glory.

Genre- Bible Study 
Published by- Kregel Publications 
Copyrighted- 2012
Number of pages- 128
Age Group- Adult
Description of book- Paperback, listed price- $12.99, ISBN 978-0-8254-4309-1

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Ephesians by Sue Edwards for free from Open Book Promotions and Kregel for this Bible Study.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.  All links were current when posted.

Ephesians: Discovering Your Identity and Purpose in Christ (A Discover Together Bible Study) by Sue Edwards- Week Three: Sit Down to Work

Ephesians: Discovering Your Identity and Purpose in Christ (A Discover Together Bible Study)

by Sue Edwards

(I received this book for review purposes.)

I’m excited to bring to you a new Bible study that I am participating in by Sue Edwards.  I participated in her 1 Peter Bible study.  It was rewarding.  I worked on the Ephesians Bible study this past week with “Lesson Three: Sit Down to Work.”  I’m excited to share my thoughts with you.

This week’s focus was resting in Christ and not relying on our own strength.  I read Ephesians 2: 1-10.

“Your Former Life”

• Paul says we were dead before we knew Christ.  The forces that dominated us were the ways of this world and the spirit of disobedience.  My life was filled with worldly music, movies, books, and more.

“The War Within”

• We need to act better after we are transformed, but our old lives and outside things influence us.  Satan is still fighting for us.  God is winning the spiritual battle in me.  The way I help God to with the battle is to read the Bible and pray.

“Life in Christ”

• Christ has lots of mercy and loves us very much.  God made us alive, will raise us up, and seat us with Christ, because he is showing us how important we are to him.  He gave us a special gift and we need to accept it.    He gave us grace, so we can easily be forgiven for our sins.

“God’s Masterpiece”

• Paul says we are God’s masterpiece.  We need to do the good works he provides for us.  The purpose of those good works is to spread his word and show his love.  We are his ambassadors.  God has prepared many good works for me and currently they involve pastoring my children as a homeschool mother and writing book reviews, so that I can share the good and bad books that are being written in his name.  I know that I sometimes try to do good works with my own strength and it doesn’t go well.  It works best when I have God with me.

Genre- Bible Study 
Published by- Kregel Publications 
Copyrighted- 2012
Number of pages- 128
Age Group- Adult
Description of book- Paperback, listed price- $12.99, ISBN 978-0-8254-4309-1

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Ephesians by Sue Edwards for free from Open Book Promotions and Kregel for this Bible Study.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.  All links were current when posted.

Ephesians: Discovering Your Identity and Purpose in Christ (A Discover Together Bible Study) by Sue Edwards- Week Two: Sit and Pray

Ephesians: Discovering Your Identity and Purpose in Christ (A Discover Together Bible Study)

by Sue Edwards

(I received this book for review purposes.)

I’m excited to bring to you a new Bible study that I am participating in by Sue Edwards.  I participated in her 1 Peter Bible study and thought it was rewarding.  I worked on the Ephesians Bible study this past week with “Lesson Two: Sit and Pray.”  I’m excited to share what I have learned with you.

This week’s focus was prayer and how we should have a constant attitude of prayer.  I read Ephesians 1:15-23 and 3:14-21

“Taking Stock”

• I know I don’t pray as much as I should.  I need to pray every morning.  We do pray at meal times and before bed.  I don’t always have a life of prayer, because I feel I don’t have much time.  I always try to rely on God, but it doesn’t always happen.

“Knowing God”

• The Ephesians were known for the faith in Jesus and the saints.  Paul thanks them and prays for them to express his love.  Paul prays that God gives the Ephesians the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of God.  Prayer plays a daily part in my life, but I’m not sure if it is helping me know God more.

“The Eyes of Your Heart”

• Paul prays that the Ephesians eyes of understanding are enlightened.  He wants us to understand the hope we are given.  I pray with hope.  If I know there is hope, my prayers will be more positive and for others.  I’m not sure how I’m living, but I hope I’m living like an heir and not a pauper.

“Power for Daily Living”

• If God can raise the dead, Jesus, than anything can be done through Him.  I know I can pray for the big things and the little things and they can be answered.  Jesus has to return so everyone can truly realize the power of God.  We can do him homage and honor by doing what he asks of us.  As a homeschool mom and wife, I can do it by reading the Bible and doing what it says.

“The Glorious Riches”

• Paul kneels as he prays and it shows that he has a heart attitude of submission, as Jesus did when he washed the disciples’ feet.  I have prayed by kneeling, but it hurts one of my knees and it distracts me from praying.  To be filled with God’s fullness means to have the Holy Spirit active in you.  God’s love is real to me, because I can feel it.  It is important to remember that His love is vast.  Remembering that His love is vast helps us know He is always there for us and we can lean and depend upon Him.  God can use us to do great things. 

“Iron Sharpening Iron”

• Prayer will help me know God’s depths and love more each time.

Genre- Bible Study 
Published by- Kregel Publications 
Copyrighted- 2012
Number of pages- 128
Age Group- Adult
Description of book- Paperback, listed price- $12.99, ISBN 978-0-8254-4309-1

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Ephesians by Sue Edwards for free from Open Book Promotions and Kregel for this Bible Study.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.  All links were current when posted.

Ephesians: Discovering Your Identity and Purpose in Christ (A Discover Together Bible Study) by Sue Edwards- Week 1 Learn to Sit

Ephesians: Discovering Your Identity and Purpose in Christ (A Discover Together Bible Study)

by Sue Edwards

(I received this book for review purposes.)

I am excited to bring to you a new Bible study that I am participating in by Sue Edwards.  I have participated in her 1 Peter Bible study and I thought it was great.  I have been working on Ephesians this past week.  I am excited to share what I have learned with you.

This weeks focus is “Learn to Sit” and I read Ephesians 1:1-14

“The Greeting”

• Paul describes himself as an apostle of Jesus.  The Ephesians are described as faithful saints.  Peace to me means tranquility and grace means free passes and tranquility.

“Blessings in the Heavenly Realms”

• God has blessed us with every blessing in heaven.  We belonged to God before the world was even formed!  We were chosen to be holy and without fault. 

“Adopted into God’s Forever Family”

• We were adopted by God, because it gives him pleasure.  To be adopted means to be a part of a family and somebody will always take care of you.  In Ephesians 1:6-8 I think Paul was awe struck by what God did for us.  He was really thinking about what God did for us.

“A Great Mystery”

• The mystery revealed in Ephesians 1:9-10 was everything will be united under Christ and I don’t know when it will happen.

“Your Purpose”

• We need to bring praise and glory to God. 

“Sealed Forever”

• We have been marked by the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is the earnest money from when God purchased us.  He now owns us (verses 13 and 14).

“Your Identity”

• From 1:1-14 the benefits and blessings I enjoy as a Christen are- God is my family, I am forgiven, I am sealed in the Holy Spirit, and I have been given grace.  I can thank God by praying and being a better person.  I am a child of God, but I can do much more by utilizing the Holy Spirit and reading the Bible.  I need to always think before I speak.

Genre- Bible Study 
Published by- Kregel Publications 
Copyrighted- 2012
Number of pages- 128
Age Group- Adult
Description of book- Paperback, listed price- $12.99, ISBN 978-0-8254-4309-1

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Ephesians by Sue Edwards for free from Open Book Promotions and Kregel for this Bible Study.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.  All links were current when posted.