My Life–part 3
March 3, 2013
Eph. 4:25-32
DAY 1
We continue with our study of Ephesians 4.
Ephesians 4:25 Therefore, putting away falsehood, let everyone speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26 Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil. 28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his hands, so that he may be able to give to those in need. 29 Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for edifying, as fits the occasion, that it may impart grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, with all malice, 32 and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
1. Growing as a Christian takes many forms. It takes God’s power to change our nature, but growth is something with which you must be engaged. You have a role to play, as we’ll see this week!
2. Our passage for the week contains:
a. A Key idea: Replacement, vs. “Don’t do ______.”
b. A Pattern: There is a pattern in the passage above. It occurs five times (4:25; 4:26-27; 4:28; 4:29-30; 4:31-32).
Arrange these in the proper pattern order:
___ Stop this.
___ Here’s why!
___ Start that
(The answer is at the bottom of this page)
Ephesians 4:25 Therefore, putting away falsehood, let everyone speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.
4. In 4:25, what does Paul say we are to stop?
5. What are we to do?
6. Why are we to do #5?
7. How do you measure up on falsehood?
8. What needs to improve?
9. Is there anything you need to make right with someone?
(Answer to question #3: Start that; Stop this; Here’s why!)
DAY 2
1. The key idea this week is “replacement.”
2. See if you can put our pattern in the proper order:
___ Here’s why!
___ Start that
___ Stop this.
Ephesians 4:26 Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil.
3. What are we to stop?
4. What are we to do?
5. What is the, “Here’s why?”
6. Why do we get angry? Is it the other person? Is it that people just aren’t considerate? Am I doomed by the level of goodwill someone may or may not have toward me? Or does the problem lie within ME?! Read:
James 4:1 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
7. According to James why do I get angry?
8. What does Paul tell me to do with my anger in Eph. 4:26?
9. The “why!” What does Paul say in Eph. 4:27? Who am I inviting into my little “anger game” if I don’t deal with my anger?
10. We get angry when we are DEPENDING on someone or something for what we consider to be our deepest NEEDS. If we are depending on God for our deepest real needs, when our “needs” aren’t met by someone or something we will be sad and/or disappointed. This is actually a good thing!
11. Pray: Ask God to distinguish your real “needs” from your desires.
DAY 3
Ephesians 4:28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his hands, so that he may be able to give to those in need.
1. What is the thing we’re to stop doing?
2. What THINGS are we to do instead? (Remember the “replacement” principle).
3. What is the “why?”
4. Why do you think God’s remedy for “thiefing” is labor, honest work, and giving to others? Jot down your answer next to each item, below:
• Labor-
• Honest work-
• Giving to others in need-
5. What are some different ways that people steal?
6. When is a thief not a thief? How would he know his thieving days are over?
7. Are there any ways you’ve been a “thief?”
8. Is there anything you need to return or pay back?
9. Do any of the following need your attention?
• Labor-
• Honesty-
• Generosity-
10. Pray for your own labor, honesty, and generosity.
DAY 4
Ephesians 4:29 Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for edifying, as fits the occasion, that it may impart grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
1. What is it were supposed to stop?
2. What is it we’re to do?
3. What’s the “Why?”
4. The word “evil” in 4:29 means “rotting.” It’s that green stuff in the back of your refrigerator! What effects do these kinds of words have on others?
5. Paul gives us three “tests” our words must pass, before they pass thru our lips. Below, jot down your thoughts beside each “test.”
a. Words that are “good for edifying,” –
b. Words that “fit the occasion” –
c. Words that “impart grace to those who hear” –
6. Which of the following “rotting” words get you in trouble?
___ Sarcasm.
___ Having to have the last word.
___ Proving you were right.
___ Getting even.
___ Being harsh.
7. If you’re like me, you’ll have to ask people to forgive you for your rotting words. The last one in question #6 is the one I’ve had to ask the most forgiveness for in my adulthood. Is there someone with whom you need to ask forgiveness?
DAY 5
Ephesians 4:31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, with all malice, 32 and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
1. What are the things we are to stop?
2. What are we to replace them with?
3. What is the “Why?”
4. Each of the bad words, above make up one BIG, bad concept: “Malice.” Malice is that which drives you to want to see others experience pain. Someone hurt you; you were wounded, and you want to see them wounded. You want them to get a taste of their own medicine.
5. “Bitterness” – a determined and pained resentment that justifies holding bad feelings and acting in bad will toward someone.
6. “Wrath” – rage, or fury.
7. “Clamor” – brawling, physically or emotionally, as in yelling and screaming.
8. “Slander” – saying the truth about someone with the intention of doing them harm.
9. “Kindness” – useful and helpful action with an attitude that is benevolent, that you are for the other person.
10. “Compassionate” – starts with looking through their eyes.
11. “Forgive, like Christ forgave you”
12. Which negative quality is your stumbling block?
13. Which positive quality can you use to replace the bad one?
14. Spend a minute praying for God’s work to change your heart.