Monday, February 28, 2011

Ephesians 6:1-9

1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 "Honor your father and mother"--this is the first commandment with a promise: 3 "so that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth." 4 And, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. 5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, in singleness of heart, as you obey Christ; 6 not only while being watched, and in order to please them, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. 7 Render service with enthusiasm, as to the Lord and not to men and women, 8 knowing that whatever good we do, we will receive the same again from the Lord, whether we are slaves or free. 9 And, masters, do the same to them. Stop threatening them, for you know that both of you have the same Master in heaven, and with him there is no partiality.

Questions to consider:
  • Why should children honor their father and mother?
  • What is special about that commandment?
  • Do you think that any part of this passage is "revolutionary" or contrary to popular standards of the time?
  • Is a master greater than his or her servant? Why?

Possibilities for prayer:

As we heard on Sunday (if you weren't able to be there, listen to the sermon here), contrary to the way that this chunk of Scripture (starting back at the end of Chapter 5) has been commonly interpreted, much of the way that this passage is written is more empowering than you might guess. The author not only explicitly addresses the children and the slaves, therefore giving them a voice, and even a choice in the way they decide to live. It is not assumed that they will do things, but they are addressed and encouraged to live in this way. Paul even explicitly states that God is not partial.

While our society does not have the blatant system of slavery prevalent at the time that this passage was written, we are likely all guilty of thinking ourselves better than another or wondering why or how God could love someone else despite all their shortcomings. Today, let's praise God for impartiality--for the fact that we are loved just as much as the next person, and ask God for the ability to extend that kind of impartial love to those we encounter.

Friday, February 25, 2011

Ephesians 5:21-33

21 Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ. 22 Wives, be subject to your husbands as you are to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife just as Christ is the head of the church, the body of which he is the Savior. 24 Just as the church is subject to Christ, so also wives ought to be, in everything, to their husbands. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 in order to make her holy by cleansing her with the washing of water by the word, 27 so as to present the church to himself in splendor, without a spot or wrinkle or anything of the kind--yes, so that she may be holy and without blemish. 28 In the same way, husbands should love their wives as they do their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hates his own body, but he nourishes and tenderly cares for it, just as Christ does for the church, 30 because we are members of his body. 31 "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." 32 This is a great mystery, and I am applying it to Christ and the church. 33 Each of you, however, should love his wife as himself, and a wife should respect her husband.

Questions to consider:
  • Having had the opportunity to read the entire passage at once, does anything new stick out to you?
  • Do you think this passage is relevant only for those who are married?
  • What lesson(s) have you taken away from this passage, whether you're married or not?
Possibilities for prayer:

As I mentioned earlier in the week, a large portion of this passage has been and can be rather controversial in certain circles. Hopefully, we've looked at this text in its entirety in a way that has helped us to see the relevance of the author's words in the lives of us all, married or not married. Today, take some time to pray through the more difficult portions of this text. If there's some verse or phrase or word that strikes you as difficult to agree with or understand, reflect on that and ask God for his illumination and insight.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Ephesians 5:31-33

31 "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." 32 This is a great mystery, and I am applying it to Christ and the church. 33 Each of you, however, should love his wife as himself, and a wife should respect her husband.

Questions to consider:
  • Read Genesis 2:24 (the verse from which verse 31 comes). What is the context of the original verse?
  • Does the context in Genesis help you understand its use here?
  • What is a great mystery? What do you think the author means?
Possibilities for prayer:

It seems pretty relevant that a husband and wife become one flesh. Even thinking back to the verses from yesterday, we've been told (and know ourselves) that we must care properly for our bodies in order to live healthy lives. If a husband and wife become "one flesh," then it follows that they should be mutually interested in caring for each other. If this idea, as the author suggests, can be extended and applied to Christ and the Church, we should all be mutually interested in caring for each other, as we are all members of the church and body.

Who knew that all these lessons for married people could be relevant for the not married folk as well! Let's show some of the care that we are called to have for the members of our body by taking some time to pray for others. Maybe you know of particular people who are in need of prayer, or maybe you want to pray for the church more broadly--unity, peace, and spirit-filled-ness are probably all good places to start. Ask God that you might become even better at showing care and concern for the other members of this body, and start through prayer today.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Ephesians 5:28-30

28 In the same way, husbands should love their wives as they do their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hates his own body, but he nourishes and tenderly cares for it, just as Christ does for the church, 30 because we are members of his body.

Questions to consider:
  • How should husbands love their wives?
  • How is the image/metaphor of a body helpful here?
  • Why does Christ tend and care for the church?
Possibilities for prayer:

It seems that this image of the body continues to be helpful! It is easy to understand why a person generally does not fail to take care of his or her own body--such behavior can lead to illness or even death. So then, we can understand why Christ cares for the church and desires good things for it as well. The author calls husbands to a great kind of love; again, the kind of love that Christ has for the church. Even if you are not (or not yet) a husband or a wife, these verses are an encouraging glimpse of the way that Christ loves us, the members of his body. Let's take some time to ask God to continue to reveal to us the depth and extent of the love given to the church, and for the ability to receive it with open arms.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Ephesians 5:21-27

21 Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ. 22 Wives, be subject to your husbands as you are to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife just as Christ is the head of the church, the body of which he is the Savior. 24 Just as the church is subject to Christ, so also wives ought to be, in everything, to their husbands. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 in order to make her holy by cleansing her with the washing of water by the word, 27 so as to present the church to himself in splendor, without a spot or wrinkle or anything of the kind--yes, so that she may be holy and without blemish.

Questions to consider:
  • Why are we subject to one another?
  • What does it mean for the church to be subject to Christ?
  • What do verses 25 and 26 mean?
Possibilities for prayer:

This is one of those passages that can often be troublesome at first glance. Some women chafe against the idea of being "subject to" their husband...especially given the way this passage has been used culturally to establish a hierarchy of people's value, placing the value of men above the value of women. But if you take into consideration the cultural context of this passage, what the author says is actually rather revolutionary. At the time this letter was written, women were often considered little more than property within the household, and the author calls upon the husband to love the wife--and not just any kind of love, love as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. When looked at in this light, it seems important that we include verse 21 in this passage, because each partner is indeed being subject to the other. Take some time to prayerfully reflect upon this passage and receive the things that God wants to say to you about it.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Ephesians 5:21

21 Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Questions to consider:
  • What does it mean to "be subject"?
  • Who is the author talking to?
  • Who needs to be subject? Who are we subject to?
Possibilities for prayer:

I know that this is only one verse, and it's a short one too. But its brevity does not make it less important. We start with this verse entirely on its own so that we might be able to use it to frame the discussion that comes next. Some texts separate this verse from the discussion of husbands and wives that follows, while others include it as the opening verse for the section. Since we've split the chapter so as to include it with the ending portion, it seems appropriate to use it here.

This call is not made to a particular person or group of people, but to everyone. We are to respect, honor, and be subject to (other translations use the verb "submit") one another, and we do this out of reverence for Christ. It seems like this means that we need to value the thoughts, feelings, and input of others, even when they're contrary to our own. That can be a difficult thing to do, particularly when we are in positions of power or are convinced that we are right about something. But God calls us to put our own desires or ambitions aside. Today, let's ask for the humility to be truly subject to one another, out of reverence for Christ. Ask God to give you vision for what that looks like, and the courage to put it into practice.

Friday, February 18, 2011

Ephesians 5:18-20

18 Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, 20 giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Questions to consider:
  • How are getting drunk with wine and being filled with the spirit related? (hint: why do you think the author links them together in verse 18?)
  • What kinds of practices might help you to give thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything?
Possibilities for prayer:

It can be difficult to be thankful always and for everything, but that is definitely the challenge that the author here gives us. Let's make that our challenge for this week--being thankful in everything we do, making a special effort to be grateful in the midst of the hard stuff of life. Right now, take some time to offer thanks to God for your life and all the good things within it.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Ephesians 5:15-17

15 Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, 16 making the most of the time, because the days are evil. 17 So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Questions to consider:

  • What do you think is the difference between living as an unwise person as compared to a wise person?
  • How do you "make the most" of your time?
  • Do you ever feel foolish (look at verse 17)?
Possibilities for prayer:

Sometimes it can feel like the "will of the Lord" is an elusive concept, something that we cannot get a strong grip on. And in many ways, it is. We cannot know the broad will of God--our human minds are not capable! But we can practice wisdom in seeking after the will of God, asking God what he might have for our lives, and attempting to pursue it. Today, try to do some listening prayer, listening to God's voice, and what he has to say to you, especially as you seek God's wisdom and direction.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Ephesians 5:10-14

10 Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly; 13 but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14 for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, "Sleeper, awake! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."

Questions to consider:
  • What kinds of things do you think are pleasing to the Lord?
  • What are the works of darkness?
  • Are there things in your life that need to be exposed?
Possibilities for prayer:

Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord.

Do you feel like you follow this advice? Are your days spent seeking what thoughts, actions, motivations are pleasing to God? Today, take some time to do just that. Ask God what things are pleasing to him. Have a conversation with God about the things you want to do (or not do) in order to please God, and listen to hear what God might have to say. Ask for perseverance to make this charge something on which you are able to follow through.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Ephesians 5:6-9

6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be associated with them. 8 For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light-- 9 for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true.
Questions to consider:
  • What kind of words are "empty words"? How might they be deceptive?
  • What does it mean for your life that you are now "in the light"?
  • How can you live as children of light?
  • What do you think is the "fruit of the light."
Possibilities for prayer:

Living as children of the light is a daily challenge. Think about something (or things) that you've kept hidden in darkness, preventing God's light from shining on it. As we are called to live in the light, a good practice might be to confess that thing or things to God, and maybe to a friend--sometimes putting things into the light with a trusted friend can be a powerful testament to letting God's light crowd out the darkness. After a time of confession and repentance, take some time to experience the "fruit of the light."

Monday, February 14, 2011

Ephesians 5:1-5

1Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, 2 and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3 But fornication and impurity of any kind, or greed, must not even be mentioned among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Entirely out of place is obscene, silly, and vulgar talk; but instead, let there be thanksgiving. 5 Be sure of this, that no fornicator or impure person, or one who is greedy (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Questions to consider:
  • What would it look like for you to be an imitator of God?
  • What does a life that is "lived in love" entail?
  • How can you be working to keep out all of the negative things that the author points out as not befitting a beloved child of God?
Possibilities for prayer:

The phrase "live in love" seems rather striking. If love characterized all of our lives, my guess is that things would be pretty different--especially when one considers that the example the author gives of someone who followed that principle is Jesus. Let's make it our prayer today that we might live in love, turning away from the things that challenge or dilute love's goodness. Let's ask Jesus to guide us in the decisions we make so that we might actually follow the example that has been set for us.

Friday, February 11, 2011

Ephesians 4:31-32

31 Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, 32 and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.

Questions to consider:
  • Which of the above mentioned things do want to especially work on putting away?
  • Why should we forgive one another?
  • What does God's forgiveness mean to you?
Possibilities for prayer:

Take some time to think about what it would mean to truly follow each of these instructions, and to make them a part of your daily life. Confess to God the ways in which you have had bitterness, wrath, anger, wrangling, slander, and malice in your heart and life. Ask for God to break off those things in you and replace them with kindness and tenderness and a desire to forgive. Take time to be silent before God, letting him work on your heart in whatever way he sees fit.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Ephesians 4:28-30

28 Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labor and work honestly with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy. 29 Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption.

Questions to consider:
  • Why do you think the author gives a suggestion for what thieves might do instead of stealing?
  • What evil talk are you sometimes tempted to let come out of your mouth?
  • How can you use words for the building up of others?
  • What might it mean to grieve the Holy Spirit?
Possibilities for prayer:

The idea of words giving grace to those who hear them is an interesting concept. We're probably all familiar with the idea of words having power, but it seems like most often the emphasis of that power is on its ability to have a negative influence. The way that the author of Ephesians suggests that our words have the power to give grace to those who hear them is an encouraging one. Today, let's choose and use our words in all their power to give grace to the hearer, and ask God for the wisdom to do that well.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Ephesians 4:25-27

25 So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another. 26 Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do not make room for the devil.

Questions to consider:
  • How can you put away falsehood?
  • When have you spoken truth to your neighbors? When have you not?
  • Is it difficult for you to be angry but not sin?
  • What might it mean to "make room for the devil"?
Possibilities for prayer:

Have there been times recently when you have not spoken the truth to the people around you, for one reason or another? This week, make a special effort to speak the truth as you go about your daily life and see if you notice a difference in the way you relate to people, and to God.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Ephesians 4:20-24

20 That is not the way you learned Christ! 21 For surely you have heard about him and were taught in him, as truth is in Jesus. 22 You were taught to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Questions to consider:
  • What is not the way that Christ has taught?
  • What things represent, for you, your old life and former self?
  • How can (and has) your the spirit of your mind been renewed?
  • What do "true" righteousness and holiness look like?
Possibilities for prayer:

Look at verse 23--what does the phrase "to be renewed in the spirit of your minds" mean to you? Renewal is almost always a good thing, tied to making something that was once old and worn out into something new and beautiful.

In the midst of this world and its various trials and struggles, our minds can become tired and corrupted, in deep need of renewal from God's spirit. Today, let's make that our prayer. In the places where we feel weary and burdened, let's ask for God's spirit to come and make all things new.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Ephesians 4:17-19

17 Now this I affirm and insist on in the Lord: you must no longer live as the Gentiles live, in the futility of their minds. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of their ignorance and hardness of heart. 19 They have lost all sensitivity and have abandoned themselves to licentiousness, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.

Questions to consider:
  • What do you think the author meant by the "futility" of the Gentiles' minds?
  • What is the "life of God" from which these people were alienated?
  • In what ways have you experienced a hardening of your heart?
  • How are sensitivity and the practice of "every kind of impurity" related?
Possibilities for prayer:

Part of what Ephesians talks about is being made a new creation, casting off old things and embracing the new that has been brought about by Christ, and in the first verse of this passage, we see echoes of that idea, as the author asks the reader to change their way of living, and cease being alienated from the things of God. Today, think about some of the things in your own life that have left you alienated from God. Confess those things and give them over to God so that you will be able to fully participate in the life of God the author mentions.

Friday, February 4, 2011

Ephesians 4:14-16

14 We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people's trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. 15 But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body's growth in building itself up in love.

Questions to consider:
  • What does it mean, in the context of this passage, to be a child?
  • In what situations do you think it might be most important to speak truth in love?
  • Do you see a common theme in these verses?
Possibilities for prayer:

The image of a body is one that comes up repeatedly throughout the book of Ephesians, and we've already seen it mentioned more than once in the course of the chapter thus far. This image can be really helpful in understanding how God desires all of us to relate to each other--with an understanding of how each individual part contributes to the whole and without disdain for the "lesser" parts or jealousy of the "greater" parts.

Let's pray today that we would be grateful for the role that God has given us and work to the best of our abilities to fulfill that role well. Let's particularly ask God for the ability and desire to speak the truth in love, in an effort to grow toward and into God, as the writer of Ephesians advises.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Ephesians 4:11-13

11 The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ.

Questions to consider:
  • Which of the above mentioned gifts do you think you have been given?
  • Why were these gifts given?
  • What do you think "the full stature of Christ" is?
Possibilities for prayer:

What seems most striking about the various gifts that have been identified here is the fact they are not given for the person who has them, but rather to equip us for ministry that should lead to the building up of the church. Gifts as they are traditionally understood are generally for the exclusive benefit of the receiver, but again Christ turns the world's understanding upside down in a way. These gifts are to be used for the benefit of more than the one who receives them.

Let's take some time to pray through a couple of things today. First, ask God what gift or gifts you might have been given. Secondly, ask God to show you how you might use them to fulfill their purpose in ministry and the building up of the church.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Ephesians 4:7-10

7 But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ's gift. 8 Therefore it is said, "When he ascended on high he made captivity itself a captive; he gave gifts to his people." 9 (When it says, "He ascended," what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is the same one who ascended far above all the heavens, so that he might fill all things.)

Questions to consider:
  • Where have you seen Christ's grace in your life?
  • How do we see Christ turning the world's understanding of things on its head in these verses?
  • Who is the subject of the ascending and descending going on in these verses? What do you take the "descended into the lower parts of the earth" to mean?
Possibilities for prayer:

We've all seen grace at work in our lives at various points and in various ways. Take a moment to reflect on some of the most memorable moments of grace in your life. whether of a spiritual or physical nature. What happened? Why did you need grace? Who offered the grace to you? The clearest example of grace in our lives is certainly the grace offered us by Christ through his death on the cross. Now take some time to prayerfully reflect on the meaning of that gift of grace in your life, and what it means for your future.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Ephesians 4:4-6

4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.

Questions to consider:
  • What does it mean for there to be one body and one Spirit?
  • What significance did the one body and Spirit have for the original audience of this letter? What significance does it have for us?
  • Do you see a theme in the verse above?
Possibilities for prayer:

It seems that the author is trying to draw out the idea of unity in these verses--we are told that there is only one body, Spirit, Lord, faith, baptism, and God. Practically, it does not always feel that we are united as people of faith in this world, even though that is a call we see more than once, even just in the book of Ephesians. Let's pray for the church worldwide today, that we might be united under God, "who is above all and through all and in all."