Lesson 8 Review: Christ-Shaped Lives and Spirit-Inspired Speech

 

Memory Text: “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24, NIV).

We can picture the transformation that Paul argues about through the story of Jose Antonio, with gray, straggly hair and beard that made him look older than 57 who got stylish hair and clothes that made him look transformed but unlike a mere outward transformation, Paul argues that believers experience a complete transformation. It includes being “renewed in the spirit of your minds” (Eph. 4:23, ESV), bringing into the life “true righteousness and holiness” (Eph. 4:24, ESV). This is the ultimate makeover.

What is the theme of Ephesians 4:1-16 and Ephesians 4:17-24?

‘Unity and the lifestyle that supports it’.

What are the privileges that Gentiles have despite their lifestyle?

Gentiles are redeemed by God through Christ and offered full partnership in the people of God (Eph. 2:11-22, Eph. 3:1-13).

What is Paul more concerned about concerning the Gentiles?

Paul is concerned about a pattern of behavior that they exhibit, a downward trajectory of living in the grip of sin.

What is the source of the downward spiral of sin and depravity?

The source of their darkened understanding is the calloused spirituality: “in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God” (Eph. 4:17,18, NKJV). They don’t know how to live, and separated from His saving grace, they continue in a downward spiral of sin.

Why is it important that Paul says to the Ephesians “That is not the way you learned Christ”?

The Ephesians “heard Him” [Christ], and were taught “in Him” or “by Him”.

What does coming to faith center on for Paul?

For Paul, coming to faith centers on a personal connection with Christ, one so vivid and real that it may be described as “learning Christ”.

What are the processes in cloth imagery involved in adopting a Christ-centered life?

1. To “put off” or turn away from the old way of life (Eph. 4:22)
2. To experience inner renewal (Eph. 4:23) and
3. To “put on” the new, Godlike pattern of life (Eph. 4:24).

Why does Paul choose to use clothing as a metaphor to refer to a change in lifestyle?

Paul's metaphor of clothing reflects the use of clothing in the Old Testament as a symbol for both sinfulness and salvation. A person’s identity and status was signaled by his/her clothing. Having more than one set of clothes in the first century was unusual. Paul tries to pass the message that a change in life is as noticeable as exchanging one set of clothing with another would have been in the first century.

How does Paul exhort that we “speak truth”?

‘Paul’s exhortation to “speak truth” is not an invitation to confront other church members with a tactless recitation of facts. Paul alludes to Zechariah 8:16, which exhorts speaking the truth as a way of fostering peace.’

How does Paul instruct that we stop evil?

Paul imagines any negative expression not just stopped, but replaced by a statement that exhibits three criteria:

1.       “is good for building up,”

2.       “fits the occasion,” and

3.       “gives “grace to those who hear” (Eph. 4:29, ESV)

What grieves the Holy Spirit?

What grieves the Holy Spirit is our misuse of God’s gift of speech to tear down others (Eph. 4:25-27, 29, 31, 32).

When does the Holy Spirit seal believers?

The Holy Spirit begins to seal believers from the day they accepted Christ (Eph. 1:13, 14) until “the day of redemption” (Eph. 4:30).

Why does the Spirit grieve rather than leave when we disregard speech?

The Spirit intends to remain present with believers, marking them as owned and protected by God, until Christ’s return.

How does Paul underline the full divinity and the personhood of the Spirit?

Paul identifies the full divinity of the Spirit as “the Holy Spirit of God” and highlights the personhood of the Spirit by portraying the Holy Spirit as grieving. (Romans 8:16, 26, 27; 1 Cor. 2:10, 13; 1 Cor. 12:11; Gal. 5:17, 18).

What are some of the characteristics of the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is both One with and distinct from God the Father and God the Son. The Spirit has His own will and chooses accordingly. He can be grieved and blasphemed against. But He is not just like you and me.

What kind of attitude or behavior is Paul asking us to embrace in Ephesians 4:17-32?

The attitudes that drive angry speech and the rhetorical strategies that employ it are to be removed from the Christian’s arsenal. Our conversations and actions among the family of Christ should not grow out of anger but are to be motivated by kindness, tenderheartedness, and forgiveness based on the highest standard of all, the forgiveness that God has extended to us through Christ.

What does Paul present as a model for forgiving one another in Thursday’s lesson?

Paul presents “vertical forgiveness” (offered by God to us) as the model for “horizontal forgiveness” (that which we offer to each other; compare Col. 3:13; Matt. 6:12, 14, 15).

In Conclusion,

God is willing to transform us to a new person, but we must put away the old self. I pray that we reflect God’s love to others in Jesus’ name.