July 25, 2015 Part 1: Prelude to a Biblical Journey : What You Can Expect From the Bible

Why We Teach the Bible  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. – Ephesians 2:10

Why We Teach the Bible  All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. – 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Why We Teach the Bible  And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ… – Ephesians 4:11-12

The Goal of Teaching the Bible  As you are going, therefore make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:19-20

The Goal of Teaching the Bible  …entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. – 2 Timothy 2:2  The goal is not to make dependants, but to make disciples.  Not preparing you meals, but teaching you how to prepare your own meals.

The Goal of Teaching the Bible  But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. – 1 Timothy 1:5

How Do We Teach the Bible?  We are committed to interpreting the Bible as the Author intended.  The Genesis Model (literal grammatical-historical)

How Do We Teach the Bible?  We are committed to understanding the meaning rather than creating it.  2 Peter 1:20-21 Exegesis vs. Eisegesis

How Do We Teach the Bible?  We recognize there is one meaning, and three perspectives.  Seeing the forest from the trees

One Meaning / Three Perspectives  The satellite view – sees the whole forest (Book overviews, Bible survey)

One Meaning / Three Perspectives  The caterpillar’s view – sees one verse at a time (verse by verse)

One Meaning / Three Perspectives  The bird’s eye view – sees the different kinds of trees (topics and implications)

One Meaning / Three Perspectives  The Forest From the Trees:  The satellite view – sees the whole forest (Book overviews, Bible survey)  The caterpillar’s view – sees one verse at a time (verse by verse)  The bird’s eye view – sees the different kinds of trees (topics and implications)  Three approaches to teaching: survey, verse by verse, topical. With discussion.

Part 2: Overview of Ephesians Walk Worthy!

Background and Context  Written by Paul (1:1), probably around 63 AD, during his first imprisonment (Acts 28:11-31, Ephesians 3:1, 4:1)  To believers (at Ephesus,1:1, but possibly a circulated letter)

Background and Context  Ephesus first mentioned in Acts 18:19  Paul proclaimed the Gospel there (Acts 18:19), and it appears some believed (Acts 19:1)

Background and Context  A strategically located seaport  Known for trade and for the worship of the goddess of fertility, Artemis (Greek) or Diana (Latin)– Acts 19  What happened in Ephesus didn’t stay in Ephesus

Background and Context  Timothy later pastored in Ephesus (1 Timothy 1:3)  The church at Ephesus ultimately made a huge mistake (Revelation 2:1-7)

Building Blocks (Structural Keys)  The first three chapters structured by terms of argument (For, but, therefore, etc.).  Descriptive  The second three chapters divided by the term “ walk.”  Prescriptive

Outline  Chapters 1-3 consider the position of the believer in Christ.  Chapters 4-6 consider the walk of the believer.

Ephesians 1-3 Position of the Believer  1:1-14 The Basis (Father, Son, Spirit)  1:15-23 Prayer for Understanding  2:1-10 New Life  2:11-22 New Peace  3:1-13 New Administration  3:14-20 New Power

Ephesians 4-6 Walk of the Believer  4:1-16 In Unity  4:17-24 In Newness  5:1-14 In Love and Righteousness  5:15-20 In Wisdom

Ephesians 4-6 Walk of the Believer  5:21-6:9 In Wisdom Through Subjection  6:10-17 Standing Firm In Strength  6:18-20 In Prayer  6:21-24 In Comfort, Grace, and Peace

A Few Central Topics in Ephesians  God’s work and purpose (1:1-14)  The believer’s enablement (1:3)  Explanation of salvation (2:1-10)  Relationship of Jew and Gentile (3)

A Few Central Topics in Ephesians  Expectations for our walk (4-6)  Family relationships (5:21-6:4)  Provision for victorious Christian life (standing firm, 6:10-18)

So What?