June 4, 2017 – Ephesians 4:1-6

Lesson Date: June 4, 2017

Focal Scripture Passage: Ephesians 4:1-6

AIM: To lead students to describe a walk that is worthy of the Lord, and to evaluate their behavior in comparison with that worthy walk.

Before class: Read the notes on Ephesians 4:1-6 found in the Sunday School Teacher Book. Print enough of the attached “What’s Wrong With This Picture?” sheets for your anticipated attendance. Place them on the chairs in your classroom before the students arrive. Prepare the index cards or slips of paper described in the “Conclusion” step of this lesson plan. Enlist some class members who are comfortable reading aloud to look up the following scripture verses and be prepared to read them to the class when called upon: Psalm 86:15; Romans 6:4; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 8:4; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; Ephesians 1:13-14, 22-23; Philippians 2:3; Colossians 3:13; 1 Peter 3:4; Jude 1:3.

INTRODUCTION (Create Learning Readiness): Direct the students’ attention to the “What’s Wrong With This Picture?” sheet they found in their chairs. Ask them to name what they have found wrong in the picture. After they name those wrong things, comment that it is pretty easy to spot something wrong or out of place in a child’s picture. Tell them it is also pretty easy to spot things that are wrong in life. Ask them what’s wrong with the following scenarios:

• A policeman who breaks the law.
• A heart doctor who smokes cigarettes.
• A banker who steals money.
• A soldier who helps the enemy.
• A Christian who lives a life of sin.

In those examples the person is not behaving the way someone in their position should. Tell the class that today’s lesson, as well as many of the other lessons in this quarter’s study, will teach us how Christians are supposed to behave.

HEART OF THE LESSON (Bible Study):

1. Review.
   • Be sure every student has a copy of the Sunday School Member Quarterly for the new (summer) quarter.
   • Remind them that last quarter we studied first three chapters of the New Testament book of Ephesians.
   • Those first three chapters were primarily doctrinal in nature.
   • Ask: “What did we learn about in chapter 1?” (the fact that all three persons of the Godhead are involved in salvation).
   • Ask: “What did we learn about in chapter 2?” (God’s plan and purpose for salvation).
   • Ask: “What did we learn about in chapter 3?” (God saves Jews and Gentiles the same way and unites them together in one new body – the church).
   • Ask if any volunteer would be willing to recite last week’s memory verses (Eph. 3:20-21).
   • Direct everyone’s attention to the front cover of the new quarterly.
   • The title or theme of this quarter’s study is “Salvation: Live It!”
   • Read through the lesson titles found on page 3 to emphasize the fact that this quarter we will discover practical instructions on how to live the Christian life at home, at work, and in our daily struggles.
2. Walk Worthy of the Lord.
   • Ask a volunteer to read Ephesians 4:1.
   • Ask: “How did Paul describe Himself?” (the prisoner of the Lord).
   • Ask: “Why did he describe himself that way?” (because he was in prison in Rome for preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ – locate Rome on the map).
   • Ask: “What does the word beseech mean?” (to beg or to implore someone).
   • Ask: “What did he ask his readers to walk worthy of?” (the vocation to which they were called).
   • Explain that we usually use word vocation to refer to our job, but in this context it means the calling God has placed on our life by saving us.
   • Stress the fact that Christians should walk worthy of the Lord who called them to salvation.
   • Summarize: Rather than being like a policeman who breaks the law or a soldier who helps the enemy, Christians are called to walk or behave like Christians.
3. How to Walk Worthy.
   • Tell the class the next two verses tell HOW Christians ought to behave.
   • Ask them to listen for four descriptive words as you read Ephesians 4:2.
   • Ask them to name those four words.
   • Write the words Lowliness, Meekness, Longsuffering, and Forbearing on the marker board or chalkboard.
   • Explain the meanings of those words:
     • Lowliness = humility or modesty.
       • Ask the previously enlisted volunteer to read Philippians 2:3.
     • Meekness = gentleness and self-control.
       • Ask the previously enlisted volunteer to read 1 Peter 3:4.
     • Longsuffering = patience or fortitude.
       • Ask the previously enlisted volunteer to read Psalm 86:15.
     • Forbearing = putting up with, enduring.
       • Ask the previously enlisted volunteer to read Colossians 3:13.

• Ask: “Are these four things expected only of ‘super-spiritual’ Christians or of all Christians?” (all Christians).
• Ask them to listen for two more descriptive words as you read Ephesians 4:3.
• Ask them to name those two words.
• Write the words Unity and Peace on the board.
• Explain that when lowliness, meekness, longsuffering, and forbearing characterize our behavior, then unity and peace will result.
• Ask: “Why do you think many churches do not have unity and peace?” (because the individual members are not walking worthy of their calling as described in verse 2).
• Ask: “If the unity and peace of our church were dependent upon your behavior, how much unity and peace will we have?”
• Remind the class that the first three chapters of Ephesians are primarily doctrinal. That’s because we must have common and correct doctrine in order to behave right and to have peace and unity in the church.
• State the following truths:
  • Bad doctrine always leads to bad behavior.
  • Good doctrine is inextricably tied to good behavior.
• Summarize: In order to walk worthy of our calling as Christians, we must turn from our pride and put others first. Doing so produces unity and peace.

4. Why We Should Walk Worthy.
   • Tell the class that Ephesians 4:4-6 tell us WHY Christians ought to behave right.
   • Ask the students to listen for seven things all Christians have in common (listed below) as you read those verses.
   • Explain the meanings of those words:
     • One Body = the church.
       • Ask the previously enlisted volunteer to read Ephesians 1:22-23.
     • One Spirit = the Holy Spirit.
       • Ask the previously enlisted volunteer to read Ephesians 1:13-14.
     • One Hope of our Calling = we are all looking forward to our ultimate redemption from this sinful world and our wicked flesh.
       • Ask the previously enlisted volunteer to read Ephesians 1:14.
     • One Lord = Jesus Christ.
       • Ask the previously enlisted volunteer to read Romans 8:9.
     • One Faith = the body of Bible doctrine delivered to us by the Lord through His Word, the Bible.
       • Ask the previously enlisted volunteer to read Jude 1:3.
     • One Baptism = our spiritual baptism into the body of Christ, which is demonstrated through water baptism.
       • Ask the previously enlisted volunteers to read 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 and Romans 6:4.
     • One God and Father of All = the one true and living God.
       • Ask the previously enlisted volunteer to read 1 Corinthians 8:4.
       • Note that our God is “above all, and through all, and in you all.”

• Summarize: Christians should walk worthy of our calling (behave right) because we have so many important and fundamental things in common. We have the same Lord, the same Spirit, and we are joined together in the same body.

PERSONAL APPLICATION: Summarize today’s lesson by reminding the class that we have been called to walk worthy of the Lord, we have learned how to walk worthy, and we have discovered why we should walk worthy.

Direct the students’ attention to the six words written on the board. Ask them to evaluate their lifestyle and behavior based on that list. Ask: “Is your life characterized by lowliness, meekness, long-suffering, forbearance, unity, and peace?” State that if our behavior does not exhibit these characteristics then we are either immature in our faith or we are in sinful rebellion.

Ask everyone to bow their head and close their eyes. Urge the students to confess their sin to God and ask for His help to walk worthy of Him this week. Voice a closing prayer of confession and commitment.

CONCLUSION: Ask everyone to memorize Ephesians 4:1. Give them each an index card or slip of paper on which you have written or printed the following:

Looking back on my behavior today, has my life demonstrated lowliness, meekness, long-suffering, forbearance, unity, and peace?

Ask the students to place the card on their nightstand or attach it to their bathroom mirror. Ask them to read and honestly answer that question each night before going to bed.