Ephesians 4:7-16

Go Deep

(Ephesians 4:7-16)

Last week, the church across the world celebrated Christ’s ascension. What is there to celebrate? What is the ascension all about?

Verse 7 begins with the word “One” in Greek. A literal translation goes, “One each of us was gifted grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift.”  Why did Paul start the sentence with the word “one”?

According to verse 7, each believer has received grace (a spiritual gifting) appropriate to them. Do you have an idea of what your gift from Christ is?

Verses 8-10 talk about the ascension. Verse 10 claims that Christ ascended “in order to fill the whole universe”? The words “in order to” imply a plan. What is the plan? Put it in your own words.

Is there any logical connection between verses 10 and 11, between Christ filling the whole universe (v. 10) and his giving gifted people to the church (v. 11)? Is this somehow part of the “plan”?

Why did Jesus gift the church with the people mentioned in verse 11—what does he expect them to do?

What kinds of preparation do God’s people (saints) require for doing ministry (NIV, “works of service”)? What kinds of prep would be helpful to you in this regard?

How do the “works of service” contribute to the building up of the body of Christ? Who is being built up—the person served or the person serving?

How would you respond to someone who said, “Ministry? That’s what we pay the pastor for!”

What will the body of Christ be like before it is mature (v. 14)? What will it be like when it is mature (vv. 14-15)?

What kinds of things contribute to our growth toward maturity (hint: watch for the word “grow” in vv. 15-16)?

What kinds of teaching, ministry opportunities, and events would help average church members to take their place as ministers?