P’s and Q’s : Chapter 4
“Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called.” (verse 1)
What does it mean to “walk in a manner worthy of your calling?”
To live a life glorifying Jesus in everything you do and say. In my case, as a student, to be a light for my peers.
How are you doing with that?
Example: Sometimes I want to live for Christ, but sometimes I allow compromise when I’m hanging out with certain people.
“With all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love…” (verse 2)
How do the qualities of humility, gentleness, and patience help you “walk worthy of your calling?”
You start to look ‘I’m Third’ and stop living in selfishness.
“Being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace…” (verse 3)
How does “the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” develop teamwork in relationships that are close to you? (ie. your sports team, your family, your girlfriend, etc.)
People want to be around you because they see the peace of Christ in you, not quarrelsome ways.
“There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.” (verses 4-6)
Why is Paul stressing the term “one” in this passage?
Because there is only one God and one way to salvation – no universalism; He is the ONLY way!
What do you learn from this term in this passage?
“For the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ…” (verse 12)
As God has given to each man and woman gifts of the Spirit (i.e. apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, exhorters, leaders, servants, givers, etc.) What is Paul teaching here when he says our gifts are for “the equipping of the saints for the work of service?”
Equipping the saints:
God equips us for ministering to others.
The work of service:
It is not easy to minister, but this work is true service to God; it shows humility and a true love for those around us.
“Until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.” (verse 13)
Isn’t it great that, as we use our gifts to build each other up in this group bible study, we help each other know God better, become more mature and become unified in faith? Comment on that.
Example: God is awesome in that He wants us to grow together with other believers. Each one of us is made in Christ but also given different gifts – it’s amazing to see all the gifts work together for His good!
How is that becoming true for you?
“As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming.” (verse 14)
How is this study making you more solid in your wisdom and your faith so you aren’t “tossed around” by the waves of influence by your peers in their deceitful scheming?
“From whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what ever joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.” (verse 16)
What does it mean to you to watch this bible study group “being fitted and held together” as we pull together and pull for each other to build our team in love?
Like a team, the best team is united together… this is why the group wins in being together.
“So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind.” (verse 17)
What does scripture mean when it says that we no longer walk in the futility (emptiness, worthlessness, idleness, etc.) of our mind?
This means that we no longer are enslaved to low pursuits and amused by empty things of the world (dirty jokes, impure relationships, social media, etc.). Believers are to have a very different mindset than non believers.
How does ignorance of God’s Word make our heart dark?
By causing us to stop look at or seeing God in our life. We turn our eyes on ourselves.
Why does a “dark heart” produce sensuality, impurity and greediness?
Instead of desiring God, you begin to desire the world. The heart controls a lot, and if it is “dark” then we can fall into temptation because we have a sinful nature.
“If indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus…” (verse 21)
How have you learned that “truth is in Jesus?”
How have you found Him reliable?
“That, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit.” (verse 22)
What does it mean to be renewed in the spirit of your mind?
Instead of having a mind dwelling on sin, God changes your mind to dwell on Him through the power of the Holy Spirit. This is done through prayer and selflessness.
What does your “new self” look like (i.e. righteousness, holiness and truth)?
“Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.” (verse 25)
Why is honesty so important to you? How are you doing with transparency and integrity?
Honesty produces intimacy with those I care about.
“Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.” (verse 26)
Are there any areas of bitterness in your life that you are disobeying God by not forgiving before the sun sets each day?
“Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” (verse 29)
Describe the ways you speak with “unwholesome words” (i.e. gossip, slander, whining, unkindness, foul language) and what it would mean if you only spoke with grace.
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (verse 32)
What does this verse communicate to you about those who are closest to you?
I should be forgiving those around me because that’s exactly what Jesus did for me, and I did not deserve it at all.
