Equipped for Ministry
[ READ ] Ephesians 4:11–16
11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Paul’s whole letter to the Ephesians bursts with abundant promises, provision and real hope in Christ. This section is no different.
Imagine that unity in the faith will happen. Mature manhood and womanhood can be attained in Christ.
God gives all we need to grow as a tree planted by streams of water one ring at a time. As each individual accepts God’s call to follow Him and teach others, the Body is strengthened in Christ! Lies are debunked. People flourish. Blessed hope pulses in each person and the church in Christ!
Who are you placing your hope in? What is your current spiritual temperature? Where are you planting yourself? How are you using your spiritual gifts to serve the body? Why might your life reflect or not reflect the hope in this passage?
- Kim Williams
Imagine that unity in the faith will happen. Mature manhood and womanhood can be attained in Christ.
God gives all we need to grow as a tree planted by streams of water one ring at a time. As each individual accepts God’s call to follow Him and teach others, the Body is strengthened in Christ! Lies are debunked. People flourish. Blessed hope pulses in each person and the church in Christ!
Who are you placing your hope in? What is your current spiritual temperature? Where are you planting yourself? How are you using your spiritual gifts to serve the body? Why might your life reflect or not reflect the hope in this passage?
- Kim Williams
[ EXAMINE ] the passage. At this point, answer some questions about the meaning of the text. Take time to reflect.
+ Who was given to equip and build up the body of Christ? Was this just for Paul’s generation? How does verse 13 inform your answer? If not, who are they in this generation? Are you called to be one in your sphere of influence? What might that look like?
+ What is the ultimate goal of the equipping and building up according to verse 13 and 15? What will it prevent according to verse 14?
+ What is the means to spiritual growth according to verse 15?
+ The phrase “when each part is working properly” is a bit daunting in this day and age. What does it mean to you? How have you seen it done well? How are you personally using your position in Christ to do your part in the Body?
+ Who was given to equip and build up the body of Christ? Was this just for Paul’s generation? How does verse 13 inform your answer? If not, who are they in this generation? Are you called to be one in your sphere of influence? What might that look like?
+ What is the ultimate goal of the equipping and building up according to verse 13 and 15? What will it prevent according to verse 14?
+ What is the means to spiritual growth according to verse 15?
+ The phrase “when each part is working properly” is a bit daunting in this day and age. What does it mean to you? How have you seen it done well? How are you personally using your position in Christ to do your part in the Body?
[ APPLY ] the passage to your own life.
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ What did the promised Holy Spirit illuminate in this passage today for you personally? How will you respond?
+ Is there a place in your life where you are prone to being tossed about? Ask the Lord to illuminate truth in love and guide your steps in this particular area. Is there a person in the body who could help you be steadfast in this area?
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ What did the promised Holy Spirit illuminate in this passage today for you personally? How will you respond?
+ Is there a place in your life where you are prone to being tossed about? Ask the Lord to illuminate truth in love and guide your steps in this particular area. Is there a person in the body who could help you be steadfast in this area?
[ PRAY ] through the passage and your application, and ask God to change your heart and your life.
+ Pray with me:
Dear Jesus, thank you for your abundant promises, provision, and hope! In you nothing is impossible! The unity that in our mind seems fleeting, bring it through your Spirit! When it seems easier to stay stuck, rather than progressing to maturity, show us why we should move to become more like you. Illuminate, Lord Jesus, places in our life where we are prone to being deceived. Open our eyes. Bring truth to us through Your Word, Your Spirit, and Your people. Help us give and receive this truth in love.
Thank you for your love and that we don’t have to do anything to earn it. As you have extended grace to us as we grow to maturity, give us grace to extend to others as they are growing as well. It’s in your powerful and precious name, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
+ Pray with me:
Dear Jesus, thank you for your abundant promises, provision, and hope! In you nothing is impossible! The unity that in our mind seems fleeting, bring it through your Spirit! When it seems easier to stay stuck, rather than progressing to maturity, show us why we should move to become more like you. Illuminate, Lord Jesus, places in our life where we are prone to being deceived. Open our eyes. Bring truth to us through Your Word, Your Spirit, and Your people. Help us give and receive this truth in love.
Thank you for your love and that we don’t have to do anything to earn it. As you have extended grace to us as we grow to maturity, give us grace to extend to others as they are growing as well. It’s in your powerful and precious name, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
[ SHARE ] what God is teaching you with at least one person: your roommate,
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
yourself:
+ Talk today’s message over with someone who is discipling you, and someone you are discipling.
+ Look to be one of those in the body mentioned in verse 11. God will equip you! You could start with what the Spirit illuminated to you and share this truth and what you did with it with love with another.
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
yourself:
+ Talk today’s message over with someone who is discipling you, and someone you are discipling.
+ Look to be one of those in the body mentioned in verse 11. God will equip you! You could start with what the Spirit illuminated to you and share this truth and what you did with it with love with another.
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