Bible

Back here in the Bible room today, concluding the book of Ephesians with Session 2, the summaries of chapters 4, 5, and 6 from our Getting Started Bible.

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Ephesians

Session 2

Chapter 4. Unity

I am a prisoner here because of the teaching I received from the Lord,

• So I write to encourage you to keep your behavior in line with
• The new standards by which you have chosen to live, but being
• Humble and patient with love for your fellow believers; We are
• All of the same body in the Spirit, sharing the same belief in the
• Same Lord, and God who is above and in you all;
• After Christ was here on earth, He ascended to heaven, and left
• Each one of us with special abilities–some to be apostles, some
• Prophets, some evangelists, some pastors, some teachers;
• These gifts are to be used to build up the body of believers,
• Which is the body of Christ; Then, we will all be encouraged to
• Know more of God, and to be more like Christ;
• We should all become less like children, subject to changing
• Our minds with the trends of society, but we should all strive
• To be more like Christ—speaking truths to each other in love,
• So that the body of believers becomes stronger in unity, with
• Each member doing their part to help the others;
• Now, the Lord has given me special instructions for you, the
• Gentiles: You must separate yourselves from those among you
• Who stubbornly refuse to change their minds, and will not
• Accept God into their lives; They have become so hardened in
• Their evil behavior they no longer have any feeling; But you
• Have come to know Jesus Christ, having learned the truth that
• Is in Him; You have changed your behavior, and become as
• New people, created in God, so you can live holy lives being
• Right with God; There should be no more lying, always being
• Truthful to one another, as we are all one; If you become angry
• At a believer, talk it out, and get it resolved before the day is
• Over, so the Devil cannot take hold of you;
• There should be no more stealing, and anyone in need should
• Work to earn a wage and thereby be able to give to others in
• Need; In your conversations, never use any vile or vulgar
• Language, but always speak words of encouragement; In that
• Way, you will never demean the Spirit of God who is
• Protecting you, and keeping you safe for your redemption; Put
• Away all bitterness, anger, quarreling, and hatred, being kind,
• And forgiving each other as God has forgiven you.

Chapter 5. Members

With that being said, you must continue walking with God in love,

• For He loves you as His special children, having offered
• Himself for us all as a sweet smelling sacrifice, pleasing to God;
• You have become committed believers, so now you should act
• Like committed believers; Avoid any hint of unclean living; Do
• Not engage in vulgar language, coarse joking, or even foolish
• Talking, instead, concentrate on being thankful; You know that
• No sexually immoral person, or idolator, will have any part in
• The inheritance God has for us; Do not listen to anyone who is
• Speaking empty lies, trying to deceive you, for God will punish
• Everyone who is disobedient;
• At one time, you were uninformed, living in the dark, but now
• You have received the light of the Lord, so you must live like
• You are children of light; In the Spirit is goodness, and right
• Living which proves you are acceptable to the Lord; You should
• Have no relationship with those who have rejected the Lord—
• You must speak out against them, and the light of the Lord will
• Expose them in due time; But Christ says He will give the light
• Of the Lord to those who ask, so, live carefully for the Lord,
• Using wisely the time you have, asking Him for His guidance;
• Avoid taking too much wine, but be filled with the Spirit
• Instead, keeping a cheerful attitude of thankfulness;
• Wives, let your husband be the leader of your home, just as
• Christ is leader of the church; Husbands, love your wives as
• Christ loved the church and sacrificed Himself for it, so that it
• Would be made perfect for Him; That means husbands should
• Love their wives just as the Lord loves the church;  
• We are the members of His body, the church; So, when a man
• And woman are joined in marriage they become like a single
• Body; This is a picture of the church–the body of Christ;
• Husbands and wives should love, and respect, each other.

Chapter 6. War

Children, you are to honor and obey your parents;

• If you do this, you will live a full, pleasant life;
• Fathers, do not punish your children so that it stirs up hatred
• In them; Instead, teach them about the Lord;
• Servants, be sincere in performing the tasks assigned to you,
• Just as you would if you were working for Christ, knowing
• That the Lord will repay you for the good you do;
• To those for whom the servants work, avoid being overly
• Aggressive with them, knowing that you also have an overseer
• In heaven who makes no distinction between slave and master;
• In closing, my fellow believers, stay strong in your faith, and
• Trust in the Lord’s power; Clothe yourselves with His
• Protection so that you can resist the schemes of the devil; We
• Are in a war, but we are not fighting ordinary men: We are
• Facing the vilest, most evil, forces of wickedness from the
• World of evil spirits; When you face these spiritual battles, you
• Are going to need all the protections God has made for you;
• First, you must be grounded in truth, and you must be living a
• God-centered life; You must be walking in peace with God, and
• Most importantly, you must be strong in your faith; You must
• Be sure of your salvation, and you must know the scriptures
• Which are the sword of the Spirit; You must pray regularly,
• Staying attentive to the needs of others, and for me also that I
• May speak the right words and say them in the right way;
• Tychicus, my co-worker, is coming to visit you to bring you
• News from our ministry with words of encouragement;
• I send my love to you, and pray the peace and grace of God for
• You who sincerely love our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.

End of Session 2 of the book of Ephesians.

(This concludes the reading of the book of Ephesians.)