The Church

                         DISCIPLESHIP LESSON 11

THE CHURCH

This week’s lesson:  Ephesians 1:15-23
Assignment:
Pray 20 minutes daily
Memorization:  Colossians 1:18
Written Study

SECTION I
1.  What did the early Christians do that we should do also?
a.  Acts 2:41-42

b.  Acts 4:31, 8:4

c.  Acts 5:41-42

2. As God’s children, what should we not neglect?  (Hebrews 10:25)

3. Read I Thessalonians 1:1-10, then list some qualities God desires for
members of any church.

4. What should be one of the basic purposes of a church?  (II Timothy 4:2)

5. List several of your own reasons for joining a church.

6. What should the church believe about Christ?
a.  His birth (Matthew 1:23)

b.  His person  (John 1:14)

c.  His death  (I Peter 2: 24)

d.  His future ministry  (I Thessalonians 4:16-17)

SECTION II
1.  Write your own one-sentence description of each of the following local
churches.
a.  The church in Jerusalem  (Acts 4:32-33)

b.  The church in Thessalonia  (I Thessalonians 1:6-10)

c.  The church in Laodicea  (Revelation 3: 14-17)

THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH
2.  Paul frequently compares the church to a body,
a.  Who is the only head?  (Ephesians 5:23)

b.  Who are the members?

3.  Does Christ see this church as divided?  (I Corinthians 12:12-13)

4.  How should its members feel toward each other?  (I Corinthians 12:25-26)

5.  Read carefully: Acts 1:5-11
a. According to verse 8, what should be the church’s great concern?

b.  Where does it say Jesus went, physically?

c.  According to verse 11, will He come again spiritually or physically
for His Church?

d.  Do we know when that will be?  (Acts 1:7′ Mark 13:32-33)

6.  In light of this, what should be one of my main purposes while here on
earth?

SECTION III
Meditate on Ephesians, chapters 4-6

1.  What attitudes of heart should Christians have in their relationship to
others?  (Ephesians 4:2)

2.  Do you think “one another” (4:2) refers primarily to saints or to all
people?  Let Verse 3 help you in answering this.

3.  What is the “unity of the Spirit” in a fellowship of believers, such as
a local church?  (Ephesians 4:1-7)

4.  What is the key repeated word of 1:4-6?  How do these verses support the
exhortation of verse 3?

5.  What is the meaning or significance of each of the following seven
phrases, as they are used here?
a.  One Body (compare Colossians 3:15)

b.  One Spirit (compare I Corinthians 12:13)

c.  One hope of your calling (compare I John 3:2-3)

d.  One Lord  (compare I Corinthians 8:6)

e.  One faith  (Jude 3)

f.  One baptism  (Galatians 3:27)

g.  One God and Father of all  (I Corinthians 8:6)

Observe references to the three Persons of the Trinity in 1:4-6

6.  Distinguish between each of the following phrases of 4:6
a.  of all

b.  above all

c.  through all

d.  in you all

SECTION IV
1.  In Ephesians 4:11 are all Christians included in this list?

Compare with I Corinthians 12:27-30

2.  In Paul’s day, how did each of these minister?
a.  Apostles

b.  Prophets

c.  Evangelists

d.  Pastors (shepherds) and teachers

3. In Ephesians 4:12, what does this verse teach about what the Church’s
functions are?

4. What is a “perfect man”?  (Ephesians 4: 13)

Compare Hebrews 1 3: 21

II Timothy 3:17

James 1: 4

I Peter 5:10

5. How important is unity in a local congregation?  What are some ways to
help to preserve church unity from your own personal experience?

SECTION V
1.  The phrase “the Church” is made, not to the membership of the organized
churches, but to the whole company of the redeemed.
They are a distinct people in these ways:
a.  John 3:5

b.  Romans 8:29

c.  II Corinthians 5:17

d.  Ephesians 1 :3, Colossians 2:10

e.  Colossians 3:11

f.  Philippians 3:20; Colossians 3:3

g.  II Corinthians 5:17-18

2. What is the purpose for the baptism of John?  (Luke 3:3; Matthew 3:11)

3. What is the difference between water baptism and the baptism of the Holy
Spirit?
Matthew 3: 11, Luke 3: 16

Colossians 2:12

I Peter 3:21

4.  What is repentance?  (use dictionary – concordance

a.  Requirement by God on man’s part:
Matthew 3:8

Luke 3: 8

Acts 20:21; 21 :20

b.  Mercy of God in giving repentance or leading men to it:
Acts 5:31

Acts 11: 18

Romans 2: 4

II Timothy 2:25

SECTION VI

1.  When did Jesus say we could receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit?
(John 7: 38-39)

2. From where shall these rivers of living water flow out?  (John 7:38-39)

3. In Acts 2:38-39, to whom is the promise of the Holy Spirit given?

4.  How is the Holy Spirit received according to Galatians 3:2?

5.  What was the initial evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit in
Acts 2:4?

Acts 10:46

Acts 19:6

6.  Write in your own words: What you desire toward towards the Holy Spirit
is:

7.  We also need to walk in the Spirit.  What is the result when we do?
(Galatians 5:16)

SECTION VII:  LORD’S SUPPER
1.  In Matthew 26:26-28
a.  What did Christ tell His disciples to do with the bread and the cup?

b.  For what reason did Christ shed His blood?  (verse 28)

2.  What are we sharing together when we participate in the Communion?
(I Corinthians 10:16-17)

3.  Why did they all eat from the same loaf?

4.  In I Corinthians 11:27-31
a.  What warning does Paul give about partaking in an unworthy manner?

b.  What is the result of careful self-examination?