A BIRD’S EYE VIEW OF EPHESIANS:
God’s New Covenant Community, the Church |
|
| Texts | The Flow of the Book |
| 1–3 | Our New Position Together In Christ (what?) |
| 1:1–2 | Greeting |
| 1:3–23 | I. Each believer is a partaker of Christ’s benefits |
| 1:3–14 | A. Praise for God’s blessings in Christ |
| 1:15–23 | B. Prayer for increased knowledge and experience of these blessings. |
| 2:1–3:21 | II. Each believer is a part of Christ’s body |
| 2:1–10 | A. The making of the Christian |
| 2:11–3:21 | B. The making of the church |
| 2:11–22 | 1. The surprising unfolding of God’s purposes |
| 3:1–13 | 2. Paul’s unique role in unfolding God’s purposes |
| 3:14–21 | 3. Prayer that God’s purposes will be realised |
| 4–6 | Our New Practice Together In Christ (so what?) |
| 4:1–16 | I. Practice unity in Christ together as his church |
| 4:17–6:9 | II. Practice conformity to Christ together as his church |
| 4:17–5:2 | A. Transformation in Christ |
| 4:17–24 | 1. New life in Christ |
| 4:25–5:2 | 2. New lifestyle in Christ |
|
5:3–14 5:15–17 |
B. Separation in Christ
1. Light vs. Darkness 2. Wisdom vs. Folly |
| 5:18–6:9 | C. Submission in Christ |
| 6:10–20 | III. Practice enmity for Christ together as his church |
| 6:21–24 | Conclusion |