The letter of the apostle Paul to the church in Ephesus is almost an abridged version of the Roman letter, for it contains a summation of our redemption.  The approach we offer here covers the entire text of the letter; however, it does so in a topical approach.

We note first that our salvation is the work of God for his glory and praise.  It is the result of the unconditional decrees of God, it is Trinitarian, and it is accomplished in Christ alone and accessed by faith.

Second, we examine our need for this salvation by noting the original condition of all men as dead in sin, objects of wrath, serving the pleasures of the flesh and the devil, and entirely alienated from God, possessing a mind devoid of true understanding.  As man could never in this condition come to God, God initiated our salvation by making us alive and saving us by grace alone through faith that is also a gift of his grace.

Third, we note that we are called to a life of Christian obedience and piety.  We are to develop a Christian world view that impels us to act from Christian principles in every aspect of life.

Fourth, we see Paul’s parallel analysis of the church and marriage, both of which illustrate definite and personal love.  Christ gave Himself for the church as a man is to give himself to his wife; the church must reverence Christ as the wife her husband.

Fifth, we examine Paul’s prayers which focus on his beseeching God to grant understanding to believers of the hope we have in Christ, the riches of our inheritance, the greatness of His power manifested to us, and the extent of Christ’s love for us.

Finally we consider Paul’s description of the teaching ministry of the church and the necessity to communicate these great truths, and of the composition of the church as a unity out of many members all working toward the building up of the body of Christ, as Paul several times develops the idea of the mystical unity of the “one and the many.”

Lesson 1: The Eternal Purpose of God

Lesson 2: Sinners Saved by Grace

Lesson 3: The Christian Life of Piety and Obedience

Lesson 4: The Church and Marriage: A Definite Love

Lesson 5: The Importance of Understanding the Gospel

Lesson 6: The Importance of Communicating the Gospel