Ephesians 4:1-12 (NASB)

1Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling
with which you have been called, 2with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing
tolerance for one another in love, 3being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the
bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope
of your calling; 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6one God and Father of all who is over all
and through all and in all. 7But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure
of Christ's gift. 8Therefore it says, "WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH,HE LED CAPTIVE A
HOST OF CAPTIVES,AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN." 9(Now this expression, "He
ascended," what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the
earth? 10He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so
that He might fill all things.) 11And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and
some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints
for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;

THE CALLING / vv.1-6

1) What does it mean, "to live a life worthy of the calling you have received"? What does it
take to accomplish this?

THE GIFTING / vv. 7-12

2) What does v.7 mean “according to the measure of Christ”?

3) “Namely, that is, He gave” – He who? Based on vv. 1-6, why did He give the v. 7 gifts?

4) Based on vv. 1-6, why did He give the v. 7 gifts?

5) What is different in the emphasis from v.7 to v. 11?

6) Does this indicate a contradiction? Why/Why not?

7) The term “apostle” is used in the Bible to refer to 3 kinds of apostle. What are these (look
to Acts 1:21-22; 1 Corinthians 15:8-9; Ephesians 4:11)? Consider what is common about
the calling of these apostles.

8) Describe the task of the OT prophet. What is different about the task of the NT prophet?
9) Is this list meant to be exhaustive?

10) Why does the Lord want to equip all the people in the church?

11) What is to be the activity of the saints?

12) What does the author mean by the “body of Christ”?

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
BELONG:
How can you help your community to be equipped for service to build up the church?

BECOME:
In what ways are you currently being equipped for service? What needs work?

BEYOND:
How can your home group or community group actively prepare, serve, and build up the
church through all of PBC, in your geographic community, or throughout the world?

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