Passage
Teaching Overview (modified largely from Simeon Trust
materials)
Text: Ephesians 1.1-2 Name: Phil Martin
INSTRUCTIONS:
You will have about 5 minutes to present on the text. Walk us through the
questions describing how you would teach the text. Please provide a copy of this worksheet with
your answers for the others in the group.
1.
How does the main theme (or melodic line) of the entire book inform the
meaning of your specific text? [How does this passage contribute toward the main thrust(s) of the whole book?]
Paul’s credential as an Apostle will be key to chapter three and add
impetus to his teachings and admonitions in general.
Two words are repeated in the closing
·
“faithful” (not standard in greetings) describes
Tychicus in 6.21 and seems to contrast with “sincere/undying” (aphtharsia) which both allude to a different aspect of being faithful. This hints at another undertone in the
letter.
·
“peace” – (standard in greetings, but unique in the
closing) This is closely related to the “together” part of our theme and
closing. Eph 6:23 Peace
to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord
Jesus Christ.
2. What is the broader
context of your text? How does this context inform the meaning of your specific
text? [Review the paragraph before and after this passage.
Think about the lesson before and after yours.
How does your lesson transition between them?]
Due to the generic nature of this greeting, these verses
do not have a strong connection to
the following passage. Several
words/concepts do occur in the next section.
·
“will of God”
- 1. 5 “good
pleasure of His will”
·
saints (lit. Holy) – 1.4 “that we should be holy and without blame
before Him in love”
·
Grace – “His grace” in 1.6 (glory of); 1.7 (riches of).
·
Peace –
2.14 For He
Himself is our peace;
2:15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in
ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace
2:17 And He
[Christ] came and preached peace to you who were afar off and
to those who were near.
4:3 endeavoring
to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond
of peace.
6:15 and having
shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel
of peace
6:23 Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from
God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
·
Father – 10 specific references through the book, esp. 1.3-6
·
Jesus is mentioned three times in two verses. That may be significant; it is typical of the
book and the focus of 1.7-12.
3.
What is the structure of your passage? [Consider grammar,
repetition, key terms, comparison and contrast, alternation in who is speaking,
transitions in imagery, parallelism, verbs, commands. etc. What is the structure of your Biblical text?]
1. Review basic theme and structure of Ephesians (3 min.)
2. From: Paul; Apostle (of Christ, by will of God) (7 min.)
Review Paul’s
conversion/call to be an apostle, meaning of Apostle
3. To: Ephesians; saints faithful (7 min.)
Give brief
review of Paul’s contact with the Ephesus and region.
Apply the two
words as characteristics of sanctification
4. Greeting / blessing:
grace and
peace. (7 min.)
Give
historical-literary context for greeting. Briefly describe both words’ relation
to the Gospel.
5. Intro next section and homework questions. / Encourage
table time. (3 min.)
4.
What emphasis does the structure reveal? [The author’s intent—not our historical, emotional, cultural, personal or
denominational need—is the key. –Utley
What does the context and structure of this passage emphasize. (Note
questions three in “Going Beyond.”) ]
5.
How does your text relate to the Gospel?
[Christ and the Gospel are central themes of the
Bible. Where do we see Christ taught or
alluded to in this passage?]
·
Grace and peace are both Gospel words that emphasize the
character of the Father and purpose of Christ’s death, resurrection, and
ascension.
6.
How do you hope people to think
and act differently when this lesson
sinks in? [Your primary applications should be informed by the structural emphasis of
your text and the main theme of the book.]
Our appreciation
for God’s grace and peace should prompt us to be holy and faithful. (believing)
Going Beyond:
1. What areas of systematic
theology are taught or alluded to in this passage?
The Bible
(Bibliology) X God (Theology Proper) X The Father (Paterology)
X The Lord Jesus Christ
(Christology) The Holy Spirit
(Pneumatology) Man
(Anthropology)
? Sin (Harmatology) X Salvation / Sanctification
(Soteriology) ? The Church (Ecclesiology)
Angels / Satan
(Angelology) Future Things (eschatology)
2. Are there parallel
passages, NT allusions to the OT, or important cross references for this
passage?
·
Greetings in the epistles (letters) in the NT.
3. What are the concepts
or doctrines that you would be tempted to unnaturally or disproportionally
insert into this lesson?
·
There would be a tendency to go overboard on word
studies, or how concepts are developed through the book.
·
A temptation to give a detailed critic and comparison of
Paul’s greetings in his letters
4. What homework
or questions would you like everybody to think about the week before you teach?
1. What
do you learn about Paul and the church in Ephesus by reading the parts of Acts
that talk about them? Acts 18.18-21;
18.24-26; Acts 18.27, 28; Acts 19; Acts 20:17-35
2.
How does this greeting compare with Paul’s others?
“This
letter was specifically addressed to Christians living in Ephesus, but it was
circulated widely among the Christian churches in what is now known as
Turkey. Paul had founded the church in
Ephesus during his second missionary journey (Acts 18.18-21). He had then moved on, leaving Priscilla and
Aquilla to continue the work there.
Apollos later joined them in their work (Acts 18.24-26). On a later visit Paul stayed in Ephesus for
about three years, and when he left Apollos came to strengthen that missionary
work (Acts 18.27, 28). His final visit to Ephesus lasted about three months
(Acts 19). On his final journey to
Jerusalem Paul’s ship stopped at Miletus, and he invited the elders of the
church at Ephesus to meet him there (Acts 20:17-35). Paul had thus put a lot of
work into building this church, and we can understand why he wrote this very
important letter to Christians whom he had helped to bring up in the Lord. His affinity, passion and love for this
church are clearly revealed in this letter.”
—Yusufu Turaki in the African Bible
Commentary
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