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Study Guide: Identity in Christ – Ephesians Chapter 2
Study Guide: Identity in Christ – Ephesians Chapter 2
This study guide provides a comprehensive review of sermon notes and theological frameworks centered on Ephesians Chapter 2. It explores the historical context of the Apostle Paul’s letter, the transition from spiritual death to life in Christ, and the fundamental shift in identity that occurs through grace.
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Section 1: Review Quiz
Section 1: Review Quiz
Instructions: Answer the following questions based on the provided sermon notes and source materials. Each answer should be approximately 2–3 sentences in length.
Who authored the letter to the Ephesians, and what was his specific situation at the time of writing?
When was the letter written, and where is the church of Ephesus located in terms of modern geography?
According to the sermon notes, what are the primary reasons Paul wrote this letter to the Ephesian church?
What are the statistical "Key Details" regarding the word count and length of the Book of Ephesians?
How does the commentary define being "dead in transgressions and sins" as mentioned in Ephesians 2:1?
According to Ephesians 6:12, what is the nature of the "struggle" believers face, and who are the opponents?
Explain the significance of the phrase "But God" as used in the commentary for Ephesians 2:4.
Based on Ephesians 2:8-9, what is the relationship between grace, faith, and human works in the process of salvation?
How does the text describe the concept of "workmanship" in Ephesians 2:10 and its relation to Isaiah 64:8?
What does the Book of Revelation reveal about the state of the Ephesian church nearly thirty years after Paul’s letter?
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Section 2: Answer Key
Section 2: Answer Key
Who authored the letter to the Ephesians, and what was his specific situation at the time of writing? The letter was written by the Apostle Paul. He authored the text while serving as a prisoner in Rome, a period of time recorded in the twenty-eighth chapter of the Book of Acts.
When was the letter written, and where is the church of Ephesus located in terms of modern geography? The text was written between AD 60 and 62. The church of Ephesus was situated in what is known today as modern Turkey.
According to the sermon notes, what are the primary reasons Paul wrote this letter to the Ephesian church? Paul wrote the letter to encourage the church in Christ because they were experiencing various theological issues. His primary aim was to remind the congregants that their identity is found in Christ and Christ alone.
What are the statistical "Key Details" regarding the word count and length of the Book of Ephesians? The original word count is approximately 2,422 words, which increases to about 3,022 words in the King James Version. The book consists of six chapters and contains a total of 155 verses.
How does the commentary define being "dead in transgressions and sins" as mentioned in Ephesians 2:1? Being dead in transgressions represents the misery and helplessness an individual experiences when away from Christ. The commentary emphasizes that apart from Jesus, a person is entirely without help.
According to Ephesians 6:12, what is the nature of the "struggle" believers face, and who are the opponents? The struggle is not against "flesh and blood" but against an unseen world of spiritual darkness. The opponents include rulers, authorities, powers of the dark world, and spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Explain the significance of the phrase "But God" as used in the commentary for Ephesians 2:4. The phrase "But God" signifies a turning point where divine intervention overcomes human limitation. It highlights that God is rich in mercy and that salvation is something humans cannot achieve on their own.
Based on Ephesians 2:8-9, what is the relationship between grace, faith, and human works in the process of salvation? Salvation is a gift from God that is received through faith and grace, rather than being earned through human works. Because it is not a result of works, no individual can boast about their own salvation.
How does the text describe the concept of "workmanship" in Ephesians 2:10 and its relation to Isaiah 64:8? Believers are described as God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus specifically to perform good works that were prepared beforehand. This aligns with Isaiah 64:8, which depicts God as the potter and humans as the clay, the work of His hand.
What does the Book of Revelation reveal about the state of the Ephesian church nearly thirty years after Paul’s letter? In Revelation chapter 2, Jesus speaks to John on the island of Patmos regarding the church of Ephesus. He informs John that the members of the church have "lost their first love."
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Section 3: Essay Questions
Section 3: Essay Questions
Instructions: Use the provided source context to develop detailed responses to the following prompts.
The Evolution of the Ephesian Church: Discuss the history of the church of Ephesus as presented in the notes, from its establishment after Paul's third missionary trip to its mention in the final book of the New Testament.
The Unseen World and Spiritual Warfare: Analyze how Paul’s warnings in Ephesians 2:2 and Ephesians 6:12 characterize the spiritual environment surrounding the believer and the role of the "ruler of the power of the air."
The Theology of Transformation: Examine the transition from being "children of wrath" to "new creations" in Christ, using references from Romans 6 and 2 Corinthians 5:17.
Perception and Identity: Reflect on the provided detective joke as an illustration of human perception. How does this serve as a metaphor for the way individuals identify themselves versus how they are identified in Christ?
The Nature of the Gift: Explore the requirement of "acceptance" regarding the gift of salvation as described in the commentary for Ephesians 2:8-9.
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Section 4: Glossary of Key Terms
Section 4: Glossary of Key Terms
Term
Definition
Apostle Paul
The author of the letter to the Ephesians, written during his imprisonment in Rome (AD 60–62).
Children of Wrath
A term used in Ephesians 2:3 to describe the natural state of humanity conducting themselves in the lusts of the flesh.
Ephesus
A city in modern-day Turkey where the church addressed by Paul was located.
Faith
Described in the commentary as the active belief that Jesus is the Son of God; the means through which the gift of grace is accepted.
Grace
The unmerited mercy and love of God; the commentary notes that it is a gift that one must accept.
Identity in Christ
The central theme of Ephesians chapter 2; the concept that a believer’s true self and purpose are derived from Jesus alone.
LSB
The Legacy Standard Bible, one of the primary translations used for the scripture references in the sermon notes.
Patmos
The island where John was located when he received the message from Jesus regarding the Ephesian church losing its "first love."
Sons of Disobedience
Those in whom the spirit of the ruler of the power of the air is currently working.
Transgressions
Sins or violations of law that render an individual spiritually "dead" and miserable apart from Christ.
Workmanship
The status of believers as "handiwork" or "clay" specifically designed by God for good works and a relationship with Him.
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