UNITY AND DIVERSITY IN THE BODY OF CHRIST

Ephesians 4:1-16

Key Verses: 4:12,13

"...to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."

1. What does it mean that Paul is a prisoner of the Lord? What is the calling they (and we) have received? What does it mean to live a life worthy of that calling? (2)

2. What is the nature of our unity? (3-6) What does it mean to be completely humble? How can we be so?

3. What can we learn about complete humbleness from the descent (incarnation) of Jesus? Think about Jesus' example of humbleness. (See Lk 2:14; Jn 4:7-14; Lk 5:27.)

4. What does the quotation from Psalm 68 tell us about Jesus' ascension? What does it mean that he led captives in his train? That he gave gifts to men?

5. What are some of the gifts he gives? (11) How can these gifts be used to build up the whole body of Christ? (12)

6. In what respects must believers grow? (12,13) What is the goal of our growth? What are the characteristics of spiritual infants? Why must every Christian grow? How can we grow in the inner man?