Lesson 32

The Mystery Revealed New Testament Book Study – Ephesians

Students will learn that the church is no longer a mystery but a place of unity and will be challenged to keep the fellowship of this unity.

The Church is a community not a mystery.

Ephesians 3:6-7

Mystery: “a spiritual truth that was previously hidden from man but is now revealed to him”Gospel: “the good news of God’s salvation of man made possible by Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection”Dispensation: “a period of time during which man is tested to see whether he will obey or disobey the particular revelation of God’s plan and purpose for that period”Preach: “to be a herald, to proclaim publicly with authority”

1. A PowerPoint is available for this lesson.2. Five Mystery Riddles Sheets (Hook)3. The Mystery Riddle Answer Sheet (Hook)

1. J. Vernon McGee, Ephesians, Thru the Bible Books, Pasadena, California, 1977

2. Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Rich, David Cook Publishing, Colorado Springs, 1979

3. W.A. Croswell, Ephesians an Exposition, Zondervan Publishing, Grand Rapids, MI, 1974

4. John MacArthur, Ephesians, Moody Publishers, Chicago, 1986

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Scope and Sequence

Lesson Objective

StickyStatement

Key Verse

Checklist

ResourcesandReferences

ResourcesandReferences

Definitions

Lesson Overview

Mystery: “a spiritual truth that was previously hidden from man but is now revealed to him”

Gospel: “the good news of God’s salvation of man made possible by Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection”

I. The revealing of the mystery (Ephesians 3:1-5)

Dispensation: “a period of time during which man is tested to see whether he will obey or disobey the particular revelation of God's plan and purpose for that period”

II. The results of the mystery (Ephesians 3:6)

a. Spiritual union (Ephesians 3:6)b. Family union (Ephesians 3:6)c. Eternal union (Ephesians 3:6)

III. The responsibility toward the mystery (Ephesians 3:7-13)

Preach: “to be a herald, to proclaim publicly with authority”

The Church is a community not a mystery.

Hook

Who here loves a good mystery? [Allow students to raise their hands.] We are going to start by dividing into groups to solve some mystery riddles.

Teacher’s Note: Divide the students into groups and give each group one of the five mystery riddles provided with this lesson. See which group can solve the mystery given to them. If your setting does not allow for students to be in groups, choose one or two of the mystery riddles to try to solve as a group. Give them a time limit to think of their best solution. The answers to the mystery riddles are included at the end of this lesson. After completing the above exercise of solving the mysteries, ask the following questions that will lead into the lesson content. If you choose to divide into groups, allow each group to have four minutes to figure out the answers and then quickly share them.

How hard was it to solve the mystery? [Allow for a few responses.] If you didn’t figure out your mystery, after the answer to the mystery was revealed to you, how obvious was the answer? [Allow for a few responses.] Did the answers/solutions to the mysteries make sense after they were revealed to you? [Allow for a few responses.] The mystery usually does make sense after the mystery is revealed, doesn’t it!

Lesson Content

Turn in your Bibles to Ephesians chapter 3. While you are turning to Ephesians chapter 3, let’s review. We are in the fourth part of a four-part series in the Book of Ephesians. Our series is called “Filthy Forever Rich: Finding True Wealth.” We have learned that we are rich in Christ because of the salvation we have in Christ who is

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our Great Reconciler. Tonight, we will notice the church is described as a mystery which has been revealed. The church displays the unity we have in Christ as a community of the Gospel. Since the mystery is revealed, here is a statement for you to remember, the Church is a community not a mystery.

Don’t miss this! The word mystery in the Bible is different than the way we think of a mystery. The mystery in the Bible is not something we have to solve or figure out. It’s not something that is hidden that we have to investigate. It’s not like a mystery book, a mystery show, or even the mystery riddles we tried to solve a few minutes ago.

The word “mystery” in the Bible refers to “a spiritual truth that was previously hidden from man but is now revealed to him.” It is a truth that was hidden by God in times past and is now revealed to those who are in His family. A mystery is a “sacred secret” that is treasured by the people of God.

The word mystery refers to the Gospel. The Gospel is the means by which we become part of the Church. The “Gospel” is “the good news of God’s salvation of man made possible by Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.”

You could also say that the word mystery refers to the Church. Both are correct. The Church is birthed out of the Gospel. Listen to Ephesians 5:32 and 6:19. [Have a student read Ephesians 5:32 and 6:19.]

Remember, this is a book study of the first three chapters of the Book of Ephesians. As a reminder to those who have not been able to join us for the first three lessons of the series, the author of the Book of Ephesians is a man named Paul. We have been discovering how we are rich in Christ. Let’s notice three expressions regarding this mystery. We will look at the third chapter of Ephesians to see three things: the revealing of the mystery, the results from the mystery, and the responsibility toward the mystery. Through this, we are challenged to keep the fellowship of unity with the Church. First, let’s see what Ephesians 3:1-5 has to say about the revealing of this mystery.

I. The revealing of the mystery (Ephesians 3:1-5)

The first expression in this passage is the actual revealing of the mystery. Remember, a “mystery” is “a spiritual truth that was previously hidden from man but is now revealed to him.” Let’s read about it in Ephesians 3:1-2. [Read Ephesians 3:1-2.]

In verse 2, Paul writes about the dispensation or stewardship of the grace of God. What in the world does he mean? It’s actually quite simple. The word dispensation refers to a stewardship or a management. We get our English word economy from it. An official definition of the word “dispensation” is, “a period of time during which man is tested to see whether he will obey or disobey the particular revelation of God’s plan and purpose for that period.”

Think of it this way. God has different ways of managing His program from age to age, and these different “economies” are sometimes called dispensations. God’s principles do not change, but His methods of dealing with mankind do change over the course of history.

Today, we are living in the “economy” of God’s grace called “the church age.” God is currently working through His Church and the Church is a community not a

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mystery. For the people to whom Paul was writing, however, the church was a mystery. It was something that was being revealed to them. [Have a student read Ephesians 3:3-4.]

In verses 3-4, Paul claims that his life was changed by the grace of God. The revealing was very personal to Paul just as it is to those who have received the Gospel and have experienced the grace of God in their own lives.

How many of you can remember the day when God revealed to you His grace through salvation? Do you remember the day that the Gospel finally clicked, or you finally understood and connected all the dots? The light bulb finally lit up? That was God revealing the mystery of the Gospel to you personally!

Now, let’s read verse 5. [Read Ephesians 3:5.]

Paul was explaining in verse 5 that the mystery of the Church was revealed in God’s timing. It was part of God’s plan. God’s timing in revealing the mystery was not until Christ provided salvation for all mankind. This means that salvation for both the Jews and the Gentiles was planned by God and He revealed it in perfect timing.

The Church was part of God’s sovereign plan all along. He provided a Reconciler (like we talked about in part three of this series) through His chosen nation, the Jews, so that the Gentiles could partake in His great salvation. The Reconciler was Jesus Christ. The Gospel unifies both Jew and Gentile allowing them both to experience the wisdom and grace of God. This unity is expressed through the Church because the Church is a community not a mystery.

God wasn’t caught off guard or had to come up with plan B. Before the foundation of the world, He planned when He would reveal the Gospel. Nothing in your life catches God off guard either. Now that we have seen that the mystery of the Church is revealed, what were the results of that revelation?

II. The results of the mystery (Ephesians 3:6)

Remember, Paul is writing primarily to the Gentile believers. He is explaining that because of the Gospel, Jews and Gentiles both receive God’s grace for salvation and are therefore joined together in Christ. The fact that both Jews and Gentiles would be part of the Church was a foreign concept to those to whom Paul was writing, but when this mystery was revealed, it carried with it some major results. Listen to verse 6. [Read Ephesians 3:6.]

Teacher’s Note: The following two paragraphs are for your understanding. You can choose if you would like to use them.

From Adam to Abraham there were only the Gentiles. Once God made a covenant with Abraham concerning a chosen nation, then a new people emerged. Now you have the Jews, or descendants of Abraham, who are God’s chosen people. Therefore, from Abraham to Jesus Christ, you have both the Gentiles and the Jews.

Once Jesus Christ ascended into Heaven, after His resurrection, the Holy Spirit descended, and the church was birthed (Acts 2). Today, we live in the church age or the age of grace. From the ascension of Christ until the return of Christ we now have the Gentiles, the Jews, and the Church (1 Corinthians 10:32).

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Here’s the result of this revealed mystery: God can take any Gentile or any Jew who believes the Gospel and make them part of His Church. Remember, the Church is a community not a mystery. The Church is made up of believing Gentiles and Jews. They are one in Christ. The result of this mystery is a spiritual union, a family union, and an eternal union.

a. Spiritual union (Ephesians 3:6)

Ephesians 3:6 begins by stating that the Gentiles are fellow heirs with the Jews. [Re-read Ephesians 3:6a.] This means both Jews and Gentiles share in the riches of Christ. There is a spiritual union that allows both to enjoy Christ’s greater riches. Have you experienced this spiritual union? How do you know? Have you trusted in Jesus Christ as your Savior? If the answer is yes, then you have a spiritual union with all believers and now share in the riches of Christ. How cool is that?

Have you ever met a stranger that you knew somehow was also a believer in Jesus Christ? Perhaps you just knew it in your spirit as you talked with them, then in conversation, you found out that they indeed were a believer. Why was that? It was because you have a spiritual union with all believers. It’s quite fascinating! Both Jews and Gentiles share a spiritual union; they are fellow heirs in the riches of Christ, but there is more. Not only do they share a spiritual union, they share a family union.

b. Family union (Ephesians 3:6)

Ephesians 3:6 continues by stating that the Gentiles are of the same body. [Re-read Ephesians 3:6b.] This refers to the body of Christ, the Church. Jews and Gentiles are made one as the body of Christ. The Church is God’s family of friends! The Jews and Gentiles are now part of the same family in Christ. Are you part of God’s family of friends? Your earthly family might be dysfunctional or difficult, but mark it down, you have a spiritual family called the Church! How faithful are you to your church family? The Church is a community not a mystery. It is a community with a spiritual union, a family union, but also an eternal union.

c. Eternal union (Ephesians 3:6)

Finally, Ephesians 3:6 then says that the Gentiles are partakers of His promise. [Re-read Ephesians 3:6c.] What promise? The promise of eternal life. It is no longer only the Jews that receive the blessings and benefits of being God’s chosen people. In Christ, the Gentiles enjoy the same blessings. Gentiles are no longer outside of God’s covenant; they are now partakers of the new covenant of grace. Why? Because the church is a community not a mystery.

So, the mystery has been revealed and we can see that it has three fantastic results for the Jews and Gentiles: a spiritual, family, and eternal union, but this mystery brings with it great responsibility.

III. The responsibility toward the mystery (Ephesians 3:7-13)

[Have a student read Ephesians 3:7-8.]

After the Apostle Paul explained the results of this mystery, he expressed the responsibilities of those who are joined together to the church. He understood that the power of God to change his life made him a servant to this new life. He called himself a minister, which was a reference to himself as a servant. His new purpose

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in life was to be a servant ministering grace to everyone he met by sharing the Gospel.

Paul expressed in verse 8 that by God’s grace he was sent to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ among the Gentiles. The word “preach” means “to be a herald, to proclaim publicly with authority.” Have you ever been so excited about something that you couldn’t wait to tell your friends about it? You just had to “proclaim” it to your friends! That’s what Paul did because his desire was to proclaim the Gospel to the Gentiles so that they too would experience the grace of God.

Paul didn’t just preach the Gospel with his lips, he lived it with his life. Paul’s life put on display the amazing grace of God. Paul calls himself the least of all the saints because he knew what he was like before the Gospel changed him. Paul was a hypocrite, a liar, a murderer, and a religious bigot. He was persecuting the followers of Christ when God reached down and saved him.

His life changed so drastically that people were amazed that this guy who persecuted Christians started preaching Christ. He went from persecuting the church to planting churches all across Asia Minor. He went from trying to divide the people of God to trying to unify them by God’s wisdom and grace. Paul understood that the Church is a community not a mystery.

In the next five verses, Ephesians 3:9-13, Paul makes the connection to the wonderful truth that he just explained in the previous verses. He actually described what takes place when we, as believers, function together as the body of Christ.

Again, you have to keep in mind that the Jews and Gentiles were not friends. The Jews thought themselves better than the Gentiles because they were the chosen people of God.

In the beginning of verse 9, Paul makes an interesting statement. [Read Ephesians 3:9.] He says that the results of the Gospel make all men see the fellowship of the mystery. In other words, the unity of the church puts the Gospel on display.

Another connection that Paul makes is with the statement at the end of verse 10. He says that the church makes known the wisdom of God. [Read Ephesians 3:10.] The wisdom of God is even made known to the angels (principalities and powers) in heaven because of the church. Listen, Church isn’t something that you do, it’s something that you belong to because the Church is a community not a mystery.

Church is not the building or facilities. It is not about the place where you gather, but about the people who gather. The church is the place that magnifies God’s wisdom, God’s love, God’s forgiveness, and God’s goodness displayed through its unity. This is the responsibility toward the mystery.

People are searching for a greater purpose in life, something with meaning! Jesus Christ is the answer. The Church is the vehicle God has chosen to display His wisdom in salvation. Look at verse 11. [Read Ephesians 3:11.] God’s eternal purpose is to provide salvation to all people through Jesus Christ. Do you know what God is going to use to proclaim His purpose? You! His church! Why? Because the Church is a community not a mystery.

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Connection

Who can you think of that needs to hear the Gospel? Who do you know that needs to experience the love and grace of God? Are you willing to proclaim the Gospel to them? Having a conversation about the Gospel is a great way to proclaim the truth of the Gospel. We have a responsibility in the Church. We are to be living as ministers of the Gospel!

Are you living as a minister of the Gospel? Are you passing out tracts, praying at school, inviting friends to the evangelistic activities, having Gospel conversations with friends, or living out your faith? Be a minister of the Gospel that has changed your life!

Your responsibility to live as a minister of the Gospel can begin right here. What is a visiting student going to remember the most about their visit, the verse displayed on the wall or the friendliness and unity of the students in youth group? They will only be attracted to the Gospel when they witness and experience the fellowship of those who have believed the Gospel. The love, friendliness, unity, and closeness of the youth group will create an atmosphere where the Gospel will flourish. This is why the Church is a community not a mystery. When a student walks into our youth room, they should see the Gospel on display.

However, if the students in youth group are divided, cliquish, or unfriendly to each other, the atmosphere will be in conflict with the Gospel. What is the atmosphere of our youth group like? Do visitors feel welcomed? Are the students friendly, kind to each other, and excited to be together in youth group? Do they sing with passion and energy? Do they listen intently to the message? Do they participate in share time or with the ice breaker? Do they recognize that the passion of this group is that students, like you, are reaching students with the Gospel of Christ and not waiting for the youth leaders to share the Gospel? All of this puts on display the fellowship of the mystery which makes the Gospel attractive to the unsaved.

Choice

If you are a believer, then you are part of the church, a thriving community. With that comes the responsibility of living out the Gospel by being a minister/servant and telling others what makes you excited about Jesus. Does your life put on display the amazing grace of God? Do your friends and classmates know that you are the Church, that you are part of the body of Christ? Are you so excited about the Gospel that you just can’t wait to share it with a friend? If you answered “no” to these questions, you must ask yourself if you are truly a believer, or what is keeping you from being excited? Will you take the time right now to talk with God about how you can fuel your passion for living out the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

Are you willing to reach out to visitors and initiate conversation with them with the intent to discover a new friend? Are you willing to tell others, to proclaim the Good News? Would you be willing to commit to starting a conversation this week? Take some time to talk to God about where you are and where you would like to be. When we move to small groups, tell your small group leader about it.

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Next Steps

Being part of the church means we are ministers and proclaimers. We want to serve others and look for opportunities to tell others about Jesus and His love for them. We want to give you a simple challenge this week that will help you take a step in the direction of living out your faith. The challenge this week is to be a servant by opening doors for people in public places. Simple enough. When you go to the store, the mall, church or school, look for people to open the door for. In this way you will serve them. But we are also called to proclaim, right? So, will you commit to ask God to give you both the opportunity and the boldness to tell someone you opened the door for about Jesus?

Small Group Discussion Questions

1. Why was it so important that this mystery of the Gospel was revealed? (This question is designed to see how much the students understood about the biblical content of the lesson. Understanding that God would begin working through His Church which included both Jews and Gentiles is the key to understanding the whole lesson. You could follow up with a question like, “How does the fact that Gentiles were to be part of the Church impact you?” The fact that God was working in a different way directly impacts everyone who is not a Jew.)

2. With which of the results do you most closely identify? (We mentioned that as a result of the mystery being revealed, there was a spiritual union, a family union, and an eternal union. All of these are more of the great riches that we have in Christ. They all lead to community as a body of believers. They are all found in Ephesians 3:6. Allow the students to think through which of the three results impacts them the most and share why it impacts them.)

3. How will you live as a minister of the Gospel this week? (The suggestion during the Next Steps section of the lesson is to begin by simply holding a door for someone and working to see if you could begin a Gospel conversation. Ask the students if the Holy Spirit convicted them of a different way in which they could live as a minister of the Gospel and live as if the Church is a community and not a mystery.)

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