Together in Mission

Bible Study for the ALM programme opening day on 27th September 2008

Grace and Peace to you!

Ephesians 1.1-2

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Good to be here – together, in Christ.

The Big Picture Ephesians 1.3 – 6.17

A brief reminder of Paul’s world-view:not or but

A good creator and creation 1.4A falling away from God and his purpose 2.1-3A redemption by God in Christ 1.5, 2.4-5Raising him by great power from death to life 1.19-20A power also at work in and for us 1.19-20, 2.6Making us one with him and each other in Christ 1.10, 2.11-22

Salvation History (His Story); creation & restoration

The Mystery of the Church

God’s ‘mysterious’ plan for the new creation 1.8-10 In Christ the barriers are down 2.11-22

Race Gender Class

A reconciled human society is modelled Made up of individuals who have

Reconciled to God by faith in Christ cf 3.14-21 Reconciled to each other in church cf 4.1-16 Offer reconciliation to world in mission 4.17-6.9

= 3-D Christianity: up, round and out.

Question 1

In your church, as a community of followers and learners together in Christ marked by the dimensions of Faith (relating to God) Discipleship (relating to each other) and Mission (relating to the world)

What is good in each ‘dimension’?What could be better?

All Good Gifts 4.7-16

Back to calling & ministry in more detail Grace/(all good) gifts given to all 4.7 Some gifts are recognised as ministries,

continuing and building up body 4.11-13 Some ministries are ordered/ordained by

church (cf 1 Timothy 3) Church practice approximates to this!

A Ministry Grid Ephes. 4.11

It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers

Individuals The whole church

Sup

por

Mov

e on

Pastors Teachers

ApostlesEvangelists

Prophets!

PS: The Right Way Up

Not

But

G

M

O

Question 2

We’d hope that gifts, ministries and calls to authorised/ordered roles are being affirmed and recognised in your church! Think of one new thing that would offer

further support to yourselves. Think of one new thing you could do to

affirm and draw out/in the gifts/ministries of others.

The Power of Prayer 6.18-20

We share in God’s mission action plan So persistent prayer is our launchpad and fuel 18 Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of

prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. 19

Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Points about Prayer

The key features of the Lord’s Prayer are implicit here too (and Jesus also taught about persistence in prayer) Looking for coming of God’s kingdom Seeking his will Learning to depend on his resources Finding & offering forgiveness in him Standing in his power against the dark

Question 3

What are the things you find most helpful in your church/es now in sustaining and developing your prayer life?

Is there something else you would like to try?

Take a moment to pray together now.