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The Book of Ephesians: Paul’s Letter to the Church at Ephesus

himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

– Ephesians 5:33

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The Book of Ephesians: Paul’s Letter to the Church at Ephesus is a Daily Bible Reading Study by Deborah H. Bateman. It is a study of the book of Ephesians from the New Testament of the Bible. Ephesians is one of the Apostle Paul’s letters, which was written to the church at Ephesus.

In the book of Ephesians Paul reminds us that we are chosen of God. He encourages us to walk in unity in the church. He talks about our various relationships including our relationship with Christ, with each other, the husband-wife relationship and others. He also exhorts us to put on the full armor of God so that we are clothed for battle against the enemy.

The Book of Ephesians: Paul’s Letter to the Church at Ephesus consists of twelve lessons, which can be used for an individual daily Bible study or a group Bible study. Each lesson consists of a brief commentary, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, a few questions for contemplation called, “Things to think about,” and a prayer for the day.

For those of you interested in Bible journaling, may I suggest you pick your favorite Bible verse from each lesson and journal about it. This will be a great reminder of the lessons you learn as you read and study this book.

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Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as …

Daily Bible Reading “Walk in Love” (Ephesians 5:1-16)

Posted on September 2, 2019 by Deborah H. Bateman

Walk in Love

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Ephesians 5:1-16. Paul continues to exhort us to be followers of God, as “dear children.” What do you think Paul means by that statement? Paul tells us to live a life of love for one another. We are to use Christ for our example. He loved us and died on the cross for our sins as a sacrifice to God that He might please God and do His will.

Paul tells us not to live a life of sexual immorality, impurity, and greediness. He says we should not even let there be a hint of these things in our lives, but to live as saints of God. Paul says we need to be careful of our speech also. He reminds us not to talk about obscene things or tell dirty jokes or talk about foolish things.

Paul says that no one who lives an impure, immoral, and greedy life, which worships the things of this world, will inherit the kingdom of Christ and of God. He warns us not to let anybody deceive us. These sins of disobedience cause the wrath of God to come on those who sin and disobey Him. Paul says we shouldn’t participate with those who do these things either.

Paul reminds us that we were all once in sin. Those of us who have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior are now children of the light, and need to walk in the light of Christ. We can’t live Holy lives in our own strength. We have to put Jesus at the center of our life and with His help we can live in obedience and conduct ourselves as children of God.

The fruit of the Spirit, which lives in you if you are a Christian, is goodness, righteousness, and truth. We should try to live in a way that is pleasing to the Lord. In order to do that we need to study the Bible so we can learn what God’s will is for our lives. We need to examine our lives to see if we are children of the light.

As Christians we’re not to have anything to do with fruitless evil works, but we should expose them to the light. Paul says it is a shame to even talk about the sinful things that ungodly people do in secret. When the light of Christ shines on these sinful acts it becomes clear how wrong they are. His light makes everything visible. This is why he says, “Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.”

Paul exhorts us to be careful how we live, not as foolish people, but as wise people. He reminds us to make the most of every opportunity that we have to do good because the days are evil.

Daily Bible Reading:

Ephesians 5:1-16

1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but: walk as children of light:

9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth:)

10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.

14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Things to think about:

What does Paul say the “fruit of the spirit” is?

What does Paul warn us about?

How can we shine the light of Christ into this dark world?

How are you walking in the light of Christ?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this Scripture in the book of Ephesians where Paul exhorts us to live as dear children of God. Help us to live godly lives and not participate in things that are evil. Help us to share Your Word with others that the evil of this world might be exposed to Your light. Help us to use the time we have here on earth to do Your will. Please forgive us of any way we have failed to obey you. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

The Book of Ephesians: Paul’s Letter to the Church at Ephesus

Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

– Ephesians 5:1-2

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Deborah

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which …

Daily Bible Reading “Walk in Purity” (Ephesians 4:17-32)

Posted on September 1, 2019 by Deborah H. Bateman

Walk in Purity

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Ephesians 4:17-32. We see in chapter four of the book of Ephesians that Paul shifts gears. In chapters one through three he talks about the grace of God and the gift of God, His Son, who He gave to redeem us of our sins. What do you think he is going to talk about next?

Let’s look back at: Ephesians 2:8-10 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

Starting in chapter four, Paul tells us how we should walk. In the first part of this chapter he told us to walk in unity. Now, in this part of chapter four, he is going to talk to us about walking in purity.

Paul says that since we have accepted Jesus as our Lord we shouldn’t walk as other Gentiles do, who are alienated from the life of God. Their hearts and minds are blind to the things of God. They’ve given themselves over to greed and impurity. Paul says since we have Christ in our lives, we’re to put off the old sinful man. We’re to put on the new righteous man, by the renewing of our mind through the Spirit.

Here Gentiles are not called to be Jewish, but Christians – people who are saved by the grace of Jesus Christ. They look to and follow Jesus’ example of how to live in the world. They walk in the light of Jesus Christ and show Him to everyone by the way they live in this world.

Paul says to speak the truth, do away with lying, and not to sin by letting anger get the best of us. We’re not to let the sun go down while we’re still angry, because this only gives a foothold to the devil. You may ask how we do this. In other words, if we have an issue with someone we are encouraged to resolve that issue and not go to bed angry.

He says those of you who used to be thieves should stop stealing and work to get what you need. So we will be able to give to others in need.

Paul reminds us our speech shouldn’t be corrupt, but it should be uplifting and encouraging to those we’re talking to. He says not to grieve the Holy Spirit by the way we live, since He lives within us. He has sealed us to the day of redemption.

Paul says to get rid of all bitterness, wrath, anger, slander, and all malicious behavior and be kind, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God through Christ forgave us. This isn’t easy since we still live in this world and have our “flesh” to deal with. With God’s help and the Holy Spirit working in us we can strive to be what God would have us to be.

Daily Bible Reading:

Ephesians 4:17-32

17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

20 But ye have not so learned Christ;

21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:

22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

27 Neither give place to the devil.

28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Things to think about:

What are some of the ways in which Paul says we ought to live?

How can we live the way Paul talks about?

In what ways have you surrendered your life to God?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this Scripture in the book of Ephesians that reminds us since we’ve become Christians, we shouldn’t live like before. We should walk in purity. Help us to live as Paul talks about in this Scripture. Help us to be honest, righteous, and holy so we don’t grieve the Holy Spirit, who lives in us.

Help us to be kind, compassionate, and forgiving to one another, as You for Christ’s sake forgave us. Show us the things in our life we need to do away with. Help us to live godly lives so we might be able to point others to You. Forgive us of all the times we’ve failed You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. We love you, LORD. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

The Book of Ephesians: Paul’s Letter to the Church at Ephesus

is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

– Ephesians 4:29

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Deborah

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of …

Daily Bible Reading “Walk Worthy” (Ephesians 4:1-16)

Posted on August 29, 2019 by Deborah H. Bateman

Walk Worthy

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Ephesians 4:1-16. Paul, who considers himself a prisoner of the Lord, exhorts the Ephesians to walk worthy of the calling they have received. Why do you think Paul admonishes the Ephesians to do this? He says they should be humble, gentle, patient, and enduring with one another in love. He exhorts them to diligently try to keep the body of Christ united in the Holy Spirit, in peace.

Paul reminds them that there is one body, one Spirit, one hope of their calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, through all, and in us all. Everyone is given the gift of grace by the measure of Christ’s gift.

In Ephesians 4:8, where Paul says, “Christ ascended on high, led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men,” he is referring to Psalm 68:18 where the Scripture says, “Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.”

Paul says that, “He who descended is the same who ascended above the heavens, that He might fulfill all things. God gives different gifts to each believer; some are apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers.”

As Christians we are a part of the body of Christ, which is the church. God gave us each different gifts so that we would fit together to make one body. We are given these gifts in order to minister and equip the saints, and to build up the church. If we all had the same gifts then parts of the body would be missing. God chose who would have what gift so we might be unified in our faith and the knowledge of Jesus Christ. He wants us to become mature Christians and be filled with the presence, power, and riches of Christ.

First Corinthians 12:18-20 reminds us, “But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body.”

Paul goes on to say we need to be mature in Christ so we are no more like children, who are easily deceived. As Christians we should know and speak the truth and grow in the knowledge of Christ, who is the head of the church. Christ has fit together the whole body of the church so we might work together to edify the body of Christ in love.

We need to study the Bible for ourselves in order to know the truth of the Word of God so people can’t deceive us. Paul warns us that there will be those who try to take advantage of us or lead us down the wrong path.

Daily Bible Reading:

Ephesians 4:1-16

1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Thing to think about:

What are some of the gifts God gives to fulfill the needs of the church?

Why does Paul refer to the church as a “body?”

What gifts has God given you to help further His kingdom?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this Scripture in the book of Ephesians where Paul encourages us to be united together in our faith of the Lord Jesus Christ. He tells us to love and be patient with one another. Help us to work together to bring about Your will in the life of the church today. Help us to encourage and lift up our fellow believers in Christ. Help us to use the gifts You have given us to further Your kingdom. Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus’ precious and holy name, we pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

The Book of Ephesians: Paul’s Letter to the Church at Ephesus

the vocation wherewith ye are called,

– Ephesians 4:1

Featured Book:

by Deborah H. Bateman

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Have a blessed day,

Deborah

That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and …

Daily Bible Reading “The Gift of the Grace of God” (Ephesians 3:1-12)

Posted on August 27, 2019 by Deborah H. Bateman

The Gift of the Grace of God

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Ephesians 3:1-12. Paul starts this chapter by saying “I, Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles…” What do you think Paul meant by this statement? Was it meant as a way of identification or was he sharing his credentials?

Paul was in prison in Rome when he was writing this letter. Paul wasn’t in prison for criminal acts as we understand it today in our society, but for his right as a Roman citizen to appeal to Caesar, the King of Rome, when he was accused of causing a riot.

Paul considered himself to be the prisoner of Jesus Christ for the Gentiles. Paul had given up his own life as a Jewish scholar and government official to do, instead, what God wanted him to do. Paul felt he was where he was by the will of Jesus Christ.

The grace of God to the Gentiles was revealed to Paul through the mystery of Christ. Paul spoke of this mystery in the previous chapter. The mystery wasn’t revealed to men in the past, but was now revealed to God’s holy apostles and prophets by the Holy Spirit.

The mystery was that the Gentiles would have an equal share and be of the same body as the Jews. The Gentiles were made to be part of the blessed promise of Christ through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The ministry that God gave Paul was to the Gentiles and he was carrying out the ministry regardless of his location. Paul was called to be a minister by the gift of the grace of God. Through the working of God’s power, he was called to spread the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles. Even though Paul thought of himself as being “less than the least of all of God’s chosen people,” God gave him the grace to preach to the Gentiles about the unsearchable riches of Christ.

It was Paul’s duty to explain the plan of God for salvation to the Gentiles. God had kept His plan for the Gentiles a secret from the beginning of time. The plan was that through the church, the wisdom of God would be known to all the apostles and prophets by the Holy Spirit.

God’s plan from the beginning was that through Jesus Christ we might all have boldness and confidence to access God, the Father, through our faith in Jesus Christ, as our Lord and Savior. It no longer mattered if we were a Jew or a Gentile.

We are reminded of this in John 3:16 which says, “For God so loved the word, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” God is not a respecter of persons. Notice in this Scripture He said “whosoever believeth.” He made a way for all of us through His precious Son.

Paul reiterates the fact that the gospel of Christ was for both the Jew and the Gentile in these Scriptures:

Romans 1:16: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

Romans 2:10: “But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile.”

Daily Bible Reading:

Ephesians 3:1-12

1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,

2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:

3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,

4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

Things to think about:

Paul was called of God to preach the gospel of Christ to the Gentiles. What has God called you to do for Him?

God has given us all special gifts and talents we can use for Him. What are the gifts with which God has blessed you?

In what ways has God used you to spread the gospel?

What are some ways we can use our gifts and talents to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

In this Scripture we see Paul’s dedication to carry out Your will by preaching Your plan of salvation to the Gentiles. Help us seek to do Your will in spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ in this day and age. Thank You that You made a way for us all to become Christians and be saved from our sins. We thank You that we have access to You through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Help us to pray and come boldly to Your throne of grace with all our cares and concerns. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

The Book of Ephesians: Paul’s Letter to the Church at Ephesus

partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. – Ephesians 3:6-7

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Featured Book:

by Deborah H. Bateman

Go to: Amazon

Get your copy now!

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Have a blessed day,

Deborah