Bible Study Lessons

Church of the Living God

Bible Study Lesson

Presenter: Overseer Ennis F. Tait

 

Date:   Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Series: Spiritual Warfare

Reference Scripture:  Ephesians 4:24-32

Focus Verses: Ephesians 4:23

Today’s Discussion:    “Step by Step” (Precept by Precept – Isaiah 28:10-13)

God has outlined a course of life for all those that call on the name of HIS son, Jesus.  Once we accepted Christ as our personal savior, we were born into a spiritual life with God.  Now, we are expected to “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” (II Peter 3:18)  In addition Peter provides an example of our path to maturity: “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” (I Peter 2:2)

·         Desire – [ep-ee-poth-eh-o]; to yearn; to dote upon, i.e. to intensely crave possession

·         grow – [owx-an-o] – to grow(“wax”), i.e. enlarge (increase)

The lesson aim is to encourage believers to submit to the will of God.  More importantly, we must be willing to make the necessary changes in our lives.  Paul’s letter to the Romans clearly establishes the protocol for initiating the steps toward spiritual maturity. (Read: Romans 12:1-2)  Likewise, Paul suggests that the renewing of the mind activates the Holy Spirit in us to start the process. (verse 23)  

The Apostle Paul’s describes these steps to maturity as a process.  If we hope to become spiritually mature, the process is essential and necessary.  We must learn to confront the negatives in our lives. (verse 22) 

·         “walk not as the other Gentiles walk”

·         “ putting away lying”

·         “Be ye angry, and sin not:”

·         “Neither give place to the devil.”

·         “Let him that stole steal no more: “

·         “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth”

·         “grieve not the holy Spirit of God”

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

We must learn to embrace the positives that aid in our maturity: (verse 24)

·         “speak every man truth with his neighbour: “
“let not the sun go down upon your wrath:”

·         “but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.”

·         “but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”

·         “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.”