Lesson 4
JESUS HIMSELF IS OUR PEACE
Ephesians 2:11-22
Key Verse: 2:14
1. What was the condition of Gentile believers before knowing Christ, in contrast with the Jews? (11-12) Why should they remember this? What is their present condition in Christ Jesus? (13) How was it possible? (Heb 9:12-14)
2. What were the barriers between the Jews and Gentiles which led to hostility? (14-15a; Ac 10:28a; Ro 2:17-20; Gal 2:12-13) In light of verse 14, who is Jesus, and what did he do in order to remove the barriers? (Isa 9:6; Col 1:20)
3. What was God’s purpose in making the two groups one? (15b) What does “one new humanity” imply? (2 Cor 5:17; Gal 3:28) Why do you think conflicts and hostility exist within the church? How does having Paul’s view of the church help us resolve these?
4. How is this one new humanity reconciled with God and even given access to the Father? (16-18; Heb 10:19-20) How do you see the Triune God at work in the formation of a new humanity?
5. When they realize what God has done for them, what changes take place in Gentile believers’ identity? (19) What privilege did they gain? Why is it important to accept this new identity and how does this enhance becoming one in the church?
6. What metaphors does Paul use in describing the church? (20-22) What is the relationship of Christ and the apostles and prophets to the church? (1 Cor 3:11; 1 Pe 2:6,7) In Christ, how are members related and for what purpose? (21-22) Here what can we learn from the church which is being built together? (1 Pe 2:5)