Within the pages of Ephesians you will discover over the course of this seven-week study the power that is available to a unified church, the victory we already have over opposing forces, practical instructions for a Christian home, and Paul's grand vision for the church. Written by Paul toward the end of his life, Paul's heart for the church will strengthen your walk and sharpen your faith.
Rev. Doug Ward is the lead pastor of Mundelein Church of the Nazarene in suburban Chicago, where he has pastored for more than fifteen years. He previously pastored in Marshall, Texas, and Newton, Kansas. Doug is also an adjunct professor of biblical literature at Olivet Nazarene University, where he has taught for more than a decade. He is an elder and serves as the director of ministerial development on the Chicago Central District for the Church of the Nazarene.
Our Sunday Night Bible Study recently completed Ephesians: For We Are God’s Handiwork – by Doug Ward. It is part of the Shaped By Scripture Small Group Series from The Foundry Publishing. In this 7-week study, each week is laid out in an identical manner. By starting with an overview/introduction week you can easily make it an 8-week study. Each week flows like this:
Read the passage for the week over several times until it becomes familiar.
Review the setting and how the passage is organized.
Observe the realities in the passage.
How does this passage fit in to the Bible as a whole?
How does this passage apply to us today?
Our group began the study with an overview/introduction week and watched Overview: Ephesians by BibleProject, “A nonprofit animation studio helping people experience the Bible as a unified story that leads to Jesus.” BibleProject.com is a GREAT resource. Each week our leader keyed on on the highlights of the chapter for our discussion. Because of the way the book is laid out, your group can figure out what best works for you.