Walking In the New Life

Ephesians: Walking In the New Life

1. The way of the ___________.  

So I tell you this and testify to it in the Lord: Do not walk any longer as the Gentiles walk, in their futile way of thinking. (Eph 4:17)

They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, due to the hardness of their hearts. (Eph 4:18)

You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit! You are doing just what your fathers did. You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit! You are doing just what your fathers did. (Ac 7:51)

Because they have no sense of shame, they have given themselves over to sensuality, with an ever-increasing desire to practice every kind of impurity. (Eph 4:19)

I was a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man. (1 Ti 1:13b)

I persecuted this Way to the death, tying up and throwing both men and women into prisons (Ac 22:4)

2. The change _____________ brings.

²⁰ But you did not learn Christ in that way, ²¹ if indeed you have heard of him and were taught in him (since the truth is in Jesus).  ²² As far as your former way of life is concerned, you were taught to take off the old self, which is corrupted by its deceitful desires, ²³ and to be renewed continually in the spirit of your mind, ²⁴ and to put on the new self, which has been created to be like God in righteousness and true holiness. (Eph 4:20–24)

The Lord himself has put away your sin. (2 Sa 12:13b)

The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! (Jn 1:29)

^9b He took the disciples with him and led discussions every day in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. ¹⁰ This went on for two years, with the result that all who lived in the province of Asia, both Jews and Greeks, heard the word of the Lord. (Ac 19:9b–10)

3. The practice of _______ life.

Therefore, after you put away lying, let each of you speak truthfully with your neighbor, because we are all members of one body. (Eph 4:25)

… there is no truth in him. Whenever he lies, he speaks from what is his, because he is a liar and the father of lying. (Jn 8:44b)

²⁶ “Be angry, yet do not sin.” Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. ²⁷ Do not give the Devil an opportunity. (Eph 4:26–27)

Let the one who has been stealing steal no longer. Instead, let him work hard doing what is good with his own hands, so that he has something to share with a person who is in need. (Eph 4:28)

Do not let any unwholesome talk come from your mouths. Say only what is beneficial when there is a need to build up others, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear. (Eph 4:29)

Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Eph 4:30)

Get rid of every kind of bitterness, rage, anger, quarreling, and slander, along with every kind of malice. (Eph 4:31)

Greek Words:

• bitterness [πικρία (pē-krē-a)]—an incensed and angry _________________ of mind to one’s neighbor

• rage [θυμός (thē-mōs)]—the _______________ associated with anger

• anger [ὀργή (or-gā)]—the _______________ associated with anger

• quarreling [κραυγή (krow-gā)]—________________ in anger

• slander [βλασφημία (blas phā-mē-aI)]—_________ calling in anger

• malice [κακία (ka-kē-a)]—this is a ___________ term that includes wickedness, mean-spirited, vicious attitude, so anything harmful done in anger

Instead, be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ has forgiven us. (Eph 4:32)

Points to Ponder

1. What is one thing that stood out for you from this week’s message?
2. What does Paul mean by " in their futile way of thinking " in verse 17? How does this describe the life apart from Christ?
3. According to verses 22–24, what does it practically look like to "take off the old self" and "put on the new self"?
4. How do verses 25–32 illustrate the contrast between the old life and the new life in Christ?
5. Which command or instruction in these passages challenges you the most right now? Why?
6. What role does the Holy Spirit play in helping us live this new life (v. 30)? How can we avoid grieving the Spirit?
7. How can the church community help each other grow in this new way of life?
8. Is there someone you need to forgive or speak kindly to this week as a way of walking in the new life? How will you take that step?

Homework: Ephesians 5