PAUL’S PRISON EPISTLES
STUDY GUIDE 3.1
Lesson 3: Paul and the Ephesians
Section 1: Background

OUTLINE FOR TAKING NOTES

Introduction

I. Background

A. Authorship

B. Audience

  1. Primary audience

  2. Secondary audience

C. Purpose

  1. Kingdom of God

  2. Challenges


REVIEW QUESTIONS

1. Why should we believe that Paul wrote Ephesians? What are some of the arguments against this proposition? How does Dr. Kidd answer these arguments?

2. To whom did Paul write Ephesians? How does Dr. Kidd defend his position regarding this? Note the church fathers that write about this.

3. Describe the city of Ephesus in the first century.

4. Why did Paul write the letter to the Ephesians?

5. What evidence does Dr. Kidd give that Paul was addressing people he did not know in his letter to the Ephesians?

6. What topics does Paul mention in Ephesians that would also be appropriate for other churches?

7. According to Luke (the Book of Acts), what was the theme of Paul's preaching for two years when he was imprisoned in Rome, during which time he probably wrote the letter to the Ephesians?

8. How long did Paul live and teach in Ephesus?

9. Mention the six ways that Paul wrote about themes related to the kingdom of God in his letter to the Ephesians, making reference also to the Roman Empire.

10. What are the challenges faced by Christians that Paul addresses in Ephesians?

APPLICATION QUESTIONS


1. How would you describe the core of your own teaching or preaching? How does this compare to the emphasis in Paul’s teaching? What things do you think you should modify in your teaching as a result of learning more about Paul’s focus?

2. What blessings and benefits result from being citizens of the kingdom of God? In what ways does this affect you?

3. What can we learn from the way Paul adapted his message and his illustrations to the context in which he was writing? How could you do this better?

4. How should Paul’s teachings on the kingdom of God shape our approach to Christians from different cultural or racial backgrounds?



Last modified: Monday, 3 December 2018, 7:49 PM