Ephesians Study Questions

How to Use This Study Guide

Bookmark this page on your browser for easy reference. Follow along in the table of contents below for each day of study.

The study uses the inductive study process of observation, interpretation, and application. It’s divided into 45 daily lessons that should take you 20-30 minutes per day.

If you are not familiar with the inductive Bible study process be sure watch my tutorial to familiarize yourself with this method.

Bible Study Tools You Will Need:

Along with the study guide, there are some other Bible study tools you will need.

• A Bible
• A spiral notebook or 3-ring binder with lined paper for taking notes and making lists.
• Word study tools. A few times in the study, you will be asked to do a word study. My favorite online tool for word studies is Blue Letter Bible. Here is a video where I show you how to use this resource.

Before you begin your study, you are going to want to designate a few pages at the front of your binder or notebook for creating some specific lists.

At the top of a page, write the title “List of Paul.” Now turn to the next page and write the title “List of Ephesians.” You will make these lists during the Overview. 

Also, consider how you want to take your notes. I recommend writing each day’s notes on a new sheet of paper. Write each day as the heading of your page. (example: “Day 1”, “Day 2”) Do what makes sense to you.

Welcome and Introduction

I’m so excited that you have made the commitment to study and know God’s Word! 

Ephesians is a book about unity with Christ and His church. Through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, God has brought us into union, not only with Himself but also with the body of Christ.

The first three chapters of Ephesians discuss the work that God has done through Christ on our behalf. You will discover the new identity that you have been given in Christ.

The final three chapters teach us about the power we have been given to live and walk with others according to the new identity that we have been given in Christ Jesus.

Overview

Day 1

Begin your study today, and every day, in prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit to be your tour guide through the scriptures as you study Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians. Thank Him ahead of time for all that He is going to reveal to you. 

For your first assignment, read through the entire book of Ephesians in one sitting. This will give you a general idea of the flow of this book.

Day 2

Read through chapters 1-3 and look for every reference to the author and to the recipients. Ask the 5 w’s and h questions (who, what, when, where, why, and how) about the author and recipients, and make a list of everything you learn about them on the pages you designated before beginning this study guide.  

Day 3

Today, you will add to the lists you started yesterday. See what you can learn about the author and recipients in chapters 4-6. Follow the same pattern you used yesterday for listing these details. 

Day 4

Ephesus was one of the leading cities in the Roman Empire. It was also the home to the temples of the Greek goddess Artemis and the Roman goddess Diana.

These two landmarks became a means of economic survival during the time of Paul as they brought many tourists to the area.

We can learn more about Paul’s relationship with the church in Ephesus in Acts 19-20. Read these two chapters and add any other details you learn about Paul and the Ephesians to your lists.

After learning more about the historical context of the book of Ephesians, why do you think Paul wrote extensively on the topic of spiritual warfare? Write your thoughts in your notes.

Chapter One

Day 5

Today, you will begin your study of Ephesians chapter 1. Read through the whole chapter and see if you can come up with a 1-2 sentence summary of the chapter. Record this in your notes.

Break down the chapter even more by summarizing each section. See if you can come up with a quick summary for each of the following sections:

• v. 1-2
• v. 3-14
• v. 15-23

Day 6

Today you will begin to look a bit deeper at each section in this chapter. Read Ephesians 1:1-3.

1. What kind of blessings have we received in Christ?
2. Do word studies for the following words. Write their definitions in your notes.
   1. Spiritual, Blessings, Heavenly Places
3. How would you explain the difference between spiritual blessings and physical blessings?

Day 7

Ephesians 1:4-14 list the different spiritual blessings we have been given in Christ in the heavenly places. Today you will begin to look at each one of them.

1. Read Ephesians 1:4-6 and see if you can identify the spiritual blessings in these verses (there are two of them).
2. Do the following word studies and write their definitions in your notes:
   1. chose, holy, blameless, predestined

The first spiritual blessing mentioned is that we have been chosen to be holy and blameless before Him. This passage of scripture has left many believers, including Bible scholars, with questions about how we reconcile our free will with God’s sovereignty.

While I think this topic is important for us to search out, I don’t believe it’s the point of this passage. Paul wants the readers to see that they have been chosen by God to be His people. 

This leads to the next spiritual blessing that we saw in this passage: we have been adopted as His children.

3. Read the following cross-references and note how they relate to Ephesians 1:4-6:
   1 John 3:1, Galatians 4:4-7

Day 8

1. Start today by reading Ephesians 1:7. Note the spiritual blessing mentioned in this verse.
2. Do a word study for the following words in this verse:
   1. redemption, riches
3. Why blood? How is it that we have redemption through the blood of Jesus? Read the following cross-references for more insight on this. Record your thoughts in your notes: Leviticus 17:11, Hebrews 9:21-28

In the Old Testament, God instructed His people to offer the blood of animal sacrifices to make atonement (or forgiveness) for their sins. These animals had to be unblemished (only a life that was pure could cleanse sin). This was something they had to do continually, day by day and year by year. 

4. Now, read Hebrews 10:1-14 and note how the sacrifice of Jesus was better than the sacrifice of animals in the Old Testament.
5. Finish today by thanking God for the complete redemption you have been given in Christ!

Day 9

Today you will look at the next two spiritual blessings mentioned in Ephesians 1.

1. Read Ephesians 1:8-10. What is the spiritual blessing mentioned in these verses? Record your observation in your notes.
2. Read 2 Timothy 1:9-10. How does this passage give you further insight into the ‘mystery’ mentioned in Ephesians 1? We will look more at this later.
3. Now, read Ephesians 1:11-12. What do these verses tell us we have obtained through Christ?
4. Read 1 Peter 1:3-4. What else do you learn about our inheritance? Write your observations in your notes.
5. Let’s pause here for some application. In your day-to-day life, where is your gaze fixed? Is your focus set on the circumstances and the temporal things and circumstances of this life? Or have you set your gaze on the hope of your eternal inheritance? 

Day 10

Begin today by reading Ephesians 1:13-14.

1. Do word studies for the words “sealed” and “first installment (guarantee).”
2. Look up the following cross-references and note what you learn about being sealed by the Spirit: Ephesians 4:30; John 6:27; 2 Corinthians 1:22
3. In your own words, describe what it means to be sealed with the Spirit.

Day 11

Today you will begin to look at Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians. Start by reading Ephesians 1:18-20.

1. Do a word study for the word “enlightened.”
2. In verses 18-19, what are the three reasons Paul gives for his prayer for them?
3. Look up 1 Peter 1:4 and note what it says about “the hope of our calling…”.
4. Now look up Deuteronomy 32:9 to see what more you can learn about “the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.”
5. What do you learn about God’s strength working within you in verses 19-23?

Ephesians 1 helps us to understand all that we have been given in Christ. True blessings are those that exist in the eternal realm of the heavenly places. While physical blessings can come and go, our blessings in Christ will remain forever.

We must continue to ask the Spirit to enlighten our understanding so that we may increase our knowledge of God and our comprehension of all that He has given us in Christ.

Chapter Two

Day 12

In Ephesians chapter 1, we learned about the different spiritual blessings that belong to each believer. We also saw how Paul prayed for these Gentile believers in Ephesus. His prayer was that they would grow in their understanding of the blessings they received in Christ.

Now, in the second chapter of Ephesians, we see Paul compare their former life to who they had become in Christ. 

1. Start today by reading all of Ephesians 2 and write down a one-sentence summary of the chapter.

2. Like you did for Chapter 1, break down Chapter two even further by writing a quick summary statement for each of the following sections.

• v. 1-3
• v. 4-10
• v. 11-22

Now, go back and read Ephesians 2:1-3.

3. Make a list of what the scriptures say about our former life.

4. The term “prince” shows that Satan does have some authority within those who are disobedient to faith in Christ. The “power of the air” refers to the spiritual realm. This tells us that Satan does have some power in the heavenly places. However, let’s not forget what we learned in Chapter 1. Read Ephesians 1:20-21 again. Who has more authority in the heavenly places? Christ or Satan? That’s enough for today. We will look at this more tomorrow.

Day 13

Begin today by reading Ephesians 2:4-6.

1. Yesterday we learned that Christ has been seated above all rule and authority in the heavenly places. According to these verses, where have we, as believers in Christ, been seated? 
2. Look up Romans 5:6-8 and note how it relates to Ephesians 2:4-6. 
3. Take a few moments to thank God for showing the boundless riches of His grace in kindness toward you in Christ Jesus.

Day 14

Today, you will look at Ephesians 2:8-10. This verse is crucial for us to get right in our understanding because it is the basis for our salvation.

1. “..and that not of yourselves..” There are some different ideas as to what the word “that” (in bold) refers to. Is it our faith that is not of ourselves? God’s grace? Salvation? Read the following cross-references for further insight on this: Romans 3:22; Romans 10:9-10.

Salvation by grace through faith is not of ourselves. It is God’s gift to us.

2. Now, read 2 Corinthians 5:17 and note how it relates to Ephesians 2:10.
3. While works do not save us, they do give evidence as to the new life and identity we have been given in Christ Jesus. Finish today by reading Colossians 3:1-16. Are there any attitudes or behaviors you need to put off? What do you need to put on to better reflect your new identity in Christ?

Day 15

Start today by reading Ephesians 2:11-18.

1. In verses 11-13, Paul is talking about how circumcision was a barrier between the Jews (the nation of Israel) and the Gentiles (everyone else not part of Israel). Circumcision was a sign of God’s covenant with His people. Before Christ came, circumcision was reserved only for those belonging to the nation of Israel. You can learn more about this in Genesis 17:1-14
2. Read verses 12-16 again. What has happened “in Christ”? Go through these verses slowly. What has Christ accomplished through the sacrifice of His body? 
3. Do word studies for the following words: abolished, enmity, and reconcile.
4. What do you learn about the “enmity/hostility”? What caused it? What has Christ done with it?
5. Like circumcision, the Law separated all people into two groups, Jew and Gentile. According to these verses, what has Christ done to this barrier?

Not only did his sacrifice abolish the Old Covenant, but it also broke down the barrier between the Jews and Gentiles. All people of every nation were welcome to partake of the New Covenant of God’s grace, receive the seal of the Holy Spirit, and gain access to God through Him.

Day 16 

Today you will finish your study of Ephesians 2. 

1. Read Ephesians 2:19-22.
2. Now, read 1 Peter 2:9-10 and note how it relates to this passage in Ephesians 2.

God’s household is the church. The apostles and prophets laid the foundation through their enduring revelation written in the New Testament and their ministry in building the early church. 

Because of Christ, you and I are living stones being built up to offer sacrifices of praise and worship to God.

Thank you, Jesus!

Chapter 3

Day 17

1. Begin today by reading all of Ephesians chapter 3 and see if you can come up with a one-sentence summary. Write it out in your notes.
2. Break down the chapter even further by writing a quick statement for each section of chapter 3. 
3. What repeated phrase do you see in v. 1 and 14? Verses 2-14 are kind of like a parenthetical thought that he suddenly felt the need to address before going on about his circumstances. 
4. Now, go back and read Ephesians 3:1-3 and write down what you learn about Paul’s relation to the “mystery.”

Day 18

Yesterday, you started to look at the details of the ‘mystery’ that Paul describes in this chapter. Today, you will continue to examine what the scriptures say about this mystery.

1. Do word studies for the words ‘mystery’ and ‘administration/stewardship (NASB)’ in v. 2-3. Write down their definitions in your notes.
2. What is Paul saying in these first 3 verses of this chapter? Write out these verses in your own words.
3. Now, read 3:4-5. How was this mystery revealed?
4. Go back and note how these verses relate to what you read in Ephesians 2:19-20.

The apostles and prophets built the foundation of the church (the body of Christ) because they were the ones to whom this mystery was revealed. This foundation is what we must also build on.

Day 19

Begin today by reading Ephesians 3:6.

1. This verse defines the ‘mystery.’ What does it say? Write it out in your notes.
2. Do word studies for the words ‘heirs’, ‘members,’ and ‘partakers’ (NASB). Write out the definitions in your notes.
3. Compare this verse to what we learned from Ephesians chapter 2. Also, look up Galatians 3:26-29. How would you define this ‘mystery’ in your own words?
4. Now, read Ephesians 3:7-9. Paul refers to his calling to preach the mystery as ‘grace.’ Look up this word in your word study tools and write its definition in your notes.

Day 20

Let’s review what we have learned about the body of Christ in Ephesians chapters 1-3:

• 1:22-23 – Christ’s body is the church, and He is the head. God gave Him to the church as the head of all things. The body is to be the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
• 2:16 – The Jews and Gentiles have been reconciled in one body through the cross
• 2:19-22 – We are the church, God’s household. A holy temple. A dwelling of God in the Spirit.

Now, let’s take a look at the church in relation to the ‘mystery’ that we studied yesterday. Start today by reading Ephesians 3:9-12.

1. Read 1 Peter 1:10-12 and note how it relates to Ephesians 3:9-12
2. What do these passages tell you about the mystery prior to the coming of Christ?
3. What do you learn about the rulers and powers in the heavenly places? What do you learn about the church?

Do you see it? Generations of God’s people, including angelic beings, have waited and watched for the unveiling of God’s eternal plan.

Now, God has used the church as the conduit for revealing this mystery of salvation for all through Christ! 

What an amazing role that we, as the body of Christ, have been given!

Day 21

Begin today by reading Ephesians 3:13.

1. How does Paul’s focus shift in this verse? What encouragement does he give the Ephesians?
2. What does this passage reveal about the outcome or benefit of Paul’s tribulations?
3. Take a look at a passage from Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Read Philippians 1:21-26. How does this relate to Ephesians 3:13?
4. Throughout Paul’s epistles, we see his heart for sharing the gospel. This calling brought him much tribulation and suffering. Has the Lord called you to walk through difficult circumstances for the purpose of His glory? What helps you to press on and endure during these trials?

Day 22

Start today off by reading Ephesians 3:14.

1. How does this passage relate to Ephesians 3:1?
2. Now read on through verses 15-19 to see how Paul prays for the believers.
3. Look up the following words in your word study tools: power (v. 16), dwell (v. 17). Write out the definitions in your notes.
4. Look more closely at v. 16-17. Where does our strength come from? What is the result of this strengthening?
5. Jump down to v. 19. What does Paul want the believers to know?

I love how he follows up this exhortation by reminding them of the greatness of God’s love. He tells them that God’s love surpasses knowledge. It’s not something we can fully understand. Yet, he still tells them to search it out. 

Day 23

Today you will finish your study of Chapter 3. Go ahead and read through Ephesians 3:1-21.

Consider all you learned in this chapter about ‘the mystery.’ Why do you think Paul ends this section by praising God for doing “far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us…”? Take a few moments to think about this, then write out your thoughts in your notes.

Chapter 4

Day 24

1. Begin today by reading all of Chapter 4. Write out a 1-2 sentence summary statement of this chapter in your notes.
2. Now, go back through the chapter and write a brief summary for the following sections:
   • V. 1-3
   • V. 4-6
   • V. 7-13
   • V. 14-16
   • V. 17-24
   • V. 25-32

Day 25

1. This chapter begins with a “therefore.” Anytime we see this word, we know that whatever is said next is somehow connected to the previous verses. How does Chapter 3 flow into Chapter 4? Consider all that Paul had said in chapters 1-3 and how it relates to the command he gives in Ephesians 4:1.
2. Do a word study of the word “worthy.” Write it out in your notes.
3. From what you have learned so far about Paul, how does he exemplify what it means to walk worthy of our calling?

Day 26

Begin your study today by reading Ephesians 4:2-6.

1. Do word studies for the words “diligent” and “unity” (NASB). Write out their definitions in your notes.
2. How does this passage relate to Ephesians 4:1-2?
3. Why is it important for believers to be “diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit”?

Day 27

Today you will be focusing on Ephesians 4:7-13. Begin by reading this passage.

This verse begins with a contrast. We saw in the previous verses that we have been called to walk in unity as the body of Christ. However, within that oneness, there is diversity.

1. Do a word study for the word “grace” in verse 7.

In verses 8-9, Paul is quoting Psalm 68:18. This Psalm is a Psalm of David about God’s victory. God’s captives were a reference to His people, Israel. God had rescued His people from captivity and shared the plunder, the land of Jerusalem, with them. In a similar way, when Christ claimed victory over sin, He gave gifts to His new followers, who are now His ‘captives.’ 

Also, there are some different thoughts on what it means that He descended into the lower parts of the earth. Some believe it’s a reference to Him coming down from heaven to be born as a man. Others believe it’s a reference to Him descending into the lower parts of the earth after the cross.

Here are some more scriptures you can look up if you’d like to study this further. Make sure to read these passages in their context (read a few verses before and after): Acts 2:22-36; 1 Peter 3:18-22; Matthew 16:18; Luke 16:23; Revelation 1:18; Revelation 20:13-14

2. Read 1 Corinthians 12:1-7. How does this passage relate to Ephesians 4:11-13? Write out your thoughts in your notes.
3. Finish your study today by reading Hebrews 10:24-25. Why is it important for each believer to be exercising their gifts? How does the diversity of gifts help to maintain the unity of the Spirit?

Day 28

1. Begin today by reading Ephesians 4:14-16. How do these verses relate to Ephesians 4:1-13? Write out your thoughts in your notes.
2. This passage tells us that we have been called to grow in Christ. How does this growth occur (look at verse 16)?
3. How is personal spiritual growth connected to our oneness with the body of Christ?

Day 29

Begin by reading Ephesians 4:17-20.

1. How do the verses in this passage connect with the previous section in verses 14-16? 
2. Does the personal walk of each believer impact the body of Christ as a whole? Write out your thoughts in your notes. 
3. According to verse 20, why should a believer no longer walk according to their old nature?

Once we place faith in Christ, we are clothed with a new nature. We no longer are to live and make choices based on the sinful flesh but rather according to what we see in the character and nature of Christ. He is our lifestyle.

Day 30

Today you will get some great practical applications for what it means to align your life with Christ. Begin by reading Ephesians 4:22-24.

1. According to verse 22, what are you to put off? According to verse 23, what needs renewing? According to verse 24, what does this renewing help us to do?
2. Read the following cross-references and note how they relate to Ephesians 4:22-24
   • Romans 8:6-9; Romans 12:2; Colossians 3:5-17
3. Now read Ephesians 4:25-32. Paul gives multiple instructions for what to put off, what to put on, and why it’s important. In your notes, list what each of the following sections says. I completed the first section for you as an example:
   • Verse 25 
     • Put off – falsehood
     • Put on – speak truth
     • Why? – we are parts of one another
   • Verse 26-27
   • Verse 28
   • Verse 29
   • Verse 30-32
4. According to what you have just studied, is there anything you need to put off? What can it be replaced with?

This passage shows us the importance of not only putting off but also putting on. When we try to change or stop specific patterns of behavior, we must remember the importance of replacement. 

Chapter 5

Day 31

Today you will begin your study of Ephesians chapter 5. 

1. Read through this full chapter today and see if you can summarize the chapter in a sentence or two.
2. Now, go back through the chapter again and write a quick summary statement for each of the following sections:
   • V. 1-2
   • V. 3-5
   • V. 6-14
   • V. 15-21
   • V. 22-33

Day 32

1. This chapter begins by referring back to the command given at the end of the previous chapter. Go back and read Ephesians 4:32 and note how Chapter 4 flows into Chapter 5.
2. Do a word study for the word “imitators” in Ephesians 5:1 (NASB).
3. In what ways can we be imitators of God?

Day 33

Begin today by reading Ephesians 5:3-5.

1. Verse 3 begins with the word “But.” This means that Paul is contrasting what he is about to say in the following verses with what he just said in the previous ones. What is Paul contrasting?
2. Based on what you have studied in Ephesians up to this point, what do you think it means to walk in love?
3. Do a word study for the word “fitting” (NASB) in verse 4.
4. List the things this passage tells us are not fit for a child of God. What must we do instead?

Day 34

Begin today by reading Ephesians 5:6-10

1. How does this section relate to Ephesians 5:3-5?

Paul begins this section by commanding the Ephesians not to partner with anyone or anything that is bringing the wrath of God. As believers, we no longer belong to the darkness. We belong to the Light!

2. When we are walking in the light, what kinds of fruit will our lives produce? (Look at verse 9).
3. Now, continue reading through Ephesians 5:11-14. What does light do to darkness? 
4. Read the following cross-references and note how they relate to Ephesians 5:3-14:
   • 1 John 1:5-7; John 1:1-5
5. Take a moment to pause and reflect. Ask the Lord to show you if there are any ways that you are partnering with darkness. Are there any behaviors or attitudes that you need to put off? Or put on?

Day 35

Today you will be looking at Ephesians 5:15-21. Start today by reading these verses.

1. Yesterday, in Ephesians 5:3-14 you looked at the importance of walking in the Light. According to v. 15-21, what else must we be careful to walk in?
2. Do a word study for the phrase “be careful.” Write out the definition in your notes.
3. Do word studies for the following words in verse 18 and not the differences in their definitions.: “debauchery”; “be filled.” 
4. According to verses 19-20, what is the outcome of being filled with the Spirit?

Day 36

Today you are going to get into a passage that has caused a lot of controversy, especially in today’s culture. 

Begin today by reading Ephesians 5:22-33.

1. Before you take a closer look at the commands given to wives and husbands, take a look at the reason why Paul gives these commands. According to verses 31-33, what is the purpose of marriage? What is it designed to be a picture of? (look specifically at v. 32).
   
   Throughout this entire epistle, we have been looking at what it means for the church to be unified with Christ. Husband and wife are one body as Christ has become one body with the church. God designed marriage to be a picture of the union that we, as the church, have with Christ.
   
2. Now, read Ephesians 5:22-24. What feelings does this passage stir up inside you?
3. This passage tells us that wives are to submit to their husbands. Let’s make sure we look at this passage in its context. Go back and read Ephesians 5:21. According to this verse, who is supposed to submit? Do both husbands and wives have a responsibility to submit to each other? Why?
4. Let’s take a look at what submission really is and what it is not. If we continue reading Ephesians 6:1, we see that children are instructed to ‘obey’ their parents. Are obedience and submission the same thing? Do word studies for these two words. Write out your thoughts in your notes.

Note: Husbands who force their wives into submission are not acting biblically. Forced submission is not submission. It’s dominance. This is not what Paul is talking about here, and it is not how Jesus relates to the body of Christ as the head. 

5. In your own words, write out what biblical submission means for a wife.

Day 37

Yesterday we looked at Paul’s instructions to wives. Today, let’s take a look at his instructions to husbands. 

Again, read Ephesians 5:22-30.

1. What is Paul’s command to husbands in verse 25? Who and what is the example for doing this?
2. Read through Ephesians 5:22-27 and note the different ways that Christ has loved the church. Write these out in your notes.
3. Yesterday we saw that while Paul gives the command for wives to submit to husbands, both the wife and husband have the responsibility to submit to each other as members of the body of Christ. Are wives also instructed to show Christ-like love to their husbands? Read the following cross-references and write your thoughts in your notes: John 13:34-35; Romans 12:10; 1 Thess 4:9

Chapter 6

Day 38

It’s time to start studying through the final chapter of Ephesians! Great job, my friend! 

1. Begin today by reading through all of chapter 6 and see if you can come up with a one-sentence summary. Sometimes the chapter divisions don’t always make sense. Ephesians 6:1-9 may seem like they fit better with chapter 5. Feel free to come up with a couple of different themes for chapter 6 if you’d like.
2. Break down the chapter a little further by writing a summary statement for each of the following sections:
   • Ephesians 6:1-9
   • Ephesians 6:10-20
   • Ephesians 6:21-24

Day 39

Begin today by reading Ephesians 6:1-3.

1. What is the command to children in this verse? What is the reason Paul gives this command? What does obedience to this instruction produce?
2. Read 1 John 5:1-3. How do these verses point to the importance of learning obedience?
3. If you have children still living at home, how do these verses challenge you as a parent?
4. Now read Ephesians 6:4. What is the instruction to fathers (parents)? 
5. Do a word study for the word ‘discipline’ in verse 4 (NASB). Write out the definition in your notes.
6. Look up Hebrews 12:7-10. How does this relate to Paul’s instruction to fathers?

Day 40

Today you will take a look at Paul’s instructions to slaves and masters. Read Ephesians 6:5-9.

1. What is the command to slaves in v. 5? According to v. 7-8, how are they to carry out this command? According to v. 9, what is the result of obedience to this command?
2. What is the command to masters in v. 9? How are they to carry out this instruction?
3. Look up Mark 10:45, Galatians 1:10, and Luke 22:27. How do these verses relate to Ephesians 6:5-9 and what insights do you gain about being a servant?
4. How do these scriptures challenge your ideas of servanthood? 

Day 41

Today you will study Ephesians 6:10-20. Begin by reading through this passage.

1. What is the command that Paul gives in v. 10? According to v. 11, how do we carry out this command? What is the purpose of the armor of God? Who do we need to stand firm against?
2. Look up 2 Corinthians 10:3-5. How does this passage relate to Ephesians 6:12?
3. According to Ephesians 6:12, where does this battle take place? Refer back to the scriptures we have already seen in this passage regarding the heavenly places. Write out what you learn in your notes.
   1. Ephesians 1:3; 1:20; 2:6; 3:10
4. Based on your position in the heavenly places, what confidence can you have when engaging in this battle?

Day 42

Yesterday you saw that the battle we fight is not against flesh and blood but rather against the rulers and powers in the heavenly places. We also saw that we are seated with Christ in this spiritual realm above all other authority and powers. While our eternal position holds a place of victory above our spiritual enemy, our current condition in this world and in our flesh is still vulnerable to his influence in our everyday walk.

This is why Paul warns us to put on the full armor of God. But what is the armor, and how do we put it on? This is what you will explore in your study today.

Read Ephesians 6:14-17.

In this passage, Paul uses the different pieces of armor worn by Roman soldiers to illustrate the spiritual weapons we have been given in heavenly places. 

1. The verbs in verses 14-15 are in the past tense (having belted…, having put on…, having strapped on…), which means they are the pieces that we need to always be wearing. What are these first 3 pieces? List them out in your notes.
2. The belt of truth provided stability for the rest of the armor. Look up John 8:31-32 and Ephesians 4:25. How do these passages show us the importance of walking in truth?
3. The next piece of armor is the breastplate of righteousness. The breastplate provided protection for the soldier’s vital organs. Look up the following passages and note how righteousness provides spiritual protection, Ephesians 4:17-24, Psalm 119:9-16, Prov. 4:23
4. Why must we put on truth before we can put on righteousness?
5. Now, take a look at how shoes are related to peace. What is this peace (look at verse 15)? Look at Colossians 1:19-20. What gives us peace with God? 
6. Think about it. Shoes help us to move forward. As we move forward, what are we to bring with us? Read Isaiah 52:7 and note how this passage relates to our shoes of peace.

Day 43

Start today by reading through Ephesians 6:14-17. 

The final 3 pieces of armor are those which we need to “take up” as we come into contact with the enemy.

1. According to verse 16, what does the shield of faith protect us from?
2. Read the following cross-references and note how they relate to our shield of faith:
   1. Hebrews 11:24-34; 1 Peter 5:8-9 
3. In your own words, describe how faith extinguishes the arrows of our enemy.
4. Consider now the helmet of salvation. A physical helmet is to the head what a spiritual helmet is to the mind. Take a look at the following references and note how they relate to our helmet of salvation:
   1. 2 Corinthians 10:5; Philippians 4:7; Romans 12:2; Hebrews 8:10; 1 Peter 1:13
5. Finish today by reading Matthew 4:1-11. How does Jesus use the sword (the Word of God) in this battle against Satan?

Day 44

Begin today by reading Ephesians 6:18-24.

1. What does Paul command the Ephesians to do? Based on what you’ve studied so far, what is the connection between armor and prayer? 
2. Paul could have asked the Ephesians to pray for anything: good health, deliverance from prison, and justice for his enemies. Instead, what does Paul ask for prayer for?

Day 45

You have come to the end of your study through Ephesians. Well done, my friend! I’m confident that God is pleased with your diligence in knowing Him through the faithful study of His Word. Spend today in prayer. Ask the Lord to show you if there is any other way He would have you apply the truth you have discovered in this study to your life.

Also, feel free to consult your commentaries on Ephesians 6.