CHRIST-CENTERED BIBLE STUDY
Lesson 6: Bringing it All Together: How to Hear the Music of the Gospel
For this lesson, you’ll be dropping in on a small group Bible study.
Imagine you are studying Ephesians 4:25-5:2 (ESV):
Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 4:25-5:2
The group begins by reflecting on the context of this passage and makes some observations:
- In the second half of the letter, God has given the believers spiritual gifts in order to build up the church for the glory of Christ.
- In 4:1, Paul exhorts his readers to live in a manner worthy of their calling.
- In 4:17, we find this same exhortation stated negatively: “Do not live as the Gentiles live.”
- In 4:25-5:2, Paul begins to describe how their lives will look different as they live out their new identity.
- You might note that this passage is full of commands.
In addition, there are numerous contrasts (falsehood versus truth, stealing versus sharing, corrupt talk versus words of encouragement and so on). These contrasts seem to play a central role in the passage.
Next, let’s see how, typically, a small group might apply this passage.
Charles (the leader):
“So, as we wrap up in Ephesians, what might some of these steps look like as we seek to avoid corrupt speech?”
Jessica:
“I think that means we don’t do the negative things in this passage, like lying and being angry.”
José:
“Yeah, being angry usually leads to corrupt speech, as Paul calls it. At least it does for me.”
Charles:
“That’s good, José. It does for me, too. We need to be mindful that our anger can lead to hurtful words we don’t really mean. What else?”
Kyla:
“I think this passage has some things we should do instead, like speaking truth and trying to build others up.”
Jessica:
"I agree. I think that’s the heart of what this passage is teaching–that we need to treat each other differently; to encourage one another."
Charles:
“OK, let’s try to be intentional in applying the passage this week. Choose one person and make it a point to build them up, to encourage them.”
Reflect
RespondFrom what you have been learning in this course, what are the limitations with the above approach to studying and applying the Scriptures?
In what way does it bypass the music of the gospel and motivate the dance?
How would a Christ-centered approach differ?
Let’s answer these questions by walking through this road map together.
Reread Ephesians 4:25-5:2
Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 4:25-5:2
RevealAlways ask yourself this question as you are reading a text. To find out the answer, continue to the next road sign.
Falsehood, anger, stealing, corrupt speech, grieving the Holy Spirit, bitterness, wrath, slander, clamoring and malice.
Roundabout: Consider, “Which remedy will I choose for the list of sins and brokenness that was present in my passage? Which road will I take?”
From the passage: Don't tell lies, don't be angry, don't steal, don't use corrupt speech and don't grieve the Spirit.
No. If I only try and follow the dance steps, this road is a dead end. Paul was looking for inward transformation. He was getting at the root sins; the sin behind the sin.
The root problem seems to be self-centered behavior that destroys relationship.
What do we discover? Can our brokenness be fixed by a list of do’s and don’ts?
No, our problem is deeper than the need for moral reformation.
What we need is a Savior.
Just as we could identify a list of sinful behaviors, we can identify a list of positive commands: Let your speech give grace to those who hear, be kind, tenderhearted, forgiving one another as God, in Christ, forgave you, be imitators of God, walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us—those last two commands really show off the gospel.
By richly experiencing God’s love and forgiveness. It is only as we hear this music that we can forgive as we have been forgiven and love as God loves us. The music motivates the dance.
The Christ-centered point of Ephesians 4 is clear: If you know how richly you are loved by Christ, then you can forgive because you know you have been forgiven. This is the music of the gospel behind the dance steps.
What's Next:
Can you believe there is only one more to go? The last lesson is how the gospel is always your greatest need, no matter where you are in your Christian walk.
