Teaching the Bible

Teaching Ephesians

Sunday School Material for Good Samaritan Baptist Church Ages 5-99

Introduction To This 13 Week Series

There is a need to develop an ability to teach the Bible without all the predigested study lessons which talk about the Bible. This 13 week series will provide lesson tips and a basic lesson plan for the book of Ephesians which should aid teachers to develop and study the Bible lesson material for each week. It shall be incumbent upon each teacher to select present and illustrate the Bible truths of the week. This process should be done with thought and preparation for the age group you will be teaching.

Each lesson will contain a lesson for teachers. In this day and age these will constitute important tips on being an effective teacher and leader of your class.

The lessons outlined here include:

1. In troduction Eph 1:1-2

2. In Christ 1:1-14

3. In Wisdom 1:15-23

4. In Life 2:1-10

5. In Unity 2:11-22

6. In Dispensations 3:1-12

7. In Fulnes 3:13-21

8. In Walk 4:1-16

9. In Separation 4:17-32

10. In Love 5:1-17

11. In Understanding 5:17-33

12. In Obedience 6:1-11

13. In Warfare 6:12-24

14. Supplemental Lesson Mans Dispensational Failure x 6

15. Supplemental Lesson Mans Failure in the Age of Grace

16. Supplemental Lesson A Picture of the Rapture And Enoch Was-Not

Teaching the Bible Teaching Ephesians TOC

Sunday School Material for Good Samaritan Baptist Church Ages 5-99

Lesson 1 Introduction to Ephesians TOC

Memory Verse Eph 1:1 ¶ Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

Teaching Thought: Teachers be the teacher. Students be the students. Three perpetual goals for effective Sunday School classrooms are: 1) Teachers command authority. Don't whine, bribe or persuade your students into proper behavior in your class. Demand it. 2) Respect Elders. As a Teacher you are not one of the kids or teens. Don't act it. Three communication classifications have been described as Adult to Adult, Parent to Child and Child to Child. An effective Sunday School teacher must never use (or fall into) the latter. 3) Be ready for each lesson with a goal to be communicated and an enthusiasm in presentation.

Lesson Goal Students who know the Apostle Paul personally, have been to Ephesus and can't wait to read his letter.

Introduction to Ephesians. Read and Explain Eph 1:1-2.

I Introduce your class to the Apostle Paul. (Be inventive and interesting)

1. A pharisee of the Pharisees. What is a Pharisee?

2. Converted to Christ on Damascus Road, Read or Illustrate this event (Acts 9)

3. An Apostle to the Gentiles What is an Apostle.

4. A Preacher of Preachers. What was the Gospel He Preached? (I Cor 15:3-4)

5. A prisoner of Rome where he writes 3 prison epistles, Ephesians, (Also shared with Laodicea) Colossians and Philemon.

II Take your students there.

1. Take your students on a tour to the sea coast city of Ephesus. Use maps, pictures, fantasy or rhetoric but get them there. He who speaks well turns ears into eyes.

2. Take our students back in time 2000 years. Emphasize there were not cave men as they are taught in public school but people with a higher literacy rate than today. Emphasize shipping, trading, Romes world empire, and world commerce.

3. Take your students back to paganism of Rome and contrast the overwhelming authority and power of Christianity.

Closing: Paul was converted, Paul went out converting others The saints at Ephesus were converted.. I was converted. You need to be converted.

NEXT WEEK We will read some of Paul's Letter to the Church at Ephesus

Teaching the Bible Teaching Ephesians

Sunday School Material for Good Samaritan Baptist Church Ages 5-99

Lesson 2 In Christ TOC

Memory Verse 12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

Teaching Thought: Teachers be teachers. Students be students. Although this is a catchy principle a teacher must also be a student; just not in the SS class. As Paul told Timothy “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth.” Keep you knowledge fresh. As stagnant water tastes bad and breeds disease, stagnant teachers taste bad and produce anemic students. Study, Study, Study.

Lesson Goal: Students who know what a saint is and that saints are IN Christ understanding what God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit had their part in getting them there.

Review: their acquaintance with the Apostle Paul, his imprisonment and his writing to the saints at Ephesus. These prison writings to Ephesus and Colosse are occasioned by his sending of Onesimus back to Philemon.

Lesson 2 God makes us saints IN Christ. Read and understand Eph 1:3-14

I ) In verse 1 Paul addresses 'saints.' What is a 'saint'? Cover the Bible transition and personal transition of 'Believers' to 'Disciples' to 'Christians.' The latter being a character trait not a title. The three being categorized as 'saints', either mature or immature.

II ) Examine the little word “IN” extensively. Read Eph 1:3-14 and let them say the word “IN” for you during the reading. (First highlight each occurrence so as not to miss any. Even if a class cannot read they can respond to your pause or pointing and receipt the word “IN”.) Make this memorable.

III ) Examine what God the Father has done for his saints verses 3-5 and why in verse 6. Make a list and emphasize the why.

IV ) Examine what God the Son has done for his saints verses 7-11 and why in verse 12. Make a list and emphasize the why. Note that what he does in verses 8-10 is next weeks whole lesson being the last sentence of this chapter, vr 15-23.

V ) Examine what God the Holy Spirit has done for his saints in verses 13-14 and why in verse 14. Make a list and emphasize the why. Illustrate sealed via an envelope, signet ring or closed Ark door. Illustrate 'earnest of our inheritance' in a way your students will understand the done deal.

Closing: Contrast the asking of Jesus into our heart (i.e. “Behold I stand at the door and knock . . “ and His placing us IN Christ. Both are marvelously true when you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and call on him to save you.

Next Week: When we are IN Christ he opens our eyes and enables us to be IN Wisdom. Come and learn what the Apostle Paul writes about your being VERY WISE.

Teaching the Bible Teaching Ephesians

Sunday School Material for Good Samaritan Baptist Church Ages 5-99

Lesson 3 In Wisdom TOC

Memory Verse Eph 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

Teaching Thought: Teachers be teachers. Students be students. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. The fear of the Lord will not be realized by one who has no fear of authority. Today Parents do not instill this fear in their adolescent children. Rather than lead, they follow. A child who decides for himself nap or sleep time, where to go, what to eat, where to eats it, etc. Has not been taught to answer to another's authority. Now they sit in your Sunday School Class. Don't find out what they want to do and do it. Be a leader, with full authority. When you let a student win a contest of who is in charge, you loose your authority. They are used to being in charge. That is the error. Teachers be leaders, use authority, don't loose authority.

Lesson Goal: Students who in life desire, seek pursue, buy, pay for, quest after and know how to find wisdom, having eyes of their understanding being enlightened.

Review: We are reading the Apostle Paul's letter to the saints at Ephesus and to you and I if we are “the faithful in Christ Jesus.” Are you one? We have seen that if you are, you are IN Christ. And today that will put us IN Wisdom.

Lesson 3 God opens the eyes of His saints and gives His wisdom. Read and understand Eph 1:15-23 and note the # of '.'.

I ) Wise to Know What?

1. Time Permitting Review Prov 8 the Wisdom Chapter

2. What three things are we to know with understanding 18-19

   1. What is the difference between hope of his calling and our hope? Note that this is not about our hope but His hope.

   2. Is it the riches of his inheritance or the glory of his inheritance? It is not our riches but His glory.

   3. Is his power given to us or shown to us ward? It is not for our power but by his power.

II ) The Working of His might Power

1. Read a verse of the song “Power in the Blood” illustrate that the power is in what He has done not in what I can do.

2. List the three things His mighty power did In Christ from vr. 20, 20-21, and 22-23

Closing: A genius only taps into 1/3 of his brains power. How much are you using of yours? The goals of a pig are self satisfaction and physical contentment. Shouldn't yours be higher? See Wisdom IN Christ.

Next Week: Once you were dead, nut IN Christ you are made Alive. Don't miss next weeks Lesson.

Teaching the Bible Teaching Ephesians

Sunday School Material for Good Samaritan Baptist Church Ages 5-99

Lesson 4 In Life Eph 2:1-10 TOC

Memory Verse Eph 2:4-5 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

Teaching Thought: Teachers be teachers. Students be students. Dennis was only in Sunday School for 3 weeks while he stayed with his cousin. He grew up into a 20 year old who heard of Daniel in the lions den but never heard of the Lord Jesus Christ nor what Christ had done for his soul. You will have Dennises in your class on any week, you never know how long you have them for. Tell what Jesus did every week!

Lesson Goal: Students who understand “quickening” and know how to get it and why their parents need it too.

Review: When one gets saved, they become a saint; They are in Christ; They have their eyes open and can see wisdom; and now in Ephesians chapter 2, They are made spiritually alive... They are QUICKENED.

Lesson 4 Saints are born into New Life Eph 2:1-11

I ) You were dead IN what? vr 1

What is it like to be dead there? vr 2-3

II ) BUT GOD vr 4

Illustrate Mercy (vr 4)

Illustrate Love (vr 4) (Use John 3:16)

Illustrate Quickening (vr 5) (Use John 5:25-26)

Wend did he do it? (Use Romans 5:8)

Where are we now seated? .. (Emphasize that we are IN Christ)

III ) WHY? did God (through Christ) quicken us? vr 7

God's Riches At Christ's Expense Note the KINDNESS

Note That this emphasis on Grace yields Eph 2:8-9, Teach these 2 verses.

IV ) NOW WHAT? 5 things for Saints in one verse 10. Find them. Teach them.

Closing: When you got saved form your sin you got born again, born in the Spirit, you were made alive, you were QUICKENED! Now That your spirit is alive toward God things will change.

Next Week: When you become a Christian, you are no longer a Jew or a Gentile. Come next week and find out what you become when you give your soul to Christ

Teaching the Bible Teaching Ephesians

Sunday School Material for Good Samaritan Baptist Church Ages 5-99

Lesson 5 In Unity TOC

Memory Verse Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

Teaching Thought: Teachers be teachers. Students be students. Teaching tolerance is some misguided humanist trying to convince young people that they are fine just the way they are. Teach intolerance! I come to Jesus “just as I am” but then the changes start. He didn't save us in our sin he saves us from our sin. Be intolerant of what you are, of what your students are. Go for the change... go for the Gold. Your students can our do, out perform and out run their teacher if you teach intolerance and point them towards the Master.

Lesson Goal: Students who understand That saints are now grafted into God's plan and are now part of the household of God.

Review: We are reading Paul's letter to the saints. A saint is IN Christ; Is given Wisdom; is made alive and things are different for them.

Lesson 5 God made us accepted in the beloved. Eph 2:11-22

I ) Seven things we used to be (2 from vr 11, 5 from vr 12)

Briefly explain all 7.

II ) But Now ---- IN Christ.

Not IN Judaism but IN Christ (Jews called here “them That were nigh” in vr 17, need to be IN Christ to be saints.)

Explain again HOW we are “made nigh” using verse 13.

III ) A Building .... teach and illustrate

What is the corner stone vr 20

What is the foundation vr 20

What are we? vr 21-22

We are still being honed into shape to be “fitly framed together”,... we need to

be changed

IV ) We are No longer Jew and Gentile, bond or free, rich or poor, male or female, but togeter as ONE BUILDING IN Christ Differing functions but unity “in the beloved.”

Closing: A saint now has a new purpose and new direction in their life. You won';t do what everyone else is doing. You are a saint you are a habitation for God here in this Earth. Are you a saint? Are you being a saint?

Next Week: Dis-pen-sa-tion-al-is-um has 7 syllables. Don't miss any, come next week.

Teaching the Bible Teaching Ephesians

Sunday School Material for Good Samaritan Baptist Church Ages 5-99

Lesson 6 In Dispensations TOC

Memory Verse That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: Eph 3:6

Teaching Thought: Teachers be teachers. Students be students. The excitement of a mystery is in the revelation of truth. A good teacher with a good book, can build this excitement up and focus on the revealed truth such that it cannot soon be forgotten. A good mystery first whets the appetite with the question “How can these things be?” It then presents plausible solutions leaving a longing for a simple solution that can meet all the requirements. A good teacher with a good book can use revealed mystery as a powerful teaching tool.

Lesson Goal: Students who understand that God has used 6 different sets of management rules to get man to manage His affairs here on Earth. The greatest of these is our present Dispensation Of Grace. It has never been easier to live for God's Glory than it is today.

Review: We have covered many things that happen because saints are IN Christ. In this lesson we see that the unifying of Jews and Gentiles into saints that we covered last week, is a newly revealed mystery called a new dispensation.

Lesson Being Unified IN Christ is a new thing called the Dispensation of Grace.

I ) Examine Paul's marvelous introduction to this dispensation.

1. He is the apostle to the Gentiles

2. Paul mentioned this before in few words, see Eph 1:9-10 (Note that this is not talking about some lost portion of the Bible as modern scholars pretend)

3. Gentiles are part of this 'all things' which are to be IN Christ. (1:10)

4. This dispensation is a mystery which is revealed through the apostles.

II ) The 7 Dispensations are

1. In a Garden of Eden man was kept from sin by their Innocence. It failed. Man sinned.

2. Man was then kept from sin by his Conscience toward God. There was then a flood.

3. Man was kept from sin by Government of Man, whoso sheddeth mans blood, by man shall his blood be shed. Failure was followed by Babble and scattered nations.

4. One nation was chosen and given great Promise through Abraham. This nation ended up in bondage to the worldly nation of Egypt.

5. The chosen nation was redeemed and given the Law that God would have man to live by. They failed and were sent back into the bondage of Babylon.

6. In his Grace God sent his Only Begotten Son to redeem the whole world. This is the Dispensation of Grace that you and I live in. In it Jesus said “Whosoever cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” This Grace will end. It will come to a day when the world is like Sodom and Gomorrah, and like the days before the flood. In that day God will remove his believers, who are not appointed to wrath, and pour out his wrath upon the earth as it says in the Revelation of Jesus Christ.

7. After the wrath and the battle of Armageddon God will set up his Kingdom in Jerusalem to keep man from sin. After one millennium, 1000 years, man will rebel, and God will destroy this earth and make a new heaven and a new earth for eternity.

Closing: If you have not called upon God and asked him to save you by his grace, your chances could be over this afternoon. No man knows the hour that this Dispensation of Grace will end. Jesus could call out His believers and take them home today.

Next Week: Come find out what it is to have FULNESS in life.

Teaching the Bible Teaching Ephesians

Sunday School Material for Good Samaritan Baptist Church Ages 5-99

Lesson 7 In Fullness TOC

Memory Verse Eph 3:19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Teaching Thought: Howard Hendricks worded 7 laws of teaching from an acrostic on the word. These will be highlighted in the next lessons. The first is: The Law of TEACHER - Stop growing today, and you stop teaching tomorrow. The teacher must know that which he would teach... Imperfect knowing must be reflected in imperfect teaching. - John Milton Gregory The disciple is not above his master but, every one that is perfect shall be as his master. Luke 6:40 (paraphrase- the fully trained will be like his teacher.)

Lesson Goal: Students who know how to examine their “inner man” and measure how much of the Love of God is present therein.

Review: We have covered several things that are available to us because we are IN Christ. In this lesson we want to consider how much of Christ is getting IN us and find a fullness of God.

Lesson In this lesson there are only 4 sentences, the last has only 1 word.

I ) What was Paul's desire for these believers?

What does Jesus recommend as a cure for this in Luke 18:1?

What causes Paul's concern for their fainting? What does he call this obstacle?

II ) In Paul's second sentence here, highlight what he highlights.

1) I bow my knee 6) Christ dwelling in hearts

2. We are all family 7) By Faith

3. The riches of His Glory 8) Rooted & Grounded in Love

4. Strengthened Inner Man 9) To comprehend & know the Love of Christ

5. By His Spirit 10) Filled with all the Fullness of God

Emphasize here that comprehending the love of Christ enables the fullness of God.

III ) Lastly here, since Paul has asked for a tremendous miracle and blessing for these saints he acknowledges God's awesome power that worketh in us.

Unto Him be glory, the whole purpose of this fullness, in the Church = the place where saints are to be, by Christ Jesus, and through all ages. Wow!

IV ) The last sentence is one word. Amen. When this precedes a thought it is usually translated 'Verily.' Meaning “Pay Attention!” When it closes a thought it carries the meaning “Certainly may it be so.” Watch for this important word in the scriptures.

Closing: In Christ Saints have access to some great advantages. This week we see we have access to the fullness of God in our life. When we are saved we are placed IN Christ. When we comprehend his love we can be Full of Christ!

Next Week: In Christ we can have fullness of God in us, and when we do we can have a Right Walk. Come next week and learn how to walk.

Teaching the Bible Teaching Ephesians

Sunday School Material for Good Samaritan Baptist Church Ages 5-99

Lesson 8 In Walk worthy of the vocation TOC

Memory Verse Eph 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

Teaching Thought: The Law of EDUCATION - How people learn determines how you teach.

The true function of the teacher is to create the most favorable conditions for self-learning. ...True teaching is not that which gives knowledge, but that which stimulates pupils to gain it. One might say that he teaches best who teaches least. - John Milton Gregory

Lesson Goal: Students who know that In Christ, God enables us and expects us to walk upright and that a walk is a daily thing and that a walk takes you places with God better than an run.

Review: Paul's little letter the the saints at Ephesus has been quite a dissertation about what it means to be IN Christ! Last week we looked at being filled with the fullness of God, this week we want to look at walking with that fullness.

Lesson Learning to Walk IN Christ

Notice the wording “walk worthy of the vocation” What's the walk, what's the vocation?

1. First up is six things to walk with to stay upright 1) lowliness 2) meekness 3) long suffering 4) forbearing love 5) Unity of Spirit and 6) bond of peace.

2. Speaking of Unity ... vr 4-5-6

3. Grace for the walk vr 7 ... forever one of us

4. Helpers for the walk ... Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors & Teachers vr 11

5. Walk a Perfect Walk vr 12

6. Walk to Work ... work = ministry, ministry = edifying

7. Your unity and your scale of success is only found in Christ

8. Walk like a man ..

   1. Not as a child

   2. Not blown by the wind

   3. Not tricked by Man (Watch for their Sleight of Hand,...Watch for their Cunning Craftiness,... Watch for they are Lieing in wait 2 deceive.)

10. Walk in Truth vr 15

11. Grow up in Christ vr 15

12. Walk in the Body ... the body of Christ is found in the Local Church.

Closing: Some people try to walk the walk without being IN Christ. They are sloppy how they walk, they don't pay attention where they are going they don't listen to the instruction of God's word, they don't come to Church, love the Lord or obey his commands. Are you IN Christ?. Has He come into your soul? Then learn to walk circumspectly as a Christian.

Next Week: We all learn to walk, but for a Christian we need to learn to walk Separated from the World! Can you do it? Come next week and learn how..

Teaching the Bible Teaching Ephesians

Sunday School Material for Good Samaritan Baptist Church Ages 5-99

Lesson 9 In Separation TOC

Memory Verse Eph 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

Teaching Thought: The Law of ACTIVITY – Maximum learning is always the result of maximum involvement. Knowledge cannot be passed like a material substance from one mind to another, for thoughts are not objects which may be held and handled.... Ideas must be rethought, experience must be re-experienced. - John Milton Gregory The disciple is not above his master but, every one that is perfect shall be as his master. Luke 6:40 (paraphrase- the fully trained will be like his teacher.) "Your task as a communicator is not to impress people, but to impact them; not just to convince them, but to change them." Activity in learning is never an end in itself; it's always a means to an end. "We sure have the students busy." "Doing What?" "Nothing, but they're sure having a ball." Never forget your purpose. "What in the world are you trying to do to these people?"

Lesson Goal: Students who are IN Christ and expect to walk separate from the world, different from their friends, above what the norm expects.

Review: We have been examining the new walk of one who is IN Christ and filled with the fullness of God to see how one learns to walk IN Christ. Today, if you truly are IN Christ we learn that your walk must be separate from the world's walk because you are IN The Truth, and the Truth is IN you.

Lesson

1. Paul makes a list of where NOT to walk. We are NOT to walk like the Gentiles we were. IN Christ do not expect to walk different: Prov 18:1 Eloquently says to separate for a purpose.

2. Your walk can bless the Lord, and your walk can Grieve the Holy Spirit of God.

Closing: If you are IN Christ your walk will be marked by a difference, like oil dumped into water. If you are playing Christian, playing Church, your life will disappear into the world and folks will not know the difference. Mark your walk for Christ and learn something about yourself.

Next Week: To be IN Christ is to be In Love, Come learn what it is to be in love.

Teaching the Bible Teaching Ephesians

Sunday School Material for Good Samaritan Baptist Church Ages 5-99

Lesson 10 In Love Eph 5:1-14 TOC

Memory Verse Eph 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour.

Teaching Thought: The Law of COMMUNICATION - To truly impart information requires the building of bridges. It is the teachers mission ... by sympathy, by example, and by every means of influence - by objects for the senses, by facts for the intelligence - to excite the mind of the pupils, to stimulate their thoughts ... The greatest of teachers said: "The seed is the word." The true teacher stirs the ground and sows the seed. - John Milton Gregory

Lesson Goal: Students who understand the sacrifice of love and the selfishness that wars against a Christians walk in selfless love.

Review: We have been examining the walk of one who is IN Christ. That walk is to be 1) Upright, 2) Separate and now 3) in Selfless Love.

Lesson To God Love Smells Good and Sin Smells Foul

1. Ephesians 5:2 tells us to walk in love and then gives the example of a selfless sacrificial love and then the result of such a walk. Make much of this verse.

2. The next dozen verses contrast our selfish foul smell with His sweet smell. Illustrate this with a dog who rolls in dead carrion and then wants into your car or room with you. Especially how long does it take to rid the dog of the smell, how do you do it.

3. Top three selfish carrions we roll in are listed as 1) Fornication; (Sexual Sins) 2) Uncleanness; (General Filthiness) and 3) Covetousness; (Give me, Give me, is idolatry!) If you dare, bring to class 3 containers (35mm film canisters work well) of the foulest rankest smells you can get your hands on, use them to illustrate what these sins smell like to God.

   1. Note the long last of these 3 carrions. Let it not once be named among you. vr3.

   2. Note the power of their smell. Don't ever put it in your mouth! vr4

   3. Note the everlasting effect, these lifestyles are NOT allowed in the Kingdom! Vr5

   4. Don't be deceived these foul smells bring the wrath of God vr6

   5. Stay away from these 3 carrions, the Fornication, Uncleanness and Covetousness, these fruits of the flesh that smell good to us but smell foul to God. vr7

4. Walk, instead, as children of light IN THE LORD and have fruit that is a sweet smelling savour to God; “fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth.” vr8-9 We are challenged to 'Prove' these things as acceptable to the Lord.

5. In verses 11-14 we are given this whole lesson in miniature for conclusion. Have no fellowship with these 3 carrions, rather reprove (rebuke) them.(vr11) It is a shame to even speak about them. (vr12) Stay in the light where you can 'see' what these things 'smell' like. You may like the smell but it is repulsive to God. (vr13)

Closing: The dog likes the smell of carrion, but his owner does not. The owner takes the steps needed to clean these off the dog, and keep the dog away from these foul smells.

Next Week: Next week we will move on from the importance of a walk In Christ to our knowledge and understanding of things In Christ.

Teaching the Bible Teaching Ephesians

Sunday School Material for Good Samaritan Baptist Church Ages 5-99

Lesson 11 In Understanding TOC

Memory Verse Eph 5:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

Teaching Thought: The Law of THE HEART - Teaching that impacts is not head to head, but heart to heart. How can the teacher's manner fail to be earnest and inspiring when his subject matter is so rich in radiant reality? - John Milton Gregory

Lesson Goal: Students who will pursue understanding. i.e. Prov 18:1 ¶ Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom. 2 ¶ A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.

Review: Being IN Christ we walk upright, walk separated, walk in love, now do all this with 'understanding!'

Lesson I ) Understanding Times. 15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Use your time WISELY - Understanding what the will of the LORD is.

... Love + Goodness NOT Fornication (Body)

... Love + Righteousness NOT Uncleanness (Spirit)

... Love + Truth NOT Covetousness (Mind)

II ) Understanding Drunks 18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Be Not Drunk But Filled!

The unsaved must drown their life in Booze & Drugs

You are not unsaved (Are you?) Prov 31 it is not for you.

The unsaved get their thrills from the buzz of Booze & Drugs

You are not unsaved (Are you?) Whatsoever you do, for glory of God.

The unsaved get their comfort from Booze & Drugs

You are not unsaved (Are you?) When Christ is IN you, He is our Comfort.

III ) Understanding Music 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Talk to yourself ... Or better yourselves ... Actually gathered in Church

Psalms Hymns Spiritual Songs

Melody In Your Heart Giving Thanks in the name of Who?

IV ) Understanding Submission vs Rebellion 21 ¶ Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Submitting one to another.

The Opposite of submit is REBELL, Synonymous with Rebell is Rock Music

The Opposite of Rock Music is Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs.

V ) Understanding Marriage 22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. (vr22- ) Wives Submitting to Husbands.

Husbands be as Christ, submitting to God

VI ) Pursuing the Mystery “This is a great mystery ... Wherefore be ye not unwis but understanding what the will of the LORD is! (vr32 ...17)

Closing: Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.

Next Week: Can one be obedient to all this? Next week come & learn 2B IN Obedience.

Teaching the Bible Teaching Ephesians

Sunday School Material for Good Samaritan Baptist Church Ages 5-99

Lesson 12 In Obedience TOC

Memory Verse Eph 6: 1 ¶ Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)

3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

Teaching Thought: The Law of ENCOURAGEMENT – Teaching tends to be most effective when the learner is properly motivated. - MQ, Motivation Quotient is more important than IQ. The nature of mind, as far as we can understand it, is that of a power or force actuated by motives. The striking clock may sound in the ear, and the passing object may paint its image in the eyes, but the inattentive mind neither hears nor sees. - John Milton Gregory

Lesson Goal: Students who, whether children or fathers, servants or masters, learn to surrender their will in obedience.

Review: We covered being 'In Understanding' with the things we should be understanding of. Now learn a key to this understanding in obedience.

Lesson Ephesions 6:1-9 Obedience is the subjection of your will to another.

I ) In vrs. 1-3 we find Child like Obedience must be learned. It is decreed.

II ) In vrs. 4 we find Fathers are to Obey & Understand some things.

Not Provoking Bringing 'them' up Nurture and Admonition

nur·ture (nûr“ch…r) n. 1. Something that nourishes; sustenance. 2. The act of bringing up. 3. Biology. The sum of environmental influences and conditions acting on an organism. --nur·ture tr.v. nur·tured, nur·tur·ing, nur·tures. 1. To nourish; feed. 2. To educate; train. 3. To help grow or develop; cultivate: nurture a student's talent.

ad·mon·ish (²d-m¼n“¹sh) tr.v. ad·mon·ished, ad·mon·ish·ing, ad·mon·ish·es. 1. To reprove gently but earnestly. 2. To counsel (another) against something to be avoided; caution. 3. To remind of something forgotten or disregarded, as an obligation or a responsibility.

III ) Servants obey (with attitude)

Not Eye Service but God Service

As Servants – From heart

With Good Will doing service

There will be reward (vr 8)

IV ) Masters Obey (Employers etc)

Forbear Threatening No Respect of Persons

Remember OBEDIENCE is the subjection of your will to another.

Closing: Find a way to practice obedience a couple times this week. Practice makes perfect.

Next Week: We go to battle as a soldier. Be a warrior in the Battle.

Teaching the Bible Teaching Ephesians

Sunday School Material for Good Samaritan Baptist Church Ages 5-99

Lesson 13 In Warfare Eph 6:10-18 TOC

Memory Verse 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Teaching Thought: The Law of READINESS - The teaching - learning process will be most effective when both student and teacher are adequately prepared. Many teachers go to their work either partly prepared or wholly unprepared. They are like messengers without a message. They lack entirely the power and enthusiasm necessary to produce the fruits which we have a right to look for from their efforts. - John Milton Gregory

Lesson Goal: Students who understand 2 things, 1) We are in a battle, contending for the faith, 2) When Christ puts us “In Warfare” he provides superior equipment.

Review: Found in the lesson's first point this ends our journey through Ephesians.

Lesson While Contending In The Warfare, Use The Equipment

I) Finally ...Remembering that we are 1) IN Christ, 2) IN Wisdom, chap#1 3) IN Life, 4) IN Unity, chap#2, 5) IN Dispensationalism, 6) IN Fullness, chap#3, 7) IN Walk, 8) IN Separation, chap#4, 9) IN Love, 10) IN Understanding, chap#5, 11) IN Obedience, ...

Today #12) IN Warfare, chap#6.

2. Be Strong in the Lord – Contrast with weak, wimp.

3. Be Strong in the Power of HIS might – Not by (your) might, nor by power but “By My Spirit” cf Zech 4:6

4. Put on HALF? ... No .. Put on the WHOLE armour of God.

5. Stand, Stand, Stand against the wiles (a trick intended to deceive or ensnare, a disarming or seductive manner, device or procedure) of the Devil. Emphasis throughout here is on STAND.

6. Who do we wrestle with? Not Flesh and Blood! A Spiritual Warfare against: 1) Principalities, (a Principality is a territory ruled by a prince, the position, authority, or jurisdiction of a prince) 2) Powers, 3) Rulers of the Darkness of this World, 4) Spiritual Darkness in High Places.

7. What is the Armour? What are our Resources in Battle?

   1. Loins Truth

   2. Breastplate Righteousness

   3. Feet Preparation of the Gospel

   4. Shield Faith

   5. Helmet Salvation

   6. Sword Spirit (not catholic steel)

   7. The Whole - Praying Always, Watching in prayer, supplication and

8. per·se·ver·ance (pûr”s…-vîr“…ns) n. 1. Steady persistence in adhering to a course of action, a belief, or a purpose; steadfastness. 2. Theology. The Calvinistic doctrine that those who have been chosen by God will continue in a state of grace to the end and will finally be saved.

Closing: Stand. Be a Warrior, be a Soldier, Stand. STAND

Next Week: We will be starting a whole new series from the Book of Genesis called

“In The Beginning”

Teaching the Bible Supplemental Lesson

Hunt for the Last October TOC

Sunday School Material for Good Samaritan Baptist Church Ages 5-99

Supp Lesson 1 Mans Dispensational Failure x 6 TOC

Memory Verse Gen 6:5-6 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.6 ¶ And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.

Teaching Thought: The saying “You can't see the forest for the trees” is too often the case in Bible teaching. Step back often and make sure your students see the big picture then focus back in on them and the necessity that they make their decision for Christ, and that they could make it today.

Lesson Goal: Students who understand the big picture of mans continual failure toward God, and want to be different and make a difference.

Review: We saw last in last weeks lesson the dispensation of grace defined by Paul to the saints at Ephesus. This week we see that there have been 5 dispensations previous and they all failed. We will find out why and how today.

Lesson Examine the 5 failed dispensations with emphasis on mans failures.

I ) Innocence – Failure in the Garden + Judgment – the Curse upon all man and all creation too. Use the verse in Rom 5 “For as the sin of one man...

II ) Conscience – Failure by man, and the first 1^st degree murder + Judgment – The Flood of Genesis 6 – 10 Also mention the memory verse and Enoch, who was raptured from the earth before the wrath of God came in a flood.

III ) Human Government – After the Flood God initiated some rules where man was to govern himself and thus curb his own appetite for sin. The failure is found in their construction of a tower + the Judgment came in it's name Tower of Babel where God dispersed the nations.

IV ) Promise – Abraham believed God and ... Gen 15:6 but what of Isaac? What of Jacob & Essau? What of Jacob's 12 sons? + Judgment – Bondage in Egypt.

V ) Law – Redeemed Israel is given the Law of God to keep them straight. + Judgment - Ten tribes were dispersed into the Assyrian Captivity 768 years later, and Judah in the Babylonian Captivity only 116 years later.

Closing: God keeps making it easier and easier for man to stay in right fellowship with Him. Man fails under each dispensation.

Next Week: Supplemental Lesson 2 The Bible says man will fail even in the age of Grace when salvation has never been easier. If the Rapture has not occurred to take the believers to be with the Lord come back and here about this ending.

Teaching the Bible Supplemental Lesson

Hunt for the Last October

Sunday School Material for Good Samaritan Baptist Church Ages 5-99

Supp Lesson 2 Mans Failure in the Age of Grace TOC

Memory Verse Matt 24:37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Teaching Thought: Kids and people in general get into much mischief because of peer preasure or the phrase “everyone is doing it.” At no time in the Bible or in the Church history has a mahority been right. Be sure students know that we are not a majority and that God don't expect them to act like the majority. Be different, be peculiar, be a believer. One who acts Christlike is a Christian.

Lesson Goal: Students who understand how this dispensation is to end and who want to tbe faithful to the end.

Review: We have seen Pauls introduction of dispensations in Ephesians chapter 3. Last week we looked at how 5 previous dispensations ended and this week we will see how this dispensation, the dispensation of Grace, will come to an end.

Lesson

I ) Never has Mercy and Grace been more readily available to everyone, nor easier to attain than it is right now in this age or dispensation of Grace. (briefly explain how it is attained and ask how many have attained it.)

All that is needed is: The Revealed Word and The Repentant Heart

A Believer and A Believee

A Conviction of Sin and A Convinsing Holy Spirit

Salvation will never be, has never been FREEer nor easier than what you can get today.

II ) Things are getting worse. Despite the free availability of grace Genesis 6:5 is showing itself and Genesis 6:6 is pending. (Read and explain these two verses)

III ) Emphasise of illustrate that in a dark dark world even a small candle burns with great light.

IV ) The Church is commissioned to “Preach the Gospel” to the whole world, but the Church will not convert the whole world.

Catholic Doctrine has long taught that they will convert the whole world, take over all the kingdom promises to Israel and usher in a millennial reign of Christ without a war. False, False, False.

V ) Read/Teach Matt 24:7, 14-15, 27, 37-39, Mark 13:24-26, Luke 17:26-30

Closing: The Church age, this age of Grace will end as the other dispensations ended, with a great judgment of God upon this earth with his wrath poured out on men that rejected His Only Begotten Son. Before the pouring out of this wrath, Jesus promised he would take the believers out of this world to be with Him. He could do that today. If he did that this afternoon I wonder if you would be pulled out of the world before the wrath of God comes. I wonder if your parents would. Make sure you accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour today. The Bible says “Today is the day of salvation.”

Next Week:

Teaching the Bible Supplemental Lesson

The Hunt for the Last October

Sunday School Material for Good Samaritan Baptist Church Ages 5-99

Supp Lesson 3 A Picture of the Rapture And Enoch Was-Not TOC

Memory Verse Luk 17:26 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.

Teaching Thought: Teach what you believe. You believe the Bible. The Bible clearly states some things about how this age of Grace will come to an end. At any moment the Trumpet of I Thes 4 could sound and your last lesson in this age of Grace will have been taught. When we believe that we teach every lesson with more urgency. Believe that. Teach what you believe.

Lesson Goal: Students who know what imminent means and understand the 2^nd Coming of Christ is real beginning with the Rapture of His believers like the Bible says.

Review: We have been looking at how this age of Grace will end in failure of man to accept the Only Begotten Son of God as a redeemer. God's wrath will come upon man for this rejection, But God's wrath will not come upon his believers. They will be taken to be with Him.

Name Ref Gen 5, 7:6, 9:28-29 Date AC = After Creation	Born AC Dads Birth Yr + HisAge At Birth = Sons Birth Yr	Died AC Birth Yr+Age= Death Yr	Died Before Flood
Adam	0	930	726
Seth	130	130+912=1042	614
Enos	130+105=235	235+905=1140	516
Cainan	235+90=325	325+910=1235	421
Mahalaleel	325+70=395	395+895=1290	366
Jared	395+65=460	460+962=1422	234
Enoch	460+162=622	622+365=987 ^	669
Methuselah	622+65=687	687+969=1656	0
Lamech	687+187=874	874+777=1651	5
Noah to Flood	874+182=1056	1056+600=1656 FLOOD	0
Noah	1056	1056+950=2006	-350

II ) There was another time when God poured out his wrath on the Earth. Our memory verse, Luke 17:26-27, says that the two times will be similar. Just like the Bible says that we will be translated to heaven before his wrath comes, the Bible shows us a man named Enoch. Read Gen 5:1-5, 21-24. Emphasize the Judgment of God was that man would die. This chapter has the theme “And he died” vr 5,8,11,14,17,and 20. Enoch was an exception to the theme. Enoch walked with God and 'was not.' We have astronauts that fly into space, Russia has cosmonauts who travel in space, but God had Enoch and he was a 'was not' who traveled through space and did not stay here when God was going to pour out his wrath on the Earth in the Flood. He was taken to Heaven to be with God. If you and I walk with God, i.e. Receive his Only Begotten Son, we will be taken to heaven before his wrath comes, just like Enoch.

III ) Use the Table above to show that no man that walked with God was destroyed in the wrath of God when the flood came to this earth. Enoch was taken form Earth before the flood, and Noah was in an ark of safety through the flood. Teach them John 11:26.

Closing: The time to receive Jesus Christ as you Saviour is very short. Don't miss it.

Next Week: We will continue with our study in Ephesians about being IN Christ.