This document is a series of lessons from the book of Ephesians focused on finding strength through obedience to God. It discusses what it means to be in Christ and the blessings that come with it. Several lessons are outlined that cover topics like the mystery of Christ, unity in Christ, living as the new self, walking in love, marriage, and obedience in the workplace and home. The document encourages obedience in children, discipline from fathers, and serving others as serving Christ. It suggests the rewards of obedience are living long lives and receiving rewards later. The final lesson is on finding strength in battle.

2. Strengthening the Church Comunicación y Gerencia Studies in the letter to the Ephesians January 1 st , 2005

3. The Benefits of Being in Christ “ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places...” (Ephesians 1:3, ESV; emphasis mine) Memory Verse For Lesson #1

4. What Being in Christ Means “ So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God...” (Ephesians 2:19, ESV; emphasis mine) Memory Verse For Lesson #2

5. The Mystery of Christ “ This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” (Ephesians 3:6, ESV; emphasis mine) Memory Verse For Lesson #3

6. The Unity of Strength in Christ “ ...walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing one another in love...” (Ephesians 4:1b-2, ESV) Memory Verse For Lesson #4

7. The Strength of the New Man “ ...to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4: 22-23, ESV) Memory Verse For Lesson #5

8. Finding Strength in Walking “ 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 5:1-2 ESV; emphasis mine) Memory Verse For Lesson #6

9. The Strength of Marriage “ This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.” (Ephesians 5:32-33 ESV) Memory Verse For Lesson #7

10. Lesson #8 The Strength of Obedience

11. The Strength of Obedience “ … with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man .” (Ephesians 6:5b-7 ESV) Memory Verse For Lesson #8

12. The Strength of Obedience InterestingThoughts “ Christ was one child who knew more than his parents - yet he obeyed them.” “ The Christian who claims the promises of God should also obey the commands of God” “ The cost of obedience is nothing compared with the cost of disobedience”

13. The Strength of Obedience The Strength of Obedience in Children God wants children to obey their parents. (Deuteronomy 6:1-8) Paul reminds the Ephesians of the ten commandments and the prmoise within. (Ephesians 6:2-3)

14. The Strength of Obedience The Strength of Fathers Paul encourages fathers to: Bring children up in discipline, And in instruction of the Lord.

15. The Strength of Obedience The Strength of Workplace Obedience Slave are to obey their masters with: Real actions (Ephesians 6:6) As servants of Christ (Ephesians 6:6) Rendering service with good will (Ephesians 6:7)

16. The Strength of Obedience Rewards of Obedience The rewards of obedience are obvious: The children can live long and prosper. (Ephesians 6:3) The slaves reward will come. (Ephesians 6:8)

17. The Strength of Obedience “ A patient cannot accept the physician and, at the same time, reject his remedy” “ God’s laws last longer than those who break them.” 2 Thessalonians 1:8 Hebrews 5:9 Your Obedience

18. Comunicación y Gerencia Studies in the letter to the Ephesians Strengthening the Church Next Week: The Strength in Battle