Bible ReadingEphesians 4:1-6 “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
[18:39] [26:33] [33:52] [41:01] [44:06] [45:38] [48:18] [49:29]Philippians 2:1-16 “So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.”
[50:29]2 Peter 1:3-11 “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
[30:55]Colossians 3:10-17 “and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
[38:43]Observation questions- In Ephesians 4:1-3, what four virtues are named as part of a worthy walk, and what are believers told to maintain through them? [33:52]
- In Ephesians 4:4-6, what are the seven “ones” Paul lists, and how do they build his case for unity? [44:06]
- In 2 Peter 1:5-10, what qualities are believers told to add to their faith, and what does Peter say those qualities confirm? [30:55]
- In Philippians 2:3-4, what specific actions show humility in the life of a believer toward other people?
Interpretation questions- Paul says believers must “walk in a manner worthy of the calling” they have received. What does it mean for a daily life to match a divine calling, and why does Paul connect conduct so closely to salvation? [29:05]
- 2 Peter says believers should be diligent to confirm their calling and election. How does that help explain the difference between a life that proves salvation and a life that merely talks about it? [33:01]
- Humility is described as regarding others first. Why is that so difficult in church life, and how does Philippians 2 place the example of Christ at the center of that struggle? [35:05]
- Grace is free, but it is never cheap. Why is it important to say both of those things together, and what goes wrong when grace is separated from obedience and surrender to Christ? [43:23]
Application questions- The worthy walk begins with remembering that God has called His people. Where is there a disconnect right now between that calling and the way life is being lived at home, at work, or in the church? [26:33]
- Humility means others come first, not self first. In what recent situation was self pushed to the front? What would it look like to revisit that situation with the mind of Christ? [35:05]
- Patience refuses the short fuse, the quick judgment, and the critical spirit. When is the heart most tempted to react that way? What patterns might help slow that reaction down before words are spoken? [37:11]
- Forbearing love means putting up with others because love endures. Is there a person right now who is difficult to bear with? What makes that hard, and what would steadfast love look like in that relationship this week? [37:23]
- The unity of the church is rooted in one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father. Which of those truths most strengthens the heart toward unity, especially when preferences or personalities clash? [49:29]
- Jesus humbled Himself and became obedient even to death on a cross. Where is obedience being resisted because it feels costly, inconvenient, or humbling? How does Christ’s example speak into that? [50:29]
- Believers are called to shine as lights in a crooked generation without grumbling and disputing. What kind of complaining or disputing most easily creeps into daily speech, and how could holding fast to the word of life change that this week? [52:49]
