Background study on the book of ephesians outline

While paul was in prison he had been thinking about his work as an apostle. The letter opens with a sequence of statements about gods blessings, which are interspersed with a remarkable variety of expressions drawing attention to gods wisdom, forethought and purpose. A study guide blessed be the god and father of our lord jesus. Discover the basics of the book of ephesians with the esv study bible from crossway. It is interesting to note and observe that while the new testament often refers to the church, it does not speak of going to church in the way we. Understanding the book of ephesians and bible study guide. The book of ephesians is a prison epistle letter written while in prison. This letter is one of pauls four imprisonment letters. Book of ephesians overview insight for living ministries. Read the short background information for ephesians below.

The city of philippi, as one can see from the map, is located in north eastern greece macedonia. Ephesians bible study the christian church in the world. There has been some debate about whether this book was written to the ephesians or was a circular letter to various churches, because not all manuscripts include the words in ephesus. If such is truly the case, then paul wrote colossians around 6163 a. Visit our library of inductive bible studies for more in depth inductive studies on this and other books of the bible you can use in your small group. Aug 23, 2012 author the apostle paul date the letter to the ephesians was written during pauls roman imprisonment between 60 and 62 ad. The book of ephesians survey and outline introduces, through with maps, outlines and graphics, the background of ephesians and the book of ephesians major themes. The book is address by paul to the church at ephesus. Settlers from the nearby island of thasos seized the area.

This summary of the book of ephesians provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of ephesians. This webpage provides a book of ephesians outline as provided by the wycliffe bible commentary. Written in 6162, when paul was a prisoner in rome cf. New book study background to the book of ephesians. He realized that christ came to unite himself with man, and unity was the core purpose of the book of ephesians. Paul has one main desire in ephesiansfor you to know jesus christ and your. The book of ephesians along with philippians and colossians, was written by the apostle paul. The returning group would have traveled through ephesus on their way home. The general letters the book of the twelve, or the minor prophets intro to genesis intro to. The book of ephesians purpose and outlines shows why paul wrote this epistle and how. Intro to colossians biblica the international bible society.

The book of ephesians is a letter from paul to christians at ephesus. Introduction to the book of ephesians summary of hebrews. The general consensus is that these epistles were written during pauls imprisonment at rome cf. Its authorship has traditionally been attributed to paul the apostle but starting in 1792, this has been challenged as deuteropauline, that is, written in pauls name by a later author strongly influenced by pauls thought, probably by a loyal. In acts 19 we read about pauls trip to ephesus and how the city was full. The book of ephesians is held in great reverence by both biblical scholars and lay people. Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind. John calvin called it his favorite book of the bible 3.

Keep a notebook handy with pencil to jot down questions, ideas and applications as you study ephesians. Nov 03, 2017 in this first study, we do a big picture overview of the book of ephesians and give a simple outline of its contents. May 12, 2017 categories bible, new testament tags bible study ephesians, bible study on ephesians, book of ephesians outline, book of ephesians summary, commentary on ephesians, ephesians 1 summary, ephesians bible study, ephesians chapter 1 summary, ephesians outline, ephesians study guide, epistle to the ephesians, letter to the ephesians, outline of. Ephesus was the third largest city in the roman empire population 250,000 in what is today the country of turkey. These small group studies of ephesians contain outlines, crossreferences, bible study discussion questions, and applications. Another theme which does justice to the content of the epistle and one that i suggest for this study is that offered by warren wiersbe.

Ephesus forms an appropriate background to the book of ephesians because of this citys fascination with magic and the occult acts 19. Ephesians intro to ephesians biblica the international bible. Feb 07, 2015 the book of ephesians is held in great reverence by both biblical scholars and lay people. Swindolls living insights new testament commentary. However, paul presented the gift of god in christ and the benefits we.

Introduction, background, and outline to philippians. Some suggest that pauls time in imprisonment enabled him to develop an exalted christology and a high appraisal of the privileges of believers in christ 11. This study guide is based on a similar study by pastor robert mayes, of the first baptist church of. Ephesians small group series lesson 1 introduction to. This time ive selected the amazing book of ephesians.

Paul wrote the letter to the ephesians sometime in ad 6061, around the. In this first study, we do a big picture overview of the book of ephesians and give a simple outline of its contents. To really jump ahead in your study of ephesians, complete our how to study a book of the bible lesson using ephesians as your subject. The book of ephesians gives practical, encouraging advice on living a life that honors god, which is why its still relevant in a conflictridden world. During this time he also wrote colossians and philemon. Recall the opening scenes in the sound of music movie. Ephesians background information fbc seguin students. The book of ephesians enables us to view gods creation from an alpine altitude. Author the apostle paul date the letter to the ephesians was written during pauls roman imprisonment between 60 and 62 ad audience paul wrote to the network of house churches in western asia minor, in and near ephesus. Early sources in church history that attribute this letter to paul include. Colossians is one of pauls four prison epistles col 4. To the saints in ephesus, a the faithful in christ jesus. A study guide for the book of ephesians answers chapter one. If you dont wish to do your study online at simply choose a chapter from the links below to start your ephesians bible study book of ephesians chapter one chapter one of ephesians tells us that we are spiritually blessed.

Broken down in a way to gleam the main topics and themes of this book. It is believed paul wrote ephesians during his imprisonment in rome 6162 ad. Here is a short and succinct outline of the book of ephesians. Book of ephesians outline free online bible study lessons. In 356 bce, however, philip ii of macedon, the father of. In the esv study bible, the authors wrote an excerpt on ephesians prefacing the author, title, date, background information, and a description of the ancient city of ephesus. When we study this book, it is as though we have climbed a high mountain peak, because the book gives us that kind of perspective on what god has created. The bible, the old testament and new testament, is addressed to gods people. Paul emphasizes that we have been saved, not only for our personal benefit, but also to bring praise and glory to god.

Ephesians 3 background information with maps and images. Chapters 4 6 our practice of christ how we are to act before men 4. If you dont wish to do your study online at simply choose a chapter from the links below to start your ephesians bible study book of ephesians chapter one. It was written around 60ad during pauls house arrest in rome. Those that like to get into studying the bible and its heavy doctrines prefer to study the first part of pauls letters and often treat the latter part as secondary or of less value see the right diagram where a wall separates the two sections. The epistle to the ephesians a biblebelieving study guide. Paul is sending the slave onesimus back to his master philemon, in the care of tychicus. The central organizing theological idea in ephesians is that through christs atoning work god has mightily brought about the churcha new humanity, i.

The city was already ancient by the time paul arrived there around 49 ce acts 16. Having read the background article on the book of ephesians, now skim through ephesians one more time and create your own title for each of the major sections below you can divide these into smaller sections, each with its own title. The book of ephesians outline as shown below from the wycliffe bible commentary. As i was doing this, i found that ephesians and revelation were the two easiest books in the bible to outline. For the next several fridays we will be going through this book one chapter at a time. The author except for the pastorals, ephesians has the worst. The believers position united to god chapters the believers privileges united to one another. Carver described the book of ephesians as the greatest piece of. This audio sermon and transcript is entitled introduction and background, and is from the ministry of david legge, a christian preacher and bible teacher from belfast, northern ireland.

The church of jesus christ is now the spiritual body of believers who represent christ on earth. Ephesians offers general instruction in the truths of gods redemptive work in christ. As we continue in our faith from day to day, month to month, and year to year, the temptation to get comfortable will always exist. An outline of ephesians intended to enhance and assist your study of gods holy word his letter to you. Ephesians bible study outlinecontents by chapter and verse. No particular problem is raised in the book unlike many of pauls other letters. Most early writers spoke of the epistle as having been addressed to the ephesians. To the saints who live in ephesus, the faithful in christ.

Ephesians is one of pauls four prison epistles eph 3. Outline of ephesians chapters 1 3 our position in christ what we are before god. Ephesus was the chief city of the coastal area of asia minor. Intro to colossians biblica the international bible. All three letters were sent with tychicus and onesimus. He also sent along the letter to the colossian church. Picture study bible ephesians bible history online. The epistle to the ephesians table of contents introduction 3 chapter one 7 chapter two 11 chapter three 14 chapter four 18 chapter five 22 chapter six 27 this study guide was developed in preparation for teaching adult bible classes. Philippi was in an area of greek or thracian control until gold was discovered at a nearby mountain.

The book of ephesians hits on a wide range of moral and ethical behaviors, designed to ensure believers are living up to our heavenly calling. The book of ephesians god provides all that we need to live out strong godly lives on earth with the power of his holy spirit. Intro to ephesians biblica the international bible society. It was written to encourage believers to walk as fruitful followers of christ and to serve in unity and love in the midst of persecution. Comprised of jews and nonjews, these followers form the covenant family god promised to abraham. Categories bible, new testament tags bible study ephesians, bible study on ephesians, book of ephesians outline, book of ephesians summary, commentary on ephesians, ephesians 1 summary, ephesians bible study, ephesians chapter 1 summary, ephesians outline, ephesians study guide, epistle to the ephesians, letter to the ephesians, outline of.

Heres an outline of the book of ephesians you may wish to see before you get started. The apostle paul wrote this letter to the churches in ephesus and the surrounding region c. Audience paul wrote to the network of house churches in western asia minor, in and near ephesus. Philippi was named after philip ii of macedon, who was the father of alexander the great. In fact, its beginnings go back to the fourth century bce when it was occupied by the thracians. We hope this outline of philippians will help you as you endeavor to study gods letter to you. God the father planned throughout history for jesus to create a multiethnic community of followers. This helps explain pauls emphasis on the power of god over all heavenly authorities and on christs triumphant ascension as head over the church and over all things in this age and the next. Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh. Introduction from the niv study bible go to ephesians. In the book of ephesians, we see how the gospel story affects believers everyday lives. On that occasion, paul was returning onesimus a runaway slave to his christian master, philemon, who lived in colossae. The epistle to the ephesians, also called the letter to the ephesians and often shortened to ephesians, is the tenth book of the new testament.

The other major theme of this letter includes the riches of spiritual blessings for the believer. Ephesians executable outline study resources blue letter bible. Some have argued that paul wrote colossians from ephesus or caesarea, but most of the evidence favors rome as the place where paul penned all the prison letters ephesians, colossians, philippians and philemon. The letter was hand delivered by tychicus ephesians 6. Some liberal critics have attempted to raise doubts, yet the authorship of the book is solidly established both by the clear statement in the book itself and by the records of the early uninspired christian writers. The key personalities of ephesians are the apostle paul and tychicus. Feb 16, 2018 its time for another book study on fridays. Book of ephesians outline summary online bible nwt. Home the study bible commentary series, new testament paul bound, the gospel. Paul spent more time there than any other city about three years. The book of ephesians hits on a wide range of moral and ethical behaviors.

Epistle to the ephesians read and study the bible online. To help folk learn what the bible is all about, i wrote a book called briefing the bible in which i attempted to give a helpful outline of every book in the bible. Ephesians 1 background information with maps and images. Ephesus was the most important city in western asia minor now turkey. Outline of ephesians chapters 1 3 our position in christ. The analysis on ephesians prefacing the book the bible essay 1570 words 7 pages. Ephesians outline the original www the glorious book of ephesians naturally divides into 3 basic sections which form the acronym www worship, work, warfare see outline below to help you better understand the mind of christ revealed in this treasured epistle which has blessed countless sojourning saints for 2 millenniums now. The book of ephesians tells how the gospel affects our. This is part 1 of a versebyverse bible study series in ephesians. Picture study bible with maps and background information.