We Believe / We The Church

March 3, 2024

Ephesians 4:1-16

Study Questions

1.    Read the EFCA Statement of Faith, Article 7. 

We believe that the true church comprises all who have been justified by God's grace through faith alone in Christ alone. They are united by the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ, of which He is the Head. The true church is manifest in local churches, whose membership should be composed only of believers. The Lord Jesus mandated two ordinances, baptism and the Lord’s Supper, which visibly and tangibly express the gospel. Though they are not the means of salvation, when celebrated by the church in genuine faith, these ordinances confirm and nourish the believer.

2.    Who makes up the true church? What does it mean to be justified by God’s grace through faith alone in Christ alone? (See Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 5:1.) Why is it important to emphasize the “alone” in these two phrases? (See John 14:6.)

3.    Read Ephesians 4:1-6. Give an example of what it means to ‘walk in a manner worthy of the calling’ in Christ Jesus. What is being emphasized by the ‘oneness’ of the church? Is there such a thing as a ‘churchless Christian’?

4.    Read Ephesians 4:7–12. What did Christ Jesus give His church and how is that manifested in the local church? Have you found or do you struggle with finding your unique purpose in the local church? Why/why not? 

5.    Why does Paul intentionally reference Psalm 68:18? What does it mean that Christ descended and ascended? From where to where? What did our Lord Jesus give to His church? (See also Acts 2:33.)

6.    What are some tangible ways you can build up those who serve with their gifts in your local church? (See 1 Corinthians 12:12-27.)

7.    According to our Statement of Faith, what are the two ordinances that the Lord Jesus mandated? How do they visibly and tangibly express the gospel? The ordinances are clearly not the means of salvation. How are they the means of spiritual growth and/or sanctification? What is the important connection between genuine faith and the fact that the ordinances confirm and nourish the believer? 

8.    Read Ephesians 4:12–16. What is the purpose and goal of the church? How does this express the gospel to the lost around us? (See also Matthew 5:16, John 13:35, Colossians 4:6.) In what ways have you been challenged from this study regarding the local church? In what ways are you thankful for your local church family?