Adult Programs

MISSING LEARNING AND TALKING ABOUT GOD'S WORD?

Craving more fellowship with your St. Paul's family?

Consider joining the Daily Disciples Faith Formation (adult) class! In addition to fellowship with each other, we discuss how to apply the weekly Gospel lesson to our own lives. Although we'd love to see you each week, each week's lesson is self-contained (you can miss weeks and not feel "behind"). If ZOOM with video is not your "thing", please know you can join without video and stay muted just to listen in! Hope you'll consider joining us! 

EPHESIANS

William Barclay called Ephesians “The Queen of the Epistles.” It is a breathtaking treaty from Paul elaborating the reconciling work of God in Christ Jesus, i.e., making all human beings into one people as “the Body of Christ,” conquering the hostile cosmic powers of sin and death, the creation of a new humanity, and the creation of a new society founded and grounded in God. We approach the letter to the Ephesians “the greatest” and “most relevant of Paul’s works” properly with a sense of awe and wonder.

Most scholars agree that this letter was one of three letters (Colossians, Philemon, and Ephesians) written from his prison cell in Rome some thirty years after the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. The letters all address disturbing heretical difficulties that have invaded and taken root in the newly formed Mediterranean Churches.

In Ephesians, Paul elaborates on two fundamental Christian themes. The first theme (chaps. 1-3) regards faithful doctrine regarding the new life and new society in Christ which God has brought into being by the death and resurrection of His Son. The second theme (chaps. 4-6) teaches the new standards for life and relationships expected of Christian believers. This second theme takes us from theory to practice; from “This is the way things are now,” to “therefore, we are to honor God by living like this.”

Because Christ on the cross has overcome the demonic powers that have separated us in the world from the love of God and one another, our efforts toward loving unity in relationships with God and our neighbors has become central to the God fearing and faithful life.

May Study: 

Open Up:

What do you remember best of Thanksgiving Day as a child?

Read Chapter 1, verses 15 -23 

Dig In: 

1. What did Paul pray for the Ephesians and what motivated him to pray for them? 

2. How is the fullness of Christ (vs 23) related to the fulfillment of God’s purpose for the Church (vs 18 - 22?) 

3. How would you describe our relationship to Jesus from this passage?

4. How is Jesus’ place in our lives related to hope and power?

Reflection:

1. What kind of changes in yourself would you expect if this study group prayed verses 17 – 19 for your life’s journey?

2. In light of the power for life in Christ offered to Christians (v. 19) what is your favorite excuse for “operating on only 4 cylinders? Why not all 8?

*Not Meeting due to COVID*

Music Room - 1st floor/Education Wing 

The Friendly Folks meet in the  and discuss various themes chosen by the group.