Sunday School Lesson August 16, 2020

Subject: We Encourage One Another

The Point: We need the encouragement of others—and they need ours.

The Passage: Ephesians 4:17-32

Study The Bible: Ephesians 4:17-22

1). Put away sinful habits.

17. Therefore, I say this and testify in the Lord: You should no longer live as the Gentiles live, in the futility of their thoughts.
18. They are darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them and because of the hardness of their hearts.
19. They became callous and gave themselves over to promiscuity for the practice of every kind of impurity with a desire for more and more.
20. But that is not how you came to know Christ,
21. assuming you heard about him and were taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus,
22. to take off your former way of life, the old self that is corrupted by deceitful desires.

Lasting truths from Ephesians 4:17-22

• Life outside of Christ is futile and empty.
• A heart that is calloused toward God is often characterized by sin.
• A relationship with Jesus Christ changes out desire to continue living in sin.
• Christians should not return to the old way of life from which Jesus saved them.

Ephesians 4:23-28

2). Encourage others to live consistently with their new life in Christ.

23. to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,
24. and to put on the new self, the one created according to God’s likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth.
25. Therefore, putting away lying, speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, because we are members of one another.
26. Be angry and do not sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger,
27. and don’t give the devil an opportunity.
28. Let the thief no longer steal. Instead, he is to do honest work with his own hands, so that he has something to share with anyone in need.

Lasting truths from Ephesians 4:23-28

• Christians need to embrace a lifelong process of having their mind renewed by Christ.
• Christians should deal with the effects of the old man, such as lying, anger, pride, and other such expressions that were commonplace before Christ.
• A sign that a person’s mind is being renewed is when they are more concerned about the needs of others than their own personal needs.

Ephesians 4:29-32

3). Take every opportunity to encourage others with your words.

29. No foul language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that is gives grace to those who hear.
30. And don’t grieve God’s Holy Spirit. You were sealed by him for the day of redemption.
31. Let all bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander be removed from you, along with all malice.
32. And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.

Lasting truths from Ephesians 4:29-32

• The words that Christians use toward one another are important.
• The improper use of words will also lead to improper behavior toward others.
• The standard of treatment for others is the way that Christ has treated us.

Live It Out

As you reflect on this session, respond to these questions:

1. How does living in relationship with others in the church help sharpen our defenses against sin?
2. What steps are you taking to ensure that your mind is being renewed daily in the image of Christ?
3. Practically speaking, what does it mean to take off the old man and put on the new man?
4. Why is it important to choose carefully the words we use when addressing others?