Oct. 31, 2021

Abundant Church Life

 Primary Text: Ephesians 4:11-13                 October 30 & 31, 2021

 Previous Teaching:   Abundant Prayer Life

 1)  Not For Show

 Matthew 6:5-6:  And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men.  I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.  But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.  Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

DQ 1) Define prayer. 

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 2)  He Already Knows

 Matthew 6:7-8:  And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.  Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

DQ 2) Why pray if God already knows your needs?

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 3)  Everything

 Philippians 4:6-7:  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

DQ 3) When do you pray…how often?

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 4)  Without Ceasing

 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18:  Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

DQ 4) How is it possible to pray without ceasing?

DQ 5) What is the foundation of prayer?

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This Week’s Teaching

 1)  His Idea

 Matthew 16:15-18:  "But what about you?" he asked.  "Who do you say I am?"  Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."  Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.  And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it."

DQ 1) Define the “church” as identified in various portions of 

           Scripture. 

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 2)  His Body

 Ephesians 1:22-23:  And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. 

DQ 2) How is the church the “Body of Christ”?  

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 3)  Many Parts

 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 24-27:  The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body.  So it is with Christ.  For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.  Now the body is not made up of one part but of many….  But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.  If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.  Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 

DQ 3) What are the purposes of the Body of Christ?

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 4)  The Whole Measure

 Ephesians 4:11-13:  It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 

DQ 4) How does one become mature in the knowledge of Christ?

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DQ 5) Why are relationships with other believers important for 

           Christians?

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DQ 6) Why are works of service important to a healthy body of 

            believers?

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 DQ 7) Is your church life non-existent, anemic, mediocre, growing 

           or abundant?