Off the Shelf Sunday School--Ephesians

The Ways of the Lost and Saved (4:17-24)

So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. You, however, did not come to know Christ this way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

?1.???Who are Gentiles??Why is their thinking futile? (2 Tim 3:2-9)

2.???Characteristics of the thinking of the lost:

??????A. Their understanding is limited or darkened. They can only understand the material world. They are blinded to the greater spiritual realities because their sins have separated them from the life of God.

??????B. Their lives are empty and without purpose. There may be lots of activity but nothing lasting is accomplished.??

??????C. They seek happiness through pleasures regardless of whether the source is good or evil. Their lives revolve around stimulating things such as drugs, sexual immorality and seeking various types of food.?These things produce temporary pleasures such that they lust for more.?

??????D. They are never satisfied. There is no lasting happiness in the accumulation of power, wealth, pleasures or experiences of life. (Ps 39:4-6; Eccl 1:2-11; 2:24-26)

3. ??Paul says that God is not found through the pursuits and pleasures of the world. In fact, these things keep people preoccupied such that they do not seek God.

4.???Believers are to stop living for the pursuits and pleasures of the world. This is like taking off old clothes and putting on new ones. This does not mean that there is no pleasure in living the Christian life. There is abundant life and lasting happiness that does not depend upon circumstances. There are also many pleasures such as those that come from proper relationships, such as marriage. (Jn 10:10; Col 3:5-10)

5.???How does a Christian put off the natural man and put on the life and likeness of Christ???The old self is not made over or improved. It must die and be replaced. This is accomplished by seeking the truth (Bible) and by being obedient to the will of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. (Rom 12:1-2; Gal 2:20)??