Small Group Bible Study Ephesians 4:1-16

Small Group Bible StudyEphesians 4:1-16by Dr. John Hay, Jr.ICCM Director of AdvancementThe Bond of PeaceEphesians 4:3 “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”IntroductionDivided. Conflicted. At odds. Taking sides and then changing them. Playing one against the other.Shifting. This is the stuff of childish behavior. It’s annoying, but to be expected in children. This is notexpected behavior in adults. However, adults sometimes DO act like this. Yes, Christians sometimes actlike this. When they do so, they are not acting in the character and Spirit they have been given in Christ.This Bible study / discussion is intended to move adult believers to live in the Christian unity they’ve beengiven in Christ by attending to what the Apostle Paul calls “the bond of peace.”Exercise“He-said, she-said.” Sit in a circle. One person starts a “share the secret” by whispering a one-sentencetruth in the ear of the person on their left. That person, in turn, changes only one word as he or shewhispers it in the next person’s ear. See how different the sentence is when it makes it around to theoriginal message-bearer. For fun, go around the circle a few more times with different messages.Imagine how far awry life and truth can become if people in close proximity to each other cannot maintaina “unity of the Spirit.”Scripture ContextAfter reading Ephesians 4:1-16, note these points with your group: Count how many times the word “unity” or “one” is used in Ephesians 4:1-16. Note how many different ways the word “unity” or “one” is used. Three things to consider:1. On the one hand, unity is given by the Spirit. It’s not something we produce.2. On the other hand, it takes effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit.3. The means of maintaining the unity of the Spirit is by what the apostle calls the “bond ofpeace.” In vv. 4-16, Paul goes on to explain:1. the depth and intensity of our unity in the Spirit,2. the differences we experience and diversity we express within that unity, and3. the challenge each of us has to cooperate actively to grow and reflect Christ through the unityof the Spirit. Paul is calling believers to live in the Spirit and reflection of Christ — literally growing up into thefull likeness of Jesus. Keeping the “bond of peace” is central in that.Scripture FocusConsider these items as you focus on Ephesians 4:3: This is the only place the term “bond of peace” is used in the Bible. Peace, or “shalom” (in Hebrew), is rooted in God’s desire for human relationships and isembedded in the fabric of the Old and New Testaments. Jesus says to His followers: “My peace I give you; my peace I leave with you.” Jesus associated peace with the presence of the Holy Spirit in a believer and among believers.

Peace is one of the nine fruit of the Spirit described in Galatians.Peace is a spiritual grace within a believer; it is also a spiritual grace that is shared between andamong believers.“The bond of peace” refers to the spiritual grace that is shared between and among believers.The word “bond” literally means “tied together.” The “bond of peace” holds people who haveChrist’s peace together.Like all spiritual graces in and among believers, we must repeatedly choose to live from and actupon peace as a “first things first” principle.Discussion PointsShare these discussion questions with your group:1. When you think of Christ’s gift of peace, what difference does it make for you as an individualwhen you are facing stresses or conflicts?2. What difference have you observed Christ’s peace making among believers who have hadserious differences of opinion or conflicts?3. What kinds of things have you observed that occasionally sabotage Christ’s peace amongbelievers? What do you think are effective ways of preventing or addressing these peace-robbingattitudes or actions?4. If, as Paul says, living fully in Christ’s power and peace is a matter of “growing up,” what aresome habits or patterns of communication that we as growing Christians could let go of or “growout of” for the sake of a greater witness?5. What might you do to strengthen the bond of peace in your group, in your local church or withpeople of other faith communities?6. Think together for a few minutes about the power of peace as a witness to the reality of JesusChrist. Name or imagine situations in which authentic peace has reflected or might reflect thepower and promise of the Good News in Jesus Christ.ApplicationsMove toward application of this group Bible study with one or two of these action steps:1. Consider together a short list of personal practices and group disciplines that would serve toremind you to maintain the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace (example: “I will guard thereputation of my group members by…”).2. Ending conflicts and grudges is a first step toward knowing and practicing Christ’s peace. Give anopportunity for anyone in the group to ask forgiveness of someone for holding a grudge againstthem or be reconciled to another group member for the sake of witnessing to Christ’s peace.3. Develop a concrete list of practices that individuals and the group can use to bear witness to the“unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Send the list to the group via e-mail. When yourgroup meets again, check in with each other about these practices and review the challenges andopportunities each has had to bear Christ’s peace.ClosingFind and read the words of “O Holy Night” (the Christmas song) together. This song expresses the powerand promise of Christ’s incarnation and witness in a world of sin and strife. Ask a group member to prayfor Christ’s peace to make a difference in the life and witness of each person.2