Lesson Three
Paul's Letter to the Ephesians

Ephesus
	A. Ephesus was a prosperous city
	B. Ephesus was on the main trade route between Rome and the East
	C. Ephesus was one of the greatest trading centers in the eastern Mediterranean 
	D. Ephesus was the city of:
		1. Astrology	
		2. Sorcery
		3. Exorcism
		4. Every form of magic 

Epistle to the Ephesians
	A. Ephesians 6:21
	B. Epistle was written during the first imprisonment at Rome
	C. Paul emphasized the holiness of the churches calling 
	D. He taught unity of the Jew and Gentile; One church
	E. Paul spent more time here than any other place
	
In Christ Jesus
	A. Paul repeats "In Christ Jesus" 12 times
	B. Salvation depends upon a person being "In Christ"
	C. I Corinthians 15:22
	D. I Corinthians 12:13

Chosen In Him
	A. Understand what the Lord offers 
	B. Never be tempted to trade it for what the world has to offer
	C. We are predestinated and adopted to be a child of God
	D. Each Christian must choose to accept Jesus Christ  

Chosen "In Christ"
	A. We are chosen "In Christ" to be:
		1. In Him
		2. Holy
		3. Without Blame
		4. Before him in love
		5. To be the praise of the glory of his grace
		6. To be accepted in the beloved

Before The Foundation of the World
A.	"the foundation of the world" refers to the beginning of time
B.	"dispensation" means "stewardship" 
C.	“Fullness of times" means that god will do it exactly on time as he has it planned
D.	God's will was determined in the eternities past
E.	Know his will, surrender to it, and obey it

Praise of His Glory 
 	A. God has had a special place for his church from the very beginning
	B. Incarnation was for the purpose of the atonement
	C. Atonement was for the purpose of redeeming His Church out of a sinful world
	
The Earnest of Our Inheritance
 	A. Ephesians 1:14
	B. "The Earnest" is the down payment
	C. His Holy Ghost signifies we belong to him
	D. The Holy Ghost is not only a symbol of ownership, but gives security
	
Paul's Prayer for The Ephesians
	A. Paul gave two prayers for the Ephesians church
	B. First prayer that their understanding may be enlightened
	C. Second prayer that they might receive the spirit of wisdom and revelation

Lesson Three
Self Help Test
SELF HELP TEST 
A.	Write a brief account of the founding of the Ephesian church.  

B.	By referring to its prominence given in the Word of God, show the importance of the Ephesian church.  

C.	Explain fully what is meant by the phrase "in Christ."  

D.	What is meant by the phrase "before the foundation of the world?"  

E.	What is meant by the phrase "earnest of our inheritance?"  

F.	Write a paragraph explaining the purpose of the church as given in the first chapter of Ephesians.  

G.	Write out in full the Scripture that proves the Church to be the body of Christ.