APRIL 2017 BIBLE STUDY OUTLINE

SUBJECT: CHRISTIAN CONDUCT - FOCUSING ON EPHESIANS CHAPTER 4

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to our wonderful year of Flourishing! Our first Bible Study Preparatory
class with our Man of God in the year 2017 held on the 10th of March. This Bible
Study Outline has been developed for all leaders of the Cell Ministry to serve as a
guide for our Bible study meetings as outlined below. The outline is on the subject of
‘Christian Conduct- focusing on Ephesians 4’ and has been structured into 3 Parts,
which would be used for the months of: April, May and June

Part 1 – Ephesians 4: 1-9.

Part 2 – Ephesians 4: 10- 24

Part 3 – Ephesians 4: 25-32

All Bible study class teachers and cell leaders are to ensure that their members
have their Bibles; all the Scriptures in the outline are read during the meeting; and
the members look into their Bibles while the Scriptures are read.

In addition, as clearly stated by our Man of God, don’t rush through the subject as
you teach; remember that our intention is to have every member of the class
understand the subject matter so that they can understand what the Bible teaches
on the subject, and can become acquainted with the Scriptures

CHRISTIAN CONDUCT - PART 1

When you became a Christian, you received salvation in Christ and you were
brought into a particular kind of life that has a life style. Christianity is not a life
style; but it does have a life style. All Christians have a Christian culture irrespective
of the nation they’re in or the culture they had before receiving Jesus Christ. Jesus
Christ gives us his own culture and a completely new life which makes us awakened
to Heavenly Realities.

Now that you are born again, how should you live? How should you relate with
human beings and with God? What is expected of you? What should your attitude
be? What character should you have?

As Christians, how do we conduct ourselves? How do we live every day? How do we

relate to our environment? How do we relate to life situations? Good or bad
situations, favorable or unfavorable circumstances; How do we relate to them?

At the end of this bible study, each member should have an understanding of:

Expected demeanor of all Christians

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The Christian Life and its expected lifestyle

In dealing with this subject, we would be studying Ephesians Chapter 4.

INSTRUCTION: Every cell member should read through Ephesians Chapter 4

together.

Definition of CONDUCT (noun)

The manner in which a person behaves, especially in a particular place or situation.

(Oxford Dictionary)

A mode or standard of personal behaviour especially as based on moral principles

(Merriam Webster Dictionary)

Synonyms: behavior, performance, comportment, demeanor, bearing, deportment,

actions, deeds, doings, handiwork, exploits, ways, habit, and practice.

What is Christian Conduct?

Christian Conduct is the manner, standard and moral principles revealed in the word
guiding the behavior, action, decision and lifestyle of Christians. The scripture is
replete with instructions, admonitions, teachings and stories that show Christian
conduct as a very important aspect of the growth and development of Christians.

Reading from the Book of Ephesians Chapter 4, we have outlined some

characteristics that should be visible in a Christian. Some of which are:

I. LIVE TO PLEASE THE LORD

Ephesians 4:1 (KJV) ‘’I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you, that you
walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,’’

In Christianity, we are called to live unto Christ, we live to please him; we don’t just
live for ourselves. 2 Corinthians 5: 14-15, ‘’For the love of Christ constraineth us;
because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died
for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto
him which died for them and rose again.”(KJV)

Now that you are a Christian you cannot live to please yourself, you cannot live for
yourself anymore; you must now live for him: that’s Christianity. If you’re living for
Christ, living to please Jesus Christ, your way of thinking will be different, your
standard of life will be different and your choices will be different.

In Christianity we have a Lord, his name is Jesus, so we live for him, we live to
please him. We know what he wants by studying his Word. We can’t please him,
until we know his Word because his will is revealed in his Word. So the more you
know his Word, the more you know his will and the more you can please him.

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II. BE HUMBLE, GENTLE AND PATIENT

Ephesians 4:2 (NLT)- “Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other,
making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.”

This is very instructive, the Lord says ALWAYS be humble, gentle and patient. Not
sometimes, not when it’s convenient or when you want, He says ALWAYS.

To be humble means- having or showing a modest or low estimate of one's

importance. It means to be meek, respectful, and submissive.

Humility is a key to greatness, success and promotion. Don’t find yourself being
proud or arrogant. Be humble.

Philippians 2:3 (NLT)- “Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble,
thinking of others as better than yourselves”.

1 Peter 5:6 (KJV) says, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God,
that he may exalt you in due time:”

Being gentle makes it easy to hear from the Spirit and thus gives you the advantage
over others. Some people have a judgmental attitude to life. They judge people by
one standard and themselves with another standard. This is not right. Make up your
mind to journey the way of Christ (the way of love). Consider each other always,
make an excuse for the fault of your brother, make an allowance for him because of
your love. The scripture says:

1 Peter 3:8 (NLT)- “Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each
other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a
humble attitude.”

There are people who are very unforgiving. They don’t mind to hold a grudge with
you for days, weeks, months and even years. No, Brothers and Sisters, it’s not
healthy, that’s not the way of Christ. This is one major reason many people miss out
on God’s blessings for their lives. The Bible tells us that the Love of God is shed
abroad in our hearts (Romans 5:5) but you still have to exercise yourself in it.

We are instructed in the word to love our brothers and sisters in the Lord. If you
don’t love them, then you cannot say you love God, because God lives inside them
(1 John 4:20AMP).

In Galatians 6:10 (KJV), Paul admonishes us to “…do good unto all men, especially
unto them who are of the household of faith.” Every little act of love or kindness you
show to your Brother or Sister in the Lord has a great reward, for you are actually
doing it unto the Lord” (Matthew 25:40).

Say This: I am Patient, Humble and Gentle.

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III. BE AT PEACE WITH ONE ANOTHER

Ephesians 4:3-7 (TLB)

3-“Try always to be led along together by the Holy Spirit and so be at peace with
one another.

4- We are all parts of one body, we have the same Spirit, and we have all been
called to the same glorious future.

5- For us there is only one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

6- and we all have the same God and Father who is over us all and in us all, and
living through every part of us.”

Reading Ephesians 4:3-7 from the J.B Phillips Translation

“Make it your aim to be at one in the Spirit, and you will inevitably be at peace with
one another. You all belong to one body, of which there is one Spirit, just as you all
experienced one calling to one hope. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one
God, one Father of us all, who is the one over all, the one working through all and
the one living in all”.

It’s a decision to be at peace with each other. The Word has been given to us, it’s a
revelation of the man in Christ, this is the way he is, this is the way he

is, this is the way he lives towards other Christians, and he gets along with the Holy
Spirit leading him.

In Matthew 5:9 (KJV) the Bible says “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be
called the children of God.” This means that others would see God in us through our
unity. Romans 12:18 (KJV) admonishes us to “…live peaceably with all men.”

Remember that we are one body; how can we fight against each other; it just like
your fingers fighting against your toes, it will result to a dysfunction in the whole
system. There are several benefits of living in peace with one another, one of which
is stated in James 3:18 (NIV) “Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of
righteousness”. This shows us that we must and should live at peace with one
another.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

What do you understand by Christian Conduct?

How does God expect a Christian to relate with others?

Is Christianity a Lifestyle?

What are the things you can do to please the Lord?

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CONCLUSION

Live to Please the Lord, Be Humble and Gentle, that is your nature. Christianity is
called the great confession, we are his obedient ones; be at peace with one another.
The man in Christ gets along with others. We are all part of one body; we have the
same Holy Spirit; One Faith, One Baptism because we have been baptized into
Christ.Glory to God.