Teaching Ephesians

This Ephesians course was developed to strike a balance between close textual analysis and theological synthesis, guiding disciples to grasp both the literary structure of the letter and its real-world implications. The epistle is not merely a doctrinal summary or list of ethical instructions; it presents a tightly woven vision of God’s work in Christ and its transforming consequences for the church and individual believers.

The instructional design aimed to maintain the theological depth of chapters 1–3 while helping students trace the ethical outworking of those truths in chapters 4–6. Each session began with a reflective framing or contextual orientation and then progressed through the passage, paying attention to structural flow, key terms, theological patterns, and literary cues. Sessions typically concluded with thematic takeaways that drew directly from the language of the text (e.g., “walk worthy,” “redeem the time,” “put off the old self”).

Lecture outlines were shaped around the English Standard Version (ESV) of the text, supplemented by Benjamin L. Merkle’s Ephesians in the Exegetical Guide to the Greek New Testament series, which provided detailed grammatical and structural insights that clarified the flow of Paul’s argument and the function of key phrases (Merkle, 2016).

The course incorporated Chris Reeves’ BTB Ephesians workbook for structured discussion and question scaffolding. These questions were adapted for in-class use, modified for tone and depth, and integrated into group conversations. While the workbook served as a framework, it was not treated as exhaustive or restrictive.

To support weekly engagement and preview class material, short Thursday emails were sent to students. These served as both reminders and thematic entry points into the text. Each message introduced that week’s focus in plain language and helped frame the class conversation. Writing these emails proved to be one of the most helpful rhythm-setters across the quarter and often clarified the core movement or question each session aimed to explore.

A wide range of commentaries and exegetical tools were consulted throughout the preparation process. These sources functioned as dialogue partners rather than definitive authorities. Their value lay in helping clarify complex expressions such as “heavenly places,” “sealed with the Spirit,” and “rulers and authorities.” The goal was always to present each passage in a way that honored the rhetorical movement of the letter and preserved its theological coherence, avoiding atomization into isolated proof texts.

The tone of instruction remained reflective and open-ended, designed to foster exploration rather than conclusion. Disciples were not led toward a rigid interpretation but were invited to explore how the text operates and what it invites the reader to see. For example, in Ephesians 2:1–10, the class was encouraged to observe the movement from death to life as a pattern of resurrection, not merely a definition of grace.

One recurring instructional challenge involved pacing. Some sections, such as Ephesians 1:3–14, offered dense theological material that could easily support multiple sessions. Yet, the course attempted to maintain forward movement, returning to earlier themes throughout the quarter to reinforce core ideas, such as grace, unity, calling, and wisdom, as part of a recurring theological matrix.

Each weekly session followed a consistent structural rhythm: an opening reflection, a walkthrough of the passage’s main sections, questions for engagement, and a thematic conclusion. This structure provided students with a dependable pattern and helped reinforce the cohesiveness of Paul’s message throughout the letter.

Looking ahead, future iterations of the course may include expanded supplemental materials, including thematic summaries, annotated outlines, or brief theological reflections tied to each session. Question sets may also be refined to support small-group formats or journaling activities, enabling more personalized engagement with the text.

The goal remains not just to explain Ephesians but to enter into its theological world, to recognize the church as God’s unified and Spirit-filled people, shaped by grace, grounded in Christ, and called to walk in wisdom.

‌‌‌‌~PW 🌮🛶

Audio and Video from the classes: https://www.coceastside.com/sermons/teaching?title=&y=0&se=19&sv=0&sp=0

Ephesians

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