TUESDAY

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16

First Corinth, then Rome, and now Ephesus. When you see the same thing popping up over and over again in multiple places, you begin to get the impression that someone is trying to get your attention and/or that something is pretty important! In Corinthians, Paul approached it from the angle of appreciating diversity; in Romans, from the angle of gracious motivation, and in today’s passage in Ephesians, from the perspective of unity and maturity. The idea of being united as one community, despite our diversity, as a reflection of God’s character to the world, is powerful imagery to return to. As you reflect on the passage today, take note of the following:

• What do you notice in the first 6 verses about what the core qualities of being a part of the Body of Christ are?

• What do you think the maturity is that Paul is talking about in verse 13? How do the surrounding verses help define what he means by maturity?

• In light of the first 13 verses, what is the central quality that grounds us so that we are not tossed about by all the other stuff that happens in church that is described in verses 14-16?

• To what extent are you part of a community like the one described in verse 16? What might you do to strengthen, find, or become a part of a community like that? Take a few moments to talk with God in prayer about this.