Sorry if my reports for school are dull, but for right now, it's about all I can post...so bear with me. =)
Brooke T.
Greek III
10.22.07
Greek III
10.22.07
Teaching Report
Text: Ephesians 4:12 “…toward the complete furnishing of the saints, for the work of ministry, for the edification of the body of Christ…”
The words 'toward' and 'for' used in this context indicate a purpose or a reason why. Primarily here, the reason why Christ has given the gifts outlined in the prior verse. These reasons seem to be in somewhat of a progressive format. The first reasoning being that the Church may be fully prepared. Prepared for what? For the work of the ministry of the Church and for its edification. The end result being delineated in verse 13, “…until we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ…” Hence, although in the Church’s paramount purpose is Theocentric in its objective to bring glory to God, the principal intention in the giving of these gifts is ecclesia-centric. That is, for the Church’s edification, unity, and growth; this ultimately reflecting back to God’s glory. Consistent with the rest of the book, the reasoning for these gifts is not in the least an individual objective.
How does this fit with the context/further the argument of the author?
The central theme thus far in the book of Ephesians has been centered on the marvelous and mysterious work God has done to bring about the body of Christ. Throughout the book, Paul writing by the Spirit has been revealing what the Church truly is. It is an instrument by which God displays His awesome wisdom to the Heavens, a means to show forth His gospel to the world, and a body in which the individual parts are interdependent on one another. In this verse, Paul again reminds us that the gifts God gives to those individual parts have a greater purpose. There is something far more superior God is growing through us, namely, the Church.
How would I use this in a teaching session?
When God “measures out” as it were, His spiritual gifts, He has an expressed desire in doing so. As it has long been said, God did not grant the gift of preaching to someone so he could preach to himself in a closet. The purpose clause adjoining the list of gifts set forth in verse 11 is the working and edification of the Church so that it may grow into the complete man of verse 13. The weight of this theme in the book of Ephesians expels the notion of an individualistic Christian walk. Surely the personal relationship between the child of God and his Father is not to be set aside. But God has masterfully architected a magnificent edifice made up of each individual Christian lending its support with the particular gift given to him, unto the overarching purpose of being fit and built into a glorious temple reflecting and exhibiting the magnificence of God.
The words 'toward' and 'for' used in this context indicate a purpose or a reason why. Primarily here, the reason why Christ has given the gifts outlined in the prior verse. These reasons seem to be in somewhat of a progressive format. The first reasoning being that the Church may be fully prepared. Prepared for what? For the work of the ministry of the Church and for its edification. The end result being delineated in verse 13, “…until we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ…” Hence, although in the Church’s paramount purpose is Theocentric in its objective to bring glory to God, the principal intention in the giving of these gifts is ecclesia-centric. That is, for the Church’s edification, unity, and growth; this ultimately reflecting back to God’s glory. Consistent with the rest of the book, the reasoning for these gifts is not in the least an individual objective.
How does this fit with the context/further the argument of the author?
The central theme thus far in the book of Ephesians has been centered on the marvelous and mysterious work God has done to bring about the body of Christ. Throughout the book, Paul writing by the Spirit has been revealing what the Church truly is. It is an instrument by which God displays His awesome wisdom to the Heavens, a means to show forth His gospel to the world, and a body in which the individual parts are interdependent on one another. In this verse, Paul again reminds us that the gifts God gives to those individual parts have a greater purpose. There is something far more superior God is growing through us, namely, the Church.
How would I use this in a teaching session?
When God “measures out” as it were, His spiritual gifts, He has an expressed desire in doing so. As it has long been said, God did not grant the gift of preaching to someone so he could preach to himself in a closet. The purpose clause adjoining the list of gifts set forth in verse 11 is the working and edification of the Church so that it may grow into the complete man of verse 13. The weight of this theme in the book of Ephesians expels the notion of an individualistic Christian walk. Surely the personal relationship between the child of God and his Father is not to be set aside. But God has masterfully architected a magnificent edifice made up of each individual Christian lending its support with the particular gift given to him, unto the overarching purpose of being fit and built into a glorious temple reflecting and exhibiting the magnificence of God.
1 comment:
Good job, Brooke.:-)
~ Kristi
Spe Vivitur
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