The International Sunday school Lesson Outline The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary

March 12

Lesson 2 (KJV)

Great Love

Devotional Reading: Ephesians 4:1–6

Background Scripture: Ephesians 2:1–10

Ephesians 2:1–10

1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Photo: tonymelony / iStock / Thinkstock

Key Verse

[God,] even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved).

—Ephesians 2:5

God Loves Us

Unit 1: God’s Eternal, Preserving, and Renewing Love

Lessons 1–4

Lesson Aims

After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:

1. Summarize the basis of salvation.

2. Contrast salvation by works with salvation by grace.

3. Write a prayer of gratitude for the salvation available through grace.

Lesson Outline

Introduction

A. Saving Ourselves

B. Lesson Background

I. Past Life: Living Death (Ephesians 2:1–3)

A. Suicidal Sin (v. 1)

B. Devilish Disobedience (v. 2)

C. Rebellious Children (v. 3)

II. Future Life: Exceeding Riches (Ephesians 2:4–7)

A. Lavish Love (vv. 4, 5)

B. Prime Seats (v. 6)

The Best Seat

C. Giant Grace (v. 7)

III. Current Life: Saving Faith (Ephesians 2:8–10)

A. God’s Gift (v. 8)

B. Excluded Bragging (v. 9)

C. Intended Purpose (v. 10)

What I Get

Conclusion

A. Living with Purpose

B. Prayer

C. Thought to Remember

HOW TO SAY IT

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Ephesians	Ee-fee-zhunz.
Ephesus	Ef-uh-sus.
Gentiles	Jen-tiles.

What Do You Think? What are some practical, specific ways for a Christian to demonstrate life in Christ? Talking Points for Your Discussion ■ In terms of doing, saying, and/or thinking what was not done, said, and/or thought before ■ In terms of not doing, saying, and/or thinking what was done, thought, and/or said before What Do You Think? How can we discuss God’s wrath in such a way as to get a fair hearing? Talking Points for Your Discussion ■ With fellow believers, who accept the authority of the Bible ■ With unbelievers, who do not accept the authority of the Bible Visual for Lesson 2. Use this chart as a “you are here” directory for today’s lesson by pointing to it occasionally as you work through the text. What Do You Think? How does the spiritual reality of being seated alongside Christ encourage and inspire you? Talking Points for Your Discussion ■ In terms of confidence in the present ■ In terms of expectations for the future What Do You Think? What steps can we take to help someone overcome a mindset of salvation by works? Talking Points for Your Discussion ■ When a fellow believer has the problem but is blind to it ■ When a fellow believer admits to the problem ■ When a fellow believer embraces the mindset and uses James 2:24 to defend the position ■ Other What Do You Think? How do we identify the good works that God wants us to do right now? Talking Points for Your Discussion ■ In light of personal desires ■ In light of spiritual giftedness ■ In light of needs around us ■ Other To print the reproducible activity page, simply click the highlighted text below to create a pdf file on your hard drive. Then open the pdf file in Acrobat Reader and print. Activity Page (March 12—Great Love)  Nickelson, Ronald L., Jim Eichenberger, and Margaret K. Williams, eds. The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2016–2017. Vol. 64. Colorado Springs, CO: Standard Publishing, 2016. Print.