Lesson 9: Purity 107
- Divide the class in two groups. Ask someone in Group 1 to read
Ephesians 5:1–7 and someone in Group 2 to read Ephesians 5:8–16.
Ask each group to enlist a note taker. Instruct each group to make
a list of the descriptions of impure thoughts/actions found in their
respective passage and discuss their meanings. Direct each group to
answer the following questions based on their assigned Scriptures:
What is the main theme and challenge of the passage? What kind
of life is God calling his disciples to live? Ask each group to give a
report on their findings/discussions to the whole class. (A copy of
these group assignments is available in “Teaching Resource Items”
for this study at http://www.baptistwaypress.org)) You may want to be pre-
pared to fill in the gaps if some important truths are overlooked.
Refer to the Study Guide for additional information.
Encourage Application
- Remind the class that anything that comes between us and our
relationship with God could be a form of impurity—whether in our
thoughts, attitudes, or actions. Challenge them to ref lect daily on
their commitment to God and to regularly ask this question: What
is it that is coming between me and my relationship with God? - Guide the class in a time of silent ref lection on their lives. Ask
them to make a renewed commitment to the Lord, to their spouse,
to their family, and to their employer to live a life of purity in their
thoughts and actions. Ask them to allow God to change their heart
and to remove any barriers between them and him. Play the song,
“The Heart of Worship” by Matt Redman (conduct a Google search
if needed). Close with prayer.
Teaching Plan—Lecture and Questions
Connect with Life
- Ask if anyone in your class has seen the cable television show,
Hoarders. Ask them to explain what the show is about. If not