Memory Text: Ephesians 4:4-6 NKJV “4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”

Sunday, November 13 Walking Worthy
Ephesians 4:1-3 World English Bible “4:1I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to walk worthily of the calling with which you were called, 4:2with all lowliness and humility, with patience, bearing with one another in love; 4:3being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
Ephesians 4:1 COMMENTARY BY MATTHEW HENRY We are called Christians; we must answer that name, and live like Christians. We are called to God's kingdom and glory; that kingdom and glory therefore we must mind, and walk as becomes the heirs of them. Ephesians 4:2 COMMENTARY BY ALBERT BARNES Meekness relates to the manner in which we receive injuries. We are to bear them patiently, and not to retaliate, or seek revenge. The meaning here is, that we adorn the gospel when we show its power in enabling us to bear injuries without anger or a desire of revenge, or with a mild and forgiving spirit.
Ephesians 4:3 COMMENTARY BY ADAM CLARKE There can be no doubt that the Church at Ephesus was composed partly of converted Jews, as well as Gentiles. Now, from the different manner in which they had been brought up, there might be frequent causes of altercation. Indeed, the Jews, though converted, might be envious that the Gentiles were admitted to the same glorious privileges with themselves, without being initiated into them by bearing the yoke and burden of the Mosaic law. The apostle guards them against this, and shows them that they should intensely labour (for so the word spoudazein implies) to promote and preserve peace and unity. By the unity of the Spirit we are to understand, not only a spiritual unity, but also a unity of sentiments, desires, and affections, such as is worthy of and springs from the Spirit of God.

Monday, November 14 Unity – Why Oneness?
Ephesians 4:4-6 New Century Version 4 “There is one body and one Spirit, and God called you to have one hope. 5 There is one Lord, one faith, and one baptism. 6 There is one God and Father of everything. He rules everything and is everywhere and is in everything.”
Ephesians 4:4 SDA BIBLE COMMENTARY The Christian is not a solitary pilgrim; he belongs to a vital organism, the family of God. This unit replaces the state, the club, and even the human family as the supreme object of his attachment.
Ephesians 4:5 COMMENTARY BY ALBERT BARNES The argument here is, that there ought to be unity among Christians, because they have one Lord and Saviour. They have not different Saviours adapted to different classes; not one for the Jew, and another for the Greek; not one for the rich, and another for the poor; not one for the bond, and another for the free. There is but one. He belongs in common to all as their Saviour; and he has a right to rule over one as much as over another. There is no better way of promoting unity among Christians than by reminding them that they have the same Saviour.
Ephesians 4:1-6 – Ellen White, Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 239 “There is but one body, and one Spirit, one Lord, one faith. As members of the body of Christ all believers are animated by the same spirit and the same hope. Divisions in the church dishonor the religion of Christ before the world and give occasion to the enemies of truth to justify their course. Paul’s instructions were not written alone for the church in his day. God designed that they should be sent down to us. What are we doing to preserve unity in the bonds of peace?”

Tuesday, November 15 Unity – Diversity of Gifts
Ephesians 4:7-11 NCV “7 Christ gave each one of us the special gift of grace, showing how generous he is. 8 That is why it says in the Scriptures, "When he went up to the heights, he led a parade of captives, and he gave gifts to people." 9 When it says, "He went up," what does it mean? It means that he first came down to the earth. 10 So Jesus came down, and he is the same One who went up above all the heaven. Christ did that to fill everything with his presence. 11 And Christ gave gifts to people -- he made some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to go and tell the Good News, and some to have the work of caring for and teaching God's people.”
Ephesians 4:11-12 – Ellen White, Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 8, pp. 170-171 “This Scripture shows that there are to be different workers, different instrumentalities. Each has a different work. No one is required to lay hold of another’s work, and, though untrained, try to do it. God has given to each according to his ability. One man may think that his position gives him authority to dictate to other workers, but this is not so. Ignorant of their work, he would enlarge where he should retrench, and retrench where he should enlarge,because he can see only the part of the vineyard where he is working.”
Ephesians 4:11 COMMENTARY BY ALBERT BARNES The object here is to show that he has made ample provision for the extension and edification of his church.
Romans 12:6-8 KJ21 “6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us: if prophecy, let us prophesy according to our portion of faith; 7 or ministry, let us wait on our ministering; or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 or he that exhorteth, on exhortation; he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.”
1 Corinthians 12:28-31 NIV “28 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.”

Wednesday, November 16 Unity – Equipped for Ministry
Ephesians 4:12 NCV “Christ gave those gifts to prepare God's holy people for the work of serving, to make the body of Christ stronger.”
Ephesians 4:12 COMMENTARY BY JAMIESON, FAUSSET, AND BROWN perfecting--The Greek implies correcting in all that is deficient, instructing and completing in number and all parts.
Ephesians 4:12 SDA BIBLE COMMENTARY Work of the ministry. Or, “work of ministering,” “work of services,” thus including all types of ministry and serving within the church. The officers of the church are not to lord it over the flock but are to consider themselves servants. This is the immediate purpose of the gift.

Thursday, November 17 Unity – Growing Up in Christ
Ephesians 4:14-16 NCV “14 Then we will no longer be babies. We will not be tossed about like a ship that the waves carry one way and then another. We will not be influenced by every new teaching we hear from people who are trying to fool us. They make plans and try any kind of trick to fool people into following the wrong path. 15 No! Speaking the truth with love, we will grow up in every way into Christ, who is the head. 16 The whole body depends on Christ, and all the parts of the body are joined and held together. Each part does its own work to make the whole body grow and be strong with love.”
Ephesians 4:14 COMMENTARY BY ALBERT BARNES The idea is that of a vessel on the restless ocean, that is tossed about with every varying wind, and that has no settled line of sailing. So many persons are in regard to religious doctrines. They have no fixed views and principles. They hold no doctrines that are settled in their minds by careful and patient examination; and the consequence is, that they yield to every new opinion, and submit to the guidance of every new teacher. The doctrine taught here is, that we should have settled religious opinions. We should carefully examine what is truth, and having found it, should adhere to it, and not yield on the coming of every new teacher. We should not, indeed, close our minds against conviction. We should be open to argument, and be willing to follow the truth wherever it will lead us. But this state of mind is not inconsistent with having settled opinions, and with being firm in holding them until we are convinced that we are wrong.
Ephesians 4:14 SDA BIBLE COMMENTARY The lack of steadiness so often associated with youth is not to be the mark of the believer; patience, endurance, stability, are his characteristics (cf. James 1:6; Heb. 13:9). Those who are forever seeking after some new thing, and are attracted by some sensational idea, form a feeble foundation for the life of the church. Equally, theological and philosophical speculation beyond legitimate limits makes for instability of belief and character.
Ephesians 4:14 – Ellen White, Gospel Workers, p. 289 “Those who are under the influence of the Spirit of God will not be fanatical, but calm and steadfast, free from extravagance in thought, word, or deed. Amid the confusion of delusive doctrines, the Spirit of God will be a guide and a shield to those who have not resisted the evidences of truth, silencing every other voice but that which comes from Him who is the truth.”
Ephesians 4:16 – Ellen White, Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 7, p. 174 “Let every department of our work, every institution connected with our cause, be conducted on considerate, generous lines. Let every branch of the work, while maintaining its own distinctive character, seek to protect, strengthen, and build up every other branch.”

Friday, November 18 Extended Further Study
Handbook of Seventh-day Adventist Theology, p. 610 –
“ Spiritual gifts figure prominently in the writings of the apostle Paul. He not only lists some of them, but also clearly delineates their function: to build up the church. The gifts were not for personal enjoyment or aggrandizement, but for the good of the body. Since these gifts existed in the early church, one could say that the Christian community was charismatic, though not in the sense usually given to the word today.
Ellen White, Selected Messages, Book 1, p. 127 – “The members have depended upon pulpit declamations instead of on the Holy Spirit. Uncalled for and unused, the spiritual gifts bestowed on them have dwindled into feebleness. If the ministers would go forth into new fields, the members would be obliged to bear responsibilities, and by use their capabilities would increase.”