Ephesians: The Love We Long For

Used for studying for a Bible Study……excellent help.

Awesome Book

This series beautifully summarizes the heart of the Christian life as it seeks to renewal hearts and minds with the Word of God. This series is tailored for any Christian regardless of their maturity in the faith. The structure of the book is tangible for Christians to read, discuss, think, and apply the Bible in their everyday lives. This series does a great job at seeking to have a holistic gospel-centered approach connecting the head, heart, and hands to living out the faith. I would highly recommend these theologically rich and insightful guides to growing in Jesus.

I co-taught Ephesians and found this to be a helpful resource. It’s a study guide, not a commentary, but Scotty Smith has helpful and thought-provoking insights.

The Gospel-Center Life in the Bible Series provides Bible Study guides that are perfect for small groups. The topic for this particular study is the New Testament book of Ephesians. There are twelve in-depth lessons that explore the primary theme of the book – The Love Long For. These easy to follow guides require no homework for the participants and are packed with solid Bible teaching.

The Gospel-Center Life in the Bible Series provides Bible Study guides that are perfect for small groups. The topic for this particular study is the New Testament book of Ephesians. There are twelve in-depth lessons that explore the primary theme of the book – The Love Long For. These easy to follow guides require no homework for the participants and are packed with solid Bible teaching.

While this complimentary book was provided for review by New Growth Press, no other compensation was given. All remarks are my personal and honest opinion.

I read this study along with Eugene Peterson's Practice Resurrection Book and Study Guide as I worked through Ephesians. Ephesians is the book that helps guide us in maturing in Christ as evidenced by a church that began with 12 people.

Smith's study is 12 lessons (nee chapters) long, 2 lessons per chapter of the epistle. There is no requirement for pre-work, nor really any homework which limits the study a little. There are a series of questions to reflect on as one reads through the verses, Smith provides a 1-2 page commentary of sorts and then another set of more in-depth exercises to work through as a group or individual.

It was good, just fairly basic and so long as one knows this from the outset then it meets expectations. Smith is a learned Biblical teacher and so there is plenty here really for everyone, more for those starting out in studying this magnificent Epistle.

I received a complimentary ebook copy from Audra Jennings as part of her association with the publisher. This has no bearing on my review.

I read this study along with Eugene Peterson's Practice Resurrection Book and Study Guide as I worked through Ephesians. Ephesians is the book that helps guide us in maturing in Christ as evidenced by a church that began with 12 people.

Smith's study is 12 lessons (nee chapters) long, 2 lessons per chapter of the epistle. There is no requirement for pre-work, nor really any homework which limits the study a little. There are a series of questions to reflect on as one reads through the verses, Smith provides a 1-2 page commentary of sorts and then another set of more in-depth exercises to work through as a group or individual.

It was good, just fairly basic and so long as one knows this from the outset then it meets expectations. Smith is a learned Biblical teacher and so there is plenty here really for everyone, more for those starting out in studying this magnificent Epistle.

Part of an ongoing series of bible studies that emphasise gospel centred living. Intended for group use, they helpfully point the members towards honest reflection about how the gospel affects them and how change can be affected through God’s grace. In each lesson, the author has helpfully written an article and probing questions for application. However, the studies do not lead the reader into detailed exegesis, and so do not really help people to read and interpret the Bible for themselves.

Part of an ongoing series of bible studies that emphasise gospel centred living. Intended for group use, they helpfully point the members towards honest reflection about how the gospel affects them and how change can be affected through God’s grace. In each lesson, the author has helpfully written an article and probing questions for application. However, the studies do not lead the reader into detailed exegesis, and so do not really help people to read and interpret the Bible for themselves.
(I received an ebook in exchange for an honest review)

What I love about the Ephesians study:
~A Gospel Glossary is included at the end of the book. Words like glorification and propitiation are sometimes unknown to new Christians. The glossary is not lengthy but beneficial.
~Leader’s Notes. These notes (over lessons 1-12) are not just for the leader in the study, but for people who are reading the book and want clarification and understanding. This is important additional teaching to clarify the “conversation sections.”
~Each of the 12 chapters have a lesson section, article to read, and exercise (questions). These are brief reading sections.
~I feel the Bible study is clear, concise, approachable, and reflective.

The Ephesians study is more for a group study. The study can be managed for single personal use.
Source: I received a complimentary eBook copy from New Growth Press, I was not required to write a positive review.

My Thoughts: What I love about the Ephesians study:
~A Gospel Glossary is included at the end of the book. Words like glorification and propitiation are sometimes unknown to new Christians. The glossary is not lengthy but beneficial.
~Leader’s Notes. These notes (over lessons 1-12) are not just for the leader in the study, but for people who are reading the book and want clarification and understanding. This is important additional teaching to clarify the “conversation sections.”
~Each of the 12 chapters have a lesson section, article to read, and exercise (questions). These are brief reading sections.
~I feel the Bible study is clear, concise, approachable, and reflective.

Something about this look at Ephesians felt like it was just as appropriate for personal use as the intended small group. Perhaps it's the author's passion for the subject, which leaps off the page. He also gives personal examples to emphasize the Biblical principles from Ephesians. I found, as the author intended, this wasn't just a look at Ephesians, but a challenge on how to live like Christ. The exercise from each session is a hard reflection on how we are personally doing in the areas of discussion. Although we might not like what we see, we need to grow and change to be part of a healthy Body of Christ. I loved this study and think anyone interested in moving forward in their Bible reading and living for Jesus should definitely check out Scotty Smith's Ephesians, The Love We Long For.

Like my upcoming review on Jeff Dodge's study on Titus, this is designed for small group use. Something about Scotty Smith's look at Ephesians felt like it was just as appropriate for personal use. Perhaps it's his passion for the subject, which leaps off the page. He also gives personal examples to emphasize the Biblical principles from Ephesians.

I found, as the author intended, this wasn't just a look at Ephesians, but a challenge on how to live like Christ. The exercise from each session is a hard reflection on how we are personally doing in the areas of discussion. Although we might not like what we see, we need to grow and change to be part of a healthy Body of Christ.

I loved this study and think anyone interested in moving forward in their Bible reading and living for Jesus should definitely check out Scotty Smith's Ephesians, The Love We Long For.

The intention of the comprehensive and interactive Ephesians Bible Study is not just to analyze the letter that Paul wrote, but to come to know Jesus more intimately. The call to action is to learn to live the disciplined life, like Paul did. The author includes stories from his own experiences to tie the concepts from Paul’s letter to current day circumstances. I found them to be helpful examples when considering how the letter is still speaking to each of us today.

The twelve segments walk through the letter to the Ephesians and cover topics such as Getting the Gospel Deep in Our Hearts, Growing in the Knowledge and Love of Jesus, and Repentance and Gospel Transformation.

This study is made to benefit a group. No prep or homework is required of the participants. Each of the twelve one-hour lessons includes a Big Idea, a Bible conversation, an article that expands on the topic, discussion and exercise, and wrap up and prayer. The target time is one hour, but could easily be extended based on the involvement of group members.

The Ephesians Study Guide includes Leader’s Notes per lesson. They’re meant to be read by the leader beforehand but not relied upon. The key is working through the process as a group and not relying on the leader notes as the “answer”. A Gospel Glossary includes in-depth explanation of terms such as Justification and Sanctification.

Ephesians Bible Study Guide with Leader Notes is one in the series of The Gospel-Centered Life in the Bible, published by New Growth Press. Scotty Smith is the primary author of this book in the series.

How this book affected me: This bible study encourages a personal relationship with Jesus that’s critical for any Christian journey and a major focus of my current personal journey. It shed new light on the message meant for me in Ephesians and challenged me to deepen my relationship with Jesus further.

Who would enjoy this book: Any group who’s looking for a study to deepen a personal relationship with Jesus would enjoy this book. This study provides more of a personal challenge than an analytical argument or historical study. It’s not written for apologists, but average Christians who desire more Jesus.

Our Christian Book Reviews: The book reviews at Finding God Among Us focus on Christian books – adult and children, fiction and nonfiction. Our specialty is books on faith and new Christian book releases. We’re proud to be included in the Top 50 Christian Book Review Bloggers. Our publisher partners include New Growth Press, Shadow Mountain Publishing, and Revell and BakerBooks, divisions of Baker Publishing Group. I chose to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Ephesians is a gospel-saturated epistle from the pen of the Apostle Paul. Despite being in prison, Paul’s relentless focus is the grace of Jesus available to those submitting to His Lordship. Scotty Smith, in this new addition to the gospel-centered life series of books, helps us grasp the central message of the letter to the Ephesians, showing us how the gospel brings transformation to every aspect of our lives.

The gospel-centered life series of books is designed primarily for group study but can also benefit the individual reader. Each chapter has a big idea, a Bible conversation, an article, discussion questions and a personal exercise, concluding with a final wrap-up and prayer (same format as followed in most books in the series). The books also provide a section for leader’s notes, which provide more detail and insight for those leading the study. This 12-week study from Ephesians displays the gospel of Jesus with brilliant vigor and helps us apply this gospel to our daily lives.

In the initial chapters of the study, we are given a glimpse of our past, present, future and forever blessings as children of a loving God. We were elected in the past, we’re redeemed in the present, we’ll be restored in the future and we worship Him now and forever. What glorious blessings we enjoy!! Scotty Smith writes, “God’s grace claims our past, present, future and forever.” We also see Jesus as our resurrected Savior, our ascended Advocate, Ruler of all things, King of all ages, Victor over evil, Head of the church and Filler of all things. Without Christ our Savior, we are spiritually dead, condemned under God’s wrath and enslaved to the world, the devil and our own flesh. The gospel, Scotty rightly points out, “reveals the depth of our need and the greatness of God’s provision to meet our need.” Indeed!

What I love about Scotty Smith’s approach, like his other study on Revelation, is his relentless focus on God’s grace in Jesus. He explains that God’s grace, however, doesn’t minimize the need for our faith. He rightly shows us that “God’s grace is the basis, and faith is the means, by which God enriches us with the astonishing wealth of our salvation.” He also points out how the gospel transforms our relationships in church, family and society. The more clearly we see Jesus, the more we see how we are not like Him and the more we sense our need for His grace in our relationships. The gospel replaces dishonest living with ‘truthing in love’; it replaces destructive anger with redemptive conflict; our stealing is replaced with generosity and our bitterness is replaced with kindness and forgiveness. These gospel truths show us our need for daily grace and encourage us to cling more tightly to Jesus every day of our lives.

Each book in the series consistently points to Christ and His lavish grace available to those who believe. The publisher New Growth Press needs to be commended for the format and consistent output of such excellent gospel-centered resources. This book, like the other books in the series, will warm your heart to the truths of the gospel and will help you see Jesus more clearly and enable you to experience the riches of His love more deeply. It certainly had that effect on me. For its gospel-rich insights and practical application, I am happy to commend this book to all. 4/5 stars.

*I received this free book from New Growth Press, but was not required to write a favorable review.*

This book is an overview or an introductory level study of Ephesians. There are twelve lessons, basically two to a chapter of Ephesians. Each lesson covers around 10 to 20 verses, with lesson four covering 23 verses while lessons 10 and 11 cover just four verses each. The studies hit the highlights, not going into depth nor looking at the Greek (except for doulos). The lessons take about an hour of group time and require no homework nor preparation (except for the leader).

Smith draws attention to some good issues in Ephesians. One is the challenge to compare what our prayers look like against Paul's in Ephesians 1:15-19. I was impressed with Smith's insight that Jesus fulfills the promise of every piece of armor in Ephesians 6:11-17. “As we live in faith union and robust communion with Jesus, this entire armament is ours.” (1735/2144)

Of the studies in this series I have reviewed, this one contains the most personal content from the author. Smith writes of his experience needing a root canal, of growing up in the church in the South, of sitting next to his mother dressed in his Sunday best saying the Lord's Prayer, and includes a complimentary letter from a visitor to his church. He even shares the wrong concept of holiness he was taught as a child, writing “I don't want to project my story (and pain) on you, but...” (1050/2144) While Smith relates these personal experiences to a lesson from Ephesians, I found his personal experiences distracting from the incredible wealth of material in Ephesians itself. Including his childhood experience of holiness teaching that created fear and doubt in him was really unnecessary.

This is a good introductory level study on Ephesians for those who want no homework. It covers the highlights and will hopefully inspire participants to explore Ephesians in much greater depth.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.