8 Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.” 9 (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) 11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the EQUIPPING of the saints for the WORK OF MINISTRY, for the EDIFYING OF THE BODY OF CHRIST, 13 till 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; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which EVERY PART DOES ITS SHARE, CAUSES GROWTH of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
Eph 4:8-16
Q & A:
- What is the role of the Fivefold Ministry? How is church growth tied to body ministry? Discuss how we can use our different gifts to work as one accord and one mind so there is no division in the body of Christ.(Eph 4:8-16; 1 Cor 12:25-26; Phil 2:1-3; 1 Cor 12:12-13)
- How can you help the church grow if you have the gift of hospitality? Discuss how the gift of mercy and giving be able to work together to help more people under the church?
- Discuss the difference in the gift of helps and service.