Join us as we uncover the final verses of the book of Ephesians. The book is a treasure trove of rich theology, but the concluding verses are often overlooked. Together, we unravel the meaning of the last three verses, discussing the character Ticacus, a dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord. Listen in as we discuss the significance of Paul mentioning Ticacus in his concluding verses. We also touch on the importance of slowing down when reading God's word, and being intentional about our time with it.

Download the companion guide with resources, devotionals, and discussion questions for each week here: https://thechurchco-production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/sites/6864/2024/06/Live-and-Learn-Digital-Website.pdf

Discover the mystery surrounding Ticacus as we investigate his character and his mention in Paul's epistles. We look into how Ticacus helps link the timeline of Acts with Paul's other letters and his connection with Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. We discuss the character traits Paul commends Ticacus for and how he embodies faithfulness and service to the Lord.

In our closing discussion on the book of Ephesians, we explore the power of God's word and the necessity of interpretation rather than just reading. We marvel at the fact that the Bible, written by 40 different authors over 1500 years and across three continents, carries a unified message. We encourage our listeners to open their Bibles every day with a desire to learn and apply what it says. And finally, we urge you to reflect on the profound impact of the book of Ephesians.

Join us as we journey through the book of Ephesians, particularly the Armor of God concept, with Paul's final instructions on how to live the life God has called us to. As we break down each element of this armor - the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the readiness of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, we'll discover how to wield this spiritual armor to guard against the enemy's schemes and live victoriously.

Download the companion guide with resources, devotionals, and discussion questions for each week here: https://thechurchco-production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/sites/6864/2024/06/Live-and-Learn-Digital-Website.pdf

Following this, we'll take you through the offensive and defensive aspects of the gospel. You'll learn how to stand firm in your faith with the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the gospel of peace. We'll guide you on how to confidently share the gospel in a world that might resist it, and how to remain steadfast in your calling through unwavering faith in God's truth and plan.

Finally, join us as we underscore the critical role of prayer in our spiritual journey. We'll explore how to 'pray in the Spirit on all occasions' as Paul teaches us, praying according to God's will, in unity with who He is. We'll share insights on how to pray for others, yourself, and church leadership, as well as the importance of regular scripture study. We'll wrap up our Ephesians study with heartfelt appreciation, praying that the teachings and hope of Ephesians remain with us as we continue our journey of faith.

Join us in our latest podcast as Pastor George and I navigate the complexities of submission in the Christian faith. We take a detailed look at how the Bible urges us to live in submission to the authorities in our life. We discuss submission both as an attitude, an internal desire to honor the authorities, and an action, the external evidence of this desire. Our conversation leans heavily on Ephesians 5:21-33, which offers guidance on relationships within the family and society. We also contemplate Christ's perfect submission to God and explore how we can emulate his example.

Download the companion guide with resources, devotionals, and discussion questions for each week here: https://thechurchco-production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/sites/6864/2024/06/Live-and-Learn-Digital-Website.pdf

This episode also throws light on the significance of having a submissive attitude, motivated by our internal desire to honor and respect Jesus. We discuss the example of a young Jesus, choosing to submit to his flawed human parents, an act which played a crucial part in growing him in wisdom and favor with both God and man. We talk about how Jesus demonstrated submission in teaching his disciples to pray, and his decision to remain submissive to the Father’s will, even in the difficult circumstances of the Garden of Gethsemane. We end the conversation by discussing the role of the Holy Spirit in helping us evaluate our attitude and actions towards submission.

In the final part of the episode, we talk about submission in Christian families and relationships. We emphasize how parents should submit to God's authority and their sacred stewardship responsibility to raise their children in the training and righteousness of the Lord. We also examine how submission is evident in our other relationships, discussing the difficult passage in which Paul speaks about slaves and masters. We emphasize that God does not condone human slavery of any kind and explore how we can demonstrate God's glory through our humble obedience in every circumstance, working unto the Lord.