2. Why study Ephesians? A church which engaged with a hostile society, living out the grace of God, demonstrating his power leading to the transformation of the city and region Ephesus became the epicentre of a church planting movement A book which is rich in core Christian theology - adoption in God's family, renewal in the Holy Spirit, unity of the Body of Christ, Godly patterns of leadership within the church, spiritual warfare and the armour of God.

3. What was Ephesus like? Centre for trade and culture - trading centre (strategic) Culturally and economically strongly dominated by the 25,000 seater Temple of Artemis (Diana) - Paul's powerful confrontation

4. How did the church expand at first? Paul's 4 missionary journeys Others are sent out by Paul (Timothy) Other apostles go out (John) Paul writes letters to the churches he has established

5. The "Biblical spine" of the Ephesian church Acts 18-20 - The initial activity (AD52-55) The Letter to the Ephesians - The core spirituality (AD57-61) 1 & 2 Timothy - The emerging ministry (AD63- 67) 1 John - The loving community (AD85) Rev 2:1-7 - The ultimate scrutiny (AD95)

6. Acts 18-20 - The initial activity (AD 52-55) Started by Apollos (Acts 18:18-28) Built up by Paul (Acts 19) Rational orthodoxy to radical spirituality (v1-7) Religious meeting place to public place (v8-10) Overcomes evil in religious and commercial forms to establish supremacy of Christ (v11- 41) Lets go to local leaders (Acts 20)

7. Letter to the Ephesians - The core spirituality (AD 57-61) Circular letter to churches in the region of Ephesus Just as Romans was a core text for the Reformation of the 16th Century, Ephesians may well hold some of the keys to a new reformation of Church in the 21st century. A book which is rich in core Christian theology - adoption in God's family, renewal in the Holy Spirit, unity of the Body of Christ, Godly patterns of leadership within the church, spiritual warfare and the armour of God.

8. 1 & 2 Timothy - The emerging ministry (AD63- 67) Timothy - the nervous young pastor - the importance of sorting out how we do church life - the need for constant correction (walking the line) The importance of dealing with what is wrong amongst us lovingly but firmly (No utopian idealism here! Grace growers abound in the church!)

9. 1 John - The loving community (AD85) The old man's instructions: Love one another (when every fad and idea is past) Believe in Jesus (1:1), belong to community of love (2:4), behave with transparent integrity (2:6) The push towards maturity takes us deeper into the core elements - it becomes simpler!

10. Rev 2:1-7 - The ultimate scrutiny (AD95) John on Patmos receives the revelation - the 7 letters 40 year results - very positive - they are commended for being practical, persevering, perceptive and patient BUT - they have forgotten their passion - their first love - restore the passion Oh Lord!

11. The continuing story By AD110 the temples within the region are deserted. Instead of Artemis and its commerce - the church had become the dominant social force! FF Bruce claims that this whole region was so thoroughly Christianised that it wasn't until the Graeco-Turkish war of 1923 when there was huge population exchanges that this area lost its Christian church dominance.

12. If our story were told what would it say? No church is perfect, nor a complete work but there is much to commend, some things to regret but more than anything a great future ahead! Let's listen for the voice of the Spirit speaking to us today as we take time to walk with this amazing church in Ephesus for the next few months!