Practicing Unity pt. 1: Within The Structures of the Church

This week's study will focus on Ephesians 4:1-16. We have just completed the first half of the book, which was for the most part descriptive. Beginning in chapter 4, Paul's writing becomes prescriptive-that is, he's giving us instructions. Beginning in verse one we see a call to certain attitudes as we strive for unity in the Church (verses 1-3), a justification for this call (vv 4-6) and instructions regarding structure and order within the Church (vv 7-16). We'll try to get through all of this, or at least as much as possible, this week.

As you read and prepare, think about what comes to mind when you think of how individual churches practice (or don't practice) these instructions. Having read this passage, do you think Paul is imagining a church in which the pastors and deacons do most or all of the work of ministering to the church?