Paul particularly mentions Timothy and Epaphroditus among his team of workers. They had important supporting roles for his ministry.

Early Church worship is explained. The need to live out the Christian life every day is encouraged, including being ‘blameless’ and not arguing.

The leadership of a church is very important. It includes apostles, pastors and teachers, evangelists and prophets. All are under the authority of the original Apostles through Scripture.

Paul’s teaching on marriage was challenging to the Christians in Ephesus. The husband must imitate Christ and his servant leadership. The wife could then respect and submit to that leadership.

Paul continues his teaching about Christian family life and discipleship. He teaches both the children and their fathers and also both slaves and their masters. Being a Christian affects the whole of life.

In the light of God’s mercy shown to Jews and Gentiles, we should respond by living our lives wholly committed to God. our behaviour and thinking will change.

Paul uses the imagery of slavery to show what was the old life but compares it to the freedom of the new life. We are obligated to please God in response to God’s generous love towards us. We choose to follow God.

Paul explains that Jesus is the culmination of the law. He outlines the process of sharing the gospel and comments on the response of the Jews and Gentiles at that time.

Paul travels to Miletus, bypassing Ephesus but calls the elders of the Ephesian church to meet him. He is concerned to train the leaders in the way they should lead the church - with humility and not seeking gain for themselves.

One of the chosen seven men, began preaching in the Temple and synagogues. There was opposition from the hearers and he was forced to appear before the Sanhedrin to face trumped up charges.