THE SCHOOL OF CHRISTIAN LIVING PART 1: WELCOME TO THE SCHOOL — UNDERSTANDING THE CHRISTIAN CURRICULUM

THE SCHOOL OF CHRISTIAN LIVING

PART 1: WELCOME TO THE SCHOOL — UNDERSTANDING THE CHRISTIAN CURRICULUM

Ephesians 4:1 (NLT)

“Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.”

Imagine a student gaining admission into a school. On the first day, the student receives a prospectus. The prospectus explains the courses, the rules, the expectations, and the standard of conduct required of every student.

Admission is important, but admission alone does not make the student successful. The student must learn.

The student must attend classes, complete assignments, sit for examinations, receive correction, and demonstrate what has been taught.

The Christian life works in much the same way. When we receive Christ, we enter the School of Christian Living.

Our classroom is not limited to the church building.

There is a classroom at home.

There is a classroom at school.

There is a classroom at the office.

There is a classroom in the neighborhood.

There is even a classroom in our online spaces and private lives.

And in every classroom, the Holy Spirit is teaching us how to live like Christ.

WHY DID PAUL WRITE TO THE EPHESIANS?

Paul wrote his letter to believers in Ephesus to help them understand their identity in Christ and the implications of that new life.

The first three chapters establish the foundation.

EPHESIANS 1 — KNOW WHO YOU ARE

Paul reveals the spiritual blessings believers have received in Christ.

We are chosen, adopted, redeemed, and blessed through Christ.

Paul begins by showing the believer:

“This is who you are because of Christ.”

EPHESIANS 2 — REMEMBER WHERE YOU CAME FROM

Paul reminds them that they were once dead in sin, separated from God, but God made them alive with Christ.

Grace rescued them.

They were not saved by their works but by God's grace.

EPHESIANS 3 — UNDERSTAND GOD'S PURPOSE

Paul reveals God's plan in Christ and emphasizes the mystery of the gospel—that salvation is available to all who believe.

He also prays that believers will be strengthened by the Holy Spirit and rooted in the love of Christ.

EPHESIANS 4 — NOW LEARN HOW TO LIVE

This is where the classroom becomes practical. Paul moves from identity to responsibility.

He essentially tells the believers:

“Now that you know who you are in Christ, let your lifestyle reflect it.”

That is where The School of Christian Living begins.

THE CHRISTIAN CURRICULUM

Every school has a curriculum.

The Christian life also has one.

The Bible is our textbook.

The Holy Spirit is our Teacher.

We are the students.

Church, home, school, office, neighborhood and online spaces are our classrooms.

Daily situations are our practical lessons.

And sometimes, the people around us become the unexpected examination papers.

Someone insults you. Examination.

Someone disappoints you. Examination.

Someone takes advantage of you. Examination.

You are tempted to respond harshly. Examination.

You have an opportunity to forgive.

Examination.

The question is not simply:

“Did I hear the sermon?”

The question is:

“What did I do with what the Holy Spirit taught me?”

THE COURSE CODE

Our first major course code is:

EPH 4:26–32

Within these few verses, Paul gives us practical lessons for Christian living.

Lesson 1: Anger Management — Verses 26–27

Lesson 2: The Ethics of Work — Verse 28

Lesson 3: Speech & Communication Management — Verse 29

Lesson 4: Holy Spirit Sensitivity — Verse 30

Lesson 5: Removing the Old Uniform — Verse 31

Lesson 6: Putting on the Christlike Uniform — Verse 32

These are not lessons designed merely to fill our notebooks. They are lessons designed to change our lives.

THE CLASSROOM IS EVERYWHERE

A Christian cannot say:

“I am in church, so I will behave like a Christian.”

Then arrive at the office and become someone else.

The same student must pass the examination at work. You cannot worship God in church and become abusive at home.

You cannot quote Scripture in church and use social media to destroy people.

You cannot pray for peace and spend your neighborhood life creating conflict.

Everywhere you go, you carry the Christian curriculum with you.

The Holy Spirit wants to teach us not only how to worship, but how to speak, work, respond, forgive, relate, and live.

LESSONS TO LEARN

1. Salvation is admission, not graduation.

Coming to Christ begins a lifelong process of learning and becoming more like Him.

2. Every environment is a classroom.

Church, home, school, office, neighborhood and online spaces all reveal what we have truly learned.

3. Every situation can become an examination.

How we respond under pressure often reveals more about our spiritual growth than what we say during peaceful moments.

4. The Holy Spirit is our Teacher.

We must become sensitive to His correction, instruction and direction.

5. Christian maturity is demonstrated through conduct.

Knowing the Word is important, but the real evidence of learning is living the Word.

KEY TAKEAWAY

You don't graduate from the School of Christian Living by knowing more Scripture; you demonstrate your learning by becoming more like Christ.

CALL TO ACTION

Take a moment today and look at your different classrooms.

How are you performing at home?

How are you performing at work or school?

How are you treating your neighbors?

How do you behave online?

Who are you when nobody is watching?

Ask the Holy Spirit to show you the areas where you need further training.

Remember:

The classroom may change, but the Teacher remains the same.

PRAYER

1. Father, help me to live a life worthy of the calling I have received in Christ.

2. Holy Spirit, teach me how to represent Christ faithfully in every environment I find myself.

3. Lord, help me to recognize every situation as an opportunity to demonstrate what You have taught me.

4. Father, reveal every area of my life that still needs spiritual training and transformation.

5. Holy Spirit, make me a willing student who listens to Your instruction and obeys Your correction.

NEXT PART PREVIEW

PART 2: ANGER MANAGEMENT — WHEN YOUR EMOTIONS ENTER THE CLASSROOM

Every student will eventually face a difficult examination.

Someone will offend you.

Someone will provoke you.

Someone will say something you don't like.

And suddenly, anger enters the classroom.

But what happens when anger becomes the subject of the examination?

Can you remain a Christian when your emotions are tested?

In Part 2, we will explore Ephesians 4:26–27 and discover how the Holy Spirit teaches us to handle anger before anger takes control.

Grace and peace be with you until we meet again in the next class of this life-transforming journey.

God is speaking, are you listening?

Prince Julius Nenebi-Darkson

(EL-PJ God's Penman)