This is the third lesson for an online Bible study through the book of Ephesians. The entire lesson is posted below. You can read it here and answer the questions in a journal or you can download the PDF or Word Doc and print a hard copy. Either way, I would love for all of you to interact with me and each other in the comments section of this blog page. Post insights, ask questions, and discuss the lesson. Let’s get started!
I love technology. I have a laptop, an iPad, an iPhone, and a Kindle. There is no end to the wonders I can perform with these four marvelous tools. With my iPhone alone I can remotely turn on my porch lights, record my favorite television show, and never again lose my car in a parking garage.
The power to do all that and more is in the palm of my hand. Just one problem: My knowledge of how to do it is limited. I can do a lot with these tools – in fact, I’ve even taught others who know less than me. But I still have much to learn before I will be using these devices at their full potential.
The Christian life is similar. Last week we learned that God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ. As Peter put it, we have everything we need for life and godliness. All this is available to us through the presence of the Holy Spirit. But have we learned how to stand on, rest in, and apply these blessings to our lives?
In the passage we studied last week (1:1-14), Paul beautifully elaborated on the spiritual blessings we have in Christ. Then, beginning in verse 15, Paul shifts from praising God for what He has done into thanking God for his readers and interceding with the Father on their behalf.
Paul’s Prayer
Read Ephesians 1:15-23.
When Paul wrote this letter, it had been at least five years since he had seen the believers in Ephesus, but he had heard wonderful reports about their faith. Their continued growth encouraged him and fostered thanksgiving. In turn, Paul encouraged them with his letter and prayers for them. Paul’s relationship with the believers in Ephesus demonstrates that God designed our faith to be relational. He never meant for us to be lone Christians! We see this truth all throughout Scripture and will look at it more closely later in this study.
These believers had “every spiritual blessing” and strong faith in Christ, yet Paul still prayed for them. Why? Although the full power of the Holy Spirit resided within them, they had not accessed everything God had already made available. They still had some growing and learning to do. It sounds just like me! How about you?
Look back at verses 15-23. Make a list of the specific things Paul prayed for the believers in Ephesus. Focus on verses 17-19.
One thing that helped me see the heart of Paul’s requests for the Ephesians was to temporarily take away the descriptive words and phrases. Here’s what I ended up with:
I pray God will give you insight and discernment so you will grow in your knowledge of Him. I pray God will help you understand: 1) the hope to which He has called you; 2) the riches of your eternal inheritance; and 3) the resurrection power that is available to believers.
Before we take a brief look at each of these, let’s recall how this “insight, discernment, and understanding” is possible. To do that, we’ll take a quick detour to two of Paul’s other letters.
Read Romans 8:9-10. Who lives within every believer?
Read 1 Corinthians 2:9-16. How are believers able to understand spiritual things? How is it possible for believers to grow in their personal knowledge of God?
Growing in Knowledge and Understanding
Now that we’ve confirmed that God is able to answer these prayers through the presence of the Holy Spirit, let’s get back to Paul’s requests. First, Paul prayed that the Ephesian believers would grow in their knowledge of God. The Greek word translated as “know” in the NIV and “knowledge” in the ESV is epignosis. It refers to the “fullness of knowledge acquired through personal acquaintance.”
What’s the difference between knowing about someone and knowing them personally?
What are some things you are purposefully doing to get to know God better? Is there something else you could be doing to experience God, His character, and His ways?
Next, Paul prayed that the Ephesians would grow in their understanding of three specific things. He asked God to help them understand the present benefits of their salvation in Christ, their future inheritance as children of God, and the power that made both possible.
The Greek word translated as “calling” or “called” in verse 18 is “used especially of God’s invitation to man to accept the benefits of salvation” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words). Paul uses the same word in Ephesians 4:1 to refer to our current earthly life. Our relationship with God gives hope for this life, not just the next.
In what ways have you experienced God’s blessings in this life? How does your relationship with God give you hope for today?
Read Titus 3:7, Matthew 25:34, and Galatians 3:26-4:7. Compare these passages to Ephesians 1:5 and 18. These passages help us understand the nature of our “future inheritance.” Check all of the following statements that accurately reflect the teaching of these passages.
___Those God saves become His child and Jesus’ sibling and co-heir.
___God’s heirs will inherit eternal life.
___God’s heirs will share in His Kingdom.
___Each of God’s heirs are on equal standing with all God’s children.
___God’s heirs are Abraham’s seed, children of promise.
___God’s heirs also receive the Spirit of His Son.
Are you reeling yet from the enormity of all God’s promises? If you’re still on your feet – or in your chair – the impact of this next truth should take care of that.
Resurrection Power
Reread Ephesians 1:19-20. What miracle does Paul say was accomplished by the same power that is working inside believers?
Did you tremble when you answered that question? The exact same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead and gave Him authority over all things is the exact same power that is available to believers today!
Believer, what area of your life needs to experience this power today? Are you facing an overwhelming challenge? Does some stronghold have a stranglehold on you? Has God called you to a task, ministry, or area of service for which you feel inadequate? If so, write that below.
Considering the “incomparably great power for us who believe,” how can God work in the area of your life you wrote above?
As Paul ended his prayer in chapter one, he reflected on the power and position of Christ. We serve a Savior who has both the power and authority to rule and reign!
Reread Ephesians 1:20-23. Rewrite these glorious truths about Jesus in your own words.
Here’s two ways we can interact with each other this week:
- Respond to any of today’s questions in the comment section of this post. Share insights, ask questions, or simply praise our God.
- Share ways the rest of the group can pray for you. If you see a request, feel free to post a prayer. That way we can all pray for each other this week.
- Wait! One more thing! I’d also like to know if you accepted last week’s challenge and memorized Ephesians 1:3.
Weekly Challenge
(Each week, in addition to the weekly lesson, I will provide an opportunity – for those who have the time and desire – to go a little deeper. If you are unable to do this, please don’t worry, but if you can, take the plunge!)
Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians can help us pray for ourselves and others. When we pray Scripture, we can be assured we are praying in God’s will! Print a hard copy of Ephesians 1:15-23. Put it in your Bible or where you have your quiet time. Use it this week to pray for others.
I needed this lesson today! I am in a season of transitoin in my life and confess that I have been so consumed by the details of relocating from Texas to New York that I have lost sight of the amazing power God has to reign in me and move through me. I know the trust and power of the Holy Spirit. I confess that my laziness and tendancy to procratstinate when faced with something I really don’t want to do, has caused me to put God on the back burner. I find myself feeling unbalanced as I deal with the real issue…..the lack of discipline in my mind, body and spirit that has caused me to feel disconnectd to my Heavenly Father. I need to reconnect to that “incomparably great power for us who believe” that is the Holy Spirit! I need a plan of action that involves daily interaction with my Lord and Savior. I covet your prayers as I seek God’s forgivness and guidance and direction for this new season in my life.
Thank you, Kathy, for this much needed lesson today! May God continue to bless you as you share with us what He has for us in this study of Ephesians.
Blessings,
Penni
Penni, many Christians have been where you are now. I’ve been where you are now. A season where we’ve allowed life’s circumstances to draw our attention away from Christ. But He is faithful to woo us back and that’s exactly what He is doing with you! Don’t let guilt get in the way of your communion with Him. He is faithful to forgive and gracious to restore us. So glad He has led you to this study as even a small part of your walk with Him.
I have read Ephesians 1:19-20 but the enormity of it never got to me before. We have the same power in us that raised Jesus from the dead. How amazing! That is so humbling. We can truly do all things through God.
I also did memorize Ephesians 1:3 last week and have even had the opportunity to pull it out and use it a few times this week. That was truly great – having it right there instead of having to find it and look it up.
Penny, isn’t that just like God to give you opportunities to use the verse you just memorized. That in itself shows the power of God’s Word. I have also been dwelling on that amazing truth that we have access to the resurrection power of God. Unfortunately, I so often fail to rely on God and His power and try to do things in my own strength.
It is so good to pause and remember all the blessings and power available to me today because I belong to Jesus. I’ve been working on memorizing Ephesians 1:3 and I’ve now printed out Ephesians 1:15-23. I’m going to laminate it and keep it handy.
I’ve seen God’s power at work in me during these past few years of incredible trials and change. I am one who prefers to stay in my comfort zone but I’ve been thrown out in the rough waters. However, I am learning that God is trustworthy and He has provided me just what I need and just when it is needed. My faith has increased tremendously and I’m so much less fearful. It helps that I keep a journal which I’ve done for the past twenty years. As I look back at where I was, I see God’s hand at work and then I praise Him.
Thank you for this wonderful study of Ephesians. It is perfect timing for me.
Blessings and love,
Debbie
Debbie, laminating Paul’s prayer is a great idea! There is something powerful about praying God’s Words. Thank you for sharing your testimony to God’s faithfulness in the midst of trial. It is an encouragement to all of us.
My favorite part of this passage is how much it shows that Paul truly cared for the believers in Ephesus. I think that’s the difference between knowing about someone and knowing them personally. Knowing about someone is someone that’s just an acquaintance but it’s not someone that you know on a deep level like someone that you know personally. I struggle with this. I want to know all of my acquaintances personally. That’s hard to do and there’s not enough time for it. So I’ve had to step back and see who God has put in my life right now that I need to get to know personally. It’s funny how some of my acquaintance I’ve gotten to know personally because of the season of life or because of a particular circumstances where we both needed each other.
I’ve always thought that the kind of relationship I have with a friend is similar to how it needs to be with God. I spend time talking, walking, and sharing in good times and bad times. It’s the same with God. I can’t have a close relationship with him if I don’t do the same things that I would do with any of my close friends. In the bad times, I need my friends the most. Same with God.
I’m thankful that I have the Spirit of God in me to help build that close relationship with my heavenly father.
You are so right about spending time with God. We need to spend time with Him to develop a close relationship, just like we do with our friends. That’s good insight too about deepening relationships with specific people. I believe God brings people into our lives that need us as well as people that we need. We should listen for the prompting of the Spirit as we meet new people!
Hello Kathy,
I came across your Bible study on Ephesians 1 this morning during my much needed Bible study time. I want to thank you for sharing it, it really enhanced my understanding.
Once again, thank you and may God our Father, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ richly bless and reward you.
Hi Dorothy, I’m so glad you found the study material! May God bless your time in His Word!