Ephesians 1:15-23
.
his is the second sermon in our series in Ephesians. This sermon is ‘What You Have in Christ’.
Questions and going deeper resources
Small group questions
CONNECT: If your life is part of God’s divine plan, how might that shape how you engage on your main frontline this week?
WARM-UP
- Have you or anyone you know discovered something precious that belonged to them that they didn’t even know about?
- What difference does knowing about our future hope and present power have in this life now?
READ Ephesians 1:15-16
- How did you come to faith in Jesus? Why does the Ephesian’s faith in Christ cause Paul to give such great thanksgiving?
- Who are you thankful to God for for their faith in Christ and the evidence of that faith? How could you encourage them or let them know of this?
READ Ephesians 1:17-23
- What is the substance of Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians in these verses?
- What does Paul mean by the ‘Spirit of wisdom and revelation’? Why does he specifically ask God for this for the Ephesians? What result was he asking for?
- How is ‘knowing God’ not just academic or head knowledge? What difference does knowing God have on your everyday life?
- What was the role of the heart in Paul’s day? What does it look like for the eyes of our hearts to be enlightened?
- How can we know the hope of Jesus greater everyday? What is our role and what is the role of the Spirit in this?
- What is distinct or unique about the hope of a Christian compared to common ‘hopes’ of the world?
- If someone on your frontline was to ask you what is your hope for the future, how would you succinctly answer them?
- Paul also asks God that the Ephesians may know God’s great power. Where do we see this power and how is this power at work in and for us?
- How are we to live in the knowledge of this power and hope for God’s glory?
APPLY: How could we help each other grow in knowing the hope and power of God?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for the grace and salvation that is found in Christ alone. Thank you for calling us, redeeming us, and forgiving us that we may have an everlasting hope and live for your glory. Please give us wisdom and revelation. Please enlighten the eyes of our hearts to the glories of your mercy to us, our hope that comes from you, and your power for and in us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Going deeper resources
On Your Frontline This Week: Who on your frontline can you specifically pray for this week?
Listen, Watch, and Read:
- AUDIO: “The Eyes of Your Heart” by Alistair Begg:
- Part 1 // Part 2
- AUDIO: “The Prayer of Power” by Christopher Ash
- AUDIO: “Ultimate Power - God’s Master Plan” by William Taylor
Series Resources:
Some helpful resources for our Ephesians Series:
- St Bart’s Ephesians Guide and Weekly Overview
- VIDEO: The Bible Project Ephesians Overview
- COMMENTARY: “Paul for Everyone, the Prison Letters” by Tom Wright
- COMMENTARY: “The Story of God Bible Commentary, Ephesians” by Mark Roberts
- RESOURCES: Gospel Coalition Ephesian Courses
- COURSE (PAID): “Paul and his Letter to the Ephesians” by Tom Wright
