Will To Bless - Week 2

Lesson Two 1:15-23 

Connecting to one another

Last week we learned that believers are blessed with every spiritual blessing. When we read of these graces, we tend to think of them as I was predestined, I am chosen, I am adopted, I am redeemed. I am forgiven. I am God’s inheritance. I am sealed with the Holy Spirit. I will receive an inheritance. These are true statements about us as individuals.

Share – But look around your circle, your “small church.” How does changing every one of those I’s to We’s affect your love for God and one another?

How might it change the way we pray to HIM for US? Let’s find out....

Understanding the Truth with one another

Verse by Verse ~ Topic by Topic ~ Argument by Argument

1.  Verses 15-16

“For this reason” sweeps readers backwards to review all God sovereignly accomplished in US. For what outward evidence of God’s inward work does Paul now offer thanksgiving?

How is this outward evidence also God’s sovereign accomplishment?

CONTEXT – In our last lesson Paul praised God for His sovereign work in us. Today he begins with thanking Him for the results of His sovereign work (faith in God & love for His people), and then he will move to petitioning God. As he petitions God, note how Paul prays in line with God’s sovereign purposes. His petitions are specific to what God has already done. This is the way we are going to practice praying with one another as we close our lesson.

Read Ephesians 1:17-23 as if Paul is saying BECAUSE You are sovereign....

2.  Verses 17-19a                                                                                                                                                                                  a. Review the definitions. Why is OUR knowing God both Paul’s foremost AND confident request?

Revelation – This is not referring to revelation outside of Scripture; as we read, the Spirit teaches us and in such a way that we will receive the things of God’s glory (Phil 3:15; 1 Cor 2:9-16).

Wisdom – This refers to how we live our lives in order to please God.

b. How does Paul’s description of God in verse 17 connect to his petition to Him for US?

Another way to think of it is this: What kind of God would answer Paul’s petition here?

CONTEXT -- Because God sovereignly enabled us to know Him through enlightening the eyes of our heart, we can be transformed by grasping these three: 1. The hope of our calling (salvation)  2. the riches of His glorious inheritance in us as saints, set apart ones  3. the immeasurable greatness of His power.

Paul briefly reviewed what he delineated in Ephesians 1:3-14 (our calling and God’s inheritance). Now he shifts to expand upon the implications of God’s sovereignty in regard to His power.

Verses 19-21

Paul layers synonyms for power to emphasize all power is OURS in Christ.

3.  God’s power is demonstrated in many ways, but Paul chooses two. List the two. Then discuss how each of these make the lives WE live in Christ possible.

a.     The power we can access is like that which (Eph 1:20a) –

b.     The power we can access is like that which (Eph 1:20b-21) –

Consider Paul’s purpose in layering relatable words of powers.

Verses 22-23

4.  God vindicated the Person and work of Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in heaven. The just effect of Christ’s victory is He rules all things and as this ruler is given to the Body He purchased. The Church is “the fullness of him who fills all in all.” Take time to just wrap your minds around this weighted truth in discussion.

Living the Truth as we are sent out

5.  Articulate the work of each Person in the Trinity that Paul highlights in today’s passage.

Father                                                 Son                                                     Holy Spirit

CONTEXT -- In Ephesians 1:1-14, Paul’s prayer focus is to praise God; it is theocentric, but in Ephesians 1:15-23 his prayer focus is to petition God on behalf of the body of Christ; it is ecclesial (relating to the Church).

6. In light of all Ephesians 1 state will of God, what should we ask God to do in US at Grace?

7. Having read Ephesians 1, we know God’s purposes were revealed in what He has already done. SO, we can pray for our specific needs and be confident God affirms our prayers. Discuss how you could do that for these staff prayer requests.

o   The building – that all would be complete and with excellence  and very soon.

o   Community Groups – that our people would remain committed to their “small church” group.

o   Fall Camp Follow Up – that our parents would come and learn how to disciple their children.

Praying Through the Truth for the Body

Let’s practice praying like Paul.

1.     Praise God for His sovereign work in calling US to be His.

2.     Thank Him for helping US to grow in our faith in Him and in our love for His people.

3.     Use #6 and #7 to petition God for the needs we know align with His purposes in US.

Worship ALL Week  At Grace we trust Christ to transform us as we abide in Him daily.

READ

o   Homework – Read Ephesians 2:1-10  in preparation for next week.

MEDITATE 

o   Homework -- Take notes from Ephesians 2:1-10. Note how you can use this passage to share the gospel with someone who does not have the joy of knowing God as you do.

ACT Options

o   Teach someone what you learned in Ephesians 1 about praying for the Church

o   Pray through Ephesians 1:15-23 out loud or in a journal.

o   Continue to pray for our church body. See question 6 and 7.

God’s joy and strength to you!

kpaulson@gracelaredo.org