Nothing changes us like His word. Nothing heals us like His word.
Nothing leads to deliverance like His word, for He is the Word (John 1:1)
.
Therefore, I am going to share a Bible study on Ephesians in hope you will study it by yourself or with a friend.
God bless you.
Ephesians 1
New International Version
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
To God’s holy people in Ephesus,[a] the faithful in Christ Jesus:
2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Praise for Spiritual Blessings in Christ
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he[b] predestined us for adoption to sonship[c] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he[d] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
11 In him we were also chosen,[e] having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
Thanksgiving and Prayer
15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[f] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
Bible Study Review Questions:
Ephesians can be broken up into these parts:
1. The new life which God has given us in Christ (Eph 1:3–2:10)
2. The new society which God has created through Christ (Eph 2:11–3:21)
3. The new standards which God expects of his new society, especially unity and purity (Eph 4:1–5:21)
4. The new relationships into which God has brought us—harmony in the home and hostility to the devil (Eph 5:21–
6:24)
What are the ways that churches are taking Jesus-honoring steps toward having diversity in God’s family? Why is it important that we continue to make this a priority at our church?
Ephesians 1: 2-6
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
What are some of God’s blessings we receive when we walk in unity?
Ephesians 1: 7-10
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known[c] to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
Of what are we set free through Jesus’s blood? How does this transform the way we live as believers in our individual families and God’s family?
Ephesians 1: 5-6 5 he predestined us[b] for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
How did He accomplish this adoption according to this verse?
Through Christ Jesus (we were chosen in Him, we were predestined to adoption through Him). Our "adoption papers" won't be revoked because of some legal snafu. Beloved, you are FOREVER adopted into the family as one of God's sons or daughters.
Why should this give us great peace?
Ephesians 1:11-14- 11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.
God has a perfect plan with divine purposes. Our loving Father sits of the throne and is in the process of working all things for the praise of His glory. How can we seek Him when life gets crazy and life feels out of control? How has God protected or lead you through a difficult time?
Ephesians 1:11-14- 11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee[d] of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it,[e] to the praise of his glory.
When we are sealed by the Holy Spirit and filled with the Spirit, HE changes us. How have you experienced the Holy Spirit guiding your purpose and His will in your life? How has HE empowered you to walk in awareness of your heavenly inheritance?
Ephesians1” 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee[d] of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it,[e] to the praise of his glory.
Letters were closed with a seal. Hot wax made the letter secure, and then a signet ring was pressed into the wax as it cooled. This imprint showed who it was from. When we trust in Jesus, the Holy Spirit fell on us, moved into us, and placed His seal on our heart, showing we are His. Every believer bears this seal.
What are signs that the Holy Spirit is present in your life?
Ephesians 1: , 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.
What prayer does Paul model in the verses above?
How would our daily life change if we lived in light of the Spirit of Wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Christ, with remembrance of the glorious inheritance He has given us?
Ephesians 1 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
God’s mighty power that raised Jesus from the dead and conquered sin is in you. He rules all history for all eternity. He is the head over all things. Where do you tend to look for strength and energy when you feel depleted? What do we know about God’s power?
Ephesians 1: 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
Paul piles one word upon another in this incredible description. … The power that EVERY believer in Christ has access to every day of their life until they see Jesus face to face! There is no power shortage, just a shortage of our understanding of what we possess in Christ.
How can we use this knowledge of His power to encourage us in our daily life?
May His word change you and bless you.
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