Today’s passage: Ephesians 3:1-6

Helpful thoughts:

• Paul was not growing wealthy in his endeavor.  From the world’s eyes this calling ruined his life.
• The generations that proceeded the life and ministry, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ did not have the same knowledge of the Gospel that we do.  It was a mystery to them.
• If you are a Christian, you and Abraham and Paul are on the same team.  All given the same righteousness through Jesus Christ.  All the children of God.  All joint-heirs with Christ.

Questions to consider:

1. If Paul’s ministry was so hard from the world’s perspective, why did he do it?  What was his joy and motivation?
2. Who made the Apostles, apostles and the Prophets, prophets?  Who communicated the truth of the New Testament through them?  Does a person become a prophet because they or any other person wants them to be?  If a person calls themselves a prophet today or says they have heard from the Holy Spirit, how could you confidently measure what they are saying?
3. How amazing will it be to enjoy God forever with all the saints?  How could your faith and eagerness for that day help you to pursue God’s glory today?

Today’s passage: Ephesians 2:11-22

Helpful thoughts:

• Because of Jesus Christ, both circumcision and the lack thereof are nothing more than characteristics of the flesh.
  • Jews and Gentiles who are saved by the grace of God are one people.
  • There is no higher or lower rank in Christ.
  • All who are in Christ are fellow citizens.
  • Christ died for us all the same.
• God is the builder. Christ is the cornerstone. The apostles and prophets served as the foundation.  We are the building.

Questions to consider:

1. What was the function of the apostles and prophets?  Given their mention in this passage with this explanation, should we expect to see new apostles and prophets today?
2. What should the God-given makeup of the universal Church do to any forms of racism?
3. Why are we not required to become Jewish and follow the OT Law?  What has Christ done?  Does this mean that we can continue in sin that grace may abound? (Romans 6)

Today’s passage: Ephesians 2:1-10

Helpful thoughts:

• It’s important to remember who you were.  We need saving.  We need mercy and grace.
• Faith is a noun. It’s not something you do, it’s something you have.  And it’s a gift.
• Good works (Righteous living) are the fruit of God’s saving grace.
  • If you are trying to earn God’s favor, you are actively rejecting His grace.
  • Saved people are changing people who grow in their desire to obey God.

Questions to consider:

1. How does verse 7 answer the question, “Why does God allow sin in the world?”
2. If you are a Christian, who made you what you are today?  Who deserves all the honor, glory and praise?
3. What is your story?  What did God save you from?  How is He graciously changing you now as you grow?

Today’s passage: Ephesians 1:15-23

Helpful thoughts:

• Paul gives thanks for the Church in Ephesus because they are bringing glory to God.
• Paul’s prayer for the Ephesian Church:
  • That knowing God would result in wisdom and understanding of the truth.
  • That they would know what it is they are looking forward to. (Think Philippians 3:14)
  • That they would understand just how powerful God is, now and forever.
• Jesus Christ is the Head.  The Church is His body.

Questions to consider:

1. What is our greatest prize and inheritance?  Is anything better than God Himself?
2. If there are other things that you prize MORE HIGHLY than being with God and being without sin, then what is your definition of Heaven?  What is your definition of the bad news (What is my greatest problem)? And what is your definition of the good news, the Gospel?
3. To Whom does the Church belong?  How does that decide our purpose and function?  How does that truth change us from consumers to contributors when we think of “church”?

Today’s passage: Ephesians 1:11-14

Helpful thoughts:

• If Jesus is your Lord, you are also His joint-heir!
• Salvation comes from hearing the word of truth – the Gospel – and then believing.
• One of the ministries of the Holy Spirit is to serve as a guarantee of our inheritance.
  • You receive the Holy Spirit at salvation, not later.
  • The Holy Spirit will not stop serving as a guarantee/down payment until you receive your whole inheritance.

Questions to consider:

1. Why were we predestined?  Who gave God counsel?  How does this glorify God?
2. What was God’s motivation?  How can you bring Him glory today?
3. How does the promised ministry of the Holy Spirit give you confidence in the permanence of your salvation?  Can you choose to lose something which God has guaranteed of His own volition and for His own glory?

Today’s passage: Ephesians 1:3-10

Helpful thoughts:

• There has been a plan from before the foundations of the earth to unite all things in Jesus Christ.
  • If you are in Christ (If you are saved), you are and always were a part of that grand plan!
• Christians were predestined to become God’s children through adoption in love.
• All of this loving planning and working has been done by God for the praise of His glorious grace!

Questions to consider:

1. Does this grand plan for glory seem to focus on you and me, or on someone else?  (Not so subtle hint: It’s not about you!) Who deserves all the honor, glory and praise?  Who gets the pleasure and joy of glorying in and praising Jesus Christ?
2. Did God choose you because you chose Him – OR – Did you choose God because He chose you?
3. Where does unity come from?  What (Or better…WHO) is the source, means and goal of our unity?

Today’s passage: Ephesians 1:1-2

Helpful thoughts:

• Paul did not become an apostle because it was his life’s dream.  He was fully engaged in persecuting Christians.  But God had other plans.
• To be a saint is to be set apart as God’s holy people.  Again, God is the one doing the “setting apart.”
• Grace is unmerited favor.
• True peace comes from God, through the blood of Jesus Christ.

Questions to consider:

1. Why would a zealous Jewish Pharisee and group of Gentiles from Turkey have anything to do with each other?  Who orchestrated this connection?  Who changed the hearts of all these people to make them have a love and respect for each other?
2. Why did Paul, the Ephesian Church, and you and I, need God’s grace?  What is the Gospel message?
3. What should be the result of God’s grace in a group of people?  Why should there be peace and unity in our Church?