Click HERE for the Ephesians handout used during the Sunday, May 23 gatherings.
Read Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus. As you read, note the primary reasons for Paul’s writing and the direct implications for your life.
In your own words, define what it means to be “in Christ.”
Read and reflect on the comments of John Stott: “What distinguishes the true followers of Jesus is neither their creed, nor their code of ethics, nor their ceremonies, nor their culture, but Christ. What is often mistakenly called “Christianity” is, in essence, neither a religion nor a system, but a person, Jesus of Nazareth.”
To whom is Paul writing this letter?
Read Colossians 1.15-20. How does Paul’s description encourage you? How does it move you to a posture of worship?
In the text, note where you see the following: God in Christ. Humanity in Christ. Creation in Christ. New Creation in Christ
Read Ephesians 1.3. What are the “spiritual blessings” Paul refers to here? In the message on Sunday, it was said that this verse means that those who are “in Christ” are perfectly perfect. Do you believe you are perfectly perfect in Christ? How does this truth influence the way you live and love?
Read and reflect on the words of Larry Crabb speaking from the perspective of Jesus: “First, I have blessed you with blessings far superior to all the blessings you naturally want to enjoy. Until you regard earthly blessings as second things and see spiritual blessings as first things, you’ll remain immature, self-centered, and powerless to resist temptation. You’ll continue living in a chilly dawn.”
Read Colossians 3.1-4. How does this text speak to you? What does it practically mean to “set your mind on things above”? What happens in your life when you “set your minds on things above”?
Read Ephesians 1.4-14 in your Bible. Then read it a second time personalizing the text (see below).
For He chose me in Christ before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight.
In love He predestined me for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will— to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given me in Christ, the One He loves.
In Christ I have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on me.
With all wisdom and understanding, He made known to me the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
In Christ I am chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of His glory.
And I also was included in Christ when I heard the message of truth, the gospel of my salvation. When I believed, I was marked in Christ with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing my inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of His glory.
Which of these truths do you most easily embrace? Which of these truths are most difficult for you to believe? Why?
Paul talks frequently about being in Christ. Read the following verses and note the promises of being “In Christ.”
- Romans 6:23
- Romans 8:1
- Romans 8:30
- 2 Corinthians. 3:18
- I Corinthians 1:2
- I Corinthians 1:9
- 2 Corinthians. 3:18
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
- Galatians 3:26
- Colossians 2:12, 3:1
In light of the Scripture, answer the following questions:
- What would it mean if all of this stuff is true?
- What belief about God would begin to change?
- What belief about others would change?
- What belief about yourself would change?
