ELNORA’S BIBLE STUDY WITH FRIENDS, Ephesians 1, Saturday, May 17, 2025
The first three chapters of Ephesians are doctrinal, while the last three are practical. Chapter 1 establishes Paul's view on the value of our salvation in Christ, and the blessings we obtain from it. He does this in the form of praise, directed at God, and describing in detail what it means to have an inheritance in heaven. Later chapters will build on these ideas as Paul connects who we are in Christ to how we should live as Christians.
(Source: https://www.bibleref.com/Ephesians/1/Ephesians-chapter-1.html)
Greetings From Paul & Spiritual Blessings, Verses 1-8, TBD
1 This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. I am writing to God’s holy people in Ephesus, who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus. 2 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. 3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. 4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. 6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. 7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. 8He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.
SECTION QUESTIONS
1. Verse 3 says, “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing…”. What are some examples of spiritual blessings?
2. Verse 4 says, “God chose us before the foundation of the world.” What do you think about when you hear this statement?
3. If God has chosen the elect, what responsibility do we have in our salvation and grace?
4. Verse 7 says, “He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.” This is the definition for a term. Can you determine the term this phrase describes?
Spiritual Blessings, Verses 9-14, PAT
9 God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ, which is to fulfill his own good plan. 10 And this is the plan: At the right time, he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ — everything in heaven and on earth. 11 Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan. 12 God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God. 13 And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. 14 The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.
SECTION QUESTIONS
5. Verse 11 says, “Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan. This is yet another spiritual blessing we have in Christ.
6. Moment for Reflection: Every person who receives an inheritance should be a good steward of the assets he needs to manage. We too, must be good stewards of the gifts and resources the Lord has entrusted to us. What is one resource God has blessed you with? How can you use this for Him as a good steward?
7. Cross-references – Romans 8:30 – “And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.” John 15:16 – Jesus told the disciples, in John 15:16, “You did not choose me, but I chose you.”
Paul's Prayer for Spiritual Wisdom, Verses 15-23, DESTINY
15 Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, 16 I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, 17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. 18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called — his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. 19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. 21 Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else — not only in this world but also in the world to come. 22 God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. 23 And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.
SECTION QUESTIONS
8. Can you pick out some of the things Paul prays about for the Ephesians?
Point of Application: In verses 16-19, Paul prays for the church. “I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand that confident hope he has given to those he called…I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him.”
When you think of a good friend from your past, say a prayer for them. When you think of a person you haven’t seen for a while, pray for them. Continually pray for your family, friends, pastors, government leaders. If they aren’t doing right, pray that God will turn their hearts and minds so that they would respond to Holy Spirit’s promptings and receive God’s predestined gift of grace and redemption.
Confessions for Ephesians, Chapter 1
"3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. 4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes." (Ephesians 1:3-4)
Heavenly Father, we unite our voices in hymns of praise for all the spiritual blessings You have poured out on those who trust in the lovely Lord Jesus for salvation. Thank you that we have been born of the Spirit of God, Who has placed us in Christ, and seated us together with Him in heavenly places. May my will for my life be aligned to Your will for my life so that I may access all the spiritual blessings that are mine in Christ Jesus. I glorify Your wonderful name, my dear Heavenly Father. Your grace is without limit, Your love is unending, Your mercy is boundless, and Your wisdom is unsurpassed. I have not always recognised the depth of Your blessings that have been poured on me. That I was chosen in You before the foundation of the world. Help me to live a holy life acceptable to You." To You be all might and majesty, dominion and praise, glory, honour, and blessing, forever and ever, AMEN.
"11Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God,[c] for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan. 12 God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God. 13 And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own[d] by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago."
(Ephesians 1:11-13)
Father of all, what a glorious inheritance I have in Christ, by grace through faith. Thank you that you had prearranged the redemption of my life from death and have made me part of Your own inheritance in the saints who are here with me and those in heaven with you. Heavenly Father, how I praise and glorify Your holy name for the immeasurable riches that have been bestowed on me, at Christ's expense. Thank You that You have placed Your seal of ownership on me so that none can pluck me out of Your hand. Help me to live in the power of the Spirit, to Your praise and glory, all the days of my life. In Jesus' name, AMEN.
"21 Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. 22 God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. 23 And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself." (Ephesians 1:21-33)
Heavenly Father, how I praise and thank You that the Lord Jesus Christ has all power and authority over all that was, and is, and is to come. Give me a deeper understanding of what Christ has done, and may I worship in grateful thanks, from this day forward. Heavenly Father, thank You that the very power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to all the members of His Body. Thank you that by his death and Resurrection, Christ has won victory over sin and death for me and for all who trust in his name. Thank you that Christ triumphed over every principality and power and that his victory is not only future but can be accessed today, when we depend on Him and walk by faith.
Help me to live in humble obedience and dependence on Christ so that I may experience His grace and peace in every area of my life today. Loving Lord, I do not understand why you came down from your throne in heaven, set aside your glory, and came to earth to be rejected by men, and boldy die on the CROSS to save me. What I do know is that it is by your grace that I am a member of Your Body, and your fullness has filled me in every way. I give praise to your HOLY name, forever and ever, AMEN.
(Source: https://prayer.knowing-jesus.com/Ephesians)
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