ELNORA’S BIBLE STUDY WITH FRIENDS, Ephesians 3, Saturday, June 21, 2025
In this text, Paul focuses on the "mystery" of God's plan to unite Jews and Gentiles in one body, the Church, through faith in Jesus Christ. Paul, as a prisoner for the gospel, emphasizes his role in revealing this mystery to the Gentiles and prays for the Ephesians' spiritual growth and understanding of God's love.
The first three chapters of Ephesians are doctrinal, the last three are practical. Chapter 3 begins the transition from a Christian understanding of salvation, grace, and the power of Christ into a practical guide for Christian living. To make the transition, in this chapter, Paul refers to his own calling by God and prays for the spiritual strength of the Ephesian church. The early verses of chapter 4 will flow out of Paul's references to his own imprisonment. A Source: https://www.bibleref.com/Ephesians/3/Ephesians-chapter-3.html)
God's Mysterious Plan Revealed, Part 1, Verses 1-7, DR. DEBBIE
1 When I
think of all this, I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the benefit of you
Gentiles[a] ... 2 assuming, by
the way, that you know God gave me the special responsibility of extending his
grace to you Gentiles. 3 As I briefly
wrote earlier, God himself revealed his mysterious plan to me. 4 As
you read what I have written, you will understand my insight into this plan
regarding Christ. 5 God did not reveal it to
previous generations, but now by his Spirit he has revealed it to his holy
apostles and prophets. 6 And this
is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally
in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and
both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus.[b] 7 By God’s grace
and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading
this Good News.
SECTION QUESTIONS {To be added}
God's Mysterious Plan Revealed, Part 2, Verses 8-13, DESTINY
8 Though I
am the least deserving of all God’s people, he graciously gave me the privilege
of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ. 9 I was chosen to
explain to everyone[c] this mysterious
plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning. 10 God’s
purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich
variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was his
eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 Because
of Christ and our faith in him,[d] we can now come
boldly and confidently into God’s presence. 13 So please
don’t lose heart because of my trials here. I am suffering for you, so you
should feel honored.
SECTION QUESTIONS {To be added}
Paul's Prayer for Spiritual Growth, Verses 14-21, Still Available!
14 When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father,[e] 15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.[f] 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. 20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 21 Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen..
SECTION QUESTIONS {To be added}
Confessions for Ephesians, Chapter 3
"1When I think of all this, I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the benefit of you Gentiles[a] ... 2 assuming, by the way, that you know God gave me the special responsibility of extending his grace to you Gentiles." (Ephesians 3:1-2)
Heavenly Father, thank You that you purposed in Your heart to send the Lord Jesus as the sin-sacrifice for the world, and that Jew and Gentile alike can be saved by grace through faith in Him. Thank You that Paul was Your chosen apostle to the Gentiles and that he was ready and willing to be a prisoner of Christ, and to suffer for Him, so that the gospel would spread throughout the world. Thank You for my great salvation, and may I be ready and willing to walk through the fire and toward victory for His dear name's sake, and bring many into Your kingdom, I pray. In Jesus' name, AMEN.
"12 Because of Christ and our faith in him,[d] we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence. 13 So please don’t lose heart because of my trials here. I am suffering for you, so you should feel honored." (Ephesians 3:12-13)
Loving Father, what a privilege that You call me to Your throne with boldness and confidence through faith in the way that Jesus has prepared for me. Like Paul, I take pride in any suffering or hardship I experience here because I know the Lord is with me and will deliver me. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.
Source: https://prayer.knowing-jesus.com/Ephesians/3#
"14 When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father,[e] 15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.[f] 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources, he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit." (Ephesians 3:14-16)
Dear Father, the thoughts of all you have put into place to redeem us from hell have brought me to tears many times. When I fall to my knees, it is not out of tradition or routine. On my knees before you is my heart position at all times. You are the creator of everything in heaven and earth, and you are my Abba. I come before you in honor of your great name. Your limitless resources and love empower and strengthen me day by day. It is because of your Spirit alone that I am still here. I am delighted to be here until I have finished the work you have called me to do. (Aunt Jeannie)
"19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. 20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think." (Ephesians 3:19-20)
I am all consumed with the love of Jesus Christ for me. His love for me is so great that I cannot fully understand the magnitude and the beauty of his great love. Jesus, you have completed me in the fullness of life and in the power that is made available to me from God. I give God the glory and honor for his might and power that is alive in me. Help my imagination so that I might be more like you, oh Lord. For your plans for me are greater than anything I might ask or think to ask for. Thank you that I am part of the Body of Christ and that in the ages to come, we will demonstrate Your goodness and grace to all generations, forever and ever. In Jesus' name I pray, amen. (Aunt Jeannie)
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