Chapter One
Study 1
The Blessings of God
Ephesians 1
In my junior year of college a friend asked me if I would preach at a
small church in Chicago. It was a house-church with about fifty
people in attendance. I agreed to preach, and I began to prepare a
message from the first chapter of Ephesians.
The unique part of this experience was that most of the fifty
church members were just beginning to learn English. My friend's
name was Demetrius, and he was born and raised in Thessalonica,
Greece. Like him, most of the congregation spoke Greek fluently.
Demetrius interpreted as I preached. The congregation was warm
and friendly and seemed to relate well with what I was saying. Their
smiles and nodding heads affirmed that my message was hitting the
mark. I spoke with enthusiasm, Demetrius interpreted with equal
excitement, and the small congregation listened intently. Everything
seemed to be going fine.
As I spoke about the church at Ephesus and gave the apostle Paul's
greeting, I asked a simple question: "Whom is Paul talking about when
he refers to 'the saints in Ephesus'?" I answered my own rhetorical
question with the statement, "He is speaking of all the believers."
I explained that all Christians are saints in God's eyes. As I spoke
these words and clarified Paul's view of sainthood, I realized very
quickly that I was losing my audience. They might not have spoken
much English, but the universal language of furrowed brows, confused
expressions, and shaking heads spoke volumes. They did not
agree with me!
After the message we had an open discussion (with interpretation),
and several people explained their concern. Most of them came
from a church background where a few select people are made "saints"
by the church. They expressed their honest belief that they would
never be able to attain this high and special status of sainthood.
1. What mental pictures come to mind when you hear the
word saint?
Perhaps you have known someone whom you would call a
saint or regard as having lived a "saintly" life. What was it
about his or her life that impressed you?
2. Read Ephesians 1:1-14. Would you expect someone to call
you a saint? Why or why not?
3. Paul says we have been blessed in Christ "with every spiritual
blessing" (v. 3). What are some of the spiritual blessings
you have received through Jesus Christ?
4. In this passage we find a wonderful synopsis of the gospel.
How would you define these three very important words (vv.
7-8)?
- Redemption
- Forgiveness
- Grace
How do we experience God's redemption, forgiveness, and
grace in our daily lives?
5. What concepts come to mind when you read the words "the
riches of God's grace that he lavished on us" (vv. 7-8)?
How have you experienced the working of God's grace and
goodness in your life?
6. Why is the blood of Jesus a central element of the gospel
message (v. 7)?
7. What is the place and work of the Holy Spirit in our salvation
(vv. 13-14)?
What is the work of the Holy Spirit in our continued spiritual
growth?
8. Read Ephesians 1:15-23. What does Paul ask God to give
the Christians at the church of Ephesus?
How can each of these qualities help believers grow in faith
as God's saints?
9. Paul asks God to open the spiritual eyes of the Ephesians so
that they may see three things. What is the significance of
each (vv. 18-19)?
- To see the hope to which we have been called
- To see the riches of his glorious inheritance
- To see his great power for all who believe
10. Paul compares the power available to us with the same
power with which Christ rose from the dead. What does it
mean to walk in the "resurrection power" of Jesus?
How can we learn to do that (vv. 19-22)?
11. What do we learn about Jesus in verses 20-23?
How should the truth of these passages mold and shape the
way we worship Jesus?
12. What does Paul mean when he calls the church "Christ's
body"?
What are some meaningful parallels between the human
body and the church as the body of Christ?
13. What can we do to strengthen and uphold the body of
Christ?
Memory
Verse
I pray also 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 the saints.
-Ephesians 1:18
Between Studies
Use Paul's prayer in Ephesians 1 as a guideline for the coming week.
Day 1: Thank God for making you a saint through the death and
resurrection of Jesus (v. 15).
Day 2: Spend time thanking the Lord for your fellow saints in the
faith (v. 16).
Day 3: Pray for God's wisdom to fill the life of a friend who needs
direction from the Lord (v. 17).
Day 4: Ask God to open your eyes to see the hope and the rich
inheritance that you have in Christ (v. 18).
Day 5: Ask God to show you how to have the resurrection power
of Jesus in your daily life (vv. 19-20).
Day 6: Praise God for saving you through the shed blood of Jesus
(vv. 20-22).
Day 7: Pray for strength and health in the body of Christ, the
church (vv. 22-23).
(Continues.)
