10 min
The Forge - Ephesians 1 The Forge
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- Christianity
1."Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." (v. 1)
Paul starts most of his letters with a this or a similar greeting. Paul prioritized the gift of grace and the importance of peace, acknowledging that those only come from and through our Father God and our Savior Jesus!
How do you greet your day? How do you greet others? How do you greet your family? Do you do the heart work of acknowledging God, expressing gratitude for the gift Jesus gave you on the cross, and do you declare the grace and peace of God over your day and your people? What might it look like to make that internal shift on a daily basis?
2. Through Ephesians, the phrase 'In Him' indicates when someone becomes a believer, they take on the identity of Jesus and the promises attached to that new identity.
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ." (v. 3)
What spiritual blessings are listed in verses 4-14 as the truth of being “In Him”? What other “In Hims” do you see throughout Ephesians?
3. Paul is writing Ephesians to Gentiles, who were historically not God's "chosen people." It took an effort to change the mindset that, because of Jesus, ALL people can join the body of Christ, not just Jews. He adopted anyone and everyone into His family. And we are all part of His master plan (v. 11-14).
Have you ever felt like an outsider in a space you really wanted to be in? What would it mean for you to be invited in, valued, and loved in that space? Could you extend that invitation to someone on the outskirts of your current space?
4. Pray this prayer over someone whose faith you admire, just as Paul prayed for the Ephesians (v. 16-19).
"God, give _________________ intelligence and discernment in knowing you personally. Make their eyes focused and clear, so they can see what you are calling them to do.
God, let ______________ see the immensity of the glorious way of life you have for your followers and how those who trust you get your utter extravagance, endless energy, and boundless strength.”
1."Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." (v. 1)
Paul starts most of his letters with a this or a similar greeting. Paul prioritized the gift of grace and the importance of peace, acknowledging that those only come from and through our Father God and our Savior Jesus!
How do you greet your day? How do you greet others? How do you greet your family? Do you do the heart work of acknowledging God, expressing gratitude for the gift Jesus gave you on the cross, and do you declare the grace and peace of God over your day and your people? What might it look like to make that internal shift on a daily basis?
2. Through Ephesians, the phrase 'In Him' indicates when someone becomes a believer, they take on the identity of Jesus and the promises attached to that new identity.
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ." (v. 3)
What spiritual blessings are listed in verses 4-14 as the truth of being “In Him”? What other “In Hims” do you see throughout Ephesians?
3. Paul is writing Ephesians to Gentiles, who were historically not God's "chosen people." It took an effort to change the mindset that, because of Jesus, ALL people can join the body of Christ, not just Jews. He adopted anyone and everyone into His family. And we are all part of His master plan (v. 11-14).
Have you ever felt like an outsider in a space you really wanted to be in? What would it mean for you to be invited in, valued, and loved in that space? Could you extend that invitation to someone on the outskirts of your current space?
4. Pray this prayer over someone whose faith you admire, just as Paul prayed for the Ephesians (v. 16-19).
"God, give _________________ intelligence and discernment in knowing you personally. Make their eyes focused and clear, so they can see what you are calling them to do.
God, let ______________ see the immensity of the glorious way of life you have for your followers and how those who trust you get your utter extravagance, endless energy, and boundless strength.”
10 min