5. Ephesians 1v15-23,
3v14-21
Paul: power and
love
What is one
of the most powerful thing / machine
you have ever
seen?
The leader of
this section could bring images (from newspapers, magazines, books
or photos) that picture the words ‘wide; long; high and deep’ to
illustrate the Love of Christ (3v19). The group could respond in
praise, ending with 3v20-21.
The letter to the Ephesian church
was written by Paul from prison. Despite his loss of freedom, Paul seems
to break out and take his readers to breathtaking spiritual views! His
prayers seem to shake loose from the chains. We can read about Paul
praising God whilst in prison in Acts 16v25.
Before you read –
look at question 1.
Read Ephesians
1v15-23, 3v14-21
Questions:
1. What is
your first reaction to these prayers? What phrase ‘catches your eye’
and why?
2. What are
the ‘chains’ that frustrate your prayers? How can these be broken?
Share stories, joys and frustrations of your own ‘prayer life’ as
much as you feel able to do so. What is spiritual power? How do we
receive it?
3. Paul prays
that they might ‘know Him better’ (1v17). How do we ‘know God’ as
opposed to ‘know about God’? What have you done in the past year or
two in order to know Him better?
4. Look at
the prayers in Chapter 1 and 3 again – what would you like the group
to pray for you – perhaps one of the things Paul prays for the
Ephesians?
MAKE SURE
YOU HAVE TIME TO PRAY
Try
something new – all stand to pray –
lay hands
on one another
using a
phrase from the passage –
perhaps
the one that ‘caught your eye’.
Extra
Questions in the group or alone:
1. Previously
we spoke about being ‘filled with The Holy Spirit’. The theme returns
again 3v16-19. Since the last meeting can anyone say how they have been
‘filled’ – or simply known the presence of Christ in their lives. There
are two Greek words for ‘dwelling in’. The first is like that of a
passer by stopping over in a hotel. The second is that of a permanent
residence, like a home. The second word is used here to describe Christ
in us. Talk about what this means for you.
2. What do
these passages tell us about Jesus? How does this help our prayer life?
3. What does
‘For this reason’ (1v15 NIV) mean? Look at the verses before to see the
inspiration for why Paul prays like he does – just read it – and feel
his excitement.
Pray for the
coming church activities that are seeking to fulfil the ‘Grow out’
in our vision. Alpha; Sundays; Events and our website:
stmarysaom.org
You might like to
read John 17v6-19 before the next meeting.
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