Ephesians Bible Study Week 2

Ephesians 1:15–23 ESV

For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

How did you learn to pray?

What should occupy our prayers?

Thanksgiving

What is Paul giving thanks for in Ephesians 1:15-16

Why is it important to thank God for other people?

Do you wear glasses of grace or glasses of self-righteousness or self-centeredness? How can you improve in this area?

2. Intercession

How do we need to experience God’s intercession?

Do you make this a common aspect of your prayer life?

a. To Know God Better

Why should this aspect for a regular part of our prayer life?

b. To Know the Blessings of God Better

i. Hope

ii. Inheritance

iii. Power

How should we pray for these items and how will they make a difference in our lives?

3. Praise

What does the aspect of praise make in relation to our prayer life?

What is accomplished through these prayers?

a. Christ’s Resurrection

b. Christ’s Enthronement

c. Christ’s Supremacy

d. Christ’s Headship

What is the importance of these four characteristics of Christ and why are they important to our prayer life?

Personal Reflection

What is this passage taught you about prayer? What is missing in your prayer life?

Why do we need divine illumination when reading Scripture?

What practical difference would it make if we understood our hope, inheritance, and power better?

What does this passage say about the exaltation of Jesus? How might living with this awareness affect your life?