So many of us settle for a life that won’t matter. A life filled with complacent hearts and conflicting passions. But Christ beckons us to more. As we bring Him our weakness and inadequacy, He provides us with the strength, wisdom and opportunity to reach more, serve more, and give more for His glory. ~ Pastor Dave
Open: Do you have any distinguishing physical characteristics? How have they become a way that people identify you?
Read: Discuss: Ephesians 3; Colossians 1:24-2:7; 1 Thessalonians 4
Discuss:
1. Paul begins Ephesians 3 with the words “For this reason.” What is the “reason” from chapter 2 that Paul is referencing? What are some of the walls that Jews and Gentiles alike created? What are some of the walls that we create against other people? Where do these “walls” come from?
2. The Ephesians Christians were experiencing identity-drift. Many were pulling away from their newfound faith in Christ because Paul, the one who brought the gospel to them, was in prison. In what ways do we worry about the future? How can these worries create identity-drift in us? Would you consider your identity in Christ firm or unstable? Why?
3. Paul describes the gospel as a mystery. Do you like mysteries or secrets? Why or why not? How does anticipation build when waiting for a secret to be revealed? In Ephesians 3:6, Paul makes three statements to identify the mystery. What is the mystery? How are each of these statements similar yet different? What would have made this mystery so profound to the Christians in Paul’s day?
4. Describe the “unsearchable riches of Christ.” How is the existence of the church a much higher purpose than we realize? How does the Church show the wisdom of God in a greater way than all of creation? How is the church the catalyst of God perpetuating that wisdom to the world? What are things that hinder this wisdom from being seen?
5. Ephesians 3:14-21 is a prayer. What does Paul pray for? What stands out to you most in this prayer? Which one do you need most in your life right now?
6. God wants to do “abundantly more” than we can ask or think so that Christ gets glory in the church. What is the “more” that God is calling you to in the church for His glory?
Pray: Pray that you would be so aware of “abundantly more” that God might be calling you to in the church for His glory.
Memorize/Meditate: Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21
