Ephesians 1:15-23

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

A Prayer for Spiritual Wisdom and Enlightenment

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. Believers are capable of being spiritually enlightened.
    a. Concerning our knowledge
    b. Concerning our hope
    c. Concerning His inheritance
    d. Concerning His power
    1. God’s power was demonstrated in the resurrection, ascension and exaltation of Christ
    2. God’s power was declared in the headship of Christ over creation and the church

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Are you a strong Christian, both vertically and horizontally?

QUESTIONS

  1. Essentially, what was Paul’s prayer for the Ephesian believers?

  2. The spiritual blessings are contained in three stanzas. What is the refrain that closes each stanza?

  3. Which members of the Godhead are included in this doxology, and for what are they praised?

  4. What does it mean to be spiritually enlightened concerning knowledge?

  5. How is this knowledge gained?

  6. What is meant by the hope of His calling? (Ephesians 1:18)

ANSWERS

  1. That they would be able to comprehend, appreciate, and appropriate the spiritual blessings listed in Ephesians 1:4-14. It is a prayer for spiritual wisdom and enlightenment in light of these blessings.

  2. “To the praise of God’s glory.” See Ephesians 1:6, 12, 14.

  3. All three members are included a. God the Father is praised for electing us (1:6-12) b. God the Son is praised for redeeming us (1:13-14) c. God the Holy Spirit is praised for sealing us (1:13-14)

  4. It is not just knowing facts about God, but knowing Him personally.

  5. By reading God’s word and communicating with Him in prayer. We can pray for a spirit of wisdom and revelation to know God better.

  6. It is not just the fact that we are saved forever, but that we will be fully conformed to the image of God’s Son and share in His glory forever. It is a certain hope.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. We are God’s purchased possession, and we will actually enhance and display His glory. That is God’s inheritance. Discuss both His and our inheritance.

  2. Why does God want us to know about His great power? How does He reveal both the magnitude of His power and that it is working on our behalf?

CHALLENGE

  1. See Ephesians 1:15-16. What does it mean to be a strong Christian, both vertically and horizontally? Are you strong in both areas?

  2. Do you pray like Paul prayed for fellow believers?

KEY VERSES

  • “After I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers.” Ephesians 1:15-16

  • “I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, that the eyes of your understanding will be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of His calling and the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.” Ephesians 1:17-18

Ephesians, New Testament, TalksDeb HarmsEphesians 1:15-23