Ephesians 3:14-21
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. 20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
—Ephesians 3:14-21
Today’s lesson concludes Part One of our study through Ephesians. We will break for the celebration of Advent, Jesus’ first coming to our world, and resume our study of Ephesians in January. To summarize our study thus far, two prayers enclose the first three chapters of Ephesians: Paul opens the letter with a blessing and a prayer for his readers (Ephesians 1:3–23) and then ends with a second prayer for them (Ephesians 3:14–21). The content of these prayers offers believers a helpful reminder of how we should pray.
First, Paul prays that believers will grow in their knowledge of Christ (Ephesians 1:17–18; 3:18–19). This knowledge is more than merely factual; it is experiential and gained by living with the presence of Christ within us as we learn the depths of Christ’s love and the greatness of God’s power. Second, Paul prays for believers to be strengthened by the Holy Spirit. Paul views the presence of the Spirit as one of the “spiritual blessings” (Ephesians 1:3) given to believers and therefore prays that Christ’s indwelling presence in their hearts (Ephesians 3:16–17) will deepen the roots of their faith.
—Ephesians 3:14-21
Today’s lesson concludes Part One of our study through Ephesians. We will break for the celebration of Advent, Jesus’ first coming to our world, and resume our study of Ephesians in January. To summarize our study thus far, two prayers enclose the first three chapters of Ephesians: Paul opens the letter with a blessing and a prayer for his readers (Ephesians 1:3–23) and then ends with a second prayer for them (Ephesians 3:14–21). The content of these prayers offers believers a helpful reminder of how we should pray.
First, Paul prays that believers will grow in their knowledge of Christ (Ephesians 1:17–18; 3:18–19). This knowledge is more than merely factual; it is experiential and gained by living with the presence of Christ within us as we learn the depths of Christ’s love and the greatness of God’s power. Second, Paul prays for believers to be strengthened by the Holy Spirit. Paul views the presence of the Spirit as one of the “spiritual blessings” (Ephesians 1:3) given to believers and therefore prays that Christ’s indwelling presence in their hearts (Ephesians 3:16–17) will deepen the roots of their faith.
Small Group Discussion Questions
- Did you learn a memorized prayer as a child, perhaps at meals or at bedtime? Can you recite it now? Is this a prayer you still pray? Also, were your childhood prayers said in “the King’s English” using words like ‘thee’ and ‘thou’? If so, do you still do that? Why or why not?
- Share two of your most significant observations.
- Share one application you plan to put into practice.
- How does Ephesians 2:14-15 continue to reinforce Paul’s theme of one new people of God in Christ?
- In Paul’s prayer, he references a “power” that believers have within themselves through the Spirit. Why is this so significant within our spiritual lives? See also Ephesians 5:18, Micah 3:8, Romans 8:2-4 and Philippians 2:12-13.
- How does Paul’s example of prayer in this passage challenge you as you compare it to your prayer life?
- In his prayer that Christ would dwell in the hearts of the Ephesian believers (3:17), Paul uses the Greek word katoikeō (κατοικέω), which refers to settling down or permanently residing somewhere. What does it mean to have Christ living in you?
- In what ways should His presence affect the way you live (see Ephesians 4:17–24)? What can you do to remember that Christ is dwelling in you?
- Paul wants the Ephesian believers to understand just how wide, long, high, and deep Christ’s love is (Ephesians 3:18). Yet if the love of Christ “surpasses knowledge” (Ephesians 3:19), how can we know it?
- The Greek word for “knowledge” (gnosis, γνῶσις) often refers to knowledge gained through experience. In what ways have you experienced the love of Christ? How do these experiences help you understand Christ’s love?
- Paul concludes his prayer with a benediction that glorifies God (Ephesians 3:20–21). How does he describe God in these verses?
- In what ways do Paul’s words reassure you that God is able not only to do more than you ask but also to do more than you can comprehend?
Posted in Sermon Notes