Ephesians Week 2

Day 1 

READ 

Ephesians 1:11 

11 Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan. 

Paul continues to tell what believers possess because they are united with Christ. A loving and just God chose them in advance. Paul had mentioned in verse 4 that God has chosen believers before the foundation of the world. Now Paul assures believers they have received an inheritance from God. This has not taken place by chance; it is all according to God’s plan.  

REFLECT 

Think how grateful you can be that God had you in mind even before He brought the world into existence. 

RESPOND 

It is assumed by now that you have a disciple to share the truths you are considering. With that individual read Colossians 1:24-27 to see what Paul told believers there about the riches and glory of Christ. 

Day 2 

READ 

Ephesians 1:12-13 

12 God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God. 13 And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. 

Paul reveals God’s divine purpose. He notes that the Jewish people were the first to hear the gospel and trust in Jesus. This was because Jesus came to them as their Messiah. But now the Gentiles have also heard the gospel and have believed in Jesus. And having believed, God has put His seal of ownership on the Gentiles by giving them the Holy Spirit.  

REFLECT 

Thank the Lord that when you believed in Jesus for salvation, God put His seal of ownership on your life by giving you the indwelling Holy Spirit. 

RESPOND 

With your disciple, read 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 that also tells of God marking believers as His own by giving them the Holy Spirit. Talk with your disciple about how special this is. 

Day 3 

READ 

Ephesians 1:14 

14 The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him. 

Paul expresses more about God the Father giving believers the Holy Spirit. In Ephesians 1:10-11 Paul told about believers receiving an inheritance from God. This verse (2:14) further explains it. Note that God has purchased believers in Jesus to be “his own people.” And what are those believers to do? They are to praise and glorify God. Paul often praised God in his writing recorded in the divinely inspired Scriptures. Believers should follow Paul’s example and thank the heavenly Father for all He has done in making them “his own people.” 

REFLECT 

Think about the various things for which you can thank God today. You can begin with the most important in that you have forgiveness of sin and eternal life by believing in Jesus. 

RESPOND 

Read 1 Thessalonians 1:3-5 to see what Paul told other believers about being God’s own people. Take time in prayer with your disciple to thank God for calling you to be His own people. If your disciple is reluctant to pray aloud, have him listen while you pray. That will be a good example. 

Day 4 

READ 

Ephesians 1:15-16 

15 Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, 16 I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, 

The believers in Ephesus had a testimony of being strong in their faith in the Lord Jesus. It is also significant they were also known for loving God’s people everywhere. It is one thing to love believers who are your friends; it is quite another to love believers just because they are God’s own people. This so impressed the apostle Paul that he constantly thanked the Lord for them.  

REFLECT 

There are many Christ-followers in other countries beyond where you live. Thank the Lord for them and that they belong to Jesus just as you do. 

RESPOND 

Through your local fellowship of believers, learn of believers in other parts of the world. With your disciple, thank the Lord for these who know Jesus as Savior and pray they might honor Him in all they do. 

Day 5 

READ 

Ephesians 1:17-18 

17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. 18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. 

Paul here tells what he was praying constantly for the believers in Ephesus. Paul did not pray for their physical and material needs, he prayed for their spiritual needs. Paul wanted God to give them spiritual wisdom and insight. The reason for such a prayer was that they might grow in their knowledge of God. He prayed also for their hearts to be filled with God’s confident hope.  

REFLECT 

Not only do believers have an inheritance from God, but also God considers believers to be His “rich and glorious inheritance.” Thank the Lord that you are part of this inheritance. 

RESPOND 

Talk with your disciple about how blessed you are to belong to God. Pray for others who do not have this faith and assurance.