Ephesians Week 3

Day 1 

READ 

Ephesians 1:19-21 

19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. 21 Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. 

Paul further describes about God. Having referred to God’s great power toward believers, Paul says it was that power that resurrected Jesus from the dead and seated Him at God’s right hand. Jesus is seated “in the heavenly realms.”  As such, Jesus is far above all others and everything. This is true not only now but also forever. This should cause all believers to rejoice in how great their God is. 

REFLECT 

Have you thought recently about how great your God is? Nothing or no one can compare. 

RESPOND 

Read Philippians 2:8-11 to see that those who refuse Jesus in this life will someday bow to Him and call Him Lord. The choice is theirs about what they will decide. 

Day 2 

READ 

Ephesians 1:22-23 

22 God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. 23 And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself. 

Paul continues telling what God the Father did for God the Son. He put everything in subjection to Jesus and made Him head of the Church. This is another reference to reveal that all believers worldwide are known as the “body of Christ,” or as it says here, “his body.” When a person trusts in Jesus as Savior, that individual is placed into the body of Christ, 

REFLECT 

Think of the fact that you and believers in Jesus all over the world are in the same body—the body of Christ. 

RESPOND 

With your disciple, read 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 to see the reference for the one who believes being placed into the body of Christ. 

Day 3 

READ 

Ephesians 2:1-2 

Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 

When Paul first wrote this letter, there were no chapter and verse divisions. They were added later to make for easier reference. So you should read directly on from chapter 1 to chapter 2. Having told believers they were in the body of Christ, Paul now reminds them of their former life: they lived like the rest of the world obeying the devil. Note how Paul describes the devil: “He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.” 

REFLECT 

Do you sometimes wonder why your witness does not seem to make sense to unbelievers? The devil is at work in their hearts. 

RESPOND 

Read 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 and discuss with your disciple people you have witnessed to who, after talking with you, seemed completely unaware of any need to trust in Jesus. All believers can do is witness; only the Holy Spirit can regenerate a person. 

Day 4 

READ 

Ephesians 2:3 

3 All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. 

Paul describes the past life of the believers to whom he was writing. He includes himself when he says, “All of us used to live that way.” Paul wanted his readers to realize that in their unsaved state, every person was subject to God’s anger. Paul was stressing that every person deserves the worst from God and should expect the worst.  

REFLECT 

Have you thought about how, in your unsaved state, you deserved any punishment that God would have poured out on you? 

RESPOND 

Read Romans 5:9-11 and talk with your disciple about all unsaved people deserving condemnation from God because they are His enemies. 

Day 5 

READ 

Ephesians 2:4-5 

4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 

Paul wrote about the unsaved being the enemies of God and deserving judgment. Then he switches by contrasting what God did in spite of sinners being His enemies. Because God was rich in mercy He gave His only Son to die and be raised to life to bring about salvation for sinners. Then Paul reminds them of a theme in Ephesians 2—sinners are saved by grace and never by works. 

REFLECT 

Ponder what you possess because God sent His only Son to die for your sins. Although you can do nothing to earn salvation, you can live your life to honor Him because of your gratitude. 

RESPOND 

Compare Genesis 15:6 with Romans 4:20-22 to see that salvation in all ages has always been by grace through faith as shown in Abraham’s life.