Ephesians Week 6

Day 1 

READ 

Ephesians 3:6-7 

6 And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus. 7 By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News. 

Although alluding to it previously, Paul now explains what the mystery is. It is that believing Jews and Gentiles share “equally in the riches inherited by God’s children.” It was not unknown in the Old Testament that Gentiles could be saved by believing in God, but it was unknown they would someday be in the same spiritual body with Jewish believers. The Jews could have never considered being in the same body with the Gentiles. Paul rejoices he has been given the privilege of telling this good news. 

REFLECT 

Does this give you a greater appreciation for all those you can consider brothers and sisters in Christ? 

RESPOND 

With your disciple, talk about the different ethnic groups you can think of, and thank the Lord that all of you share equally in the body of Christ.  

Day 2 

READ 

Ephesians 3:8-9 

8 Though I am the least deserving of all God’s people, he graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ. 9 I was chosen to explain to everyone this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning. 

In his unsaved state, Paul was a religious Jew and strict Pharisee. He would never have thought then there could be any equality with the Gentiles. Now God is using him to announce the previously unknown truth that Gentiles are equal in the body of Christ with Jewish believers. He realized it was only by the grace of God he was saved and chosen by God to announce this good news to the Gentiles.  

REFLECT 

Do you also marvel at the grace of God in saving you and using you to tell others about Jesus? 

RESPOND 

With your disciple, read 1 Timothy 1:14-16 to see how Paul marveled at the grace of God and using him to tell others about Jesus. Do you feel the same way? 

Day 3 

READ 

Ephesians 3:10-11 

10 God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Having told what God’s plan is for Jews and Gentiles in the same spiritual body, Paul now tells of the purpose. God will use this to show His wisdom to all unseen rulers and authorities in heavenly places. Because God is omniscient; that is, He knows all. This was in His eternal plan from the beginning. But how would He accomplish it? He accomplished it by sending His only Son to die on the cross for lost mankind. 

REFLECT 

Because God knows everything, you can count on Him in whatever problem you face. God is greater than any problem you have. 

RESPOND 

Read Ephesians 6:10-12 to see what Paul also wrote about evil rulers and authorities in the unseen world.  

Day 4 

READ 

Ephesians 3:12-13 

12 Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence. 13 So please don’t lose heart because of my trials here. I am suffering for you, so you should feel honored. 

Paul was concerned that the Ephesian believers might become discouraged because of their trials. He assured them they could come boldly to the throne of grace because of what Jesus has accomplished for them. This should encourage all believers. In the Old Testament, the Jews had to follow all kinds of details before approaching God through the high priest. Paul also refers to his imprisonment as suffering for them and wants them to feel honored because of that.  

REFLECT 

Is it encouraging to you to know you can come to God by prayer anytime you wish? You need to take advantage of what He has made available. 

REPOND 

With your disciple, read Hebrews 4:14-16 that tells about Jesus being our great high priest and to whom believers are encouraged to come boldly to the throne of grace. 

Day 5 

READ 

Ephesians 3:14-15 

14 When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, 15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. 

Now Paul concludes what he began in verse 1. Having mentioned the believing Jews and Gentiles are equal in the same spiritual body, this brings him to prayer. He adores God as the Creator of “everything in heaven and on earth.”  Paul believed what Genesis 1:1 says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” The chapter goes on to tell what else God did as He created something out of nothing. 

REFLECT 

Think about what a great God you serve. Only He could bring something out of nothing. Think also how much He loves you by sending His only Son to die for you. 

RESPOND 

Hebrews 11 is known as the great faith chapter. Many examples are given concerning what believers in God did by faith. Notice that the first 3 verses tell about accepting by faith what God did in the beginning because no one was there to witness it.