This week, we began a brand-new series called Treasure Hunt, where we are studying the book of Ephesians. This unique, important book of the Bible teaches us about our identity in Christ. After all, Jesus’ death and resurrection changed everything, even our identities.
How would you describe yourself in one word?
1. How do the things we say and believe about ourselves impact us?
2. Read Ephesians 1:3-11. How did Jesus’ death and resurrection impact our relationship with Christ?
Ephesians 1:3-11
3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. 4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. 6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. 7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. 8 He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. 9 God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan. 10 And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. 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.
3. What are the implications of being adopted into the family of God as His children?
4. Read Ephesians 1:18-23. What does this passage of Scripture reveal about the power of Jesus Christ?
Ephesians 1:18-23
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. 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. 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.
1. How does what you read about being a chosen, adopted child change the way you view yourself?
2. How are we to live in light of the truth that we are chosen, adopted children of God?
3. Jesus has power over everything. Is there an area of your life where you need that reminder of His power?
The truth that we are children of God changes everything. The question is, do we live like chosen, adopted Children of God? Take a moment to answer this question: How would you live if you truly believed the truth that you are a chosen child of God? Share your answer with your group. After everyone has shared, share with your group one step you can take this week to truly live like you believe you are a chosen child of God.
Since we are studying Ephesians over the next few weeks, let's dive deep into it to understand this book of the Bible on a deeper level. As we dive deeper into the book of Ephesians, we will study the author, the original audience, and the message of Ephesians.
In order to understand the book of Ephesians, we need to understand the author of the book of Ephesians. Knowing who wrote the book Ephesians will give us greater insight into this book of the Bible. After all, knowing the author of any letter impacts the way you read and understand it.
1.Read Ephesians 1:1.
Ephesians 1:1a
This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus.
2. Who is the author of this book of the Bible, and what did he say about himself?
3. What else do you know about Paul, the author of this book of the Bible?
4. Think about the message of Ephesians 1, which you studied with your group earlier in your time together. How might Paul be just the right person to write this message to God’s people?
Just like we need to understand who the author of Ephesians is, we also need to understand the original audience of Ephesians. These are the original people who received the letter of Ephesians. When we know the audience, we can better read and understand what God might have to say to us today.
1. Read Ephesians 1:1b
Ephesians 1:1b
I am writing to God’s holy people in Ephesus, who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus.
2. Who is the original audience of the book of Ephesians?
3. What do we know about the people who were the original audience of Ephesians?
4. How does knowing the original audience impact the way you read and understand Ephesians 1?
Each book of the Bible has a special message for its readers. When we understand the message or purpose of each book of the Bible, we can be better students of God's Word. Bible scholars have studied and written commentaries on each book of the Bible to help us understand their messages. Let’s take time to understand the message of the book of Ephesians.
1. Read the Bible study notes on the book of Ephesians in Dr. Constable’s Bible study notes (which can be found at https://www.planobiblechapel.org/tcon/notes/html/nt/ephesians/ephesians.htm) below:
One of the features of this book that distinguishes it from other Pauline epistles is its universal character. Ephesians deals with matters of perspective that are important to all churches of all periods of church history. Ephesians is not like 1 Corinthians, which concerns itself primarily with the situation of one local congregation. It is more like Romans, which deals with the great revelations that transcend local church polity. Ephesians is an exposition of one of the most important statements that Jesus ever uttered during His earthly ministry. That statement is in Matthew 16:18: "I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it."2 Various epistles similarly expound other teachings that Jesus gave while He walked this earth. For example, the Epistle of James is an exposition of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. John's first epistle is an exposition of Jesus' Upper Room Discourse. Likewise, Ephesians explains Jesus' teaching concerning the church. All the New Testament epistles deal with the church, of course, but Ephesians lifts us above all the other revelation on this subject and puts the church in perspective within the plan of God. Paul developed both the building of the church and the conflict of the church, which are suggested in Jesus' statement, in Ephesians.
2. After reading from this commentary, what is the message of Ephesians?
3 Look back at Ephesians 1. How do you see the message of Ephesians shining through Ephesians 1?
4. How is the message of Ephesians necessary in our world today?
Paul makes it clear in the book of Ephesians that the church is critical. It is, after all, the body of Christ. Take some time to think about how you are serving the church. If you are currently serving, share with your group how God has been working as you have been serving and one prayer request you have as you continue to serve. If you are not currently serving, how would you like to start serving in the church? When you are finished, pray together. Ask God to help each one of you as you serve, or take steps to begin serving and play a vital role in the church.
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