Ephesians: Wholeness in a 
World
Week of June 12, 2005
This Week’s Scripture Reading
Ephesians 1:15-23
15Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for Christians everywhere, 16I have never stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, 17asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. 18I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the wonderful future he has promised to those he called. I want you to realize what a rich and glorious inheritance he has given to his people.
19I pray that you will begin to understand the incredible greatness of his power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. 21Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else in this world or in the world to come. 22And God has put all things under the authority of Christ, and he gave him this authority for the benefit of the church. 23And the church is his body; it is filled by Christ, who fills everything everywhere with his presence.
Prayers for the Week:
Sunday |
Heavenly Father, I thank You for those who love Your Son, Jesus, wherever they may be this day! I praise You that the Good News of Your salvation is celebrated on every continent. As we worship You today, make us aware of Your universal love and presence in those who serve Your Son! Amen. |
Monday |
Heavenly Father, right now I pause to give You thanks for all the believers I know personally, who are living their faith to Your glory. I thank You especially for those who have shown me Your ways. (Take some time to thank God…..) Amen. |
Tuesday |
Heavenly Father, please flood my heart with Your light right now, that I may know You more fully than ever before, and that I may experience the power of Your grace in new ways. This I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen. |
Wednesday |
Heavenly Father, I thank You for the inheritance You have given to me and to all who call upon You’re the name of Jesus. I thank You that for me this life is abundant and eternal life with You awaits me one day. I praise You in Jesus’ name. Amen. |
Thursday |
Heavenly Father, Thank You for the mighty power that You alone possess—a power that raised Jesus from the dead, and continues to transform me each day. Pour that power into my life right now, that my life may honor You. Amen. |
Friday |
Heavenly Father, Thank You for the authority You have given Jesus to rule over all of creation! Thank You for passing that authority to us in Jesus’ own words in His Great Commission. Empower us to use that authority to your glory! Amen. |
Saturday |
Heavenly Father, Thank You that I am part of Your body, the Church. I pray that You will pour out Your Spirit upon us that we may live in the unity and power that only He can give. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. |
Background on the Text
As you read this week’s Scripture notice two important features: 1) Paul’s overwhelming gratitude for the faith of the Ephesian believers; and 2) his desire for them to know the greatness of God’s power, which was demonstrated most clearly through Jesus’ resurrection of the dead. As Paul prayed for the Ephesian believers, we need to pray for those who are faithfully sharing the Good News, whether in the church, out on the mission field, or on the mission field of daily life—in work places and schools. We must also remember that no matter how the situation looks in the world around us, God IS in charge. His power is the only eternal power in the universe. That means that as His children, we may rejoice in His glorious power and presence in our lives, and live in victory regardless of what the outward circumstances may indicate. Our God is a God of great and wondrous power, which He uses to bring us into an eternal relationship with Him, through Jesus!
Monday
Observation: What does the text say?
Tuesday
Interpretation: What do these verses mean?
Wednesday
Application: How can I respond to the text’s insights and teachings?
Thursday
After reading and studying this text, reflect on the following discipleship growth points:
Encouraged and strengthened me by:
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Fallen short areas
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What will I do with these insights?
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Friday
After reading and studying this text, reflect on the following discipleship growth points:
What did God say to me this week?
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Share insights and growth points.
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Changed/transformed how?
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Saturday
Reflective Thoughts