Ephesians: Wholeness in a 
World
Week of June 19, 2005
This Week’s Scripture Reading
Ephesians 2:1-10
1Once you were dead, doomed forever because of your many sins. 2You used to live just like the rest of the world, full of sin, obeying Satan, the mighty prince of the power of the air. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3All of us used to live that way, following the passions and desires of our evil nature. We were born with an evil nature, and we were under God’s anger just like everyone else.
4But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so very much, 5that even while we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s special favor (grace) that you have been saved!) 6For he raised us from the dead along with Christ, and we are seated with him in the heavenly realms—all because we are one with Christ Jesus. 7And so God can always point to us as examples of the incredible wealth of his favor and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us through Christ Jesus.
8God saved you by his special favor (grace) when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Prayers for the Week:
Sunday |
Heavenly Father, today I acknowledge that I WAS born with an evil nature and that apart from Jesus that would be my reality still. I praise You for Jesus’ great sacrifice, and pray that I may live in the newness of life He provides everyday! Amen. |
Monday |
Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your great grace and rich mercy, which You showered on us through Jesus, even when we still dead in our sins. Thank You for providing the key to salvation, and giving us entrance into eternal life. Amen. |
Tuesday |
Heavenly Father, I praise You for the Apostle Paul’s words that right now we are seated in the heavenly realms, because we are one with Jesus! While that isn’t always evident in my daily life, I praise You for making it so, for loving me that much. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. |
Wednesday |
Heavenly Father, Thank You for making me an example of the incredible wealth of Your favor and kindness towards all, who trust in Jesus. Thank You for giving me a new life, and for showing me joy each day. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. |
Thursday |
Heavenly Father, I acknowledge that it is by Your grace and Your grace alone, that I have been saved! Nothing in me is worthy of salvation. Thank You for providing the means through Jesus, for me to know You today and forever. Amen. |
Friday |
Heavenly Father, Thank You that no one can earn our way into heaven, that salvation is a gift. Because of that truth, each of us can focus on living in humble gratitude for Your provision for all that we need through Jesus. In His name, I pray. Amen. |
Saturday |
Heavenly Father, what an amazing gift to be called Your “masterpiece.” Praise You for loving me and transforming me by Your grace that I can be called by such a wonderful name. By Your Spirit, glorify Yourself in me today and always. Amen. |
Background on the Text
In this week’s Scripture, the Apostle Paul speaks of our being seated in heaven with God as if has already happened. While that statement can seem confusing, the reality is that we ARE already guaranteed of our “seat” in the heavenlies with Jesus, because of what He has done in our lives. He told the disciples in John 14, that He was going to prepare a place for us in heaven and that He would return and take us to that place, so we could be with Him. Ephesians 2:1-10 gives us a glimpse of what that is like, and also reminds us that we have done absolutely nothing to deserve being there. Our place in heaven is a matter of God’s grace (the NLT reads “special favor”), and not of our works. How incredible it is that God’s plan means that the certainty of our being with Him is so sure that Paul says we already ARE!
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