Ephesians: Wholeness in a 
World
Week of June 26, 2005
This Week’s Scripture Reading
Ephesians 2:11-18
11Don’t forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders by birth. You were called “the uncircumcised ones” by the Jews, who were proud of their circumcision, even though it affected only their bodies and not their hearts. 12In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from God’s people, Israel, and you did not know the promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope. 13But now you belong to Christ Jesus. Though you once were far away from God, now you have been brought near to him because of the blood of Christ.
14For Christ himself has made peace between us Jews and you Gentiles by making us all one people. He has broken down the wall of hostility that used to separate us. 15By his death he ended the whole system of Jewish law that excluded the Gentiles. His purpose was to make peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new person from the two groups. 16Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death, and our hostility toward each other was put to death. 17He has brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and to us Jews who were near. 18Now all of us, both Jews and Gentiles, may come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.
Prayers for the Week:
Sunday |
Heavenly Father, Thank You for this Lord’s day, a day when believers of all backgrounds come together all over the world to worship You and give You praise for Your great love shown to us in Jesus’ in whose name we offer this prayer. Amen. |
Monday |
Heavenly Father, I admit that I was once “far away.” Due to my sin, I was outside of Your family. Thank You for Jesus’ great sacrifice on my behalf. I claim the blood of Jesus alone as my key to Your presence. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. |
Tuesday |
Heavenly Father, I pray for all people everywhere who do not yet know You as the one, true God, nor acknowledge Jesus as their Savior and Lord. I pray that You will pour out Your Spirit that all may have the opportunity to respond to You. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. |
Wednesday |
Heavenly Father, I thank You that Jesus did make peace between me and every other person. I thank You that lines of race and creed no longer matter, and I ask that all people will bow and acknowledge Jesus as King! In His name. Amen. |
Thursday |
Heavenly Father, Jesus death on the cross ends the hostility of one faction against another. I pray for a fresh outpouring of Your Holy spirit that we may, indeed, live as the brothers and sisters we are through Jesus. In His name, I pray. Amen. |
Friday |
Heavenly Father, I pray that You will glorify Yourself in my life today. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit that my thoughts, words and actions will reflect You, and will lead others to ask about Your work in my life. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. |
Saturday |
Heavenly Father, as another week draws to a close, I pause to reflect on the many ways You have worked in, through, and around me. Thank You for Your faithfulness. Glorify Yourself in me today and always. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. |
Background on the Text
For most of us living in 21st century America, the Apostle Paul’s comments may seem quite strange. After all, he focuses in this week’s Scripture on the difference between being a Gentile or a Jew. The Jew’s believed they were God’s chosen people, and considered any non-Jew a “Gentile.” When Jesus came to redeem the world, He didn’t come just for the Jews, but for the whole world. Paul acknowledges that the Ephesian believers who were Gentiles were therefore “outsiders” by birth. Only by God’s great grace in and through Jesus did they receive salvation. The reality Paul presents, though, is that the same is true for everyone! It is Jesus and Jesus alone who makes us acceptable to God. His blood shed on the cross is what frees us from sin and death, and gives all of us the opportunity of going from being “far away” from God to very near. Thanks be to God for this fantastic gift, which is not only for this life, but also for eternity as well!
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