Ephesians: Wholeness in a 
World
Week of July 3, 2005
This Week’s Scripture Reading
Ephesians 2:19-22
19 So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. 20 We are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. 21 We who believe are carefully joined together, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. 22 Through him you Gentiles are also joined together as part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.
Prayers for the Week:
Sunday |
Heavenly Father, Thank you for making me a citizen of your kingdom! I want to thank you for the privilege of living in the United States of America, but even more, I thank you for the privilege of being part of your kingdom! Help me today to keep you as my utmost priority. In Jesus’ name. . . Amen. |
Monday |
Dear God, I worship you today. Thank you for bringing me near to you through the blood of Jesus. Because of him I am no longer distant, but I am now a part of your family. Thank you for making me your child. In Jesus’ name. . . Amen. |
Tuesday |
Dear Jesus, you are my cornerstone! You are the one in whom I can build my life upon and focus on. Thank you that I am now stable because of you. I know that nothing that happens to me will ever shake me because I am grounded in you. I ask that you help me to be strong in you. . . Amen. |
Wednesday |
Gracious God, I find my place of refuge in you! I have found my place of belonging in your kingdom because of who you are. I no longer have to feel lonely are abandoned because of what your son did for me. Help me to shelter myself under your sovereign care. In Jesus’ name. . . Amen. |
Thursday |
Dear God, Thank you for the blessings of being a citizen of your kingdom! Because of you I can know wholeness and healing, goodness, redemption, and salvation. Everything I need, I can find in you. What a blessing it is to be a part of your heavenly kingdom! In Jesus’ name. . . Amen. |
Friday |
Heavenly Father, because of your son I am victorious! Nothing will be able to destroy me because through you love and grace, I am a conqueror. Thank you that I am part of a kingdom that will not fail. Eternity will reveal the awesome glory of knowing victory in you. In Jesus’ name. . . Amen. |
Saturday |
Dear Jesus, thank you for the indwelling Spirit! Without his guidance in my life, I would not know where to turn. Help me to abide in him as I seek to do your kingdom business in the world. May my life be driven by the Holy Spirit at all times. In your name I ask this. . . Amen. |
Background on the Text
In Ephesians 2:11-22, the apostle Paul provides the thought of being “one” through Jesus Christ, but he divides these verses in three sections. The first section is in verses 11-13 where Paul explains the initial contrast between the Gentiles (non-Jews) and Israel. He tells them that the Gentiles were “excluded” from God’s people and “without hope.” The second section in this passage is verses 14-18. In this section Paul reveals how the Gentiles were brought near to God. The hostility that once existed is broken through Christ and there is now peace. The final, third, section of Paul’s thought is in today’s verses (19-22). When Jesus brings reconciliation, Gentiles are now citizens of God’s kingdom and full members of His family. Gentiles now have just as much right to be a part of God’s people as the Jews. Hostility should no longer abound in the church because Jesus brings full reconciliation.
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