Bible Study 6th June, 2008

Paul’s Prayer 
Ephesians Ch. 3 vs. 14 to 21

God strengthens us

¹⁴For this reason I kneel before the Father,
¹⁵from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name.
¹⁶I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you
with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
¹⁷so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.
Ephesians 3:14-17a (NIV)

How are the three persons of the Trinity
                involved in strengthening and empowering believers?

• The Father strengthens believers , through the Holy Spirit,
  in order that the Son may dwell in their hearts.

Rooted in Love

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,
Ephesians 3:17b  (NIV)

In what ways had the Ephesian believers
                already experienced Christ’s love?

• They were rooted in it (receiving nourishment from it)
  and established in it (standing on it as a firm foundation)

The Scope of God’s Love

¹⁸may have power, together with all the saints,
to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,
Ephesians 3:18 (NIV)

What imagery does Paul use to convey the scope of Christ’s love?

• “how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ”,
  the imagery of measurement, width, length, height and depth.

The Fullness of God’s Love

¹⁹and to know this love that surpasses knowledge -
that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:19 (NIV)

When God fills us with his Spirit, how much do we get?

• that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God

God is Able

²⁰Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more
than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,
Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)

What degree of confidence does Paul express
                in God’s ability to answer his prayers?

• “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,”
  more than ask and more even than we can dream of.

Glory in Jesus and the Church

²¹to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations,
for ever and ever! Amen. 
Ephesians 3:21 (NIV)

How will God’s glory be manifested for time and eternity?

• “²¹to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus
  throughout all generations, for ever and ever!”
  in the church and in Christ Jesus