Ice Breaker

What childhood dreams (Goal or Vision) do you remember. Did any of them come to fruition? Are there any dreams you still have?

Watch the Bible Project video: 4:21-4:47

God’s dream (plan) was always to receive imperfect people through sacrificial love and invite them to enter into His multi-ethnic forever family.

Part One: Read Ephesians 3:1-7

Jews and Gentiles are equal before God and together in heaven.
1. Paul begins this chapter with, “For this reason.” What reason is Paul referring to?
2. What is the mystery Paul is referring to in the text?
3. In verse 6, the word “Together” appears three times. What are the things that the Jews and Gentiles share together?

Part Two: Read Ephesians 3:8-13

Paul addresses himself as being “least of God’s people” because of his past. (1 Cor 15:9)

  1. How does humility unleash God’s power to work in us?
  2. What are the issues (relationships, known sin, Fears -unknown/uncontrollable, hate brother) that keep us from serving God?
  3. What does Paul say are the reasons he has been given this message?

Part Three:

God will not bless churches that take a different direction than to preach the “unsearchable riches of Christ”. (Ephesians 3:10)

  1. What are the things that pull churches away from preaching Christ?
  2. What are the unnecessary things in your life that distract you from Christ?
  3. How can we keep balance in our lives, so that we keep from being distracted?

Part Four:

God wants us to approach Him with Freedom and Confidence. (Ephesian 3:12)
1. What keeps us from feeling freedom and confidence before God? (a) lack of knowledge, (b) allowance of disruptors (weak) commitments, (3) looking for a way to disengage, (4) known sin/evil/badness, (5) contentment with our current situation, (6) limited prayer life.
2. What are ways we can approach God with freedom and confidence?

Part Five: Read Ephesians 3:14-21

Prayer for the Ephesians

  1. What are the glorious riches God provides? (Ephesians 3:16-19)
  2. Why do you think Paul prays for what God already has for his people? (John 15:7)
  3. Why do you think Paul ends his prayer with praise?

In the context of “Spiritual Warfare” We have been BROUGHT BACK FROM THE DEAD as part of God’s love and work in His big eternal plan of building a multi-ethnic forever family. Paul prays that we grasp God’s love, to know this love through Personal experience, be filled with His power, knowing that we have a cross to bear, before receiving a crown.

Leaders Note

Leader notes and scriptures are provided so that you as the leader will be able to help lead discussion. Leader notes and scripture are not included with the standard questions.

Ice Breaker

What childhood dreams (Goal or Vision) do you remember. Did any of them come to fruition? Are there any dreams you still have?

Watch the Bible Project video: 4:21-4:47

 

God’s dream (plan) was always to receive imperfect people through sacrificial love and invite them to enter into His multi-ethnic forever family.

Part One: Read Ephesians 3:1-7

For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power.

Ephesians 3:1–7 (NIV84)

Jews and Gentiles are equal before God and together in heaven.

  1. Paul begins this chapter with, “For this reason.” What reason is Paul referring to?

Leaders Note: “For this reason” refers to Paul’s argument in Chapter 2 that Jew and Gentile have been made one in Christ. Paul uses two metaphors to describe this unity: 1. We are fellow citizens of the same household and we are built together as God’s Temple with Christ as the Chief Cornerstone for the dwelling of the Holy Spirit.

2. What is the mystery Paul is referring to in the text?
3. In verse 6, the word “Together” appears three times. What are the things that the Jews and Gentiles share together?

Part Two: Read Ephesians 3:8-13

Paul addresses himself as being “least of God’s people” because of his past. (1 Cor 15:9)

For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

1 Corinthians 15:9 (NIV84)

 

  1. How does humility unleash God’s power to work in us?
  2. What are the issues (relationships, known sin, Fears -unknown/uncontrollable, hate brother) that keep us from serving God?
  3. What does Paul say are the reasons he has been given this message?

Part Three:

God will not bless churches that take a different direction than to preach the “unsearchable riches of Christ”. (Ephesians 3:10)
1. What are the things that pull churches away from preaching Christ?
2. What are the unnecessary things in your life that distract you from Christ?
3. How can we keep balance in our lives, so that we keep from being distracted?

Part Four:

God wants us to approach Him with Freedom and Confidence. (Ephesian 3:12)
1. What keeps us from feeling freedom and confidence before God? (a) lack of knowledge, (b) allowance of disruptors (weak) commitments, (3) looking for a way to disengage, (4) known sin/evil/badness, (5) contentment with our current situation, (6) limited prayer life.
2. What are ways we can approach God with freedom and confidence?

Part Five: Read Ephesians 3:14-21

Prayer for the Ephesians
1. What are the glorious riches God provides? (Ephesians 3:16-19)

Leaders Note: 1. Strengthens us with power through his Spirit 2. Christ may dwell in our heart 3. We will be rooted and established in love 4. We may have power with all the Saints 5. We may grasp the immensity of the love of Christ 6. We will know the love that surpasses knowledge 7. We may be filled with the fullness of God.

2. Why do you think Paul prays for what God already has for his people? (John 15:7)

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.

John 15:7 (NIV84) 

3. Why do you think Paul ends his prayer with praise?

Leaders Note: If time permits have the group pray Ephesians 3:16-21 for each other.

In the context of “Spiritual Warfare” We have been BROUGHT BACK FROM THE DEAD as part of God’s love and work in His big eternal plan of building a multi-ethnic forever family. Paul prays that we grasp God’s love, to know this love through Personal experience, be filled with His power, knowing that we have a cross to bear, before receiving a crown.