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EPHESIANS - LESSON TWO

INTRODUCTION:

After we have entered a saving relationship with God in Christ, what is next? By studying 1:15-23, we learn from Paul's prayer for the Ephesians, new Christians should be growing in spiritual perception. Let us notice in this study the character of this spiritual perception and make it ours.

I. PAUL'S PRAYER FOR THE EPHESIANS' SPIRITUAL PERCEPTION (1:15-23)

   A. Basis for Paul's thanksgiving for the Ephesians (v.15)

        1. The blessings connected with being in Christ (cf.v.3-14) - "for this cause".

        2. Heard of Ephesians' faith.

        3. Heard of Ephesians' love toward the saints.

   B. Thanks given always (v.16).

   C. Requests: (v.17-23).

       1. That God would give Ephesians spirit of wisdom and revelation (v.17-18a)

           a) Based upon knowledge of Himself.

           b) Have eyes of heart enlightened.

       2. Things Ephesians would know: (v.18b - 23).

           a) The hope of God's calling (v.18b).

           b) The riches of the glory of God's inheritance in the saints(v.18c).

           c) The exceeding greatness of God's power toward saints (v.19-23).

               (1) The power used in raising Christ from the dead (v.20a).

               (2) The power used in exalting Christ (v.20b-21).

               (3) The power used in subjecting all things to Christ (v.22a).

               (4) The power used to make Christ head over the church (v.22b-23).

                    (a) The church is His body (v.23a).

                    (b) The church is His fulness (v.23b).

QUESTIONS:

1. What two essentials in our spiritual life were found in the Ephesians?

a. How did Paul know about these qualities?

2. How regularly did Paul pray for the Ephesians?

3. Describe the character of the type of "spirit" Paul desired for the Ephesians:

4. Paul's priority for the Ephesians was for them to have a (an) (a) emotional experience (b) boring experience (c)     understanding experience.

5. What three main things did Paul want the Ephesians to know?

6. How were the Ephesians called?

7. What is connected with this calling?

8. What is the "inheritance in the saints" in verse 18?

9. What does Paul want saints to appreciate about this inheritance?

10. Define the word "power" , and how is it used in verses 19-23?

11. How great is God's power?

12. Christ is ______________ over _____ _________ to the ______________ .

13. The church is Christ's _________________ .

14. In what sense is the body of Christ the "fullness" of God?