The Master's Touch small group Bible studies
A Secure Confidence, Ephesians 1:15-23
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There are times when we enter a new situation and we need confidence. Perhaps we are just accepted onto a team. Perhaps we have been newly hired. These things can cause us to wonder, are we going to be accepted; are we going to make it? New Christians also feel this way.
The Gentiles (non-Jews) in the days of the early church had responded to the gospel and were being saved. Would they be accepted into the Christian assemblies? Perhaps one of you has been newly saved and you are wondering the same thing. The Apostle Paul had a prayer for them, for you, and really for all of us since what he prayed is something we all need. What did he pray? [Read Ephesians 1:15-19a]
According to Ephesians 1:15-16, what is it we need when we lack confidence?
What is next in Paul's prayer (Ephesians 1:17-18)
According to Ephesians 1:19b-21 How much power do we have as God's children to ask things of Him?
Now that we have the power to do miracles, can we do whatever we want? Ephesians 1:22-23 tempers that thought. What is the implication from these verses?
Lessons to Live by: (ask for members' input first)
Today's Bible memory verse: Ephesians 1:17 "I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better." (NIV)
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A1: Paul gave thanks when he remembered their faith and love, he prayed that the Ephesian believers might be given a spirit of wisdom and revelation so that they might know God better, he prayed that they might be enlightened to understand their hope, their inheritance and the incredible power of God within them.
How are we doing with this? Would other people give thanks for our faith and love? Are we reading our Bibles so that we may be enlightened to understand our hope, our inheritance? Do we understand the incredible power of God within us? We can ask anything for his name and his glory and he will answer it. He is our shield and defender, and he can knock down walls and help us in spiritual warfare.
A2: We need someone to give us words of appreciation, and words of thanks for being on the team and giving our best contributions. Paul thanked the Ephesian believers for their faith in the Lord Jesus and their love for all the saints (brothers and sisters in Christ).
A3: In Ephesians 1:17-18 Paul further prays that they would come to know God better and that they may understand and appreciate their position and their privileges. This is true on a new job or on a new sports team, and it is true in our spiritual life. Do we lack confidence in our salvation? As we Christians get to know our Savior Jesus Christ more and more and understand our position as his adopted children and the spiritual blessings he has given us, it should cause us to feel more secure. Our salvation was planned and provided at the cost of God's own Son. He redeemed us to be a part of his family. Now we have privileges as his children to ask things of Him.
A4: We have a huge amount of power available to us since God has sealed us with presence of the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is now in us. Wow!
A5: The implication is that power from the Holy Spirit within us is not to be used for ourselves. We are now a part of the body of Christ and Jesus Christ himself is the head. We have all the power we need to do his will. To Illustrate, we might say that a coach gives his players freedom to do anything they want, but only under his direction and for the good of the team; a boss might say he gives them authority to do anything but only under his approval and for the good of the business. You have to know your coach or your boss to know what he wants you to do. The same is true of Christ. Christians have the power to do anything they want if they have God's approval and if it is for the good of fellow believers.
- Pray for new believers and make them welcome by giving thanks for their contributions as part of the team. This is always good, whether you are a new believer or not
- Appreciate the position and privileges you have as a Christian and the power and presence of the Holy Spirit to do his will.
- Use your Holy Spirit power to please God and help fellow believers. If you want to accomplish great things for God, find out what God wants you to do and do it with his power.
- To feel secure, understand your position, the person over you (Christ), your privileges and your power.
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