Because of the overwhelming blessings of God in Christ, Paul shifts fully into prayer for the believers that they “may know him better” (1:17). This series of prayers flows steadily into a reflection on the glories of the exalted nature of Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 1:15-23
SERMON OUTLINE
“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.” (Ephesians 1:17)
The Prayer of Unending Gratitude (Ephesians 1:15-16)
- Faith and love that’s heard
- “I have not stopped…”
The Prayer for Spiritual Knowing (Ephesians 1:17-19)
- Our Hope in God’s Calling
- God’s Glorious Inheritance in us
- God’s Incomparable Power for us
The Prayer of Worshipful Belief (Ephesians 1:20-23)
- The divine work in Christ: resurrection and exaltation (1:20)
- The victorious rule of Christ (1:21-22a)
- The authoritative position of Christ (1:22b-23)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- When did you have a breakthrough of knowing God more in your life? What happened? Who was involved? How did your life change?
- As we continue our series on Ephesians, this week we explore Ephesians 1:15-23. Begin your study by asking God to help you know Him more through Scripture. Then read that portion of Scripture aloud.
- The first chapter of Ephesians is really two prayers: one of praise (1:1-14) and one of thanksgiving (1:15-23). Because of God’s praiseworthy actions in Jesus (1:1-14), Paul is moved to pray. What is it about the recipients in 1:15 that also moves Paul into prayer?
- What is one of the distinctive marks of Paul’s prayer in 1:16?
- How often is the content of your prayers marked by thanksgiving? Take some time right now in prayer to give thanks to God for some of His good gifts to you in general and specifically through Christ.
- How would you describe the main aim of Paul’s prayer in 1:17-18?
- Verses 18-19 outline three main areas of prayer that support Paul’s prayer that the believers would know God more. What are those three main areas of prayer?
- Why do you think these three areas are important to having a breakthrough of knowing God more?
- Paul moves from thanksgiving (1:15-16) to request (1:17-19) and on into praise for God’s work in Jesus Christ (1:20-23). What are some of the significant things that God has done in Christ that Paul is moved by in these verses?
- Since Paul says that God’s mighty power worked out in Christ is for us, or at work within us. How do these truths about God’s mighty power for us encourage you today?
- What is one thing that stands out to you or that you sense God is speaking to you today from this study? If you are in a group, share your experiences together, taking time to pray for one another. If you are studying on your own, write down some of the words God spoke to you in a journal or letter to yourself.