Ephesians Chapter 1

Read

Read Ephesians 1 as a group.

Ask

• Describe how well you know the letters of Paul. I’ve never read them? One time? A bunch of times? More than you can count? (Just to help you out, Paul’s letters are: Romans, 1-2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, 1-2 Timothy, Titus, & Philemon).

• Share your overall thoughts that stand out from Ephesians 1. What stuck out to you? What surprised you?

• Ephesians 1:3-14 is one long (run on) sentence in Greek. How would you summarize these words?

• In verse 4, it says that God “chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.” What do you think it means to be holy and blameless? How does being chosen by God change your perspective?

• In verses 7 & 8, Paul describes God’s grace as being “lavished on us.” Where have you seen God’s grace in your life?

• In verse 15, Paul specifically mentions their faith in Jesus and their love for God’s people. What have people heard about your relationship with God and the way you treat others?

Pray

Reread verses 15-23. Paul found it important to pray for these things for the believers in Ephesus. It’s important for us to pray for others– and ourselves–as well. Take time to pray as a group, using Paul’s words in this passage as an example. If you have a specific area you want to grow spiritually, share that with the group in order for them to pray for you.