Lesson 1
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To the Praise of His Glory
A Study in Ephesians
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. Ephesians 1:3
Ephesians 1:1-14
Read Ephesians 1:1-14 1) What do you learn from verses 1 and 2 about this letter's author and its recipients?
2) At the very opening of Ephesians Paul introduces the theme which permeates the entire letter. That theme is the believer's position in Christ. Understanding who we are and what God has done for us in Christ will transform us. Carefully read verses 3-14 and write down everything you learn about:
3) God has done amazing things for us in Christ. He doesn't save us by a random act of kindness, rather, he had us in mind before the creation of the world. He chose us to be in Christ to the praise of his glory. Lets take a closer look now at some of the themes found in Ephesians 1:3-14. Look up the references below and record what you learn about the following topics:
The gospel is the mystery that was hidden for long ages. In love Christ died to make propitiation for our sins. Easton's 1897 bible dictionary defines propitiation as "that by which God is rendered propitious, i.e., by which it becomes consistent with his character to bless the sinner. ... Christ is 'the propitiation,' because by his becoming our substitute and assuming our obligations he expiated our guilt, covered it, by the vicarious punishment which he endured." To put it simply, by his death Jesus bore our sins and turned away the wrath of God. He satisfied the justice of God so that we could receive mercy, and that, dear friends, is good news.
5) What insights have you gained or remembered as you've studied Ephesians 1:1-14 this week?
6) Understanding that we are in Christ and that God has predestined us to conformity to Christ sends us on an upward journey. We are not called to the status quo of the world around us but to Christ-likeness to the praise of God's glory. How will the knowledge of your calling affect
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20
Copyright © 2007, Carol Duffy. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Read Mark Learn Bible Studies
To the Praise of His Glory
A Study in Ephesians
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. Ephesians 1:3
Ephesians 1:1-14
Read Ephesians 1:1-14 1) What do you learn from verses 1 and 2 about this letter's author and its recipients?
2) At the very opening of Ephesians Paul introduces the theme which permeates the entire letter. That theme is the believer's position in Christ. Understanding who we are and what God has done for us in Christ will transform us. Carefully read verses 3-14 and write down everything you learn about:
- What the believer has in Christ
- The timing a purpose of God's choosing those who are in Christ
- Predestination
- God's will and purpose
- The Holy Spirit
3) God has done amazing things for us in Christ. He doesn't save us by a random act of kindness, rather, he had us in mind before the creation of the world. He chose us to be in Christ to the praise of his glory. Lets take a closer look now at some of the themes found in Ephesians 1:3-14. Look up the references below and record what you learn about the following topics:
- Adoption (Romans 8:15;9:26, Galatians 3:26; 4:5-6)
- Predestination (Romans 8:29, 1 Corinthians 2:7)
- Inheritance (Titus 3:7, James 2:5, Romans 8:17)
- Redemption (Romans 3:24-26, Hebrews 9:15)
The gospel is the mystery that was hidden for long ages. In love Christ died to make propitiation for our sins. Easton's 1897 bible dictionary defines propitiation as "that by which God is rendered propitious, i.e., by which it becomes consistent with his character to bless the sinner. ... Christ is 'the propitiation,' because by his becoming our substitute and assuming our obligations he expiated our guilt, covered it, by the vicarious punishment which he endured." To put it simply, by his death Jesus bore our sins and turned away the wrath of God. He satisfied the justice of God so that we could receive mercy, and that, dear friends, is good news.
5) What insights have you gained or remembered as you've studied Ephesians 1:1-14 this week?
6) Understanding that we are in Christ and that God has predestined us to conformity to Christ sends us on an upward journey. We are not called to the status quo of the world around us but to Christ-likeness to the praise of God's glory. How will the knowledge of your calling affect
- your attitudes?
- your actions?
- your prayer life?
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20
Copyright © 2007, Carol Duffy. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
