Lesson 5
Read Mark Learn Bible Studies
To the Praise of His Glory
A Study in Ephesians
...Through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. Ephesians 3:10
Ephesians 3:1-13
Read Ephesians 3:1-13
1) In verse one Paul identifies himself not as a prisoner of Rome but as a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of the Gentiles. Paul became a prisoner when arrested in Jerusalem when a riot broke out around him. Allowed by the tribune to address the angry people of Jerusalem, Paul tells the crowd his story. What do you learn from Acts 22:17-22 about the hostility between Jew and Gentile (Ephesians 2:14-15)?
As we see in the account of Paul's arrest, he really is a prisoner for the sake of the Gentiles. Not only was he arrested because of his ministry to them but he was a prisoner even for their sake and ours. 2000 years later we benefit from the letters Paul wrote while imprisoned.
2) What is your situation? Perhaps you are rich or poor, employed or out of work, surrounded by people or alone. Can you view yourself as being in that situation for Christ Jesus? What difference will having a Christ-centered rather than a self-centered view of your circumstances have on your walk with God, on your service to him, and on your relationship with those around you?
3) In Ephesians 3:2-7, what does Paul say about:
4) What do the following passages add to your understanding of the revelation of the mystery?
5) What reasons does Paul give for the grace given him in Ephesians 3:8-13?
6) What do we learn from verse 10 about God's purpose for the church?
7) Verse 11 speaks of the eternal purposes that God has realized in Christ Jesus. Remember that in our study of Ephesians 2 we learned that the church is being built as a dwelling place for God. Revelation 20:11-21:8 speaks to us of God's eternal purposes. How does this passage show us God's grace to the church?
8) How does living in the presence of God today display his wisdom and glory to rulers and authorities in the heavenly places?
9) Our lives in Christ are about displaying God's wisdom and glory. Everything we have and are comes from God. We are his workmanship and are created for his glory. Graciously he has made himself present and available to us. What benefits do we gain in Christ according to Ephesians 3:12?
Paul preached to the Gentiles (and to us) the unsearchable riches of Christ. Though his purposes for us are eternal they offer us hope for today. Whatever we face we need not lose heart.
10) Just as Paul suffered in prison, so each of us knows our own suffering. What tempts you to lose heart? How will remembering your place in God's purposes help you gain strength?
Not only do we have a place in God's eternal purposes but we have access to the Father. His dwelling place is with us and whatever waters we pass through, we pass through them with God. As we remain faithful to him we display his wisdom. Therefore, let us not lose heart for this slight and momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. 2 Corinthians 4:17
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
...Through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. Ephesians 3:10
Ephesians 3:1-13
Read Ephesians 3:1-13
1) In verse one Paul identifies himself not as a prisoner of Rome but as a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of the Gentiles. Paul became a prisoner when arrested in Jerusalem when a riot broke out around him. Allowed by the tribune to address the angry people of Jerusalem, Paul tells the crowd his story. What do you learn from Acts 22:17-22 about the hostility between Jew and Gentile (Ephesians 2:14-15)?
As we see in the account of Paul's arrest, he really is a prisoner for the sake of the Gentiles. Not only was he arrested because of his ministry to them but he was a prisoner even for their sake and ours. 2000 years later we benefit from the letters Paul wrote while imprisoned.
2) What is your situation? Perhaps you are rich or poor, employed or out of work, surrounded by people or alone. Can you view yourself as being in that situation for Christ Jesus? What difference will having a Christ-centered rather than a self-centered view of your circumstances have on your walk with God, on your service to him, and on your relationship with those around you?
3) In Ephesians 3:2-7, what does Paul say about:
- grace?
- the mystery?
4) What do the following passages add to your understanding of the revelation of the mystery?
- Romans 16:25-27
- Colossians 1:24-2:3
5) What reasons does Paul give for the grace given him in Ephesians 3:8-13?
6) What do we learn from verse 10 about God's purpose for the church?
7) Verse 11 speaks of the eternal purposes that God has realized in Christ Jesus. Remember that in our study of Ephesians 2 we learned that the church is being built as a dwelling place for God. Revelation 20:11-21:8 speaks to us of God's eternal purposes. How does this passage show us God's grace to the church?
8) How does living in the presence of God today display his wisdom and glory to rulers and authorities in the heavenly places?
9) Our lives in Christ are about displaying God's wisdom and glory. Everything we have and are comes from God. We are his workmanship and are created for his glory. Graciously he has made himself present and available to us. What benefits do we gain in Christ according to Ephesians 3:12?
Paul preached to the Gentiles (and to us) the unsearchable riches of Christ. Though his purposes for us are eternal they offer us hope for today. Whatever we face we need not lose heart.
10) Just as Paul suffered in prison, so each of us knows our own suffering. What tempts you to lose heart? How will remembering your place in God's purposes help you gain strength?
Not only do we have a place in God's eternal purposes but we have access to the Father. His dwelling place is with us and whatever waters we pass through, we pass through them with God. As we remain faithful to him we display his wisdom. Therefore, let us not lose heart for this slight and momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. 2 Corinthians 4:17
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.
