Knowing What

Really Matters

Putting Things In Place

Power For Daily Living

(Ephesians 1:15-21; 3:14-21)

How can I live the life God wants me to live?

What would you like to praise God for today?

Where did you see God at work this past week?

"We pray for the big things and forget to give thanks for the ordinary, small (and yet really not small) gifts." Dietrich Bonhoeffer

So, Let's Start! Do you sometimes find it a struggle to live the Christian Life Successfully?

Why is it sometimes such a struggle?

What's the answer?

God's Good Word! Isaiah 40:28-31 (NIV)

Do you not know? Have you not heard?

The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;

but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint.

God's Good Word for Today! Ephesians 1:15-21; 3:14-21

I. Awareness of the Greatness of God’s Power (Ephesians 1:15-21)

Do you ever think that other Christians are more successful at living the Christian life than you are? How does that make you feel?

A. In vv. 18 and 19, what three areas does Paul pray for the Ephesians to “be enlightened” and “know” more fully?

B. Although we may not be able to fully grasp the magnitude of God’s power, what does he say it is like (vv19,20)?

C. God’s “incomparably great power” reversed the ultimate effect of sin (death) and raised Him from the dead and seated Him in heaven.

How does it make you feel to know that same power is available to elevate believers to a new level of spiritual life?

D. Why do you think Paul uses the phrase “the eyes of your heart”?

Why didn’t he choose “head”, “brain” or “intellect”?

II. True Inner Power (Ephesians 3:14-19 (NKJV)

According to this prayer, what is God’s design/process in spiritually strengthening believers?

Through Who? Why is important that it be in our inner being?

Does this happen by God’s initiative… what part might we play? How does faith fit in?

1. How important does it appear that we be “rooted” and “established” in Christ’s love?

What happens to plants that are not “rooted”… buildings that are not “established”?

2. What is the difference between experiencing God’s love and knowing facts about His love?

How have you experienced God’s power in your life?

A. How wide, long, high and deep is the love of Christ? How is “out of His glorious riches” v.16 similar to what we discovered in chapter 1:19, “His incomparable great power”?

When we pray, what kinds of requests do we usually ask of Him?

How might this model of prayer affect the way we pray for others / ourselves?

III. Praise God for His Infinite Power (Ephesians 3:20-21 (NKJV)

A. What are some things that are immeasurable, e.g. water in the sea?

How does it make you feel to know that God can do and desires to do more thanyou can imagine?

1. What does Paul’s “praise” affirm about God? Why do you think Paul was so assured and confident in making this grand expression?

2. Why is it important for us to include “praise” of God in our prayers?

Care and Prayer: How can we help one another through prayer today?

“I can’t, but You can.” This prayer expresses that we cannot live the Christian life on our own and acknowledges that Christ can live His life through us. Is there an “I can’t” area you would like prayer for?