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Ephesians 1:15-23
“Hand-Cranked”
A few months back, we came home to a power outage and dug out our hand-cranked flashlight. Putting our kids to work, we could generate power to light up a little corner of the house for a few minutes. How much cranking would it take to run our entire home? If it depended on our strength, we'd still be in the dark, powerless to accomplish everything we want to do.
Paul frames this first half of Ephesians within praise (Eph. 1:3-14; 3:20-21) and prayer (Eph. 1:15-21; 3:14-19), highlighting our need to depend on the Lord. In Ephesians 1:15-23, he starts with thanksgiving for their faith and love (Eph. 1:15-16). But his prayer focuses on enlightenment (Eph. 1:17-18) and power (Eph. 1:19-23).
Through faith, the eyes of your heart can perceive the hope awaiting you and God's power toward you.
THE BIG IDEA
The word enlightenment might conjure images of a cross-legged monk on a mountain. But the enlighted eyes Paul prays for won't come from emptying our mind but filling it with the "word of truth," allowing God's Spirit to seal (Eph. 1:13) and strengthen us (Eph. 3:16).
Paul prays for wisdom and revelation (Eph. 1:17). He imagines eyes within their hearts, asking God to give them light to see the riches of their inheritance (Eph. 1:18). But then, as he prays for them to see "the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe" (Eph. 1:19), he starts unpacking what kind of power he means. That same power raised Jesus from the dead (Eph. 1:20). To grasp it, we need to see that Christ now reigns above every power that is or will ever be (Eph. 1:20-22). The mighty ruler over all — who needs nothing and fills everything — is our head, and we are his fullness (Eph. 1:23). What more power could we need when we stand with the king who conquers all?
Are you trying to operate from your wisdom and power or leaning on the Lord?
THE BIG QUESTION
Enlightened Hearts
Open Your Heart's Eyes
INTRODUCTION
Launch the study with a CONVERSATION STARTER on the Big Idea.
Read or watch “Hand-Cranked” (above). What do you take from that Big Idea and Big Question? ICE BREAKER — Get everyone engaged and talking.
Which of your physical senses do you value the most?ACT I
FINDING JESUS — Ephesians 1:15-23
What does this passage teach you about Jesus?Of all that Paul tells us about Christ’s work and character, what strikes you the most? Why?How can reflecting on and applying this passage draw us closer to Christ?
ACT II
HEAVY WORDS in Ephesians 1:15-23
Below are four words worth a little extra time to define and reflect upon. We’ve offered a basic definition. Look at the reference passages provided and reflect on what the Holy Spirit has conveyed about these words. If you have access to reference books, sites, or software, see what else you can learn. 1. Enlightenment (photizo) — to give light
Psalm 13:3; 19:8; Luke 11:36; John 1:9; 2 Cor. 4:5-6; Eph. 1:18; 3:9; 2 Tim. 1:10; Heb. 6:4; 10:32; Rev. 21:23; 22:5In your own words, what is Paul asking for when he prays for the eyes of our hearts to be enlightened?2. Inheritance (kleronomia) — possessions given to heirs
Exod. 32:13; Deut. 4:20-21; Matt. 5:5; 19:29; 25:34; Acts 7:5; 20:32; Gal. 3:17-18,29; 4:1-7; Eph. 1:14,18; 5:5; Col. 3:24; Heb. 9:15; 11:8; 1 Peter 1:3-5What is our inheritance from God?3. Heavenly Places (epouranios) — celestial, things having to do with the heavens
John 3:12; 1 Cor. 15:40,48-49; Eph. 1:3,20; 2:6; 3:10; 6:12; Phil. 2:10; 2 Tim. 4:18; Heb. 3:1; 6:4; 8:5; 9:23; 11:16; 12:22How would you describe the heavenly places, and what all exists in that “place”?4. Church (ekklesia) — assembly, gathering, community, or congregation of people
Matt. 16:18; Acts 5:11; 7:38; 14:23; 20:28; Rom. 16:16; 1 Cor. 11:18; 14:12; Eph. 1:22; 3:10,20-21; 5:23-32; 1 Tim. 3:15; Heb. 12:23What is Christ’s church and why is it so important?ACT III
REACH OUT — Connect with each other with this question.
Which part of Paul's prayer do you need most right now: enlightened eyes, informed
hope, or awareness of God's power toward you? Why?WRAP UP
THE CHALLENGE — Ready to put it into practice?
Let someone know how often you pray for them.REQUEST — Go to God in a closing prayer.
For example: "Enlighten the eyes of our hearts to know our hope and your power toward us" (cf. Eph. 1:18-19).NEXT SESSION — By Grace
Prepare by reading Ephesians 2:1-10