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Ephesians 3:14-21
“The Power of Love”
How many songs do you have in your favorite playlist about the power of love? Crooners pour their hearts out, trying to explain the size and scope of their devotion. But hymns have to go even further, trying to put God's vast love for us into words of praise and instruction. Hymn writer Frederick Lehman captures the challenge by imagining the sky as a parchment full of an ocean's worth of ink expounding on divine love. It's so mind-blowing; why do we even try to comprehend our Maker's love for us?
In Ephesians 3:14-21, Paul bows before the Father again in prayer and praise, ending the letter's first half the way he started it (Eph. 1:3, 16). He prays "that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge" (Eph. 3:17-19).
Knowing Christ's love renews and strengthens us.
THE BIG IDEA
Paul doesn't ask that we'd be smart enough to understand it. Instead, he prays we'd be strong enough to comprehend how much Christ loves us. As the Spirit strengthens and Christ resides in us, we can perceive the immensity of our Lord's love for us.
It's no softball, no light and easy truth. It's life-changing but sometimes hard to receive. We must see ourselves in the light of the cross — both its shame and victory, our guilt and our worth in God's eyes. Because this kind of love must become the soil we sink our roots into and grow from. The ground of our being, the foundation we stand on, is that we are deeply loved and live to reflect that love (Eph. 3:17).
So think about everything you could pray for or imagine and praise the one who can "do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think." Then give God glory, realizing that power is "at work within us" (Eph. 3:20).
Are you grounded in love?
THE BIG QUESTION
Christ's Love
Understand God's Love
INTRODUCTION
Launch the study with a CONVERSATION STARTER on the Big Idea.
Read or watch “The Power of Love” (above). What do you take from that Big Idea and Big Question? ICE BREAKER — Get everyone engaged and talking.
What cheesy love song is a guilty pleasure you can't help but enjoy?ACT I
FINDING JESUS — Ephesians 3:14-21
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
Favorite Things — Passages and Hymns About God’s Love
Some hymns and passages of Scripture impact us differently than others, becoming treasured resources we return to again and again for strength and renewal. Make a list below of some favorites that have helped you appreciate and understand the Lord’s love, and then note why you have loved them. If you’re studying with a group, be prepared to share one or two favorites and what they mean to you.Favorite Passages About God’s Love (Feel free to use a search engine, concordance, or topical Bible. Here are some classic chapters to get you started if none come to mind: Romans 8; 1 John 3 & 4; Zephaniah 3:16-17; John 14 & 15; Psalm 63; 103; 118; Philippians 2).
Your Passage Why You Chose ItFavorite Hymns About God’s Love (Again, if none come to mind you can peruse a topical index at the back of your hymnal or use a search engine.)
Your Hymn Why You Chose ItGo back and put a star next to your top two from either category, and think about what you would want to share with someone else about them. Even if you’re not studying with a group, look for ways to bring them up in a conversation this week.ACT III
REACH OUT — Connect with each other with this question.
What do you think gets in the way of people comprehending Christ's love? Have you ever felt it challenging?WRAP UP
THE CHALLENGE — Ready to put it into practice?
Give someone a note or card reminding them how much God loves them.REQUEST — Go to God in a closing prayer.
"Father, help us to know the unknowable love you have for us in Christ" (cf. Eph. 3:18-19)NEXT SESSION — One
Prepare by reading Ephesians 4:1-16