GSCC Small Group
Bible Study
Goal: Understand the blessings of faith and knowledge, and God’s great power in church.
Introduction Question: Name one thing you’d like to know about most.
Foreword: Two questions. Do you know God more by faith or by knowledge? Do you think the church, which is comprised of imperfect people, is weak or powerful? Let’s learn from Paul’s thanksgiving and prayer for the Ephesians.
Passage: Ephesians
1:15-23
15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
Questions for
discussion:
1. Recall the prayers you have for other people, how do they compare with Paul’s prayer for Ephesians in Verse 17?
2. Read Verse 18 and 19a, “I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you.” How can our hearts be enlightened?
(From Verse 17, the Holy Spirit of wisdom and revelation may increase our knowledge of God.)
3. Paul teaches that God’s power is evident in the historical fact of the resurrection of Jesus. God revealed his power objectively in Jesus Christ, and now enlighten our minds by his Spirit to understand the revelation and believe. What is your own experience in getting to know God through knowledge and faith?
4. Verses 19b to 23, God’s incomparable great power which raised Jesus from the death is now given to the church. What are your thoughts about God’s great power now dwell in the imperfect church? Do you observe the power of God in our church? In what way it is demonstrated?
(examples are: the freedom from knowing the truth, deliverance from bondage, the ability to be meek and persevere, the ability to love each other, the ability to resist temptation from the world, the ability to witness to the world, etc...)
Prayers:
1. Pray for church to acknowledge the great power of God and for his power to manifest in the church.
2. Pray for individual to welcome and treasure the power of God.
3. Pray for people to love to read Bible and love to pray and meditate in the Spirit.