EPHESIANS LIVE-IT-OUT GUIDE

(MEMBER VERSION)

Sermon Text:  EPHESIANS 1:15-23 Title:  Knowing His Power

Preacher:  Rev Lai Kai Ming Date:  26 February 2017

 

SESSION 2: EPHESIANS 1:15-23

 

<< The following questions only serve as a guide.  Feel free to adapt the questions to your group and the time available. >>

 

OPENING DISCUSSION:  

 

Head vs Heart Knowledge

 

Samantha knew full well, in her head at least, that the tiny cockroach posed no real threat to her. But there she was, standing on top of the kitchen table, shouting for her husband. She had always been freaked out by creepy crawlies.

 

Benjamin was paralysed by fear as he stood at the entrance of the airplane. Why did I agree to do something so ridiculous? Benjamin thought to himself. While he knew that countless people had survived skydiving, his brain just kept screaming: “I’m going to die… I’m going to die…”

 

Peter was sitting on the steps of the courtyard and tears rolled down his eyes. In his head, he was so confident that he would do anything for his Lord and Master, even to give up his life. He had just declared it last night, in front of all the disciples, but now he had utterly failed. Giving in to fear and cowardice, Peter had denied his Lord, not once but three times.  

 

These are descriptions of people who knew something in their head, but struggled to act consistently with their knowledge. The knowledge remained an intellectual assent, without truly sinking into their hearts – their inner being. Blaise Pascal, a great philosopher and mathematician, once said, “The heart has its reasons which reason knows nothing of.”

 

Do you share such an experience, where you knew something in your head but struggled to act consistently with it? If so, share the experience with your group.

 

GOING DEEPER

 

Read Ephesians 1:15-23

 

1. In this passage, Paul is writing down a prayer. He is presenting to us his quiet-time material with God. Why do you think Paul does this?

 

 

2. In his prayer, Paul’s desire is for his readers to gain deep insight into God’s calling, inheritance and power (v18 – 19). According to verses 17 and 18, how is it possible for us to gain such insight?

 

3. Read verses 19 to 23 again.

 

(a)   According to verses 19 to 20, what is the greatest expression of God’s power?

 

(b)   According to verse 21, what is the extent of Jesus’ authority? Describe in your own words.  

 

4. If the resurrection and exaltation of Jesus is the greatest expression of God’s power, what does having this power look like in our daily life?  What does having this power not look like in our daily life?

 

5. How have you experienced this power in your own life?

 

6. What are some areas that we struggle to rely on God’s power or to see it as being sufficient?

 

7. The power of God has been given to the Church (see “us” in verse 19, and verses 22 to 23) to fulfil His work here on earth. As a LG, consider if your group has been supportive of church-wide initiatives and events. Discuss how your group can participate in the Easter Outreach on 15 April, as an expression of God’s power working through PMC, for the sake of Pasir Ris.

 

CLOSING PRAYER

 

Close the session by praying for one another in the way Paul has taught us:

 

(i)                 Ask for God’s help, and the Holy Spirit, to give us deep insight into his calling, inheritance and power.

(ii)               Ask God to help us trust Him in areas that we struggle to rely on His power.