Ephesians 3:14-21 Study Prompts #3

I am currently preaching a sermon series on Sunday mornings at Wildwood Community Church called “Packed” – based out of Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians.  During this series, I am using my blog to post study prompts, devotionals, sermon audio/video, and discussion questions to help facilitate personal or group study of this book.  NOTE: At the bottom of this post, I have a set of links to previous resources in this series.

Ephesians 3:14-21 – Study Prompts #3

1. Take a moment to pray.  Praise God for His Word and ask Him to teach you its truth, just as the psalmist prayed in Psalm 119:12-16, “Praise be to You, O Lord; teach me Your decrees.  With my lips I recount all the laws that come from Your mouth.  I rejoice in following Your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.  I meditate on Your precepts and consider Your ways.  I delight in Your decrees; I will not neglect Your Word.”
2. Read Ephesians 3:14-21
3. Ephesians (like many of Paul’s letters) is divided into roughly two parts.  The first section of most of Paul’s letters to churches (Colossians, Ephesians, Galatians) deals with doctrinal topics — descriptions of the nature of who God is, who Jesus is, and what He has done for us.  The second part of most of Paul’s letters to churches deals with more application oriented topics (the way husbands and wives relate, living a moral life, etc.)  Ephesians 3:20-21 ends the doctrinal part of Paul’s letter and 4:1 will begin the application section.  What do you notice about the way Paul ends this doctrinal section?
4. The word “doctrine” sometimes has a negative connotation.  People wrongly assume that “doctrine” is stuffy, hard to understand, and boring.  However, for Paul (and any who take the time to truly understand the doctrine written) truth about Jesus was glorious!  He ends this section by worshipping God.  Has there ever been a time in your life when you responded to learning a truth about God by praising God?
5. In most church services, a portion of the time is spent singing songs that declare God’s truth.  This is commonly called the “worship” section of the service.  However, Paul worships without music.  He worships with his prayers and with his words.  What does this tell you about the opportunities you have to worship God everyday in your own life?
6. Of this passage, John Stott said, “Doctrine leads to doxology as well as to duty.”  With that sentence, he was bridging the gap between Ephesians 1:1-3:13 (doctrine), Ephesians 3:14-21 (doxology), and Ephesians 4:1-6:24 (duty).  Reflect on Stott’s statement.  What stands out to you about this concept?
7. Think of the greatest thing that you can imagine God doing.  Pretty great, right?  Ephesians 3:20 indicates that God can do EVEN MORE than what we can imagine!  What do you think that means?  Greater in what respect?
8. The great things that God can do, He is said to do “in us” “according to His power.” In light of the context of Ephesians 1-3, what do you think the things God wants to empower us to do?
9. Take a moment right now and write out a prayer of thanksgiving based out of the truth of God you have seen from Ephesians 1-3.

For more resources related to this study of Ephesians click on the following links:

• Packed – Series Introduction
• Eph. 1:3-14 (Study Prompts #1)
• Eph. 1:3-14 (Study Prompts #2)
• Eph. 1:3-14 (Study Prompts #3)
• The “In Crowd” (Devotional/Sermon Preview)
• Packed Sermon Discussion Questions
• Packed #1 Sermon Audio/Video
• Eph. 1:15-23 (Study Prompts #1)
• Eph. 1:15-23 (Study Prompts #2)
• Eph. 1:15-23 (Study Prompts #3)
• It’s a Wonderful Christian Life (Devotional)
• Packed #2 Sermon Discussion Questions
• Packed #2 Sermon Audio/Video
• Eph. 2:1-10 (Study Prompts #1)
• Eph. 2:1-10 (Study Prompts #2)
• Eph. 2:1-10 (Study Prompts #3)
• Unbelievable Offer (Devotional/Sermon Preview)
• Packed #3 Sermon Discussion Questions
• Packed #3 Sermon Audio/Video
• Eph. 2:11-22 (Study Prompts #1)
• Eph. 2:11-22 (Study Prompts #2)
• Eph. 2:11-22 (Study Prompts #3)
• Uncommon Denominator (Devotional/Sermon Preview)
• Packed #4 Sermon Discussion Questions
• Packed #4 Sermon Audio/Video
• Eph. 3:1-13 (Study Prompts #1)
• Eph. 3:1-13 (Study Prompts #2)
• Eph. 3:1-13 (Study Prompts #3)
• Tether (Devotional/Sermon Preview)
• Packed #5 Sermon Discussion Questions
• Packed #5 Sermon Audio/Video
• Eph. 3:14-21 (Study Prompts #1)
• Eph. 3:14-21 (Study Prompts #2)