Ephesians Bible Study Week 1

Ephesians Week 1 - Spiritual Blessings in Christ

EPHESIANS - WEEK 1

OUR SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS IN CHRIST

Ephesians 1:1-14

OBJECTIVES

  1. Understand the background and context of Ephesians
  2. Recognize the spiritual blessings believers have "in Christ"
  3. Appreciate the roles of each member of the Trinity in our salvation
  4. Begin to grasp how our identity in Christ should shape our daily lives

TODAY'S PASSAGE: EPHESIANS 1:1-14 (NIV)

1. Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To God's holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:
2. Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
4. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love
5. he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will
6. to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
7. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace
8. that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding,
9. he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ,
10. to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
11. In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,
12. in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.
13. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,
14. who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory.

I. INTRODUCTION

A. Welcome and Opening

B. Brief Overview of Ephesians

  • Author: Paul, writing from prison around 60-62 AD
    "Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God..." (Ephesians 1:1 NIV)
    Written during his first Roman imprisonment (Acts 28:16-31)
  • Audience: The believers in Ephesus and possibly surrounding churches
    • Ephesus was the capital of the Roman province of Asia (modern Turkey)
    • Paul spent nearly three years ministering in Ephesus (Acts 19:1-20:1)
    • Major religious center with the Temple of Artemis (one of the Seven Wonders)
  • Purpose: Unlike many of Paul's letters addressing specific problems, Ephesians presents grand theological themes and their practical implications
    • Chapters 1-3: What God has done for us ("Sit" - our position in Christ)
    • Chapters 4-6: How we should respond ("Walk" and "Stand" - our practice)

C. Theme Verse for Ephesians

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV)

II. PAUL'S GREETING

A. The Apostolic Greeting (1:1-2)

  • Paul's authority: "an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God" (v.1)
    • Not self-appointed, but called by God's will
    • Establishes his authority to teach these truths
  • The recipients: "To God's holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus" (v.1)
    • "Holy people" (saints) - set apart for God
    • "Faithful in Christ Jesus" - positionally and actively faithful
  • The blessing: "Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" (v.2)
    • Grace: God's unmerited favor
    • Peace: Wholeness that comes from reconciliation with God

THE TRINITY IN OUR SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS

THE FATHER
Chose & Adopted
THE SON
Redeemed & Revealed
THE SPIRIT
Sealed & Guarantees

III. SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS FROM THE FATHER

A. The Source of Our Blessings (1:3)

  • "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ"
    • Our blessings begin with God's character and initiative
  • "Who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ"
    • "In the heavenly realms" - sphere of spiritual reality
    • "Every spiritual blessing" - complete provision, nothing lacking
    • "In Christ" - Key phrase (occurs 11 times in chapter 1)

B. The Father's Election (1:4-6)

  • "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world" (v.4a)
    • Divine election occurred before time began
  • "To be holy and blameless in his sight" (v.4b)
    • Purpose of election is our sanctification
  • "In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ" (v.5a)
    • Predestination is an act of love
    • Adoption as sons/daughters gives full legal rights
  • "In accordance with his pleasure and will" (v.5b)
    • God's sovereign choice brings Him pleasure
  • "To the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves" (v.6)
    • Ultimate purpose is God's glory
    • Grace is "freely given" (Greek: charitoo - "bestowed grace")

IV. SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS FROM THE SON

A. Redemption Through Christ (1:7-8)

  • "In him we have redemption through his blood" (v.7a)
    • Redemption: buying back from slavery
    • "Through his blood" - Cost of our freedom
  • "The forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us" (v.7b-8a)
    • Forgiveness: removal of guilt and penalty
    • Grace is not just given but "lavished" (abundantly poured out)

B. The Mystery Revealed (1:8b-10)

  • "With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will" (v.8b-9a)
    • God has given us spiritual insight
    • Mystery: previously hidden truth now revealed
  • "To bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ" (v.10)
    • God's ultimate plan is cosmic reconciliation
    • Christ as the center of all things

V. SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS FROM THE SPIRIT

A. Our Inheritance (1:11-12)

  • "In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will" (v.11)
    • Chosen for an inheritance
    • God's sovereign control over all events
  • "In order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory" (v.12)
    • Purpose is God's glory

B. The Spirit's Sealing (1:13-14)

  • "When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit" (v.13)
    • Sealing occurred at moment of faith
    • Seal represents ownership, security, and authenticity
  • "Who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory" (v.14)
    • Spirit as "deposit" (Greek: arrabon - down payment)
    • Guarantees future inheritance

VI. APPLICATION AND DISCUSSION

A. Discussion Questions

  1. What does it mean for us practically to be "in Christ"? How should this affect our identity and daily life?
  2. Which of the spiritual blessings mentioned in this passage is most meaningful to you right now? Why?
  3. How does understanding God's sovereign choice help us face life's uncertainties?
  4. What evidence of the Holy Spirit's "seal" do you see in your life?
  5. How might our lives change if we consistently remembered these spiritual blessings?

B. Key Application Points

✓
Our identity is not determined by our performance but by our position in Christ
✓
God's blessings are already ours; we need to live in the awareness of them
✓
Each person of the Trinity is actively involved in our salvation
✓
Our lives should increasingly reflect praise for God's glorious grace

VII. CONCLUSION

A. Summary of Key Points

  • Ephesians begins with praise, not problems
  • Our spiritual blessings are secure in Christ
  • God's eternal plan includes us by His grace
  • The Trinity works in perfect harmony for our salvation

B. Preview of Next Week

  • Paul's prayer for the Ephesians (1:15-23)
  • The supremacy and headship of Christ

C. Closing Prayer

Thank God for the specific blessings mentioned in the passage.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

  • Audio File Listen to the audio version of this Bible Study
  • Background on Ephesus: Acts 19:1-41 provides historical context about Paul's ministry in Ephesus.
  • Cross-references on spiritual blessings: Romans 8:28-39, 1 Peter 1:3-9
  • On adoption: Romans 8:15-17, Galatians 4:4-7
  • On the Holy Spirit as seal: 2 Corinthians 1:21-22, 5:5

Ephesians - Week 1 | Our Spiritual Blessings in Christ

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