• Read Ephesians 1:1-14

    In the first couple of verses, we see that Paul is the author of this letter, and it is to the Christian church in Ephesus. Next, in verse 3, Paul writes some words of praise to God for salvation through Jesus. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,” Paul says.

    He continues to explain this salvation through Jesus that he is so grateful for. In verses 7 through 10, Paul says that we have redemption and forgiveness from our sins through the blood of Jesus, and that through grace, God uses the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross to unite us to him! In the last few verses of this passage, Paul celebrates the promise of eternity with God and affirms the faith of the readers.

    • How often do I spend time thanking God for salvation?

    • What actions in my life reflect my faith in Jesus?

    • What actions in my life don’t reflect my faith in Jesus?

  • Read Ephesians 1:15-23

    Paul begins this passage by thanking God for the church in Ephesus. He then goes on to pray that they would grow in their understanding of who God is and what God has done. Finally, he rejoices in the power that God has given the church through His spirit. He says that we are the body of Christ, and that we get to participate in his plan and his power.

    • How often do I spend time thanking god for other Christians in my life?

    • How often do I pray that other Christians in my life would draw closer to God?

    • Do I see every day as an opportunity to be a part of what God is doing here on earth?

  • Read Ephesians 2:1-10

    In today's text, Paul takes another opportunity to walk the Ephesians through the message of the gospel. In verses 1 through 3, Paul explains that all humans have sinned, and this separates them from God. Next, in verses 4 through 9. He explains that God sent Jesus to save us from our sins and restore us to relationship with him. Because of God’s grace, we can be forgiven. Last, in verse 10, Paul says that the reason God saves us is so that we can live out this grace that God has shown us. God wants us to respond to His grace by sharing His grace and love in our actions towards other people so that they can experience how good God is.

    • Have I acknowledged my need for God?

    • Have I accepted Jesus’ death on the cross as the payment for my sins?

    • Does my acceptance of God’s grace motivate me to live a life that reflects the character of God?

  • Read Ephesians 2:11-22

    In verses 11 through 22, Paul stresses that we must remember that we used to be separated from God. For Christians, it’s crucial to remember this because it’s the basis of our faith. We were separated from God because of our sin, and God brought us back to him through Jesus’ death. It’s not because of our works. It’s because of what Jesus has done for us!

    • What can I do today to show my gratitude for what God has done for me through Jesus?

  • Read Ephesians 3:1-13

    Throughout all the Old Testament, what religion and nationality you were born into was a really big deal. However, when Jesus came, he said that he came for the Jews and the Gentiles (non-Jews). He came for everyone! This idea was foreign to people at the time. In verses 1 through 13, we see Paul teaching about this idea.

    The heart of this passage can be summed up in statements like verse 6. Paul says that the message of the gospel is this: all people are “fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus”. Jesus died for all people!

    The other way we see this idea applied is in Paul’s ministry. Paul calls himself “the very least of all the saints,” but he says that he still has the opportunity and calling to share the message of Jesus.

    The two messages that Paul is pushing is that Jesus died for all people to have access to salvation and for all people to have the opportunity to share the message of Jesus.

    • Do I take for granted that God died for me despite all of my short comings?

    • Do I see sharing the message of Jesus as an opportunity or a burden?

  • Read Ephesians 3:14-21

    Verses 14 through 21 are just a prayer by Paul for the Ephesians. In this prayer, he prays for a couple of things. In verse 16, he prays that they would have spiritual strength, and in verses 18 and 19, he prays that they would have greater understanding.

    • Pray for spiritual strength.

    • Pray for understanding.

    • What other attributes can I ask God to grow in me so that I can better serve Him?

  • Read Ephesians 4:1-16

    Paul's words at the beginning of chapter 4 are a challenge to the Ephesians. Paul first challenged them to "walk in a manner worthy of [their] calling". This is simply a challenge to live their lives in response to the gift of salvation that God has given them. Next, Paul calls them to unity. In verses 3-12, he explains that we have all been saved by the same God and called to the same mission. He also adds that we have different roles to play in sharing God's grace with others (verse 11). Finally, Paul encourages the readers to strive towards maturity. He says that "we are to grow up in every way into [Christ]". This challenge is simple. Seek to know Christ and be more like him.

    • What areas of my life are more about me than God's work in my life?

    • What ways can I pursue unity with other Christians for the sake of sharing the gospel?

    • What areas of my life look most like Christ?

    • What areas of my life look least like Christ?

  • Read Ephesians 4:17-32

    In verses 17 through 24, Paul challenges the Ephesians to abandon their old ways and live the life that Christ has called them to. He explains that the “old self” seeks to gratify selfish desires. Instead, Christians are called to strive to honor God.

    In verses 25 through 32, Paul talks through some practical ways that the Ephesians could carry this out in their lives. Some of these include speaking truth, controlling anger, honest work, good and gracious speech, kindness, and forgiveness.

    • What things in my life look like Paul’s description of the “old self”?

    • What things in my life look like Paul’s description of the “new self”?

  • Read Ephesians 5:1-21

    In today’s reading, Paul continues his explanation of what it looks like to embrace the “new self” that he began talking about in verses 17 through 32 of chapter 4. In the first verse of today’s reading, Paul says to “walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us”. This idea of living sacrificially in service to God and the people that he created is one of the major themes of this passage.

    Throughout the rest of the passage, Paul lists numerous examples of what living this way might have looked like for the Ephesians. Some of the things he encourages are love, thanksgiving, pleasing the Lord, wisdom, and submission. Some of the things he discourages are sexual immorality, impurity, covetousness, foolish talk, crude joking, idolatry, and unfruitful works.

    • Am I willing to lay my life down for others as Christ has done for me?

    • Do I walk in love, as Christ loved me?

    • Of the things Paul encourages, which one(s) do I see as a regular part of my life?

    • Of the things Paul discourages, which one(s) do I see as a regular part of my life?

  • Read Ephesians 5:22-33

    In Ephesians 5:22-33, Paul shows the Ephesians that marriage is a good gift from God meant to teach us how to be more like him. Paul says, in the first few verses, that marriage is just a reflection of Christ's relationship with the church (Christians), and he talks mostly about submission and sacrifice.

    Paul says that Christ has given himself up for the church's sake, and because of that, he has earned our trust. Christ was willing to sacrifice everything so that we could have what is best for us. In response, Paul says that the church should submit to the Lord because he is trustworthy. There's no need to second guess his motives - he wants what's best for us.

    • Do I trust that what God calls me to is what is best for me?

    • Am I submitted to God’s will in my life?

  • Read Ephesians 6:1-9

    In the first part of chapter 6. Paul breaks down a few more ways that the Ephesians could continue to embrace their '"new self". In verses 1 through 4. He tells the Ephesians how children and parents should interact. He says that children should obey their parents and that parents should bring their children up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

    Next, in verses 5 through 9, he tells the Ephesians how bondservants and masters should interact. He says that bondservants should "obey [their] earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as [they] would Christ". He then encourages masters to treat their bondservants well without showing partiality.

    • Does the way I treat my parents line up with or contradict Paul's words in verses 1 through 4?

    • Does the way I treat the people I work for line up with or contradict Paul’s words in verses 5 through 9?

  • Read Ephesians 6:10-24

    In today's reading, Paul lists what he calls the armor of God. This armor includes several things that Paul felt would be useful to the Ephesians in their pursuit of Christ. The armor includes the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, shoes of peace, the shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and sword of God’s word. Paul is simply saying that these things should be a part of the everyday life of a believer.

    The last section of Ephesians 6 is a goodbye from Paul. Paul says that Tychicus, will stay with them to encourage them and keep them informed about Paul’s ministry elsewhere. Finally, he wishes them peace, love, and faith.

    • Does my day-to-day life contain truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and God’s word?

    • Am I concerned with and praying for people outside of my church and the Wesley?

    • Am I as concerned about local and global ministries as the Ephesians were concerned about Paul’s ministry elsewhere?

    • Do I pray for my community to have peace, love, and faith?