Ephesians 1: Blessed

I am so proud of you for walking through the overview faithfully. This week we will turn our attention to Chapter 1.

Sit down and read through chapter 1. Now it's time to do some marking. As you read through chapter 1 have you noticed any key words? Remember that key words are repeated and they help us unlock the meaning of the text. Write down in your journal any words or phrases that you think might be key words in chapter 1.

Mark It
What did you write down? It's time to get out our pens and read and mark chapter 1. Remember that we want to read with a purpose, so don't skim through it. I like to mark one key word at a time. This helps me slow down and really see what the text is saying. So let's get to it! Read through chapter 1 and mark these words/phrases: in Christ, love, the heavenly places, according to, grace, Holy Spirit, and references to time.

List It
Now I want you to get out your journal and make a list of what you learn about being in Christ. Please don't skip this list, it is very important!!! As you make your list remember one way we observe the text is by answering the 5W's & H. Try to answer as many of these when making your list.

Next make a list on what you learn about the phrase according to. Does the phrase according to tell you anything about God, Jesus, or others? Make sure you write down what you learn!

Word Studies & Cross References
It's time to do some word studies and cross references. A word study is when we look up the Greek or Hebrew definition. We use Blue Letter Bible for our word studies. Simply select NASB and search Ephesians 1. Find the verse each word is in and select the blue tools button next to that verse. A box will pop up. Click on the Strong's number (ex. chosen is G1586). This is will give you the page with the definition.

Below are words that I want you to look up using Blue Letter Bible. There are also cross references with each word. Remember that cross references help us gain more understanding of scripture. We want scripture to interpret scripture. Write down the definition of each word and then look at the cross references and write down how they help you understand the word.

• chosen (John 15:16, 1 Peter 1:1-2, 1 Cor 1:26-30)
• predestined (Acts 4:27-28, Acts 2:22-23, Romans 8:28-30)
• redemption (1 Peter 1:18-19, Colossians 1:13-14, Romans 3:24, Romans 8:23)
• grace (2 Cor 8:9, 2 Tim 1:9, Titus 2:11)
• administration (Ephesians 3:9)
• sealed (2 Cor 1:21-22, Ephesians 4:30)
• pledge
• inheritance (1Peter 1:3-5, Titus 3:5-7, James 2:5)

I know this is a lot to look at and think about. be diligent to look at these words and the cross references. It is okay if they don't make sense to you right now, we will pull it all full circle during our discussion. 

I am SO EXCITED to discuss this week. Prepare to have your mind blown! I am praying that God will show you how He is faithful to help us understand when we are faithful to study His Word. Be diligent sweet girls. 

Ephesians Overview: Getting the Big Picture

I am so excited for us to study this book together! As many of you know, Ephesians is my favorite book. As I have prayed through what to study next, I am overwhelmed that the Lord is leading us here. The first time I studied this book, I was broken, worn, and trying to figure out who I was in Christ. I didn't know my identity at all, because my identity was always bound in people or things. I pray that as we study this book, the Lord opens you heart and your mind to new things about Him. 

Before we get started you need to gather some supplies: your Bible, your Ephesians Observation Worksheets, marking pens or pencils (I like to use these when I study), and a notebook.

This week we will do an overview of the book. Remember, our goal is to develop context of the book as a whole, so we won't dive too deep. I know that will frustrate some of you. Hang in there!! As you overview this week ask yourself these questions: Who wrote Ephesians, Whom it is written to, Why was it write, and At what chapter does the book take a major turn. 

Remember that in the Bible there are different types of literature. Ephesians is a letter. We have studied a letter before. I want you to begin by reading the entire book in one setting. So pull out your observation worksheets and read through all six chapters of Ephesians. As you read ask yourself these questions: Who wrote this book? Who are they writing to? Is there a division where the write changes his thoughts? Why is the author writing this book? What is his purpose? 

As you have seen Ephesians is written by Paul, to the church at Ephesus. Paul visited Ephesus on his second missionary journey in Acts 18:18-21. Open up your Bible and read these verses. Now read Acts 19, which gives us more information about Ephesus. As you read, list in your notebook what you learn from Acts 19 about the Ephesians. Make note of what their city is like, what the people are like, how they live, what they worship. Also note how they respond to the gospel and Paul.

Now let's return back to Ephesians. It's time to get out your colored pens or pencils. Read back through all six chapters of Ephesians and mark references to Paul, including pronouns (I, me, my). Remember to go slow, to read with a purpose, don't skim!! What you learn here will form the foundation for your understanding of the rest of the book. Be diligent!! So, we are marking Paul, I like to mark Paul with a blue circle. We are marking what we call key words, key words are words that unlock the meaning of the text. We are marking Paul because he is the author and therefore he is important. We want to learn everything we can about Paul. After you finish marking Paul, next it is time for you to make a list about Paul. Pull out your notebook and start making a list on Paul. Make sure you include as much detail as possible and note the chapter and verse reference. Don't paraphrase the detail in your list or summarize, use the words in the text. At this point we are just observing the text! 

Now let's turn our attention to the Ephesians. Go through all six chapters of Ephesians and mark references to the Ephesians including any pronouns. The Ephesians are the recipient and therefore they are also very important. We want to learn everything we can about them. After you finish marking the Ephesians, make a list on everything you learn about the Ephesians. 

Remember we are working to gain a high level view of the book. We are working to establish context. At this point we are only observing the text, so don't try to figure out what it all means, we are working to understand what it says. We want to take the text at face value, we do not want to input our ideas or thoughts to the text. We want the text to teach us. 

Finally let's end this weeks homework by reviewing what we learned and thinking about how it all comes together. Look at your marking and listing on Paul, did Paul say why he wrote this letter? Look at your marking and listing on the Ephesians along with your background. What is the main message Paul is trying to get across to them? Do your best to tie it all together, but don't be frustrated if it's not coming to you easily. That's why we meet and talk about it! 

Well, that completes our first week of homework. Come to Bible Study ready to talk about what you learned about Paul & the Ephesians. Think through the purpose of the book. Do you see any where that Paul changes his focus of what he is saying?