In this section, Paul prays for the Ephesian believers to be filled with spiritual insight to know Jesus better and understand the fullness of God’s blessings in Christ. Paul’s prayer contains three essential truths he wants us to know that will give us assurance about our high calling as God’s people. Three essential truths that will give us the hope and eternal perspective that we need to endure trials, and the strength we need to persevere in godliness. Our study will follow the outline below:

1. The Hope of His Calling (v.18)
2. The Riches of His Glorious Inheritance (v.18)
3. The Immeasurable Greatness of His Power (v.19-21)

The hope of His calling (v.18) has its perspective on the future. The believer has a glorious future of resurrection, eternal life, freedom from sin, perfected justification, and glorious elevation above the angels themselves. As Christians, we should be filled with hope because we know that God has called us to salvation.

Secondly, Paul wanted the Ephesian church to know the greatness of God’s inheritance in His people. We usually think only of our inheritance in God, but Paul wanted the Ephesians to understand that they are so precious to God that He considered them His own inheritance (v.18). Paul's prayer was that these believers would know for sure that the privilege of belonging to God—as they were—was theirs. 

Thirdly, Paul wanted them to know how great the power of God is toward us who believe (v.19). Christians should know they serve and love a God of living power who shows His strength on behalf of His people. The same power that raised Jesus from the grave to the highest throne, is the same power that Paul says God makes available “toward us” (v.19). Christians have all the power we need to live a victorious godly life. 

Getting Started                          

1. In your formative years, which role model had the most influence in shaping your own identity? Share your story.

• Read Ephesians 1:15-23

2. What insight, principle, or observation from Sunday’s sermon did you find to be the most helpful, eye-opening, or troubling?  

Digging Deeper

3. Paul’s prayers for the Ephesian church are rich and powerful. What exactly does he pray for in the following verses?

v.17:

v.18:

v.18:

v.18:

v.19:  

4. Verse 18 Paul prays we would know of the ‘hope to which he has called us.’ What is the object of this hope? Read 1 Peter 1:4  

5. Verse 18 talks about the glorious inheritance that believers have in Christ. 1 Corinthians 6: 9-11 lists those who will not inherit the kingdom of God. Does this list mean that anybody who has ever committed one of these sins will be denied entrance to heaven?  

The Heart of the Matter

6. Read Colossians 1:10-12. What similarities and differences do you see in Paul’s prayer for the Ephesian church in Ephesians 1:18-21?  

7. Peter describes our hope in Christ as a “living” hope (1 Pet. 1:3). Without Christ, people are hopeless. What worldly substitutes does Satan tempt believers and unbelievers with? In your experience what does this temporal joy lead to?  

8. Paul prays in this section that we Christians would come to know our true identity: That we belong to God. Have you struggled with this in your walk with the Lord? Has Satan tempted you to think otherwise? How did this change your hope, your security, and your perseverance?