Paul concludes the first three chapters of Ephesians with a doxology. The apostle Paul's knowledge of the Lord’s character and His work inspires heartfelt praise. Besides exalting the name of our God, Paul’s doxology also comforts us with the knowledge that the Lord “is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us” (Eph. 3:20). 

Paul’s prayer for God to do abundantly beyond what we ask or think is not a prayer for physical miracles, but rather for Christ to dwell in the hearts of believers so that we may comprehend His great love for us, so that we will grow to complete spiritual maturity. In that context, Paul is saying, because God is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, we should pray for that which would further His glory through Christ and His church. Our study follows the outline below:

1. What Is God Able to Do? (3:20a) 
2. How Is God Able to Do It? (3:20b) 
3. Why Is God Able to Do It? (3:21)

Paul's prayer for the Ephesian church in 3:14-19 is completely possible because God is able to do it. Pauls doxology reminds us that, because of who God is, the Church is empowered for so much more. There is no limit to what God can achieve for His people, and it is impossible to ask Him to do too much, so we should not fear asking Him for too many blessings. He can and will grant us wonderful things — in accordance with His will. (James 4:2-3; 1 John 5:14).

Getting Started                          

1. Which family member or friend have you been praying for the longest? Share your story.

• Read Ephesians 3:14-21

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. From verse 20, what can we determine, that God is able to do? 

4. What encouragement should the believers draw from the phrase in verse 20; “at work within us”? 

5. From verse 21, why is God able to do more than we ask or think? 

The Heart of the Matter

6. Discuss this quote mentioned in Sundays’ sermon. “There is no question in the minds of believers that God ‘is able’ to do more than we can conceive, but too few Christians enjoy the privilege of seeing Him do that in their lives, because they fail to follow the pattern of enablement presented in these verses.” – John MacArthur 

7. Some false teachers claim that if we have faith in God, He must answer our prayers. Why is this wrong? 

8. With Paul’s doxology as your reference, discuss William Carey’s famous statement; “Expect great things from God, attempt great things for Him.” How did these six words fuel global missions?