Ephesians
Meditations On God's Gracious Purpose In Christ
Jesus Won
May 25, 2014 • Michael McCracken
Study Questions: 1. What does it look like to bring your children up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord? 2. How can we know if we are people pleasers? How do we combat this? 3. Take some time and ask God to help you better understand and know how He sees you as well as others. 4. Pray for the future of our church. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the elders of our church specifically as it regards our future location. Pray that God would make ready our hearts to be a part of this huge next step for ARCC. Pray that it would result in many people coming to know Jesus, leading to many disciples being made, leading to many being sent out with the gospel to the nations. Additional Scripture References: 1 Corinthians 7:17-27
Submission & Love
May 18, 2014 • Jon Paul Dennison
Study Questions: 1. What are some ways in which not understanding the will of the Lord can be foolish? 2. Why is it so important to preserve the Biblical exhortations of submission and love to wives and husbands when we live in “evil days?” 3. What is the mystery of marriage according to Scripture? How much of a reality has this been in your marriage? 4. Pray for the future of our church. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the elders of our church specifically as it regards our future location. Pray that God would make ready our hearts to be a part of this huge next step for ARCC. Pray that it would result in many people coming to know Jesus, leading to many disciples being made, leading to many being sent out with the gospel to the nations. Additional Scripture References: Job 1:8-12, 2:3-6; Ex 12:12-13; 1 Tim 2:3-4; Luke 13:23-27; Gen 22:2; Ex 4:21-23; Ps 145:4; Luke 22:42; Jam 4:7; Eph 6:1-2; Rom 13:1-2; 1 Pet 2:13; Prov 21:1; Gen 2:18
Whatever Is Visible Is Light
May 11, 2014 • Michael McCracken
Study Questions: 1. What difference does it make that we are “beloved children” God in this context? 2. How should the church “expose” sexual immorality, impurity, and covetousness? How do we apply the gospel to this task? 3. In general, how can we as the church make better use of the time we have? 4. Pray for the future of our church. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the elders of our church specifically as it regards our future location. Pray that God would make ready our hearts to be a part of this huge next step for ARCC. Pray that it would result in many people coming to know Jesus, leading to many disciples being made, leading to many being sent out with the gospel to the nations. Additional Scripture References: Matthew 12:36-37; Isaiah 42:8; 48:11
Freed For Freedom
May 4, 2014 • Michael McCracken
Study Questions: 1. What is Paul getting at when he tells the Ephesians “but that is not the way you learned Christ”? 2. What does it look like to put off your old self? When was the last time your mind was renewed by something you read or were taught in scripture? 3. Would you say that people experience “grace” when they talk to you? How would you know? How can you ensure this? 4. How can we practically “put away” all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and slander? 5. Pray for the future of our church. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the elders of our church specifically as it regards our future location. Pray that God would make ready our hearts to be a part of this huge next step for ARCC. Pray that it would result in many people coming to know Jesus, leading to many disciples being made, leading to many being sent out with the gospel to the nations. Additional Scripture References: John 6:44; Colossians 1:13-14; Galatians 5:1; Psalm 119:37; Matthew 12:36; Matthew 15:11
Unity Through Diversity
April 27, 2014 • Michael McCracken
Study Questions: 1. In verse 7 what does Paul mean when he says that grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift? 2. What does it look like for the saints to be building up the body of Christ? 3. According to Paul, what would “mature manhood” look like? 4. In reference to verse 16, how would we know if a “part” was working properly? 5. Pray for the future of our church. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the elders of our church specifically as it regards our future location. Pray that God would make ready our hearts to be a part of this huge next step for ARCC. Pray that it would result in many people coming to know Jesus, leading to many disciples being made, leading to many being sent out with the gospel to the nations. Additional Scripture References: Revelation 13:8; Galatians 3:27; Acts 2:33; John 10:11; Hebrews 5:12
That For Which We Have Been Called
April 13, 2014 • Michael McCracken
Study Questions: 1. Read and meditate upon Isaiah 53. What part of this text resinates the most with you? Why? 2. Pray for the future of our church. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the elders of our church specifically as it regards our future location. Pray that God would make ready our hearts to be a part of this huge next step for ARCC. Pray that it would result in many people coming to know Jesus, leading to many disciples being made, leading to many being sent out with the gospel to the nations. Additional Scripture References: Romans 5:20-6:2; Matthew 13:1-9; Acts 8:13-25; 2 Peter 1:10; Luke 14:25-33; Isaiah 53:5; Philippians 2:3; John 17:1; Revelation 13:8
The Fullness Of God
April 6, 2014 • Michael McCracken
Study Questions: 1. How would you know if your inner being was being strengthened by the Spirit? How do you know if Christ is “dwelling’ in your heart? Would those closest to you confirm this? 2. What does it mean to be rooted and grounded in love? 3. When do you best comprehend God’s love? What would help you better comprehend this? 4. Pray for the future of our church. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the elders of our church specifically as it regards our future location. Pray that God would make ready our hearts to be a part of this huge next step for ARCC. Pray that it would result in many people coming to know Jesus, leading to many disciples being made, leading to many being sent out with the gospel to the nations. Additional Scripture References: Titus 3:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:3; John 3:8-15; 2 Corinthians 4:6; 4:16; Galatians 2:20; 1 Corinthians 13
Walking In The Mystery
March 30, 2014 • Michael McCracken
Study Questions: 1. What does Paul mean in verse 6 that they are partakers of the promise in Christ? How does the gospel come into play? 2. How is the church displaying the manifold wisdom of God? 3. The first word in verse 13 “So…” implies that Paul has just given the reason why he is asking them not to lose heart. Finish this sentence: You should not lose heart while walking in darkness, uncertainty, suffering, mystery, etc. because…. 4. Pray for the future of our church. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the elders of our church specifically as it regards our future location. Pray that God would make ready our hearts to be a part of this huge next step for ARCC. Pray that it would result in many people coming to know Jesus, leading to many disciples being made, leading to many being sent out with the gospel to the nations. Additional Scripture References: 2 Timothy 4:6; Galatians 6:16; Isaiah 11:6-9
A Dwelling Place For God
March 23, 2014 • Michael McCracken
Study Questions: 1. Who are those who are “far off”? Why are they considered far off? Who are those who are “near”? Why are they considered near? What was the message of peace? How does this situation in verse 17 relate to us in our generation, culture, and nation? 2. In what ways do we see the Holy Spirit working to ensure that we are built together? 3. Pray for the future of our church. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the elders of our church specifically as it regards our future location. Pray that God would make ready our hearts to be a part of this huge next step for ARCC. Pray that it would result in many people coming to know Jesus, leading to many disciples being made, leading to many being sent out with the gospel to the nations. Additional Scripture References: Matthew 10:34; 15:21-28; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Ezekiel 36:27; 2 Timothy 1:14; Romans 8:9; 1 John 4:1-3; Habakkuk 2:13-14
Made Us Both One
March 16, 2014 • Jon Paul Dennison
Study Questions: 1. Why does Paul have to spend so much time in his epistles reminding these churches that their salvation wasn’t their doing? Ex: In Eph. 2:8-13, Paul reminds them that they don’t get to take credit for their faith, works, or being “brought near.” 2. Take a few minutes to read Galatians 3. What are some things can we gather about God’s purpose for the law? (v19-24) 3. What are some of the “ordinances” Paul is referring to in verse 15? (Hint: Colossians 2:8-23) In what ways were they “abolished” or “nailed to the cross” in Christ? 4. Pray for the future of our church. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the elders of our church specifically as it regards our future location. Pray that God would make ready our hearts to be a part of this huge next step for ARCC. Pray that it would result in many people coming to know Jesus, leading to many disciples being made, leading to many being sent out with the gospel to the nations. Additional Scripture References: Romans 1:24; 1:28; 6:6; 7:18; 9:16; 3:11-2; 8:4; Hosea 1:9-2:1; 2:23; Matthew 5:17; Colossians 2:13-14; Galatians 3
Death To Life
March 9, 2014 • Michael McCracken
Study Questions: 1. What are the implications of being “dead in our trespasses and sins”? 2. Paul has given us the picture of what our fallen state (being outside of Christ) really looks like. Certainly we were all once in this state of deadness. How are we as the church supposed to respond to such a truth with regards to our relationship to the world around us? How might this truth, regarding our own children who don’t know Christ, effect the way we parent? 3. Pray for the future of our church. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the elders of our church specifically as it regards our future location. Pray that God would make ready our hearts to be a part of this huge next step for ARCC. Pray that it would result in many people coming to know Jesus, leading to many disciples being made, leading to many being sent out with the gospel to the nations. Additional Scripture References: John 8:44; 2 Timothy 2:26; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Romans 6:16-18, 20; Psalm 51:5; 58:3; Romans 8:7-9; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Psalm 5:5-6; 11:5; John 3:36; Romans 3:9-18; 1 Corinthians 1:18; John 6:63; 1 Corinthians 12:3; Philippians 3:3-7
If You Only Knew...
March 2, 2014 • Michael McCracken
Study Questions: 1. What is Paul’s aim when he speaks of “knowledge” of God? 2. Read and meditate on Romans 8:28-39. What hope is linked to the “calling” of God? 3. If we have the power that raised Jesus working in us, what implications does that have on us moving forward? As the church, how do we picture Christ’s rule and reign to the rest of the world? 4. Pray for the future of our church. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the elders of our church specifically as it regards our future location. Pray that God would make ready our hearts to be a part of this huge next step for ARCC. Pray that it would result in many people coming to know Jesus, leading to many disciples being made, leading to many being sent out with the gospel to the nations. Additional Scripture References: John 17:3; Genesis 28:16-17; Exodus 33:12-21; Job 23:10; Psalm 42:1-2; Hebrews 8:11; Acts 3:17-19; 4:12; 10:43; 17:30; 3:39, 47; 13:48; John 3:16; Romans 8:28-30; Romans 8:16
Sealed
February 23, 2014 • Michael McCracken
Study Questions: 1. Read and meditate on 1 Thessalonians 1:4-10. What does Paul mean that they “became imitators” of Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy? What would that look like for ARCC? 2. What were the idols that these people turned from in order to serve God? How do we know what the idols are in our own life? What does it look like to turn from them? 3. What does it mean that their “faith in God” had gone forth everywhere? How did/does God accomplish this? 4. Pray for the future of our church. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the elders of our church specifically as it regards our future location. Pray that God would make ready our hearts to be a part of this huge next step for ARCC. Pray that it would result in many people coming to know Jesus, leading to many disciples being made, leading to many being sent out with the gospel to the nations. Additional Scripture References: Romans 11:7; Galatians 1:11-17; Acts 7:54-8:3; 9:1-19; 1 Peter 1:3-5; Acts 13:48; Acts 13:38-39; Galatians 1:6-10; 5:11; John 6:35-40; Matthew 13; 1 John 2:19; Galatians 5:19-24; Hebrews 13:17; Philippians 2:12-13; Jonah 2:9; John 6:35-40; Galatians 5:19-24; 1 Thessalonians 1:4-6; Hebrews 13:17; Philippians 2:12-13
Sealed
February 16, 2014 • Michael McCracken
Study Questions: 1. Where were you when you first hoped/believed in Christ? What was your conversion like? Looking back, can you see what God was up to in bringing you to Himself? 2. To what would you point to, in your life, as the source of your confidence in your salvation? 3. Read and meditate on Galatians 5:18-25. What sticks out the most to you in this text? What are your thoughts as you read over the fruits of the Spirit? In what areas, with regard to this fruit, do you see the Spirit working in your life? 4. Pray for the future of our church. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the elders of our church specifically as it regards our future location. Pray that God would make ready our hearts to be a part of this huge next step for ARCC. Pray that it would result in many people coming to know Jesus, leading to many disciples being made, leading to many being sent out with the gospel to the nations. Additional Scripture References: Deuteronomy 32:8-9; Genesis 45:7-8; Job 1:21; 2:10; 13:15; Romans 11:7; Galatians 1:11-17; Acts 7:54-8:3; 9:1-19; 1 Peter 1:3-5; Acts 13:48; Acts 13:38-39; Galatians 1:6-10; 5:11; John 6:35-40; Matthew 13; 1 John 2:19; Galatians 5:19-24; Hebrews 13:17; Philippians 2:12-13