Week 1 | Ephesians 1 | Chosen in Christ
Welcome to this collective journey of daily devotions as a church body. If you start later than when we begin our series or miss a day along the way, just continue at your own pace! Trust in God! He knows what He is doing! This journey is about growing in the grace of Christ, not grit!
Dig deep each day in the chapter and with the daily discovery questions as we seek to be caught up together in the joy of Christ!
EPHESIANS 1 | CHOSEN IN CHRIST
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
To God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:
2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
Remember, revisit, and pray through today’s discovery questions throughout your day. If helpful, read and rewrite a scripture that God highlights to you. Memorize and meditate on it throughout the week. Share and talk about it with family and friends.
DISCOVERY QUESTIONS
These questions are structured in a weekly rhythm, ideally beginning on the Monday after we introduce the chapter during our Sunday Service, but again, this is a journey of grace, not grit! Trust in the Lord, and let Him lead you!
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Read the chapter slowly…
What is being said about God? What word, phrase, or image shows you something about God’s character, heart, or work?
Remember, revisit, and pray about what you are beholding about God throughout your day.
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Read the chapter slowly…
What does this chapter say is true of you, of people, or of the Church? What are you being invited to receive?
Remember, revisit, and pray about what you are receiving from God throughout your day.
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Read the chapter slowly…
Where does this chapter expose false ways of living, striving, relating, or seeing yourself? Are you living by your own grit or by God’s grace?
Remember, revisit, and pray about what you are examining with God throughout your day.
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Read the chapter slowly…
What is one concrete act of faith, love, humility, reconciliation, prayer, generosity, or witness you can practice today in response to what is being revealed in this chapter?
Remember, revisit, pray about, and respond by practicing what God is revealing.
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Read the chapter slowly…
Who needs encouragement from this passage? Share one verse, one sentence, one prayer, or revelation you’ve had with them today.
Remember, revisit, pray about, and bear tangible witness to others.
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Read the chapter slowly…
Looking back over the week, what has God shown you?
Remember, revisit, and pray about what He has shown you throughout your day.
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Read the chapter slowly…
Looking back over the week, looking at this moment, and looking forward, what do you want to bring to God and others as you gather around Christ?