Read Ephesians 1:13-14

Here it is again – “in Christ”.

We heard the word of truth.
We believed in this word.
We were marked with a seal.

This is exciting stuff!

What do you think we stand to inherit from being in God’s family as a son or daughter?

How does it make ou feel to know that you were “included”? What kinds of thoughts does that word bring up for you?

Spend some time sitting quietly and reflecting on how incredible it is that God sought you out, pursued you, and wanted you to be His own.

Give some time thoughtout today working on momorizing these verses.

Continue reciting the verses aloud as you work to memorize them.

Read Ephesians 1:11-12

It is astounding to me that I can bring Christ praise and glory. Why do you think He allows Himself to be ‘yoked’ with us in this way?

What does God’s choosing and predestining say about who He is?

What are the daily implications of “hoping in Christ” versus our initial “hope in Christ”? How are these similar and different?

Give some time throughout today working on memorizing these verses.

Read Ephesians 1:9-10

• How has Christ made the mystery of His will known to you? How does this work?
• How, in your life today, can you work to bring the things around you and in you “under one head”?
• WhatareasofyourlifearenotcurrentlyunderHisheadship? Where is He not the boss of your life?
• Why have you resisted His leading here? (I think it’s helpful for me to understand what is motivating my being my own boss…)

Who around you can you ask to hold you accountable in bringing this area under His headship? (assuming you want to do that).

Spend some time sitting and asking the Holy Spirit to show you areas that He would like control of.

Remember to take some time to sit, pray, and center your focus on being with Jesus. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you as you read.

Read Ephesians 1:6:8

Recite these verses out loud as you work to memorize them.

Some more definitions!

• Grace:
• Redemption:
• Forgiveness:

Why do you think God offers His grace freely?

Have you seen examples of that around you?

How is the word “lavish” differentfrom “freely”? Why do you think Paul (who wrote Ephesians) reemphasizes grace with the word “lavishly”?

Sit and meditate on the phrase, “God reaches out to hold me with lavish grace”.

Remember to take some time to sit, pray, and center your focus on being with Jesus. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you as you read. Recite these verses as you work to memorize them.

Read Ephesians 1:4-5

Today we are going to look up some definitions to really begin to grasp all that has been done on our behalf and the huge transformation that begins in us the moment we give Christ our allegiance.

Define the following words (you may need to look them up):

• Chosen:
• Holy:
• Blameless:
• Predestined:
• Adopted:

ŽWhen were you chosen to be adopted as His own?

Why does it say in verse 5 that He chose to do this?

Sit and meditate on the phrase, “I being God pleasure by being apart of His family.”

Give some time throughout today working on memorizing these verses.

This week we are following up after hearing Keith explain how we are to “BE transformed by the Spirit.” I hope you enjoyed last weeks study of the work of the Spirit in each of our lives.

This week, we are going to spend time looking at what BEcomes true of us after we “trust in Christ.”

We are also going to invite you to memorize verses 3-14 during the course of this week and spilling into the following weeks- depending on the pace you enjoy!

Start out the morning listening to the song Boldy I Approach from Rend Collective. Remember that we can approach His throne boldly during this time and throughout the day because we are “in Christ”. You can listen to the song on YouTube below:

Read Ephesians 1:1-3

Take some time today with these following questions after reading:

KNOW (what does the text say about God?)

BE (What does the text say about us?)

DO (what is the text calling me to do?)

As we did on Wednesday, spend some time just sitting with the Lord. If you are a visual person, picture walking with Jesus in your favorite place, sitting with Him and just being together.

Sit quietly, it your mind wanders, just gently bring it back. It’s not a rigid time, just learning to be quiet and enjoy Jesus.

Remember that…

He is crazy about you.
He loves you completely and sees all the good/bad & ugly.
He is waiting for you when you wake up.
He enjoys just relaxing with you, No agenda, no schedule, just you.