After a brief greeting, Paul in Ephesians 1 praised God for all He accomplished through Christ for our redemption and restoration (vv. 3-4). Paul thanked God for the believer’s maturity in faith in Christ. By His glorious grace, people chosen from before the foundation of the world have come together in praise of His glory in Christ (vv. 6,12,14). He acknowledged the Ephesian believers are grounded in God’s grace by evidence of their faith, love, and hope through the gospel.
Praise isn’t merely a byproduct of receiving wonderful things from God. Praise and adoration are marks of God’s grace on sinners, and for that reason, they ought to be a natural part of a believer’s walk with Christ. God’s grace awakens a song of exaltation in those toward whom God has shown eternal, unmerited favor through the forgiveness granted in the blood of Christ.
Finally, after thanking and praising God for what He has done, Paul entered into a form of prayer (vv. 15-23). He prayed that these believers would be full of spiritual wisdom and spiritual strength. He prayed that the hope of the gospel in Christ would enable the believers to endure with patience and joyful thanksgiving in the days to come.
Tips for Teaching This Week’s Session of The Gospel Project for Adults
Every week for Volume 4: From Captivity to the Wilderness, Ken Braddy, Lifeway’s director of Sunday School, will offer guidance to help leaders prepare to lead and teach each session of The Gospel Project for Adults.
Podcast (adultsleadertraining): Play in new window | Download
Tips for Teaching This Week’s Session of The Gospel Project for Students
Every week, student ministry leaders offer guidance to help leaders prepare to lead and teach each session of The Gospel Project for Students. Listen in as he shares:
- The main point of the session
- Any challenges and opportunities for additional discussion that may arise during this session
- Encouragements for leaders
Podcast (studentsleadertraining): Play in new window | Download
A Final Reminder
Don’t forget, you can find tools to help you prepare and lead the discussion in the Additional Resources for this volume. We hope these are a blessing to you as you walk through this session together.
*This week’s leader devotional is written by Jonathan Hayashi. It is adapted from the daily devotions for Unit 34, Session 3 from The Gospel Project for Adults’ Daily Discipleship Guide.
Cindy says
How can I get the Leader Guide Answers?
Thank you!
Aaron Armstrong says
Hi Cindy, I’m not sure I follow. Which answers do you mean, specifically?
Beverly Offutt says
I was receiving the gospel project emails and now they’ve stopped. I want them again. Please add my name to the weekly emails list.
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Aaron Armstrong says
Hi Beverly, were you receiving the posts via email? I’ll see if I can find out what’s happening with the plugin.