Week 08
Step 01: Pause and Prepare
Find a quiet place and quiet your mind. Pause. Take a couple of deep breaths. This biblical practice is taught throughout the Psalms. Hit the mute button on all the other voices in your life. Clear your thoughts so God's Word can fill them. If you feel like rushing past this part that's how you know for sure you need to do it!
Think upon our foundational scriptures, then go to Step 02.
"For the word of God is alive and powerful."
Hebrews 4:12, NLT
Remember you're about to encounter the living God in His living Word!
"...train yourself in godliness."
1 Timothy 4:7b, ESV
Our discipline to create time for devotions is essential. But it doesn't change our lives. It is God's Spirit alone that transforms us. Open your heart to God and read the scriptures!
Step 02: Read the Scripture Passage
Ephesians 3:14-20, NLT
When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, 15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 21 Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.
20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 21 Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.
Want to read today's passage in a different version? Visit Bible Gateway and choose your favorite!
Step 03: Answer the Four Questions
Grab your notebook and write down your answers to these four questions. It will help you engage with the text, process what God's Word is saying to you, and encounter God in your devotional time.
* If you find it difficult to figure out what the scripture passage is about we highly recommend getting a study bible.
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Question #1
What does the scripture say?
In your own words, what you think the scripture passage or story is about.
(Touch the dots for more questions.)
Question #2
What does the scripture say to me?
What do you feel the passage is speaking to you in regard to your life or current situation?
Need a little help? Click here.
Question #3
What do I want to say to God about the text?
What emotions and thoughts does the text create in you? Communicate them in prayer.
Question #4
What difference will this text make in my life?
In what way does this text help you live for God?
What is Ephesians 3:14-20 about?
Want more? Watch the overview video Ephesians from The Bible Project below!
This passage, which is a prayer from Paul for these churches, is the culmination of what Paul has been exploring in the first three chapters of this short letter—the gospel story. The story of the gospel has it’s own culmination in the person of Jesus and results in a multi-ethnic family that no one had really dreamed possible (no one but God!). This is an important truth to note in every time and culture. But it is especially poignant given the civil unrest in our own county around the sin of racism. Racism isn’t new. Responding to racism through violence isn’t new either. Scripture makes it clear racism is a sin, and so is violence. These issues existed in Jesus and Paul’s day as much as our own. The solution isn’t new either—the solution is Jesus Christ. But for the world to understand that the church must again strive, in the strength of God’s Spirit, to become one diverse family in Jesus Christ. Celebrating and valuing our diversity, rather than ignoring it. Many in our own day, in our own city and church as well, are afraid and hurting. The only biblical response is to stand with them, pray with them, and work together for a world—and a church!—transformed by the gospel story and the power of Jesus' love.
Paul concludes this passage (verse 20) with the a powerful reminder that when we feel things are impossible, God’s power given to us through His Spirit, is enough to accomplish far more than we could ever imagine.
Paul concludes this passage (verse 20) with the a powerful reminder that when we feel things are impossible, God’s power given to us through His Spirit, is enough to accomplish far more than we could ever imagine.
