Ephesians 3:14—21 (ESV)

14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Study and Reflection Questions:

In Keller’s book, Prayer, chapter 11 focuses on the Apostle Paul’s prayer for the Church in Ephesus found in Ephesians 3:14—21. Remember that this letter is being addressed to professed believers in Jesus Christ. The original intended readers are the faithful Christian believers belonging to the church of Ephesus (See Eph. 1:1, 15).

According to Paul’s prayer what is an essential ingredient for believers to ultimately “be filled with all the fullness of God (v.19)”? (Hint: read verse 16)  

What are some ways that we can encourage the Holy Spirit to work in our inner being so that we may more fully know Christ and his love? (Hint: think of the spiritual disciplines touched upon over the past several weeks) Okay, more than a hint. Things such as: prayer, meditation, reading God’s Word, and…? Take a moment right now and pray, just as Paul did, for the Holy Spirit to sensitize your heart (your inner being) to more fully comprehend the love of Christ and the truth of the Gospel. 

The Apostle Paul is praying that the faithful believers in Ephesus develop a deeper understanding of Jesus Christ and his love. What does this tell us about the relationship between having faith in Jesus (v.17) versus knowing/experiencing Jesus (vv.18-19)? How are they different? (See also Keller pg.166)

From verses 18 and 19 what are some observations we can make about Christ’s love? Verse 19 uses the words “know” and “knowledge” which can be confusing, but the first “know” can also be defined more specifically as an experiential, heart, type of knowing while the second “knowledge” can be more specifically defined as an intellectual, science, type of knowing. With this perspective on the use of “know” and “knowledge” how does this affect your interpretation of what is necessary to be - “filled with all the fullness of God (v.19)?” Given what we have learned in this study, what does this prayer (Eph. 3:14—21) inform us about God’s redemption, restoration, and renewal of His children? (i.e. what is God’s method for changing us; what is his way of making us more Christ-like day by day?)

Bonus Question: In what ways does the study of this passage affect your view of prayer? How might it impact your current prayer life?