We haven’t had a post for a long time now. So here goes New Year, New Life! at least for this bible study blog. This year we hope to get the blog up and running and keep posts updated more regularly.
We want to start off this year with a Study in the book of Ephesians. Why Ephesians? The Third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization (Lausanne III) will be held in Cape Town, South Africa, 16-25 October 2010. The Congress, held in collaboration with the World Evangelical Alliance, will bring together 4,000 leaders from more than 200 countries to confront the critical issues of our time. As preparation for this they have put together a study plan for the book of Ephesians. Lindsay Olesberg (who is leading the Bible exposition sessions at CT2010) has prepared the study.
So my suggestion is that we follow this plan for this year.
How To Participate:
- Each month, read the entire letter of Ephesians through at least once. You may choose to read the whole book in one day or over several days.
- As you read, pay attention to the study guidelines listed with each month.
- Use a notebook to write down your observations and then pray in response to what you have seen.
This would be a great study to with your Cell or small group or one to one with a friend, put please join in with us and leave a comment.
For January 2010
- Read: All of Ephesians
- Write: List verbs related to God the Father, God the Son, or God the Holy Spirit.
e.g. Eph. 1:4 “God chose us”; Eph. 1:20 “he raised Christ”
- Pray: Worship God for who he is.
Ok I have started reading Ephesians, and it’s hard! I keep glossing over the phrases due to overfamiliarity. So I tried reading a few different versions on Bible Gateway to kickstart my brain! It did help. I have read Chapter 1 so far and it all seems so over the top to be honest! I definitely need that revelation Paul was praying for the Ephesians – “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints”
I was also struck by how this all brings such pleasure to God! It was His plan from the beginning and he is delighted to shower such blessings on us!
I wonder what it looks like and feels like to have the same power that rose Jesus from the dead at work in our lives? I know God has been at work in my life but I wonder if I am missing something?