Connect Group Study Notes:    18 September 2022 

Theme: “Designed by God.” 

Reading:  Ephesians 1:3-14 

 

Fellowship (10 min) 

Begin with general conversation and sharing about how the past week has gone. Try not to go over time. 

 

Worship and Prayer (15 min) 

Click on the link below on your smartphone, Smart TV, or computer, to select songs to sing; and then spend a few minutes in song and prayer.  

PLETT METHODIST YOU TUBE CHANNEL SONG’S PLAYLIST:  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbsAkwbV_S1vXdZVPkZ0_tQW5n9RqeZX0 

And if you need to check on the Message for the week again, then click on: 

PLETT METHODIST YOU TUBE CHANNEL (MESSAGE): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU1X4YYw1KLpda1yGnqKgfw/videos 

This time of worship and prayer will encourage you to move your thoughts from daily worries and pressures to our time of Bible study and prayer. 

Read:  Ephesians 1:3-14i 

The focus for this week is that as children of God in the church, we are blessed, but we are blessed to bless the source of blessing (God). Paul tells us that the gift we have received, the gift of new life, is so that we might live for the praise of God’s glory. That’s what this worship experience is about – praising God. Of course, every worship time includes praise. But this week, praise is central, it is the beginning and the end. And in the heart is the call to praise— to a life of praise in community. 

Discussion Questions (Approx. 30 min)  

  • Notice the repetition of the phrases “in Christ,” “in him,” “through Jesus [Christ],” and “on Christ.” What do we learn about Christ from this passage? 
  • Notice that we have been “blessed” (v. 3). What do we learn about humanity from this passage?  
  • We are chosen (v. 4) to be holy and blameless in love; we have been destined for adoption (v. 5); God’s grace has been freely bestowed on us (v. 6); we have been redeemed and received forgiveness (v. 7); we will know more fully the mysteries of God (v. 9);we have obtained an inheritance (v. 11); we have hope in Christ (v. 12); we are marked with the seal of the Holy Spirit (v. 13). Write down or print these phrases as a reminder of who you are. Refer to them at least daily over the coming week (or even throughout the year!). 
  • Which of these speak most deeply to you as you try to live the celebration of being in community (in the family of God)? 

 

Faith Building (Approx.30 min):  

How might you live each day in celebration of the hope we have in Christ?  

Prayer (10 min). Share prayer requests and then pray together. 

Sending Prayer (2 min). End by praying the following or a similar prayer: 

God of all wisdom and truth, our minds cannot grasp the enormity of your love. Help us each day to live into the calling you have given us. Enable us to embrace the hope that comes through Jesus Christ that others might know your love. Amen. 

Have a great week. 

God bless, 

Tim.