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.
Describe the world’s – and particularly our culture’s – view of power and weakness and how the Christian view differs from it.
Paul prays for the church to experience the power of Christ. Share with your group some of the ways that you have experienced God’s empowerment in your life.
Notice how Paul begins his prayer. What is surprising about his opening words, given Paul’s situation and the situation of the world at that time?
What is the core request that Paul has in this prayer for the church?
How does a person go from having just head knowledge about God’s power and love to experiencing heart knowledge of God’s power and love? What are some signs that a person has actually made that transition?
What is the significance/implication of Paul’s phrase in v. 18 “comprehend with all the saints”?
Share about a time when talking about God and His Word together with other believers inspired and enlightened you in a way you would have missed if you had just done it alone.
Why do some people, who claim to be Christian, not want to be part of a local church?
What happens when a Christian tries do faith alone without being part of a community of believers?
What did you sense God saying to you through this passage and this message?
