Ephesians Study Plan

November 2009 - October 2010

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God has led us to focus on Paul’s letter to the Ephesians as part of Cape Town 2010 (CT2010). We request all leadership, staff, volunteers and participants to linger with the book of Ephesians in the year leading up to the Congress. Our ability to listen for God’s voice together at the Congress will be greatly enhanced by “marinating” in Ephesians beforehand.

We're dispersed across the globe and have too few opportunities to meet, pray and listen to God's Word together. At our request, Lindsay Olesberg (who is leading the Bible exposition sessions at CT2010) has prepared a study for us based on the book of Ephesians.

We're asking everyone connected with the Congress and interested in supporting the Congress through prayer and study to use this simple program, believing that God will use it to speak to us all as we prepare for CT2010.

Thanks,

Blair Carlson
Cape Town 2010 Congress Director

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.

Additional Resources are also available to assist in your study of Ephesians.

Month By Month Guide

November 2009
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.

December 2009
Read:	All of Ephesians
Write:	List references to the people of God. e.g. Eph. 1:1 “God’s holy people”; Eph. 1:23 “his body”
Pray:	Pray for the local and global church to seek God’s will and hear his voice.

January 2010
Read:	All of Ephesians
Write:	List words and phrases related to time. e.g. Eph. 1:4 “before the creation of the world”; Eph. 2:2 “now”
Pray:	Give thanks to God for being the Lord of history.

February 2010
Read:	All of Ephesians
Write:	List all references to power. What are the different types of power? e.g. Eph. 1:19 “his incomparably great power for us who believe”; Eph. 1:21 “all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that can be invoked”
Pray:	Rejoice in Jesus’ resurrection power and ask for that power to be demonstrated in places you feel weak.

March 2010
Read:	All of Ephesians
Write:	In Ephesians, Paul describes many gifts and promises to God’s people. List as many of these blessings as possible. e.g. Eph. 1:3 “blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ”; Eph. 1:7 “redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins”
Pray:	Thank God for his abundant grace.

April 2010
Read:	All of Ephesians
Write:	Note phrases in command form (imperative). In what section of the letter do they appear most? e.g. Eph. 2:11 “remember”; Eph. 4:3 “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit”
Pray:	Confess and commit yourself to obeying God in a neglected area of your life.

May 2010
Read:	All of Ephesians
Write:	List references to prayer. What is being prayed for? e.g. Eph. 1:16 “I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers”; Eph. 6:20 “Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.”
Pray:	Intercede for the church in your country using one of Paul’s prayers.

June 2010
Read:	All of Ephesians
Write:	List as many images and metaphors as possible. Pick one and mediate on it. e.g. Eph. 1:7 “redemption”; Eph. 2:20 “Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone”
Pray:	Intercede for the global church to “grow and build itself up in love as each part does its work” (Eph. 4:16).

July 2010
Read:	All of Ephesians
Write:	Consider how the different parts of the letter fit together. Write an outline. e.g. Eph 1:1-2 Opening address; Eph. 5:21-6:9 Command “Submit to one another” followed by three illustrations (wives/husbands, children/fathers, slaves/masters).
Pray:	Praise God for using his Word to shape us.

August 2010
Read:	All of Ephesians and the notes you have taken.
Write:	What does Ephesians teach you about God? e.g. God is active in accomplishing his purposes; God is generous with his grace.
Pray:	Worship God for his qualities described in Ephesians.

September 2010
Read:	All of Ephesians
Write:	Read through all your notes. What do you learn about the church? e.g. The church has received a great calling; The Holy Spirit lives in the church.
Pray:	Pray that God will use Cape Town 2010 to nurture God’s people to live out the Gospel of peace.

October 2010
Read:	All of Ephesians
Write:	Read through all your notes. Why does it matter how Christians live? e.g. We aren’t stuck in darkness anymore; God commands us to live holy lives.
Pray:	Confess areas of your life that lack purity or integrity. Share with a close Christian friend and receive prayer.