MY NEXT STEP TODAY IS:

I need to receive Jesus Christ as my personal Savior for the first time.

I need to be baptized.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/baptism

I need to attend Starting Point.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/starting-point

I need to join a small group.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/bridge-groups

I need to join a serve team.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/serve

Dig Deeper:
1. Last week, we focused on our identity in Christ. Did you have any experiences this past week where you noticed that your identity is not found in what you do but in who you belong to? Share your experience.
2. What do people do to “make the world a better place”? What is their reason behind doing so?
3. How is making the world a better place different than making a difference in our world? What will make the biggest difference in our world?
4. Read Ephesians 1:15-17. How is Christianity all about a relationship with God? How can we deepen our relationship with God?
5. How often do you spend time with people that you consider to be close to you? What benefit is there to spending quality time with someone that you value in your life?
6. What does it mean to “hunger” for God? What makes us develop a hunger for Him?
7. Why is intellectual knowledge just a small part of knowing God? What else does “knowing God” include?
8. Think of the best thing you can think of that the world can offer. Then think of what Jesus offers to us. Compare and discuss how different these two things are, and why.
9. Read Ephesians 1:18. What “is the hope of his calling”? What “is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints”?
10. Read Colossians 1:13. Describe what it is like to live in the “domain of darkness” and what it feels like to be rescued and “transferred into the kingdom of the Son he loves.”
11. Read Ephesians 1:19-20. Discuss how God’s power is shown in the resurrection. How does this reality change the perspective on our lives and circumstances?
12. Read Ephesians 1:21-23. Using this passage, describe the power that Jesus has. How has God demonstrated His power?
13. Read Ephesians 3:20. What does it mean to have Jesus’s power in us? How do we receive this power?
14. Describe a recent circumstance, conversation, or experience that caused you to know God better – more personally and intimately.
15. What is the greatest need in our world today? How does knowing and experiencing resurrection power help us?
16. What practical difference would it make if we understood our hope, inheritance, and power better? Of these three realities for which Paul prays, which do you most need to embrace and experience right now? Why?
17. What does Paul want us to understand about the nature of God from this passage, as well as His heart for believers?
18. What in this passage taught you the most about prayer? What is missing in your prayer life?

Live It Out:

Paul’s prayer for us is to:

1. Know God deeply. How can you know God more deeply this week? Have you ever gone from knowing something intellectually to knowing it experientially? From head-knowledge to heart-knowledge? Reflect on that experience if you already have done so and determine how you can go deeper. If you haven’t, get to know God more by spending time with Him through prayer and reading the Bible.

2. Know the hope we have in Him. God’s children are His inheritance. We are the saints, the adopted, loved, sealed children of God. Biblical hope is grounded on the promises of God. This week, look up what promises God provides to us in the Bible. Write a few of these promises down and put them to memory so that you can carry the hope of God with you daily.

3. Know God’s power. God can do anything and everything, including raising Jesus from the dead. Knowing that God holds all the power, and rules over everything, change your thoughts this week because of this knowledge. Live as someone who knows that God is in control.

4. Pray!

How are you praying for other followers of Jesus? Pray like Paul – with thanksgiving, intercession, and praise. Write down at least three names and commit to praying for them. If you don’t already know, reach out to them to ask how you can specifically pray for them. Let them know you are thankful for them

How are you praying for people who need Jesus? Who do you know that is far from Jesus…someone who needs to experience a real, authentic relationship with Him? Write down at least three names and commit to praying for them daily. Pray, knowing that God is the only one who brings hope and salvation.

Reading Plan:
Monday: Ephesians 1:15-23
Tuesday: John 17:3, Philippians 3:7-8
Wednesday: Ephesians 3:20, Colossians 1:13
Thursday: 1 Corinthians 2:9, Philippians 3:10-11
Friday: 1 Peter 1:14, Psalm 33:12, 2 Peter 1:3
Saturday: 1 Chronicles 29:11, Matthew 19:26, Romans 1:20