BellaOnline Forums Family Christian Living Bible Study - Ephesians 1:1-14

1. According to verses 3-6, what blessings are ours from the Father?
2. According to verses 7-12, what other blessings do we have in Jesus Christ?
What blessing is most significant to [color:"orange"]you [/color]?
3. What does it mean to be 'chosen by God'?
4. What guarantees our inheritance?
5. Complete the following poll. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[color:"purple"]There is more to this passage. What impresses you? [/color]

I feel God's will is: multiple choice, up to 2 choices
	a ball and chain around my neck
	a goal to reach
	reassuring
	something we can't know
	something to rejoice in
	something to fear
	something to discover and then to do
Votes accepted starting: 02/11/05 08:04 PM You must vote before you can view the results of this poll.

Hi. I've always thought about Bible study but never actually got into one so this should be fun. I hope its ok if I answer wrong!

1. It says that "He hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing" but I'm not sure I know what that is.

2. redemption and forgiveness Forgivness is the most important to me.

3. I don't know

4. I think God's promise is our guarentee.

1.everything in Jesus Christ.

2.redemption through His blood (Christs), forgiveness of sins, and grace also wisdom and understanding, the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure.


3. being chosen means to me that the Father put in all of us the desire to reach for Him. In my opinion, whatever we are searching for is found in the Father through the person of Jesus Christ.

4. salvation through belief and faith in Jesus Christ the Son of God.

I love the way Paul describes Jesus as a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance... because a deposit always requires more on our part.

I also like being thought of as God's possession. This passage instills in me the fact that the Lord is the director of my life and I shouldn't try to make a move without His guidance.

Hello Razorannie,
I'm glad you're here.
There are no wrong answers! This is about what the verses say to you.
(The only rules in this thread are that we treat the Bible as the TRUE word of God -that includes one God and Savior- and that we don't go into debate. I want pleasant feelings not anger.)
I find that some of Paul's writings are very wordy and hard to understand. I like to consult a couple different translations and maybe a commentary to get an understanding.
But the best help comes from the Holy Spirit. It is helpful to pray before reading a passage - asking for understanding.

I just re-read your post.

I like that answer. God's promise should be guarantee enough!!

Hi Jenna,
I love to hear your thoughts on scripture. It gives me things to 'mull over' in my mind. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> This study will be fun.
Could you elaborate on this:

1. Every spiritual blessing. I think that the Son is a blessing, because in Him we have all the spiritual realm.

2. Freedom from the penalty of sin because of Jesus' sacrifice. and: In Christ we are included in God's purpose.

3. I think that being 'chosen' means that just by belief in Christ we are recipients of all of God's riches. An abundant inheritance.

4. The guarantee? Jesus paid our way. I think that verses 13&14 are saying that the Holy spirit - who comes to live in us when we believe - is the seal or guarantee. We experience the Holy Spirit, so we know that we have salvation.

5. Paul says that the Father has blessed us with every spiritual blessing. - past tense- Just think how much spiritual power we already have in Christ. It seems hard to maintain a continuing trust in the Father to provide.

[/quote]

It's like when we put a deposit on a house...we have to continue making the payments or we lose the house...now I'm not saying we lose our salvation, I don't believe that, I think we can lose our fellowship with the Holy Spirit, He can become quiet in our lives. There are "payments" involved in our Christian life...we have to continue to seek God in our everyday life daily. Once we realize that without Him our lives are empty, what sense does it make to go on without Him?

Inviting Him in to our hearts and lives requires a commitment, like buying a house, we are commited to continuing the relationship.

I see what you mean here and it is true. However, I think thats why we recieve the Holy Spirit. He provides the gentle nudges (guilty feelings) when we are tempted to go back to old habits. He makes sure that we know what godly living is. When we listen, He makes it easy and a peaceful experience.

I agree that you can lose fellowship with the Spirit through continualy ignoring His leading or being rebellious for a long time. He is always there when you turn back to Him, because if you truly believe in Christ, you don't lose Him.

Now that I have picked thru your post.... I agree with you. <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

<img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> lol

Thanks Lynne and Jenna. Hearing (reading) different answers helps to understand it.