1:15-17 Why Paul praises. What an encouragement that we have Paul’s prayer recorded for us: he praises God for His work in the Ephesians to make them both faithful in the Lord and also loving toward one another.

1:18-19 What Paul prays for. Because of the Lord’s work in the Ephesians, Paul prays that they would gain a deeper and wider understanding of all that they already have in Jesus: He has already done the work; they (and we!) get the opportunity to more fully realize what all it means to be saved in Jesus and to have life in Him.

1:20-23 Christ over all. Christ’s work is a blessing rooted in eternity past, and it’s what we will enjoy forever. Yet, it’s also what we have right now, in this life – and we need it! Christ’s rule and authority are our blessing and guarantee that He will see us safely from this day through to our heavenly home.

The Point: In Christ, we are more blessed that we realize.

Prayer: Lord, give us a deeper understanding, and a more joyful response to, all that You have planned and will accomplish and are – right now – at work to bring about in Your church. Give us encouragement by seeing the bigger picture of Your grace given to us and working in us.

Application: In this case, simply knowing is how we respond. Know and believe and cherish the Lord who cares for His church past, present, and future. Trust Him all the more and rejoice in Him that His plans are for our blessing forever!

Here is how I will apply these truths: ___________________

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1:11-12 We have an inheritance. In Christ, we have been predestined to obtain an inheritance. All our blessing is found in Jesus and He is everything that we need. God’s plan is being accomplished through Jesus to take people who are sinful yet chosen and to turn them into living examples and testimonies to God’s glory.

1:13-14 We have the Spirit. What is our proof of such a blessing, of such an inheritance? It is the Holy Spirit – the downpayment, the promise, that all of God’s plans not only are true, but also that they will hold and never fail. Everyone who hears of Jesus and responds to Him in genuine belief has the promised Holy Spirit.

The Point: When we realize, embrace, and rehearse the fact that all our blessings are in and by Jesus (and only found in Jesus!), then we respond with the praise that God deserves and that we were made to give. God is glorified in us as we take joy in Him.

Prayer: Father, transform our thinking and our desires so that we would realize the amazing inheritance that we have been given in Christ. Have that eternal blessing drive us toward faithful praise and worship in this life so that all around us would see – and by grace, respond to – your glory.

Application: Keep your eyes fixed upon your Savior: keep praising Him, trusting Him, and waiting for your inheritance in Him. Jesus is where all our blessing and purpose are found.

Here is how I will apply these truths: ___________________

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1:1-2 Grace and peace. Paul’s letter begins with a theme that will unfold throughout the coming chapters: God’s grace and peace for His people.

1:3-6 Past blessing. The Lord’s sovereign decisions, His predestining of us, is not something to fear or to see as restrictive. Instead, it is His blessing! It is because He chose us that we enjoy Christ today. It is because He chose us that we have purpose and meaning for our identity.

1:7-10 Present blessing. The blessings of the Lord matter every bit as much today: God gives to us all the grace we could need and tells us of what is amazingly true: we are a part of what Jesus will do to unite all things in Himself!

The Point: God’s love for His people didn’t just start the day that you or I trusted Him. Instead, Paul writes that God has loved us since before the foundation of the world, and that love led to Him choosing us, bringing us to salvation in Jesus, so that we would live in the joy of Christ now and forever.

Prayer: Lord, what an amazing reality – that we have been blessed, just as we are right now blessed, in Jesus! Thank you for your sovereign grace, for choosing us, for loving us. Thank you that, right now, your care is for us and your promises sustain us as we await the return of our King!

Application: Believe and respond in worship to the God who is described in these verses. Not the God re-defined by critics or skeptics. Trust the living God and enjoy His blessing.

Here is how I will apply these truths: ___________________

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2:1-3 In those days. Luke tells us the historical details of the setting for Christ’s birth: Caesar had ordered a tax census that required folks to go to their hometowns in order to register.

2:4-5 In David’s line. Yet, Caesar is not the center of this story! Instead, we rapidly switch to Joseph and Mary who were heading to Bethlehem. Why? Because Joseph was of the line of David. Luke reminds us that Mary was with child (1:26-38), which is crucial to the story.

2:6-7 In a manger. While in Bethlehem, Mary gives birth to Jesus in the humblest of circumstances. The prophesied Messiah has come – but not in earthly power or wealth!

The Point: God’s promised Messiah came exactly as He had said, and in a way that uniquely displays both God’s sovereignty and Christ’s humility.

Prayer: Lord – we usually give our attention to whatever seems most flashy, loudest, or most lavish. What a challenge to us that our Savior was brought into this world through very “ordinary” circumstances, each a miracle worked by you! Teach us to trust you in all things and to believe that your will and plans are perfect and for the joy of your people forever.

Application: trust the Lord who is in charge of all things, large and small – from government decrees to genealogies! Believe and share with others how this wonder-working God has done the miracle of saving us from our sins, and that all came into focus with the life of Jesus, starting here with His birth.

Here is how I will apply these truths: ___________________

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2:41-42 Faithful worship. Just as we have consistently seen from Joseph and Mary, Jesus, too, is faithful to the Lord.

2:43-45 Where’s Jesus? After celebrating the Passover, Jesus’ parents head back to Nazareth. Yet, on the way, they discover that Jesus isn’t with them. Where had He gone?

2:46-47 Here He is! After an extensive search, Jesus is located in the temple. He’s not there simply to listen, but is actually the one asking the questions and giving wise responses!

2:48-51 Did you not know? When asked why He had stayed behind, Christ’s response is to say that He had to be in His Father’s house – which means that Jesus is the Son of God!

2:52 Favored. Just as we’ve seen before (2:40), and had parallel examples of in the Old Testament, Jesus grew. He is fully God, yet He is also – amazingly – fully human!

The Point: Jesus is God in the flesh; He is the Son of God.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, how jaw-droppingly amazed we are to read that Your Son is our Savior! As many questions as we have, in all of our lack of understanding, work in our hearts and minds to believe what is true: that Jesus is God with us.

Application: Believe that Jesus is God – and respond with joy and worship. Be willing to trust the Lord to help your own doubts and questions as you wait on Him. Keep looking to Jesus in faith – and keep enjoying the adventure of knowing Him more each day.

Here is how I will apply these truths: ___________________

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2:36-37 Her past. Anna’s words are recorded by Luke as coming from somebody with integrity and uprightness. She had a difficult life, yet her response was continual worship. She spent her time not in complaining or bitterness, but instead in fasting and calling on the Lord in prayer.

2:38 Her hope. At exactly the right time, Anna comes onto the scene when Jesus and his parents are at the temple. Anna’s response is to give thanks to God. Why? Because she recognizes Jesus as the One whom everyone had been waiting for: He would redeem His people!

2:39-40 His growth. Anna’s story completes what we’ve seen from Joseph and Mary at the temple with Jesus. Their own faithfulness matters, it honors the Lord. And we find Jesus growing and having the favor of God.

The Point: God’s blessing in Jesus matters more than our circumstances – it gives us joy now and forever.

Prayer: Lord, it is tempting to measure our lives by what we see and experience here and now. Or by comparison to others. Or by the things we do or don’t have. Thank you for Anna’s example of faithfulness and worship instead. Use her testimony to cause us to have great joy in Jesus, our Savior!

Application: Doggedly choose to have joy in the Lord – look to Jesus instead of your circumstances. Who in your circles needs the encouragement of Jesus today? How will you be intentional about sharing the hope of Christ with them?

Here is how I will apply these truths: ___________________

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