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Ephesians Study 6 - Prisoner, Preacher & Man of Prayer Ephesians 3:1–21

6 Prisoner, Preacher & Man of Prayer Ephesians 3:1–21


Purpose: To look at the purpose of the church and its role in fulfilling God's plan.
v. 1-13 The ministry of the new covenant, revealing that all may have access to God in Christ.
v. 14-21 Prayer for the church to know and experience the love of and fullness of God.



What do you think of when you hear the word church? A building on the corner? A stuffy group of religious hypocrites? A vibrant fellowship? Paul's special ministry enables him to enlarge our conception of the church. In this passage he clarifies and exalts its place in God's plan.


1.  Think of two or three adjectives that summarize your attitude and experience of the body of Christ. Explain.




2.  Read Ephesians 3:1–21. What gifts of God's grace does Paul say he has received (vv. 2–3, 8)?





3.  Explain the meaning of the mystery revealed to Paul (vv. 2–6).



How is it connected with the ministry given to him (vv. 7–13)?





4.  What purpose does God have for the church (vv. 10–11)?






  1. How does this mesh with God's overall purpose in Christ described in 1:9–10?




6.  Paul was in prison “for the sake of you Gentiles” (v. 1). The Jews who arrested him reacted against the kind of teaching Paul has just expressed in Ephesians 2. Namely, Jesus has abolished the divisive elements of the law and is creating a new people and building a new temple. How then was Paul's imprisonment to the glory of his readers (3:13)?





7.  Paul now turns from instruction to prayer. What was the reason for Paul's prayer for his readers (vv. 1, 14)?




8.  Three times in verses 14–21 Paul mentions “love” and “power.” What do we learn about power and love in these verses?




9.  Verses 10–11 state that the church is to make known God's wisdom. How is Paul's prayer directed toward fulfilling that purpose?



10.  How is God's wisdom being made known through your local body of believers?




11.  To what extent has his prayer been answered in your life or in the life of your church?



12.  How does the benediction of 3:20–21 tie together the main themes that have run through the first three chapters of Ephesians?




13.  Choose at least one item from Paul's prayer and make it a prayer of your own, for yourself and your church.
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