Prepare your heart for the Sermon by looking through these suggestions that will assist you in making the most of our time together hearing God's Word.

You will find suggestions for thinking more critically through the passage, meditating more intently on the text, and prayerfully seeking wisdom to deepen your understanding of the passage to be preached this Sunday.

Carefully Think

• Read Ephesians 1:15-23
• The phrase, “for this reason” serves what purpose in verse 15?
• How frequently does Paul give thanks for the Ephesian church? (v16)
• Who does Paul pray would be given to the church? (v17)
• According to v20, who raised Christ from the grave? Where did Christ go in the ascension?
• Who does Paul refers to as head and body in this text? (v22-23)

Prayerfully Meditate

• Why might Paul have used the imagery of “eyes of your heart” in v18? What does this word picture add to the text?
• What does it mean for Christ to be seated at the right hand of the Father? (v20)
• What does it mean for all things to be under Christ’s feet? (v22; see Psalm 8 for further guidance)
• What is the “fullness” referred to in v17? Why is that significant?