One of the greatest issues plaguing churches in our region is an emphasis of soul-winning and evangelism without subsequently prizing, pursuing, and practicing discipleship. In today’s message, Tyler Briggs demonstrates how Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1:15-23 for the Ephesians to receive a greater knowledge of God should serve as our prayer and priority, as well. Ultimately, our stability, vitality, unity, and love depend on an ever-deepening knowledge of God and dependence on Him!

Tyler’s Main Points

• Faith and love are tethered together.
• Paul’s prayer (and our prayer) is that you would know God more personally.
• If you want to know the God of the Word, you must know Him through the Word of God.
• We come to personally know God’s spiritual blessings through knowing Him personally.

Key Takeaways

• Following Paul’s overflow of praise (Eph. 1:3-14) comes Paul’s heartfelt prayer for the Ephesians to more fully realize every spiritual blessing they’ve received in Christ through an increasing knowledge of God.
  
  
• The goal of the Christian life is not just knowing things about God, but to know Him personally.
  
  
• A profession of faith in Jesus Christ is just the beginning. Eternal life through a personal relationship with Christ starts now!
  
  
• A relationship with Jesus Christ requires dramatic reprioritization. He is our everything. He is preeminent. He alone is worthy of first place in our life.
  
  
• God has chosen to reveal Himself to all people through general revelation, but particularly and personally through special revelation. The Bible is special revelation– a supernatural book written in a supernatural way to guide and grow God’s people
  
  
• Trying to overcome the temptations of sin and troubles of this world with peace and joy without an active, abiding relationship with God is impossible.
  
  
• As Tyler preaches, “You can’t overcome sin, endure the troubles of this world, witness Christ, and reconcile others on your own.” God grants His people His power to follow His commands– for our good and His glory.
  
  
• The depth of your personal relationship with God will determine the degree to which you know His power.
  
  
• Tyler’s application:
  
  1) We must pray this prayer for one another.
  2) We must pursue knowing the God of the Word more through the Word of God.
  3) We must prioritize the greatness of knowing God above all things.
  
  
• Jesus is King and is given as Head over all things to the church. The church is the fullness of Christ and Christ fills God’s people to reflect the character and goodness of God.
  
  
• There are two types of people in the church: those that know about God and struggle and those that know God and overcome!
  
  

Discussion Questions/Application

Personal reflection:

• What do your life and schedule reveal are your greatest priorities right now?
• How can you grow in prioritizing your relationship with God? Why is He alone worthy of your heart’s greatest passion and pursuit?

Personal application:

• Set your alarm on your phone for 1:17 PM to daily pray Ephesians 1:17-23 for our church.
  
  

Discuss with your community group:

• This fall, what is each CG member’s plan to increasingly know the God of the Word          through the Word of God? How can your group continue to grow in this area?

• During your group time, spend some extended time in prayer. Pray Ephesians 1:17-23     for one another and for our church.

Passages Referenced for Further Study

Ephesians 1:15-23; 1 John 3:14; John 17:3; 1 Corinthians 13:12; Philippians 3:7-14; Galatians 2:20.