LGC - Rooted & Fruitful Part 1

Rooted & Fruitful (Part 1)

Speaker: Charles Lim

INTRODUCTION

Today we begin a new series based on the book of Ephesians, entitled, “Rooted and Fruitful”. In Acts 19:11-20, God worked many miracles through Paul in Ephesus and as the gospel spread, the church at Ephesus was established. The Book of Ephesians is one of three letters Paul wrote to mostly Gentile believers in Ephesus, although some Bible scholars believe the book of Ephesians was also a circular letter to churches in Asia Minor. In the first part of the series, we learn about the riches we have as heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17) of the Kingdom of God. The vastness of God and His blessings are immeasurable. The study of Ephesians can be like a treasure map as we begin to find out the inheritance we have been given when we are found in Christ.

DISCUSSION

What would your life look like if you were a billionaire? How might you spend your time differently?
Read Ephesian 1:2. Before Jesus was crucified, He comforted His disciples, saying in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled.” Therefore, grace and peace can only be found in Jesus Christ through God, a peace that surpasses all human understanding (Philippians 4:7)

a. Some of us know what God’s word says about peace, yet we often still struggle for peace of mind and heart? Why do you think this happens? Share with your group.

b. What practical steps can you take to experience God’s peace?
When we accept Christ as our Saviour, we become inheritors of God’s kingdom, richer in spiritual blessings than any billionaire.

a. Share with your group some of the spiritual blessings you have experienced as a child of God.

b. How does knowing you are so radically blessed impact the way you see yourself and your situation?

c. How has your understanding of your spiritual wealth changed over time? What impact has that had on your life?
The church of Ephesus experienced a great move of God in Acts 19, yet the church of Ephesus is warned in Revelations 2:4: “But I have this against you, you have left your first love.” This loss affected their testimony and effectiveness for God’s Kingdom. This is a warning for us today.

a. In what ways or what areas of your life have you lost your first love?

b. How is God calling you back to Him today?

WHAT WILL YOU DO

Through Christ, we are inheritors of God’s many blessings. Where can we find the blessings of God? The Word of God. How do we find His blessings? Search! Luke 15: The Parable of the Lost sheep, the Lost coin, and the Lost son are some examples of searching and finding that Jesus taught His disciples. Jesus also said in Matthew 7:7-8 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks, it will be opened.” So let us be like the Bereans in Acts 17:11 “Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.”

MEMORY VERSE

“Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,” – Ephesians 1:18 ESV