Sunday Scripture

 

 I've been working on a Bible study of Ephesians for the month of January and so I thought I might try doing some Sunday Scripture posts for the remainder of the winter.  We can all use some encouragement about now, right?  

The study I've been working on is the Ephesians Bible study from Good Morning Girls.  I've been enjoying it, but I must say that it is causing me to want to dig even deeper into the book of Ephesians, so I may do just that before the year is out.  I'll probably use Rand Hummel's studies, In Christ and Like Christ, which we already own but have not worked through.

But back to this study I'm working on right now.  For the Scripture Sundays, I'll just select some of the verses I have worked on and share how I used the SOAP method of Bible study.  Here we go:

S= "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints who are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
"Grace be to  you, and peace, from God, our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ."  (Ephesians 1:1-2)

O= This is the introduction of Paul's letter.  He introduces himself as the writer: "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God".  Then he notes who he is writing to: 1) the saints who are at Ephesus; 2) the faithful in Christ Jesus.  He wishes for these people to have grace and peace, "from God, our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ."

A= Although I'm not one of the saints at Ephesus, I'm part of "the faithful in Christ Jesus", so surely this letter is for me and other believers in this age.  I like the thought that Paul always puts "grace and peace" in that specific order in his letters, for a very good reason:  we must experience God's grace before we can experience His peace.  So true.  And I do need to focus on God's grace and all that He has graciously given me, rather than the troubles around me.  Then I will experience His peace.

P= "Lord, I thank You for Your living, powerful Word and how something that Paul wrote centuries ago can be completely relevant to my life today.  I pray that You will help me to focus on Your goodness and grace -- to stay my mind on You -- rather than focusing on the trouble all around me.  I thank You that as I do that, You will keep me in perfect peace!  I praise You in Jesus' name, Amen."

There was a reflection question for these verses as well: In what area of your life do you need more peace today?  

Here's my answer: I've definitely experienced God's peace in my life.  We are living in crazy times and I could be very fearful, but God gives peace and will be with me whatever the future holds.

Hope this simple study has been a blessing to someone today!