1. In Ephesians 1:15-16, Paul expresses his constant thankfulness for the Ephesian believers. What specific qualities or actions of the Ephesian church does Paul mention as reasons for his gratitude? Compare these verses to the Col. 1:4, Philemon 1:4-5, and 2 Thes. 1:3. How do these passages compare to Matt. 22:37-40. How does this reflect on the believers in the church in Ephesus?

2. Paul prays for the Ephesian believers in Ephesians 1:17-18a. What does he pray that God gives them and why are these requests significant? See also Col. 1:9-10, 2 Cor. 4:6

3. In verse 19, Paul speaks of the surpassing greatness of God’s power toward believers. How does this power compare to other kinds of power, and what is the ultimate display of this power according to verses 20-23?

4. Reflecting on verses 20-22, how does Paul describe the authority and position of Christ? What does it mean that Christ is "far above all rule and authority, power and dominion"? See Psalm 8, 1 Cor. 15:25-29, Rom. 8:37-39

5. In what ways do you see the trinity at work in verses 17-23? How does the work of the trinity strengthen a believer's faith and understanding of their identity in Christ?

6. Read about the church in Ephesus in Rev. 2:1-7. What happened to the church? What is the correlation to the teaching in Ephesians 1. What can we learn from this?