“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints who are at Ephesus, and who are faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,” (Ephesians 1:1-3, NASB).

Who wrote the Book of Ephesians? How do you know? (Ephesians 1:1)


What did Paul go through in life to get to this point of being an apostle (See Acts for his history)?


Why is Paul writing this letter to the Ephesians (See Acts 19 for background)?


Why do you think the letter was named The Book of Ephesians (1:1)? {Actually, the words ‘at Ephesus’ are not in the earliest manuscripts. We are not sure the words are there. It could have been left out as it was meant to be sent to a number of churches. We should note there was a lack of personal matter that is usually at the end of his letters).


What are the two ways that Paul describes these Christians in Ephesus?


What does the first mean? Look it up in a Bible Dictionary and compare your answer.


What might it mean to be ‘faithful in Christ’ (Ephesians 1:1)? Does it refer more to our coming to believe in Christ or our growing in our belief in Him or both?


What are the two things that God the Father has given to His people (Ephesians 1:2)?


Define each of them the best you can.


Observe how many times the word ‘Christ’ is mentioned just in verses 1:1-3. What are the different ways that He is referred to? What is the slight difference of meaning with each phrase?


Derivatives from the root word ‘blessed’ is used three times in verse 3. Notice the NASB version that reflects this. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,” (Ephesians 1:3). Underline the usages.


What place does God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ have in our salvation?


What is a spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3)?


What is the difference between earthly and spiritual blessings?


What more could the Lord have given to us? Do we ever have reason to doubt our circumstances or provisions that we have in any given situation?


What does heavenlies (literally) or ‘heavenly places’ mean? If you have time, explore the five times it is used in the Book of Ephesians?


Why do people often doubt God’s sincerity in giving us the best? What is reflected in these first three verses? Give 3-5 adjectives to describe what God has done for us? Provide another 3-5 adjectives that describe how we should respond to Him?


Reflect on your periods of worship. Do you really worship Him like Paul does in verse 2 says or do you just say great things about Him?


Since all the spiritual blessings are in the heavenlies, it is important for these blessings to impact our earthly life right now. Name a few ways this can be done in your life.



Share and pray about three ways you would want God to show you more truths about these spiritual blessings so that you can grow to be a strong saint.