Bible ReadingEphesians 1:15-22 “For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 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, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.”
[12:41]Acts 9:1-19 “But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ And he said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.’ The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank. Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, ‘Ananias.’ And he said, ‘Here I am, Lord.’ And the Lord said to him, ‘Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.’ But Ananias answered, ‘Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.’ But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.’ So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; and taking food, he was strengthened.”
Galatians 4:9 “But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?”
Observation questions- In Ephesians 1, what exactly does Paul pray God would give to believers, and what three things does he want them to know with enlightened hearts? [29:54]
- In Acts 9, what stands out about Saul before Jesus confronts him, and what changes begin after Jesus calls him by name? [21:49]
- What difference is shown between simply having facts about God and having Spirit-given knowledge of God? [22:00]
- In Galatians 4:9, how does Paul correct the phrase “you have come to know God,” and why is that correction important?
Interpretation questions- Paul prays for “the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him.” Why might Paul pray this for people who already have faith in Christ and love for the saints? [26:25]
- If God’s people are “known by God” before they truly know him, how does that reshape the way discipleship begins? [16:08]
- Saul had Scripture, zeal, and strong convictions, yet he became dangerous. What does that reveal about religious knowledge when it is disconnected from the Holy Spirit? [24:09]
- Paul connects an enlightened heart with hope, inheritance, and power. Why do these three truths matter so much when believers walk through hardship, shame, or confusion? [30:18]
Application questions- Discipleship is not filling up a dance card with more spiritual activity. Where is there a temptation right now to measure faithfulness mainly by doing more, rather than by living from being claimed by Christ? [11:27]
- Being known by God comes before striving to know more of him. In this season of life, what helps that truth feel real, and what tends to make it feel distant or hard to trust? [31:49]
- Facts without the Spirit can make a person harsh, proud, or damaging. Where is there a need to ask for more humility, joy, and delight so that truth is carried in a Christlike way? [25:07]
- Paul prays for the eyes of the heart to be enlightened so truth moves from head to heart to hands and feet. What is one truth about Christ that is understood mentally but needs to become more visible in daily life? [29:38]
- Hope, inheritance, and resurrection power are meant to steady believers in the valley. Which of those three is most needed right now, and what might it look like to lean into it this week? [30:50]
- Jesus called Saul by name and redirected his whole life. Has there been a time when Christ interrupted a path, exposed blindness, or changed direction? What happened, and what fruit came from it? [22:38]
- Knowing God more is meant to lead to joy and to making Christ known, not to “suck up the oxygen in the room.” In ordinary relationships this week, what could joyful witness look like in a simple and honest way? [32:48]
