First Comes Love- Day 06
Day 06 - Monday, April
Read Ephesians 5:1-20
Highlight
The Apostle Paul wrote this letter to the church in Ephesus from prison. You can hear from the beginning of his letter the affection he has for the believers there. He planted this church on his second missionary journey (Acts 18:19) and over the course of his ministry spent years teaching and growing the Ephesian church. He spends the first part of the book writing beautifully about the love of God displayed in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus which makes possible a new Kingdom family. Ephesus is a unique testing ground for this radical shift to include Gentiles (non-Jews) in the family of God. It was once considered the most important trading center in the Mediterranean region, a bustling port city and center of trade as well as of Greco-Roman worship to false gods and idols from all over the region. You can still visit the well-preserved ruins of the ancient city of Ephesus today in modern-day Turkey.
Paul is writing this letter a decade after the church was planted and it’s now grown large and very diverse, made up of both Jewish and non-Jewish believers, multiethnic with people from every socioeconomic makeup. In chapter 5 he begins to explain how the way believers in Ephesus live and love one another is a tangible demonstration to all those around them of the love of Christ. In the darkness of this city marred by immorality, greed and cultural/racial hierarchy, the church, by walking ‘in the way of love’ (v.2) has an opportunity to shine a brilliant light that points to Jesus.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
Read Ephesians 5:1-20
Highlight
The Apostle Paul wrote this letter to the church in Ephesus from prison. You can hear from the beginning of his letter the affection he has for the believers there. He planted this church on his second missionary journey (Acts 18:19) and over the course of his ministry spent years teaching and growing the Ephesian church. He spends the first part of the book writing beautifully about the love of God displayed in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus which makes possible a new Kingdom family. Ephesus is a unique testing ground for this radical shift to include Gentiles (non-Jews) in the family of God. It was once considered the most important trading center in the Mediterranean region, a bustling port city and center of trade as well as of Greco-Roman worship to false gods and idols from all over the region. You can still visit the well-preserved ruins of the ancient city of Ephesus today in modern-day Turkey.
Paul is writing this letter a decade after the church was planted and it’s now grown large and very diverse, made up of both Jewish and non-Jewish believers, multiethnic with people from every socioeconomic makeup. In chapter 5 he begins to explain how the way believers in Ephesus live and love one another is a tangible demonstration to all those around them of the love of Christ. In the darkness of this city marred by immorality, greed and cultural/racial hierarchy, the church, by walking ‘in the way of love’ (v.2) has an opportunity to shine a brilliant light that points to Jesus.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
Posted in First Comes Love