Ephesians Part 3
Ephesians 1:3–14
SOAP Bible study method and apply it to Ephesians 1:3–14.
Meeting Purpose
Introduce the SOAP Bible study method and apply it to Ephesians 1:3–14.
Key Takeaways
- The SOAP Method: A simple framework for personal Bible study: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer/Principles.
- Ephesians 1:3–14: This passage is a dense summary of God's plan for believers, centered on being "chosen" and "predestined" before creation.
- "Chosen" Debate: The concept of being "chosen" sparked a debate on free will vs. God's sovereignty, highlighting the tension between human logic and divine mystery.
- Core Application: The primary takeaway is that God's choice is a humbling act of grace, and our lives should be lived "to the praise of his glory."
Topics
- The SOAP Bible Study Method
- Introduced as a simple, non-scholarly method for personal Bible study, inspired by the speaker's upcoming community group study of Romans.
o Scripture: Read a passage.
o Observation: Note key words, themes, and activities.
o Application: Ask, "What is God telling me to do?"
o Prayer/Principles: Pray about the passage or identify core principles.
- Application: Ephesians 1:3–14
o The group applied the "Observation" step to Ephesians 1:3–14.
o Key words identified: praise, chosen, predestined, adopted, grace, wisdom, purpose, blessing, forgiveness, sealed, inheritance, lavish, glory, will, redeemed, sovereignty.
o Key phrases/concepts: "in him," "fullness of time," "God's point of view," "God's control."
- The "Chosen" Debate
o The word "chosen" sparked a discussion on its meaning and implications.
o Definitions from Blue Letter Bible:
§ God choosing Israel as a nation.
§ God choosing Christians for salvation through faith in Christ.
o Theological Views:
§ Reformed (Calvinist): God changes a person's will to willingly come to him; salvation begins with God's initiative.
§ Arminian: God's sovereignty allows for meaningful human response; individual choice is not predetermined.
§ Free Grace: Salvation is by grace through faith; election is God choosing believers or people for a specific purpose.
o Group Discussion:
§ The concept causes discomfort by challenging human control and raising questions about "double predestination."
§ God's choosing is often for a specific purpose (e.g., Israel to bear Christ, Mary to give birth to Jesus).
§ The core struggle is our limited ability to comprehend God's infinite nature.
§ The correct response is humility and gratitude: "Why me?"
§ The greatest application is that our lives should be lived "to the praise of his glory."
Next Steps
o All: Use the SOAP method for personal Bible study.
o All: Apply the "Application" and "Prayer" steps to Ephesians 1:3–14.