In Ephesians 3:14–21, Paul’s prayer flows out of deep reflection on the mystery of the Gospel—that through Christ, all people, Jew and Gentile alike, have equal access to God (vv. 12–13). This inclusiveness is the foundation for his heartfelt intercession, in which he asks God to strengthen believers with inner power, to dwell in their hearts through faith, to root them in love, and to grant them the ability to grasp the vastness of Christ’s love. For the Ephesian believers, many of whom were Gentiles, this would have been a powerful reminder that they were fully embraced and empowered by God. Today, we are similarly encouraged: Paul’s prayer speaks personally to our spiritual needs, especially the desire to be deeply known and fully loved. His emphasis on love and unity challenges us to reflect God's inclusive heart in our Philpott community by creating space for every person to belong, be strengthened, and grow. Ultimately, the passage concludes with the reminder that God’s power working in and through us far exceeds what we could ever ask or imagine—fueling our hope and mission.

Discussion Questions

1. Verse 14 starts with the phrase “When I think of all this…” What does “all this” refer to? Look at verses 12-13.

2. Look at the prayer and dissect it. How many things is Paul praying for the Ephesians in this prayer? Let’s look at each one and consider how the first readers would be impacted to know that Paul was praying this for them. How are you impacted? Which part of the prayer means the most to you personally? Why?

3. The theme of the sermon was “inclusiveness.” How does this prayer incorporate or emphasize inclusiveness?

4. How can we practice inclusiveness in our Philpott community?

5. The passage ends with the assurance that God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at

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