SCRIPTURE REFERENCES » Ephesians 1:3-14

Dec 11
4

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standard WSC #7

Doctrinal Standard WSC #7

Q. What are the decrees of God?

A. The decrees of God are His eternal plan based on the purpose of His will, by which, for His own glory, He has foreordained everything that happens.

Memory Verses

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.”(Ephesians 1:3-4, ESV)

Study Passage: Ephesians 1:3-14

Support Passages: Romans 8:26-39, 9:11-18; Acts 2:23, 4:24-28; John 6:44,65; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; I Peter 2:8; Genesis 18:19; Isaiah 5:1-7; Deuteronomy 7:6-11;

 Bible Story: Genesis 37:1-28, 50:15-21

Thoughts

  • There are a few prerequisites to understanding the decrees of God. First, it is often unclear to see how God is going to use a tragedy or difficult time in someone’s life while it is taking place. Joseph saw nothing but complete evil and despair when his brothers sold him into slavery. It was only after the fact that Joseph saw the plan of God.
  • Second, the dichotomy of God’s sovereignty and mans responsibility is something one will never completely understand. While we will never know in this lifetime how it all works the Bible strongly teaches that God is sovereign and has ordained things while still giving us the responsibility to act and respond to the choices we face.
  • The fact that God has a purpose and is sovereign over all should fill us with humility and confidence that God will finish the work He has started in our lives.

Discussion Questions

  • How does it make you feel that God is in control of everything?
  • How do you think Joseph felt when is brother sold him into slavery? Did he know what God was going to do?
  • If God is in control of everything why do bad things happen to good people?
  • What has God promised to those who love Him? (Romans 8:28-29).
  • What should be our attitude when difficult events happen in our lives?
  • Ephesians 1 says God chose us for salvation before the earth was even created. Why did he do that?
  • If God has chosen us for salvation and is in control of everything what should be our response?
Posted in Study Guides, Family Devotional Guidelines, Phil Anady, Ephesians 1:3-14, Posted by Phil. No Comments

Nov 11
14

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standard WSC #5 & 6 (1 of 3)

As you can see there is a lot of information provided. The catechism questions will remain the same for the next three weeks therefore don’t feel rushed to have it all  memorized in one week. I pray that the catechism questions, memory verses, and scripture reference are of great use to you in your efforts to raise your children in the Lord.

Doctrinal Standard WSC #5 & 6

Q. Are there more Gods than one?

A. There is but one only, the Living and True God.

Q. How many persons are there in the one God?

A. Three persons are in the one God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are one God, the same in substance and equal in power and glory.

Scripture Memory

“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’” (Matthew 28:18-20, ESV)

Study Passage: Matthew 28:16-20

Support Passages: Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Deuteronomy 32:39; Isaiah 43:10; Ephesians 1:3–14; Acts 2:37-41, 8:14-17; Genesis 1:26, 3:22, 11:7; Ephesians 4:4-6;

Bible Story: Matthew 3: The Baptism of Jesus testifies to the Trinity.

Thoughts

  • There is one God in three persons. Each person of the trinity is separate from the other two but fully and equally God.
  • The word trinity is not found in the Bible but the early church fathers developed the term to easily explain the concept.
  • There are many illustrations that try to explain but don’t completely and fully explain the trinity. Norman Geisler best explains it using the mathematical formula of  1 X 1 X 1 = 1.
  • Each person of the trinity has distinctive roles. This is not an exhaustive list but a simple example. The Father has predestined believers to salvation, Christ has redeemed believers through His death, and the Holy Spirit is our guarantee of salvation. Refer to (Ephesians 1:3–14).

Discussion Questions

  • What is the trinity?
  • How does the baptism of Jesus display the trinity?
  • What is a good illustration to explain the trinity?
  • Is one part of the trinity more powerful or has more authority then another?
  • How do the different persons of the trinity work together for our good?
Posted in Study Guides, Family Devotional Guidelines, Phil Anady, Ephesians 1:3-14, Matthew 28:16-20, Posted by Phil. No Comments


"Him we proclaim,
warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom,
that we may present everyone mature in Christ."
(Colossians 1:28, ESV)

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