1. 2012 – Year to Soar
Shalom Ministries – Christian Education
The Christian's Potential
Eph. 3:14-21
Scriptural Basis: Ephesians 3:14-21
 The Exegetical Idea at the beginning and end of these
lessons provide a summarized perspective of what the
passage meant to convey to those it was written to in
biblical times.
 The Pedagogical Idea summarizes what this passage
means to us here and now. After studying the verses,
incorporate what you have personally experienced with
God in the particular lesson you are teaching. Strive to help
them experience wonder and awe at our great God.
As teachers, we have a responsibility to nurture children’s
faith in such a way that it becomes an integral part of their
lives. Our goal is for the children to learn to know God
intimately. We are setting the foundations of the knowledge
of God in children, and this foundation can be firm or
shaky.
Teacher Notes: Incorporate your own activity and discussions to
bring these bible study lessons to life.
Shalom Youth Christian Education Bible Study – Spring 2012
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2. 2012 – Year to Soar
The Christian's Potential
Eph. 3:14-21
Introduction (Exegetical Idea):
A. We often use the word potential to designate an individual
that has the ability to become something other than what
they are. The bible sets forth the premise that every
Christian has potential to achieve the loftiest heights of
faith and understanding of the manifold wisdom of God.
B. Paul often prayed that each Christian would reach this
potential (cf. Eph. 1:18; Col. 1:9). However reaching one's
potential in either the business or athletic world takes time
and dedication. The Christian's potential is no different. It
is for this reason Paul told Timothy to "Be diligent to
present thyself approved to God, a worker who does not
need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2
Tim. 2:15). The Christian today can reach his or her
potential when diligence, or hard work, is exerted in that
area.
C. The Christian's potential of achieving great faith and
understanding is illustrated by the apostles Paul's prayer for
the Ephesians (cf. Eph. 3:14-21). The Christian's potential
is strength of the inward man by the Holy Spirit, the
indwelling of Christ through faith, to be rooted and
grounded in love, to apprehend all aspects of the gospel and
to be filled with the fullness of God. When the Christian
has reached this potential he or she too can proclaim with
the apostle Paul "I can do all things through Christ who
strengthens me" (Phil. 4:13). There will be nothing to
difficult for you to handle. Faith and understanding move
the Christian to realize that there is nothing to difficult for
the God we serve (Jer. 32:17-18).
D. Let us examine each of these potentials for the Christian in
the following five (5) lessons and summary.
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3. 2012 – Year to Soar
Lesson #1
Pedagogical Idea:
I. The Christian Has Potential Inner Strength by the Holy
Spirit - Eph. 3:16
A. The "inner man" (eso) is the spiritual man as distinguished
from the outer or fleshly man.
B. This inner man is strengthened by the Spirit of God
1. It was the work of the Holy Spirit to reveal the mind of
God - Cf. 1 Cor. 2:9-13 and Gal. 1:11-12
2. We are strengthened by it as we feast on the words
revealed by the Holy Spirit - cf. Gal. 3:1-2 and 2 Cor.
4:16
C. The strength we receive comes through the instructions
given by the Holy Spirit - cf. Eph. 3:3-4 and Col. 1:9-11
D. The Christian's potential is to be mighty in the face of trials
due to his knowledge of the truth
Youth Discussion and Talking Points:
A. Describe what “inner man” means
B. What does it mean to “feast on the words” revealed by the
Holy Spirit
C. What instruction have you received from the Holy Spirit?
Notes:
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4. 2012 – Year to Soar
Lesson #2
Pedagogical Idea:
II. The Christian's Potential Is To Have Christ Dwelling In Our
Hearts Through Faith - Eph. 3:17
A. The strength of the Christian by revelation of the Holy
Spirit equals the indwelling of God the father, God the son
and God the Holy Spirit!
B. The Holy Spirit reveals these truths which lead to our being
filled with Christ and his teachings. We have Christ
dwelling in us! - Cf. Rom. 8:8-14 and Gal. 2:20
C. When we read and learn of Christ we fill ourselves with
him! He dwells in us and we in him through his words - 1
Jn. 2:24-27; 4:15
Youth Discussion and Talking Points:
A. Describe of Christ dwells in us and what it means to you?
B. What does this mean to your Christian potential?
C. What instruction have you received from the Holy Spirit?
Notes:
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5. 2012 – Year to Soar
Lesson #3
Pedagogical Idea:
III. The Christian's Potential Is To Be Rooted And Grounded In
Love - Eph. 3:17
A. The word rooted is an agricultural metaphor
1. A tree sends its roots deep and is established
2. Strong winds and storms do not effect it!
B. The word grounded is a architectural metaphor
1. A house built on a firm foundation is grounded
2. Will not be easily destroyed
C. So is the Christian who is rooted and grounded in the love
of the truth! - cf. Jn. 15:9-14
Youth Discussion and Talking Points:
A. Describe what it means to be deeply rooted?
B. What does grounded in the Word mean to you?
C. How can you be a Christian, who have potential to be
rooted and grounded in love?
Notes:
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6. 2012 – Year to Soar
Lesson #4
Pedagogical Idea:
IV. The Christian's Potential Is To Comprehend All Aspects Of
The Gospel - Eph. 3:18
A. The word comprehend (Katalambano) "to lay hold of with
the mind; to understand, perceive, learn, comprehend"
(Thayer's Greek English Lexicon of The New Testament
#2638 pg. 332).
B. Learning and comprehending scriptures takes effort! Christ
will not dwell in us by osmosis! - cf. Jn. 6:44-45 and 1 Cor.
14:31
C. Many brethren have no problem spending hours at their
favorite past time. However when it comes to bible study
we somehow act and live as though God will miraculously
fill us with his manifold wisdom!
D. The Christian has the potential of having great inner
strength, having the Godhead dwelling in them, being
rooted and grounded in the truth, apprehending the breadth
and length and height and depth of the gospel, but we must
put forth the effort to reach that potential. It can be done
and it must be done!
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7. 2012 – Year to Soar
Youth Discussion, Talking Points, and Action Plan:
A. Describe what it means to comprehend the word?
B. Talk about your schedule - identify how much time you
dedicate to spending with the Word.
Create an Action Plan to achieve the Christian Potential:
Rooted And Grounded In Love - Eph. 3:17
Comprehend All Aspects Of The Gospel - Eph. 3:18
Plan your schedule for the next 30 days to be
Week #1: Time
Monday - A.M. ____________ and P.M. ____________
Tuesday - A.M. ____________ and P.M. ____________
Wednesday - A.M. ____________ and P.M. ____________
Thursday - A.M. ____________ and P.M. ____________
Friday - A.M. ____________ and P.M. ____________
Saturday - A.M. ____________ and P.M. ____________
Sunday - A.M. ____________ and P.M. ____________
Week #2: Time
Monday - A.M. ____________ and P.M. ____________
Tuesday - A.M. ____________ and P.M. ____________
Wednesday - A.M. ____________ and P.M. ____________
Thursday - A.M. ____________ and P.M. ____________
Friday - A.M. ____________ and P.M. ____________
Saturday - A.M. ____________ and P.M. ____________
Sunday - A.M. ____________ and P.M. ____________
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8. 2012 – Year to Soar
Week #3: Time
Monday - A.M. ____________ and P.M. ____________
Tuesday - A.M. ____________ and P.M. ____________
Wednesday - A.M. ____________ and P.M. ____________
Thursday - A.M. ____________ and P.M. ____________
Friday - A.M. ____________ and P.M. ____________
Saturday - A.M. ____________ and P.M. ____________
Sunday - A.M. ____________ and P.M. ____________
Week #4: Time
Monday - A.M. ____________ and P.M. ____________
Tuesday - A.M. ____________ and P.M. ____________
Wednesday - A.M. ____________ and P.M. ____________
Thursday - A.M. ____________ and P.M. ____________
Friday - A.M. ____________ and P.M. ____________
Saturday - A.M. ____________ and P.M. ____________
Sunday - A.M. ____________ and P.M. ____________
Notes:
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9. 2012 – Year to Soar
Lesson #5
Pedagogical Idea:
V. Finally, The Christian Has The Potential To Be Filled With
All The Fullness Of God - Eph. 3:19
A. This is being mature or perfected in Christ and his
teachings
B. This is walking in the steps of the Savior - 1 Pet. 2:21
C. In the Lord's "Sermon on the Mount" Jesus said, "Therefore
you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is
perfect" - Matt. 5:48
D. "The obvious wish of Paul's prayer is that Christians
become more and more like the Lord whom they serve"
(Caldwell pg. 148).
Youth Discussion and Talking Points:
A. Describe what it means to walk in the steps of the Savior?
B. Review the “Sermon on the Mount” and discuss what it
means to you
Notes:
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10. 2012 – Year to Soar
Conclusion (Exegetical Idea)
Discussion and Talking Points:
A. The common denominator in Paul's prayer to the Ephesians
is Christ and his teachings. The two cannot be separated!
Some claim that we must preach the man and not the plan.
However the scriptures plainly teach that this is inaccurate!
The apostle John made this point crystal-clear (cf. 1 Jn. 2:3-
6; 2 Jn. 9-11).
B. The Christian today can and will live up to his or her
expected potential if and only if they make the time. There
are great spiritual treasures hidden in the pages of our
bibles, may God help us to have both the zeal and desire to
spend time in study. To find strength to handle any
situation life may cast our way as Christ dwells richly in us.
C. Peter told Jesus "You have the words of eternal life" (Jn.
6:68). Our Lord provides the encouragement through his
teachings, we must supply the interest and diligence!
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