Lausanne World Pulse – LAUSANNE REPORTS – Ephesians Study Plan Leading Up to Cape Town 2010

October / November 2009

God has led us to focus on Paul’s letter to the Ephesians as part of Cape Town 2010 (CT2010). We request all leadership, staff, volunteers, and participants to linger with the book of Ephesians in the year leading up to the Congress. Our ability to listen for God’s voice together at the Congress will be greatly enhanced by “marinating” in Ephesians beforehand. We’re dispersed across the globe and have too few opportunities to meet, pray, and listen to God’s word together. At our request, Lindsay Olesberg (who is leading the Bible exposition sessions at CT2010) has prepared a study for us based on the book of Ephesians. We’re asking everyone connected with the Congress and interested in supporting the Congress through prayer and study to use this simple program, believing that God will use it to speak to us all as we prepare for CT2010. Thanks, Blair Carlson Cape Town 2010 Congress Director   How To Participate: Each month, read the entire letter of Ephesians through at least once. You may choose to read the whole book in one day or over several days. As you read, pay attention to the study guidelines listed with each month. Use a notebook to write down your observations and then pray in response to what you have seen.

Month by Month Guide

November 2009

Read: All of Ephesians
Write: List verbs related to God the Father, God the Son, or God the Holy Spirit (e.g., Eph. 1:4 “God chose us”; Eph. 1:20 “he raised Christ”).
Pray: Worship God for who he is.

December 2009

Read: All of Ephesians
Write: List references to the people of God (e.g., Eph. 1:1 “God’s holy people”; Eph. 1:23 “his body”).
Pray: Pray for the local and global Church to seek God’s will and hear his voice.

January 2010

Read: All of Ephesians
Write: List words and phrases related to time (e.g., Eph. 1:4 “before the creation of the world”; Eph. 2:2 “now”).
Pray: Give thanks to God for being the Lord of history.

February 2010

Read: All of Ephesians
Write: List all references to power. What are the different types of power (e.g., Eph. 1:19 “his incomparably great power for us who believe”; Eph. 1:21 “all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that can be invoked”)?
Pray: Rejoice in Jesus’ resurrection power and ask for that power to be demonstrated in places you feel weak.

March 2010

Read: All of Ephesians
Write: In Ephesians, Paul describes many gifts and promises to God’s people. List as many of these blessings as possible (e.g., Eph. 1:3 “blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ”; Eph. 1:7 “redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins”). Pray: Thank God for his abundant grace.