The christian's potential shalom youth bible study lessons - spring 2012

2012 – Year to Soar

1 Shalom Youth Christian Education Bible Study – Spring 2012

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.



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.



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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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


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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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


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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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!



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. ____________



Friday - A.M. ____________ and P.M. ____________


Sunday - A.M. ____________ and P.M. ____________



Week #3: Time

Monday - A.M. ____________ and P.M. ____________

Tuesday - A.M. ____________ and P.M. ____________



Friday - 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. ____________



Friday - A.M. ____________ and P.M. ____________


Sunday - A.M. ____________ and P.M. ____________

Notes:

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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).


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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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!

Spiritual

The christian's potential shalom youth bible study lessons - spring 2012