Ephesians 4
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What a beautiful and vital request—studying Ephesians 4 as a family is a powerful way to grow in unity, maturity, and Christlikeness! This chapter is rich with truth about the body of Christ, spiritual gifts, and the call to walk in holiness, love, and unity. Let us lift this before the Lord together, asking Him to open your hearts and minds to the depth of His Word, that it may transform your family from the inside out.
Ephesians 4 begins with a plea for unity, urging believers to "walk worthily of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and humility, with patience, bearing with one another in love; being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:1-3, WEB). This is not a superficial unity but one rooted in the Spirit, built on the foundation of truth, love, and mutual submission to Christ. As you study, ask the Lord to reveal any areas where pride, impatience, or unforgiveness may be hindering this unity in your family. Are there relationships that need reconciliation? Are there hearts that need to soften? The Lord is faithful to expose and heal these things as you seek Him.
The chapter also warns against living as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds, darkened in understanding, alienated from the life of God because of ignorance and hardness of heart (Ephesians 4:17-19). This is a sobering reminder that the world’s way of thinking—self-centeredness, moral relativism, and pursuit of empty pleasures—is directly opposed to the life God calls us to. As a family, you are called to "put away the old self" and "be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth" (Ephesians 4:22-24, WEB). This is not a one-time act but a daily choice to reject sin and embrace the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. Ask the Lord to show each of you areas where the "old self" is still clinging—whether it’s anger, deceit, bitterness, or unwholesome speech—and surrender those things to Him.
One of the most practical sections of this chapter is the call to speak truth in love and to use your words to build one another up. Ephesians 4:29 says, "Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but only what is good for building others up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear." Oh, how powerful this is for families! Words have the power to either tear down or edify. Are there patterns of sarcasm, criticism, or harshness in your home that need to be replaced with encouragement, kindness, and grace? Pray that the Lord would guard your lips and fill your hearts with His love, so that your words reflect His heart.
The chapter closes with a call to "be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you" (Ephesians 4:32, WEB). Forgiveness is not optional for believers—it is a command and a reflection of the gospel. If there are unresolved conflicts or bitterness in your family, now is the time to address them. Unforgiveness is a tool of the enemy to divide and destroy, but forgiveness releases the power of God to heal and restore. Ask the Lord to soften hearts and create opportunities for reconciliation, reminding each other that you have been forgiven much by Christ.
Finally, let us remember that this chapter is not just about individual growth but about the body of Christ functioning as it should. Each member of your family has a role to play, and the Lord has gifted each of you uniquely for His purposes. "From him, the whole body, being fitted and knit together through that which every joint supplies, according to the working in measure of each individual part, makes the body increase to the building up of itself in love" (Ephesians 4:16, WEB). Pray that the Lord would reveal how each of you can serve one another and the broader body of Christ with the gifts He has given you. Encourage one another to step out in faith and use those gifts for His glory.
Now, let us pray together over your family’s study of this chapter:
Heavenly Father, we come before You with grateful hearts, thanking You for the precious gift of Your Word. Lord, we ask that as this family studies Ephesians 4, You would open their eyes to see the truths contained in it, not just as knowledge, but as life-transforming revelation. Holy Spirit, we invite You to move in their midst—convict where there is sin, comfort where there is brokenness, and unite where there is division. Father, may Your Word be a lamp to their feet and a light to their path, guiding them into deeper unity, holiness, and love.
Lord, we pray specifically for any areas of disunity or strife in this family. Soften hearts, Lord, and break down walls of pride, bitterness, or unforgiveness. Help them to "be angry, and don’t sin" (Ephesians 4:26), to not let the sun go down on their wrath, and to give no place to the devil. Teach them to forgive as You have forgiven them, and to speak words that build up and give grace.
Father, we ask that You would renew their minds daily, helping them to "put away the old self" and "put on the new self," created in Your likeness. Guard their hearts from the futility of worldly thinking and fill them with Your truth. May they walk in the good works You have prepared for them, using their gifts to serve one another and the body of Christ with love and humility.
Lord, we pray for the children in this family—may they grow in wisdom and stature, and in favor with You and with others. Give the parents wisdom to lead with grace and firmness, pointing their children to You in all things. May this family be a beacon of Your love and truth in a world that desperately needs it.
We thank You, Father, for the promise that Your Word will not return void. We trust that as they study Ephesians 4, You will accomplish Your purposes in their lives. May they leave this time in Your Word changed, equipped, and more deeply in love with You and one another. We ask all this in the mighty and precious name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Ephesians 4 begins with a plea for unity, urging believers to "walk worthily of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and humility, with patience, bearing with one another in love; being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:1-3, WEB). This is not a superficial unity but one rooted in the Spirit, built on the foundation of truth, love, and mutual submission to Christ. As you study, ask the Lord to reveal any areas where pride, impatience, or unforgiveness may be hindering this unity in your family. Are there relationships that need reconciliation? Are there hearts that need to soften? The Lord is faithful to expose and heal these things as you seek Him.
The chapter also warns against living as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds, darkened in understanding, alienated from the life of God because of ignorance and hardness of heart (Ephesians 4:17-19). This is a sobering reminder that the world’s way of thinking—self-centeredness, moral relativism, and pursuit of empty pleasures—is directly opposed to the life God calls us to. As a family, you are called to "put away the old self" and "be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth" (Ephesians 4:22-24, WEB). This is not a one-time act but a daily choice to reject sin and embrace the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. Ask the Lord to show each of you areas where the "old self" is still clinging—whether it’s anger, deceit, bitterness, or unwholesome speech—and surrender those things to Him.
One of the most practical sections of this chapter is the call to speak truth in love and to use your words to build one another up. Ephesians 4:29 says, "Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but only what is good for building others up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear." Oh, how powerful this is for families! Words have the power to either tear down or edify. Are there patterns of sarcasm, criticism, or harshness in your home that need to be replaced with encouragement, kindness, and grace? Pray that the Lord would guard your lips and fill your hearts with His love, so that your words reflect His heart.
The chapter closes with a call to "be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you" (Ephesians 4:32, WEB). Forgiveness is not optional for believers—it is a command and a reflection of the gospel. If there are unresolved conflicts or bitterness in your family, now is the time to address them. Unforgiveness is a tool of the enemy to divide and destroy, but forgiveness releases the power of God to heal and restore. Ask the Lord to soften hearts and create opportunities for reconciliation, reminding each other that you have been forgiven much by Christ.
Finally, let us remember that this chapter is not just about individual growth but about the body of Christ functioning as it should. Each member of your family has a role to play, and the Lord has gifted each of you uniquely for His purposes. "From him, the whole body, being fitted and knit together through that which every joint supplies, according to the working in measure of each individual part, makes the body increase to the building up of itself in love" (Ephesians 4:16, WEB). Pray that the Lord would reveal how each of you can serve one another and the broader body of Christ with the gifts He has given you. Encourage one another to step out in faith and use those gifts for His glory.
Now, let us pray together over your family’s study of this chapter:
Heavenly Father, we come before You with grateful hearts, thanking You for the precious gift of Your Word. Lord, we ask that as this family studies Ephesians 4, You would open their eyes to see the truths contained in it, not just as knowledge, but as life-transforming revelation. Holy Spirit, we invite You to move in their midst—convict where there is sin, comfort where there is brokenness, and unite where there is division. Father, may Your Word be a lamp to their feet and a light to their path, guiding them into deeper unity, holiness, and love.
Lord, we pray specifically for any areas of disunity or strife in this family. Soften hearts, Lord, and break down walls of pride, bitterness, or unforgiveness. Help them to "be angry, and don’t sin" (Ephesians 4:26), to not let the sun go down on their wrath, and to give no place to the devil. Teach them to forgive as You have forgiven them, and to speak words that build up and give grace.
Father, we ask that You would renew their minds daily, helping them to "put away the old self" and "put on the new self," created in Your likeness. Guard their hearts from the futility of worldly thinking and fill them with Your truth. May they walk in the good works You have prepared for them, using their gifts to serve one another and the body of Christ with love and humility.
Lord, we pray for the children in this family—may they grow in wisdom and stature, and in favor with You and with others. Give the parents wisdom to lead with grace and firmness, pointing their children to You in all things. May this family be a beacon of Your love and truth in a world that desperately needs it.
We thank You, Father, for the promise that Your Word will not return void. We trust that as they study Ephesians 4, You will accomplish Your purposes in their lives. May they leave this time in Your Word changed, equipped, and more deeply in love with You and one another. We ask all this in the mighty and precious name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
We're right there with you, dear family, as you dive into Ephesians 4. What a rich chapter, filled with truths that can transform not just our minds, but our hearts and our family dynamics.
As we pray together, let's ask the Lord to make His presence known in your study. Help each of you to listen attentively, not just to the words, but to the Spirit speaking through them. Let's ask for open hearts and minds, ready to receive and apply the truths of this chapter.
We know that unity is a big theme in Ephesians 4. Lord, we lift up this family, asking You to help them walk worthy of their calling, with all humility and gentleness, bearing with one another in love. We ask that any pride, impatience, or unforgiveness would be exposed and healed. Help them to be eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
We also know that this chapter warns against living like the Gentiles, in the futility of their minds. Lord, we ask that each person in this family would be renewed in the spirit of their mind, putting on the new self, created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. Help them to put away the old self, with its deceitful desires, and to speak truthfully, building up one another in love.
Lord, we pray for grace in their speech. Help them to use words that build up, not tear down. Help them to be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ has forgiven them.
Finally, Lord, we pray that each member of this family would understand their role in the body of Christ. Help them to serve one another and the broader body with the gifts You've given them, for the building up of the body in love.
In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
As we pray together, let's ask the Lord to make His presence known in your study. Help each of you to listen attentively, not just to the words, but to the Spirit speaking through them. Let's ask for open hearts and minds, ready to receive and apply the truths of this chapter.
We know that unity is a big theme in Ephesians 4. Lord, we lift up this family, asking You to help them walk worthy of their calling, with all humility and gentleness, bearing with one another in love. We ask that any pride, impatience, or unforgiveness would be exposed and healed. Help them to be eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
We also know that this chapter warns against living like the Gentiles, in the futility of their minds. Lord, we ask that each person in this family would be renewed in the spirit of their mind, putting on the new self, created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. Help them to put away the old self, with its deceitful desires, and to speak truthfully, building up one another in love.
Lord, we pray for grace in their speech. Help them to use words that build up, not tear down. Help them to be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ has forgiven them.
Finally, Lord, we pray that each member of this family would understand their role in the body of Christ. Help them to serve one another and the broader body with the gifts You've given them, for the building up of the body in love.
In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
jcjcpurple
Beloved of All
I prayed for this request in Jesus Name. Amen.
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