Blog 2: Recap of Lesson 1, Grounded in Love

Our first discussion was based on the Apostle Paul's Prayer for the Ephesians:

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hears through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge -- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurable more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Ephesians 3:14 - 21 (New International Version)

Who We Are & Whose We Are -- It's a Given... or is it???

If you were to use relational descriptions only, how would you identify yourself?

Example: I am the daughter of Anthea & Joey Henderson, older sister of Hakim Henderson, member of Epic Church, dance instructor for Living Arts Dance & Fitness Studios, engineer for NAVSEA's Power Transmission branch, mentor to many, friend to few, and resident of PA.

In identifying or defining ourselves, in terms of relationships, our group explored personal perspectives of self-identities, with respect to God. The Bible tells us, through Paul's prayer, that God is our deepest source of identity. 

It seems like such a nice concept for Paul to enforce in reassuring those that are lost they are able to find themselves in God -- however, how real is this concept for you? Is it an abstraction for you  -- a nice idea, even a truth, that is hard to lay hold of? Many of us have moments where we are unable to relate to stories of the Bible simply because it's 2014, so as a result, not every aspect of the Word feels applicable all of the time. Establishing an identity in God's love, for some, is one of those intangible aspects.

Sidebar: 

Strobel's book, "The Case for Christ," was referenced in discussion. As stated, it's "a journalist's personal investigation of the evidence for Jesus."

Perhaps with a more solidified awareness and understanding of Jesus's existence will help some to fathom establishing an identity in His love. Check it out and leave a review in the comments!

Single & Christian

Being single Christians can also impact the perception we have of our own identities. Granted, it's a given -- I'm single and I am a Christian. Those are facts that are not hard for me to acknowledge, but there are times my faith has impacted my singleness in some shape or form. We discussed how being "grounded in Christ's love" has helped/hindered our singleness.

Going back to the scripture referenced, in praying for some kind of "inner process" to occur (v. 16-19), Paul chooses to use specific verbs to illustrate how this occurrence is to happen: "...strengthen you... through his Spirit... Christ may dwell... through faith... you, rooted and established in love... have power... to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ... this love surpasses knowledge..." Just imagine if this "inner process" occurred in completion within each of us, how different the world would be. How different do you think you would be? How do you imagine it would impact your singleness?

Discussion & attendance was great! It was definitely a successful get together :)

Until next time...

Kind Regards,

Cleao | Toniko