Ephesians 3:14-21:
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Trees and forests are some amazing parts of God’s creation. Each tree is a whole made of many parts. And a forest is made up of many trees. A forest is like a team – it is full of trees (individuals), each uniquely gifted to add to the ecosystem of the forest (ministry). I want you to keep the ideas and images of trees in your mind. In fact why don’t you write those four words on a piece of paper: God, tree, creation, and forest.
1) Now what does the phrase mean, “you can’t see the forest through the trees” mean?
Often in team ministry we can’t see the unity or the common goal because we are too busy looking at ourselves or the differences we have with others. We look at what we don’t have, and how we may not be as good at something that someone else is.
2) If you were a tree or shrub what kind would you be? Why?
- Think of someone different than you on your team, what kind of tree or shrub would they be? Why
One my favorite scenes of winter are of pine trees all white with their bows weighed and covered with snow. In many ways words and life weighs us down and make us bow, like those evergreen trees all weighed down.
3) What usually causes people to bow down or kneel? Why?
4) What are some trite/cliché phrases people say when they don’t know what to say, are weighed down, or uncomfortable?
- What are some trite/cliché phrases you catch yourself saying?
Often we use words but we don’t often SEE them or comprehend their full meaning. We speak trite phrases without paying attention to whom or what we are speaking about, or the context. Words are weighty – they are rooted and full, and powerful. Sometimes however, we forget the weight words have, or misunderstand the weight of the topic or moment.
Now on the backside of that piece of paper answer these two questions:
5) How would you categorize the words: bow, rooted, grounded, love, breadth and length and height and depth, fullness?
- How about the words: riches, glory, strengthened, power, comprehend, filled, abundantly, generations, forever?
There are other times we bow of our own accord and recognition of something greater or more powerful than us.
6) What is causing Paul to bow down?
- Is Paul bowing for worship, prayer, submission, pressure? Or all?
Historically people in Jesus’ time would stand for prayer, especially Jews and Christians. However, when they knelt it was out of submission or worship. Paul isn’t weighed down by anything negative. Instead he bows in submission and worship (in prayer & praise) because of an incredible God with incredible and overwhelming characteristics and love for each of us.
7) What is Paul asking God to do?
Paul calls God our Father and fixes all earthly families to the source, our heavenly Father. The gift of God’s Spirit, knowledge of God’s love, the comprehension of God’s love, and the incomprehensible sacrifice of Jesus is what roots us together and allows us to love and serve others.
8) When have you felt overwhelmed by the love of God in this team ministry?
Another favorite winter scene is of a gust of wind blowing, snow falling off the limb, and the branch springing back. It’s like that often in team ministry. God’s Spirit is alive and working around and through us. God’s fullness is revealed to us through means – creation, his Word, or another Christian – like a breath of freshness, a burst of energy, a comfort, a gentle touch, or a big high-five.
Close in Prayer, praising and thanking God for his creativity and awesomeness. For his love and forgiveness, and his power at work within us. For his Spirit and the things that help you grow (like a tree). And for the things that help you be a part of this team ministry (this Forest) that make it unique, helpful, and valuable.
Cup Overflowing 