Ephesians 3:14–21 — Attitude, Belief, and Mission
This past Sunday, Zane Risser preached from Ephesians 3:14–21 and challenged our church to consider what shapes us during the week—not just on Sunday. He framed the message around three words: attitude, belief, and mission.
Big idea:
God strengthens his church from the inside out so we can stay focused on the mission: glorify Christ and make him known.
1) Don’t let circumstances determine your attitude
Zane pointed to Paul’s situation: he is under house arrest, chained to a Roman soldier, yet he does not fixate on his circumstances. Instead, Paul views himself as a “prisoner of Christ” and treats every situation as an opportunity for God to be glorified and made known. The challenge for us: how often do small frustrations and distractions derail our focus and shape our attitude?
2) Prayer reveals what we actually believe
Instead of making the center of his prayers personal relief, Paul prays for the church. Zane asked a pointed question: if prayer isn’t our first move, what does that reveal about what we believe God can do? If we only pray once we’ve exhausted every other option, we may be operating as if God is distant or ineffective.
3) Paul prays for inner strength, not easier circumstances
In Ephesians 3:16–17, Paul prays that believers would be strengthened “in your inner being.” Zane described this strengthening as:
- Wisdom to discern right from wrong
- Sensitivity to the Spirit’s conviction
- Strength to live out conviction in obedience (not just know what’s true)
4) The love of Christ is vast—and meant to be experienced in the church
Paul prays that we would comprehend the breadth, length, height, and depth of Christ’s love (vv. 18–19). Zane emphasized that no one is beyond God’s reach—and if we believe that, our prayers and our lives should reflect it. He also highlighted that this love is meant to be experienced “with all the saints” in the fellowship of the church.
5) Pray big prayers because God is able
The passage ends with worship: God “is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think” (vv. 20–21). Zane encouraged us to pray boldly and expectantly, refusing to put God in a box with small prayers and low expectations.
Reflection questions
- What most often determines your attitude during the week—circumstances, or Christ?
- Is prayer your first instinct, or your last resort? What does that reveal about your belief?
- Where do you need God’s inner strength right now—wisdom, conviction, or obedience?
- Who is far from God in your life, and how will you pray for them and pursue them with love?
- What would it look like for you to live more focused on the mission this week?
Lifegroup Leader Guide
Passage: Ephesians 3:14–21
Teacher: Zane Risser
Big idea: God strengthens his church from the inside out so we can stay focused on the mission: glorify Christ and make him known.
1) Icebreaker (5–10 minutes)
- What’s one small thing that can derail your attitude for the day?
- When you feel stressed or distracted, what do you usually do first?
2) Read the text (5 minutes)
Read Ephesians 3:14–21 aloud together.
3) Sermon recap (3–5 minutes)
- Zane emphasized three words: attitude, belief, and mission.
- Paul is in prison, yet he prays for the church instead of focusing on himself.
- Paul prays for inner strength, deep confidence in Christ’s love, and bold God-centered expectation because God is able to do far more than we ask or imagine.
4) Discussion questions (25–35 minutes)
Attitude
- What are the most common circumstances or “small things” that hijack your attitude during the week?
- How does Paul’s posture (prisoner of Christ, not prisoner of Rome) challenge the way you interpret your circumstances?
Belief
- Zane asked: “Do you actually believe what you pray for?” How would you answer that honestly?
- Is prayer your first move or your last resort? What does your habit reveal about what you believe God can do?
Mission
- In what ways do distractions (good or bad) pull your focus off Jesus and off the mission?
- What would it look like this week to treat your circumstances as opportunities for God to be glorified and made known?
Inner strength and sanctification
- Paul prays for inner strength. Where do you most need God’s strengthening right now: discernment (right/wrong), sensitivity to conviction, or strength to obey?
- When you feel conviction from the Spirit, what is your default response—repentance, avoidance, distraction, or something else?
Love of Christ
- Paul prays that we would grasp the vast love of Christ. What keeps you from believing you are truly loved by God?
- Who in your life feels “far from God”? How can your Lifegroup pray consistently for them this week?
Big prayers
- Paul ends with: God is able to do far more than we ask or imagine. Do your prayers reflect that confidence? Why or why not?
- What is one “bigger” prayer you should start praying regularly?
5) Application (5 minutes)
- Identify one distraction you need to confront this week.
- Choose one daily moment to pray first (not last) for God’s help.
- Write down one person to pray for (someone far from God) and one step to pursue them with love.
6) Prayer time (10 minutes)
Pray through Ephesians 3:14–21 as a group:
- Ask God to strengthen your Lifegroup “in the inner being.”
- Ask for deeper confidence in Christ’s love.
- Ask God to help your group stay focused on the mission this week.
- Pray by name for those who are far from God.