Praying for You (1:15-23)

After praising (and calling for the praise of) God (1:3-14), Paul shares that he has continually given thanks and lifted up prayers to God on behalf of the recipients. This section expresses some of Paul’s prayer requests.

Questions to Consider

1. How do you think Paul heard about their ‘faith in the Lord Jesus’ and their ‘love for all the saints’? (15)
- Their faith was demonstrated by actions (James 2:14-26)
- Their love was demonstrated by actions (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

2. In what sense did Paul pray continuously? (16-17a)
- Without ceasing (1 Thes. 5:17) means without giving up, not 24/7 (Luke 18:1-8)

3. What is the Spirit of wisdom and revelation? (17b)
- This refers to vertical knowledge (sorta like street smarts vs. book smarts)
- It is by the presence of the Spirit that we truly get to know God

4. In this text, what is the purpose of the Spirit? (17c)
- To get to know God!

5. In what sense can hope be known? (18)
- It is an invisible reality, but it can be experienced spiritually

6. What is the hope God had called them to? (18)
- Glory, restoration of creation

7. In what sense can power be known? (19)
- Through experience ('know' in the Bible is an experiential term)

8. For whom is this power available? (19)
- To believers

9. Just how powerful is this power? (19-21)
- It is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead to the throne, triumphing over all rivals

10. Do we treat Christ as the head of the church? (22)
- The head is the boss

11. Why would Paul call the church Jesus’ body? (23)
- It's made up of those who submit to Jesus and are enlivened by His Spirit