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Ephesians 1:18-21

18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.

19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. 21 Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come.

Acts 2:22-24

22 “People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know. 23 But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him. 24 But God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip.

Some key statements and questions put forward that are important for us to talk about…‍

“I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light”

• In this dark time we are promised a flood of light. What areas of your heart or life need a flood of light right now? What does verse 19-20 tell us about the power available to us if we believe in him?

Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else.

• We are made to put our belief in a higher power or leader. If Jesus hasn't predominately been that source of power or authority for you, what or who has been?

God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip.

• Jesus has been released from the horrors of death—what implications does this have for your own life where you may still feel held in death's grip?

Next Steps: Hard Questions

"Hope rises when you realize you never have to be alone again, because you've never been." What is your personal story with loneliness? Have you noticed the presence of Jesus improving that part of your story? If not, take a moment and prayer for that or ask someone to pray his presence into your isolation.

"Biblical hope is laced with certainty." The Christian life is experiencing the reality of something bigger than yourself. What are you uncertain about in this season? What does the hopeful reality of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection provide for you when everything else seems so uncertain?

Last Thing: Be Vulnerable

Do you feel hopeful or helpless in this season? What lesser hope have you been tempted to trust in or drift towards in this season? Confess that to your DNA or someone you will with ask for God to help restore hope in that area of your life.

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