You know those Aha moments in Scripture that bring pause, when truth reaches past your protective shell and grabs your heart? You walk away from these moments better in any number of ways: more resolute, courageous, awakened, convicted, motivated, inspired. Approach this devo with full anticipation of an Aha moment. In fact, this devo fully trusts God’s Word to deliver on the Aha; therefore, you’ll see a minimum amount of words and prompts to help you step into a small but powerful passage of Scripture phrase by phrase.
The What
First, the entire passage:
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Eph. 2:10).
Now let’s step into the passage phrase by phrase.
FOR
So, the first phrase actually is a single word, but it’s a big word. It connects Ephesians 2:10 with all that was written before it. So, grab a Bible or favorite Bible app and see what the for is for by reading the verses in Ephesians 2 that lead into verse 10. Write a note about what great plan to which Ephesians 2:10 refers.
WE ARE GOD’S HANDIWORK
Think about each word and state a case as to why it could be the most important word in this phrase. Write your thoughts on a sheet of paper or in an edoc.
CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS TO DO GOOD WORKS
How does this help you answer questions such as: “Why am I here?” or “What does God want me to do?” Write this phrase as a reminder to yourself, using your name to address the reminder to you.
WHICH GOD PREPARED IN ADVANCE
In advance. How does it encourage your heart to know God prepared things for you before you got here?
FOR US TO DO
This phrase probably has one standout important word: do. It’s where everything in this verse is heading. Reflect on that for a minute and write down anything that comes to your heart or mind.
The So What
Take a few moments to let the truth of Ephesians 2:10 seep into your heart. Sit in silence while your mind rolls that passage around a bit. Jot down anything that makes you say, “Wow.”
Seal the Deal
What does your wow make you want to do? Write your own thoughts, or use the general actions suggested below. Circle any that resonate with your heart, and then write a specific action you can do to follow through.
• Express
• Cry
• Create
• Thank
• Pray
• Love
• Commit
There is a reason your path has crossed with this devotional and Ephesians 2:10. Don’t leave without an Aha about what this verse has to say to you today.
Barry Shafer has been in youth ministry for more than 25 years. As director of InWord Resources Barry has written numerous small-group Bible studies and teen devos and is author of the book Unleashing God’s Word in Youth Ministry (Youth Specialties/Zondervan). He is a regular contributor to YouthWorker Journal, writing the column “10 Minutes in God’s Word.” Barry lives in Middletown, Ohio, with his wife, Jessica, and newborn son Reade. He blogs at Inword.org.
