Read: Ephesians 3:14–21 (NLT)
Watch: The Tree of Life (BibleProject)
Is Christ “At Home” in Your Heart?
The prayer recorded in Ephesians 3 sits at the very center of our union with Christ. This week, we focus on three vital movements of the soul:
- Christ being at home in your heart.
- Sinking roots deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love.
- Receiving the power to truly understand and experience the love of Christ.
Let’s begin with a heart-level question: Is Jesus truly “at home” in your heart? Does He feel welcome there?
Note that this isn’t about whether your heart feels welcomed by Jesus. There is no doubt about His invitation: “Come to me… and I will give you rest.” Jesus says, “I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.”
The issue is that you are the master of your internal domain—your heart and your mind. God, in His wisdom, granted you the freedom to choose. You have authority over your will and your actions.
The Default vs. The Design
There are really only two options: we either choose to walk with God, or we choose to go our own way. By default—stemming from that first sin in the Garden—we walk our own way. To change course, we must choose to repent of being the “god” of our own lives and invite Jesus to be Lord. Have you invited Jesus to be Lord of your life?
The question of Jesus being “at home” is about the depth of that relationship. God desires your whole heart. When He commanded, “You shall have no other gods before me,” He was establishing a priority: when God is first, everything else in life finds its proper place.
Identifying the Idols
If anyone or anything stands between you and Jesus, that person or thing has become an idol. Is there anything in your life more important to you than Him?
Perhaps it’s time for a serious conversation with the Lord. Ask Him: “Jesus, do I value anything more than You?” It is easy to say, “Jesus, I give everyone and everything to You,” but it is much harder to live. This is why Jesus is so patient. He enters our hearts not to condemn us, but to help us get our Kingdom priorities back in order.
Sinking Deep
This surrender is the process of sinking our roots deep into the soil of God’s love. We are rooted in Jesus; He is the Vine, and we are the branches. We draw our very life, strength, and nourishment from Him. It is only then that we begin to truly experience the staggering dimensions of the love of Christ.
Pray: Lord Jesus, be at home in my heart today. Help me to sink my roots—my will and my desires—down deep into Your love. Empower me with the ability to experience the infinite depths of Your grace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Discussion Questions
- The “Guest Room” vs. The Whole House: Pastor Mark asked if Jesus is “at home” in your heart. In a physical home, there are rooms we keep clean for guests and “junk rooms” we lock away. Is there a “room” in your life (a habit, a relationship, or a secret worry) that you haven’t yet invited Jesus to sit in?
- The Default Setting: We discussed how our “default” setting is to be the master of our own domain. Can you identify a moment this week where you caught yourself trying to be “god” of your own life? What did that look like (e.g., anxiety, anger, or over-working)?
- The Mirror Test: If you were to honestly ask Jesus, “Do I value anyone or anything more than You?” what is the first thing that pops into your mind? Why do you think that specific thing holds so much power over your heart right now?
- Tapping the Taproot: To “sink our roots deep” into God’s love requires time and stillness. In the busyness of your current season, what is the biggest “rock” in your soil that is preventing your roots from going deeper? How can the group pray for you to find “nourishment” in Christ this week?