Read: Ephesians 2:11–22

¹¹Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— ¹²remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. ¹³But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. ¹⁴For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility ¹⁵by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, ¹⁶and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. ¹⁷And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. ¹⁸For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. ¹⁹So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, ²⁰built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, ²¹in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. ²²In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Think: write a list of things which characterise God’s church (his household) in verses 18–22. Spend some time enjoying what you see about church here. Why is the language of belonging here such good news? Why is the church’s relationship to God, Jesus and the Spirit here such good news? How does this passage leave you feeling about church?

Pray: even if some of what you’ve seen here doesn’t feel like the experience you have had of church, spend some time thanking God that these things are spiritually true of his eternal church. Talk honestly with God about what you think of these verses—especially if they don’t match your own past church experience; talk openly with him about that.

Today: even though it's not Sunday, think about how today or in the coming days you could spend some time with others who belong in Christ’s household. Proactively plan to make it happen.