Ephesians 2
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
Listen. A long time ago, a man named Paul wrote a letter. He wrote it to people who loved Jesus. And in that letter he told something very special.
Paul said: before, it was dark inside people. Their hearts were tired and sad. They did not know God. They did wrong things. It was like they were sleeping in the dark.
But then… then something wonderful happened. God saw those people. And God's heart was full of love. So much love! God said: I will wake you up. I will make you alive.
And that is what God did. Through Jesus. Jesus is God's Son. God made the people's hearts new and warm again. Just like a light going on in a dark room.
What Does This Mean?
Paul writes something we must not forget. Listen carefully.
The people did not do it themselves. They could not do it themselves. It was a gift. A gift from God!
Think of your birthday. You get a present. You did not buy it. You did not make it. Someone gives it to you, because that person loves you. You just open your hands. And you say: thank you!
That is how it is with God. God gives us His love. We just open our hands. And we say: thank you, God.
The Common Thread
And then Paul tells something else. Something beautiful.
Before, there was a wall. A big, high wall between people. Some people belonged to God's family. Other people did not. They stood on the other side of the wall.
But Jesus came. And Jesus broke down that wall. Boom! The wall was gone. Now everyone may come to God. Everyone. Big people, little people, near people, far people. Everyone.
Jesus is like a bridge. On the bridge we walk to God. Together. Hand in hand.
For You
You may know something. Something very important.
God loves you. Yes, you. God knows your name. God sees you when you laugh. God sees you when you cry. God sees you when you sleep.
And you may come. Always. To Jesus. You do not have to be big. You do not have to be smart. You do not have to be sweet all the time.
You may just come. With your little hands open. Then God gives you His love. Every day again.
Talk About It
What is the nicest present you have ever gotten? Was it a gift, or did you have to work for it?
God gives us His love as a gift. How does that make you feel inside?
Praying Together
Dear God,
Thank You that You love me.
Thank You for Jesus.
He is like a bridge to You.
I open my hands.
Please give me Your love.
Amen.
Questions about Ephesians 2
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is Ephesians 2 about?
What does Ephesians 2 say?
What does Ephesians 2 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from Ephesians 2?
Why is Ephesians 2 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
Not of works, that no one would boast." Notice what God is protecting you from. Not just from hell, but from the exhausting need to prove yourself. If your salvation rested even slightly on your record, you would spend your life anxiously checking it. Grace ends that. There is nothing to boast about, and nothing left to defend.
Having killed the hostility through it." Not softened, not negotiated, killed. The cross was an execution, and the enmity between people died there alongside Jesus.
Which makes me wonder about the coldness I keep nursing toward someone in my own church. Christ put that hostility in the grave. Why am I working so hard to keep it breathing?
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God."
Notice how Paul closes the door on every proud thought. Even the faith you reach out with is not something you manufactured. You did not save yourself, and you did not even find the strength to believe on your own. It was all handed to you. Rest there today.
Looking for something for slightly older children?
We also have dedicated versions for elementary age (7-12) and teens (12 and up).
Open in the Children's Bible tool
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