Ephesians 3
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
Paul was writing a letter. But Paul was not at home. Paul was in prison. It was dark there, and cold. There were chains on his hands. Clink, clink.
But Paul was not sad. No, Paul was happy! Because he was thinking about Jesus. And he was thinking about all the people who love Jesus.
Paul took a pen. He began to write. He wrote to friends who lived far away, in a town called Ephesus.
"Dear friends," wrote Paul. "I want to tell you something. Something very big!"
What Does This Mean?
Paul wrote: "God has a big secret. And now the secret is told! The secret is this: God loves everyone. Not just a few people. But ALL people who come to Jesus."
Paul folded his hands. He closed his eyes. And he began to pray. Right there, in the prison.
"Dear God," Paul prayed, "please make my friends strong. Strong on the inside. Let Jesus live in their hearts. And let them know how much You love them."
Paul stretched his arms wide. "God's love is SO big!" he said. "So high. So deep. So wide. Bigger than the sky. Deeper than the sea."
The Common Thread
Do you know why Paul was so happy in that dark prison? Because of Jesus.
Jesus is like a warm light. Jesus came for everybody. For big people. For little people. For people close by. For people far away. Everybody may come.
That was God's big secret. And now Jesus opened the door. The door to God is wide open. You may walk right in.
Paul knew that. And it made him sing, even with chains on his hands.
For You
Can you make yourself very small? Like a little ball? Now stretch out big and wide. As wide as you can!
That is how big God's love is. Even bigger. Even wider.
God loves you when you are happy. God loves you when you are sad. God loves you when you are naughty. God loves you when you are good. God's love never, ever stops.
Paul wants you to know that. Deep down inside. In your heart.
Sometimes you cannot see God. But He is there. Like the wind. You cannot see the wind, but you feel it on your cheeks. God is near you. Every day. All the time.
Talk About It
How big is God's love? Can you show it with your arms?
Paul was in prison but he was happy. Why do you think he was happy?
Praying Together
Dear God,
Thank You that You love me. Very, very much. Higher than the sky. Deeper than the sea.
Thank You for Jesus. Please live in my heart. And make me strong on the inside.
Amen.
Questions about Ephesians 3
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is Ephesians 3 about?
What does Ephesians 3 say?
What does Ephesians 3 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from Ephesians 3?
Why is Ephesians 3 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
Notice where Paul says the glory shows up: "in the assembly and in Christ Jesus." Not only in heaven, not only in some future age, but in the ordinary gathering of believers you sat with last Sunday. Tired people, folding chairs, imperfect singing. God chose that to display his glory "to all generations." Including yours.
Paul is in chains when he writes this, and notice what he asks for. Not release. Not comfort. That you "may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner person." The hidden part of you, where no one sees the wearing down. God pours out there, "according to the riches of his glory," not according to what's left over.
For this cause I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles." Rome held the chain, but Paul refuses to name Caesar as his jailer. He belongs to Christ, even here. And notice the last words: his suffering is on behalf of someone else. What if your hardest season is not wasted, but carried for somebody?
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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