For children ages 3 to 6

Ephesians 4

Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)

2 min read · Updated August 8, 2026
By Jasper & Review team
Bible
By Jasper & Review team

The Explanation

Paul was writing a letter. He was far away, in a big city. He was thinking about his friends who loved Jesus. He picked up his pen. He wanted to tell them something important.

"Listen," Paul wrote. "You all belong together now. You are one family. One big family of Jesus."

Paul knew that people can be very different. One is tall, one is small. One laughs loud, one is quiet. One is good at singing, one is good at helping. But they all belong together. Like fingers on one hand.

What Does This Mean?

Paul wrote more. He said, "Be kind to each other. Be gentle. Have patience."

Patience is when you have to wait. And you wait without getting angry. That is hard sometimes.

Paul also said something else. Something important. "When you get angry, do not stay angry. Say sorry before you go to sleep."

Because angry feelings are like little stones in your tummy. If you keep them there, they grow bigger. And bigger. And they start to hurt.

But if you say sorry, the stones go away. Poof. Gone.

The Common Thread

Paul wrote about Jesus too. Jesus is like a big brother. The best big brother.

Jesus was kind. Jesus was gentle. Jesus forgave people. Even people who hurt Him.

And now Jesus lives in our hearts. He helps us. When our hands want to hit, He whispers, "Be gentle." When our mouth wants to say mean words, He whispers, "Say something kind."

Jesus makes us more and more like Him. A little bit each day. Like a small plant that grows and grows.

For You

Paul wrote one more thing. Listen well.

"Do not use mean words. Only kind words. Words that make people happy."

Think about your mouth. Your mouth can say two kinds of words. Sweet words, like candy. Or sour words, like lemon.

Sweet words are: "I love you." "You did that so well!" "Can I help you?"

Sour words are: "Go away!" "You are stupid!" "That is mine!"

God wants sweet words to come out of your mouth. Because sweet words make hearts warm.

And when you did say a sour word? Then you go to that person. You say, "Sorry." That is brave. God is happy when you do that.

Talk About It

What is a kind word you can say to Mom or Dad today?

What do you do when you feel angry inside?

Praying Together

Dear Jesus,

Thank You that we belong to Your big family.

Help me to be kind.

Help me to say sweet words.

And when I am angry, help me to say sorry.

I love You, Jesus.

Amen.

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Questions about Ephesians 4

Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.

What is Ephesians 4 about?
Paul was writing a letter. He was far away, in a big city. He was thinking about his friends who loved Jesus. He picked up his pen. He wanted to tell them something important.
What does Ephesians 4 say?
Paul knew that people can be very different. One is tall, one is small. One laughs loud, one is quiet. One is good at singing, one is good at helping. But they all belong together. Like fingers on one hand.
What does Ephesians 4 teach us about God?
Because angry feelings are like little stones in your tummy. If you keep them there, they grow bigger. And bigger. And they start to hurt.
What can toddlers learn from Ephesians 4?
Jesus makes us more and more like Him. A little bit each day. Like a small plant that grows and grows.
Why is Ephesians 4 an important Bible story?
Sweet words are: "I love you." "You did that so well!" "Can I help you?"

What others discovered

Insight Editorial on verse 20

But you did not learn Christ that way." Notice Paul doesn't say you learned about Christ. You learned Christ. He is not a subject you studied, he is a Person you sat with. So when an old habit starts whispering that this is just how life works, ask yourself: is this what I learned from him?

— Faith.Network Editorial
Insight Editorial on verse 5

One Lord, one faith, one baptism." Paul doesn't tell you to manufacture unity. He tells you it already exists. That believer whose opinions grate on you went into the same water and came up belonging to the same Lord. You did not choose each other. He chose you both. Now learn to live like it.

— Faith.Network Editorial
Insight Editorial on verse 31

Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, and slander, be put away from you, with all malice." Notice bitterness comes first. It is the quiet root, and the shouting and the slander grow up out of it later. Ask yourself what you are still holding in the dark, rehearsing when no one is watching. That is where God wants to start.

— Faith.Network Editorial
Insight Editorial on verse 27

Don't give place to the devil." Look at what comes just before it: anger held past sundown. Paul isn't warning about something dramatic. He's warning about the grudge you carry to bed, the reply you rehearse at two in the morning. That is the room you rented out. Who still holds the key tonight?

— Faith.Network Editorial

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

For parents and teachers: Written especially to be read aloud to children ages 3 to 6. Use it as a starting point for a conversation with your child, not as the only source. This explanation is generated automatically by language models. While we strive for theological soundness, the software can make mistakes.

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