Ephesians 5
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
Come sit close. I will tell you a story from the Bible.
There was a man named Paul. Paul wrote a letter. A long letter, on paper. He wrote it for people who loved Jesus.
And do you know what Paul wrote? He wrote something very sweet. He wrote: "You are children. You are loved children of God."
Loved. That means: God holds very much of you. Very, very much.
Paul wrote more. He wrote about Jesus. Jesus loves you, said Paul. Jesus loves you so, so much. So much that He gave everything for you. Everything.
What Does This Mean?
Paul wrote something else too. Listen carefully.
Sometimes it is dark outside. At night. Then you cannot see well. You bump into things. Ouch!
But when the light comes on, then you see everything again. The chair, the table, your teddy bear. Ah, there they are!
Paul said: without Jesus it is dark. But with Jesus, the light comes on. Bright and warm. Jesus is like a big light. And you may walk in that light.
Walk in the light. That means: do good things. Be kind. Tell the truth. Say thank you to God for the sun, and for bread, and for Mommy and Daddy.
The Common Thread
Do you know what Paul also said? Paul said: try to be a little bit like God.
But how do you do that? You are so little!
Paul said: look at Jesus. Jesus is kind. Jesus loves. Jesus helps. When you do that too, you are a little bit like God.
And Jesus, He loves so, so much. He gave Himself. Like a beautiful gift. A gift that smells sweet, like flowers. That is how much God loves you.
Long, long ago Paul wrote it. And it is still true today. Jesus still loves you. Right now. Even while I am telling you this.
For You
Do you know what is fun? You can sing to God. Really! Paul wrote: sing songs. Sing in your heart. Sing out loud.
And you can say thank you. Thank you for the food. Thank you for your bed. Thank you for Mommy. Thank you for Daddy. Thank you for Jesus.
That makes God happy. Very happy.
Shall I tell you a secret? God sees you. God hears you when you sing. Even when you sing very softly. Even when you only sing inside, in your heart. God hears it.
You are a child of the light. That is what you are. A child of God, walking in the light of Jesus.
Talk About It
What is your favorite song to sing? Would you sing it now for God?
What can you say thank you for today?
Praying Together
Dear God,
Thank You that You love me.
Thank You for Jesus.
I want to walk in Your light.
Help me to be kind today.
Amen.
Questions about Ephesians 5
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is Ephesians 5 about?
What does Ephesians 5 say?
What does Ephesians 5 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from Ephesians 5?
Why is Ephesians 5 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
Therefore watch carefully how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise." Notice Paul doesn't say watch where you're going. He says watch how you walk. Your direction can be right while your steps stay careless. The tone of your reply, the hour you gave away, the promise you almost kept. That is the walking he means.
Let no one deceive you with empty words." Notice Paul doesn't call them false words. Empty. They sound reasonable, even kind. Everyone does it. It isn't hurting anyone. You only live once. Hollow words, with nothing inside to hold the weight you lean on them. What are you leaning on today that cannot hold you?
Paul doesn't only say stop. He hands you something to put in the empty space: "but rather giving of thanks." Notice the swap. Crude joking and gratitude come from the same mouth, and both are hunting for delight. One finds it by dragging someone down. The other by receiving what God gave. Which has your tongue been practicing?
Because we are members of his body, of his flesh and bones." Adam said it first when he saw Eve: bone of my bones. Now Christ says it of you. Not a servant he tolerates, not a project he manages. His own flesh. When you neglect yourself spiritually, you are neglecting something he calls his body. He feeds what is his.
Looking for something for slightly older children?
We also have dedicated versions for elementary age (7-12) and teens (12 and up).
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