Ephesians Chapters 3-4 for Children

Ephesians Chapters 3-4

Welcome, I have written this for children, based solely on the Word of God, but condensed for them... and used Noah Webster's 1828 Dictionary for clarification of some words. My added comments are in italics, and there is a Memory Verse for each chapter. This is a very difficult book, but I pray it will be a blessing to them...

Chapter 3..

God has made known to me (the apostle Paul) the mystery that was not known to the men who lived before, the mystery that the Gentiles should be of the same body (of Christ) and take part in the promise in Christ by the gospel.

I was made, by the grace of God, a minister to preach to the Gentiles (all men who are not Jewish) the riches of Christ, and to make all men see what the mystery is, the things which were hidden by God, from the beginning of the world until Jesus came, so that now those in heavenly places might know by the church (those who are saved by faith in Jesus) the wisdom of God through Christ, in whom we have boldness and may come confidently (this means that now because of Christ's atoning death on the cross, we may come by faith.)

I (Paul) bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, that he would, according to the riches of his glory, grant you to be made strong by his Spirit, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, so you may know the love of Christ which is greater than all knowledge, so that we might be filled with all the fulness of God.. To him that is able to do much more than we can ask or think, to him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Memory Verse: Ephesians 3:12 "In whom we have boldness and may come confidently by the faith of him."

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Chapter 4

Therefore I plead with you to walk (live your daily life) without pride (thinking highly of yourself), in humility and gentleness (meekness), with patience.. trying very much to be at peace (with others) in the unity of the Spirit. There is one body (all believers in Christ) and one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

But each one of us is given a measure of grace according to the gift of Christ. When he ascended up on high (when the risen Lord Jesus ascended to heaven) he gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets; some evangelists (those that preach the gospel), some pastors (those that care for the believers in the church) some teachers, for the work of the ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ: so that we are no more (acting like) children, believing everything that crafty men tell us, things that these men want to deceive us with. (things that are not the truth according to God's Word to us, our bible)

But speaking the truth in love, we may mature in all things in Christ. And all the members of the body of Christ (all believers) work together building up each other in love.

This I (Paul) say - do not from now on walk as other Gentiles walk. They are separated from the life of God, and do not understand because of ignorance in them, because they are blind in their hearts. They are past feeling because of the way they chose to live their lives.

And so if you have heard Christ, and have been taught the truth that is in Jesus, put off the things that you did before you were saved. Through the spirit, you are a new person which is created in righteousness and true holiness.

And so do not lie, but each one of you speak the truth with your neighbor. When you become angry, do not sin and do not go to bed angry. Do not give in to any temptations of the devil.

Anyone who stole, do not steal anymore, but rather let that person work doing good things, so he may give to a needy person.

Don't let any evil words come from your mouth, but only good things, things that build up the people you speak to. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God in which you are sealed until the day of redemption (when the Lord Jesus comes again)

Let all anger be put away from you, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you.

Memory Verse: Ephesians 4:32 "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you.

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V. Gross/April'04