After a brief greeting, Paul in Ephesians 1 praised God for all He accomplished through Christ for our redemption and restoration (vv. 3-4). Paul thanked God for the believer’s maturity in faith in Christ. By His glorious grace, people chosen from before the foundation of the world have come together in praise of His glory in Christ (vv. 6,12,14). He acknowledged the Ephesian believers are grounded in God’s grace by evidence of their faith, love, and hope through the gospel.
Praise isn’t merely a byproduct of receiving wonderful things from God. Praise and adoration are marks of God’s grace on sinners, and for that reason, they ought to be a natural part of a believer’s walk with Christ. God’s grace awakens a song of exaltation in those toward whom God has shown eternal, unmerited favor through the forgiveness granted in the blood of Christ.
Finally, after thanking and praising God for what He has done, Paul entered into a form of prayer (vv. 15-23). He prayed that these believers would be full of spiritual wisdom and spiritual strength. He prayed that the hope of the gospel in Christ would enable the believers to endure with patience and joyful thanksgiving in the days to come.
*Devo from Pastor Brian, from The Gospel Project.
#JesusJams for today!
---> And here's this week's story!!
Christ Connection: The good news o f the gospel brings together everyone who has faith in Jesus. God saves sinners by grace. He forgives them, and they are the church.
If you have a bible at your house, you'll be turning to Ephesians 2-3 . If you don't have a Bible, that's okay! CLICK HERE!
OPTION 1: Talk about faith Writefaith on several sheets of paper. Invite preschoolers to copy the word on their own sheet of paper and decorate it. As preschoolers work, show them the key passage in a Bible. Explain that faith is believing that what God says in the Bible about Himself and people is true. Say the key passage together several times, leading preschoolers to hold up their cards when they say the word faith. SAY • We learned the gospel brings together everyone who has faith in Jesus, and our key passage talks about the fight of the faith. People who trust in Jesus to save them have faith. They are the church and join God in His plan to save the world from sin.
OPTION 2: Draw a Banner!
Tape a large sheet of paper to a table or wall at a child's eye level. Invite kids to draw pictures of people who teach them about Jesus on the banner. Note how all the people are on the same banner to make one big group. SAY • Look at all these people who teach us about Jesus! The gospel brings together everyone who has faith in Jesus. God saves sinners by grace. He forgives them, and they are the church.
OPTION 3: Stack cups Give each preschooler one cup. Invite everyone to work together to make one pyramid with their cups by stacking them upside down in rows. SAY • We used our many cups to make one pyramid. That reminds me of the church?the family of God. The gospel brings together everyone who has faith in Jesus. God forgives sinners, and they are the church.
OPTION 4: Find a letter On a sheet of paper, write Dear Friend, The gospel brings together everyone who has faith in Jesus and sign your name. Put it in an envelope and hide it in the room. Invite children to search for the letter as you give clues. Allow children to take turns hiding and finding the letter. Open the letter and read it aloud each time a child finds it. SAY • Paul wrote a letter reminding believers the gospel brings together everyone who has faith in Jesus. God saves sinners by grace. He forgives them, and they are the church.
UNIT QUESTION:
UNIT VERSE:
THE GOSPEL PRESENTATION: