Single lesson
Ephesians 3: The Mystery of the Gospel
Ephesians 3:1–13; Ephesians 3:14–21
In Ephesians 3, Paul explains a mystery that has now been revealed and then prays for believers. This lesson helps children hear who is speaking, what the mystery is, and how the prayer moves from need to praise.
Before you teach
In this passage, Paul speaks about himself as a prisoner on behalf of Gentiles and explains the grace given to him. He says the mystery of Christ has now been revealed and includes Gentiles as fellow heirs. Then he bows in prayer to the Father and ends with praise to God’s power and glory.
Students will identify Paul as the speaker, explain that the mystery is Gentiles sharing in Christ through the Good News, and trace Paul’s prayer from request to praise.
Welcome: Hear two linked parts
4 minTell the group that today’s reading has two linked parts. First, Paul explains a mystery that has now been revealed. Second, Paul prays. Ask children to listen for who is speaking, what has been made known, and what Paul asks God to do. Read Ephesians 3:1-6 aloud slowly.
Ephesians 3:1, Ephesians 3:3, Ephesians 3:6
Read and explain: What is the mystery?
7 minExplain that Paul names himself in the passage and says he is a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of Gentiles. The word mystery here is not a puzzle story. Paul explains it clearly: Gentiles are fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the Good News.
Ephesians 3:1, Ephesians 3:3, Ephesians 3:4, Ephesians 3:6
Discuss: What do believers have in Christ, and why should they not lose heart?
6 minRead Ephesians 3:7-13. Show that Paul says grace was given to him to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ and to make people see the administration of the mystery. He also says that in Christ we have boldness and access in confidence through faith, and he asks them not to lose heart at his troubles for them.
Ephesians 3:7, Ephesians 3:8, Ephesians 3:9, Ephesians 3:12, Ephesians 3:13
Make and respond: Prayer image card
8 minRead Ephesians 3:14-19. Point out the movement of Paul’s prayer: he bows to the Father, asks for strength through the Spirit in the inner person, asks that Christ may dwell in hearts through faith, and uses the picture of being rooted and grounded in love. Children make a simple card showing one image or request from the prayer.
Ephesians 3:14, Ephesians 3:16, Ephesians 3:17, Ephesians 3:18, Ephesians 3:19
Closing: End with praise
5 minFinish by reading Ephesians 3:20-21 together. Help the children hear how the prayer ends in praise to God, who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think. Invite each child to say one thing they learned about God, the assembly, or Paul from this passage.
Ephesians 3:10, Ephesians 3:20, Ephesians 3:21
Questions to explore
According to Paul, what is the mystery that has now been revealed?
Look for the verse where Paul explains the mystery directly and notice the three times he says Gentiles share in Christ’s promise and people.
Ephesians 3:6
Why does Paul tell the believers not to lose heart at his troubles?
Read the end of the first part and notice Paul’s own reason for saying this.
Ephesians 3:13
What does Paul ask for before he praises God at the end?
Scan the prayer for the asking words: strengthened with power, Christ dwelling in hearts through faith, understanding Christ’s love, and being filled with God’s fullness.
Ephesians 3:16, Ephesians 3:17, Ephesians 3:18, Ephesians 3:19
Make, think or respond
Illustrated Prayer or Image Card
What you’ll need
- paper or card
- coloured pencils or crayons
- pencils
- Bible
Try it together
- Read Ephesians 3:16-19 again and let each child choose one phrase or image, such as strength, hearts through faith, rooted in love, or Christ’s love.
- Fold paper into a simple card or use one flat sheet.
- On the front, draw the chosen image or write a short phrase from the passage.
- Inside or underneath, write one sentence explaining what Paul is asking God to do.
- Invite children to share how their drawing connects to Paul’s prayer.
This activity helps children notice the wording and images Paul uses in prayer, especially strength, love, faith and fullness in Ephesians 3:16-19.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, pre-write short phrases from Ephesians 3:16-19 on the board and let them choose one to copy with a simple drawing.
- For older or more confident children, ask them to divide the passage into two parts, explanation and prayer, and label their card with the matching verses.
An optional closing prayer
You may pray: Father, please strengthen us with your power, help us trust Christ, and help us know his love. Please teach us to give you glory. Amen.
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Ephesians 3
1 For this cause I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles,
2 if it is so that you have heard of the administration of that grace of God which was given me toward you,
3 how that by revelation the mystery was made known to me, as I wrote before in few words,
4 by which, when you read, you can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ,
5 which in other generations was not made known to the children of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit,
6 that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of his promise in Christ Jesus through the Good News,
7 of which I was made a servant according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power.
8 To me, the very least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
9 and to make all men see what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ,
10 to the intent that now through the assembly the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places,
11 according to the eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.
12 In him we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in him.
13 Therefore I ask that you may not lose heart at my troubles for you, which are your glory.
14 For this cause, I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,
16 that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner person,
17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, to the end that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 may be strengthened to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and height and depth,
19 and to know Christ’s love which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
21 to him be the glory in the assembly and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.