Single lesson
Ephesians 6: Children and Parents
Ephesians 6:1–4; Ephesians 6:5–9; Ephesians 6:21–24
This lesson follows three connected parts of Ephesians 6. Children will hear instructions for families, notice how service is to be done sincerely before the Lord, and see the letter close with comfort, peace and grace.
Before you teach
Ephesians 6:1–4 speaks to children and fathers. Ephesians 6:5–9 then addresses servants and masters, including a command to stop threatening and a reminder that the Master in heaven shows no partiality. Ephesians 6:21–24 closes with news through Tychicus and a blessing of peace, love, faith and grace.
Students will identify the main teaching in each part of Ephesians 6 and give one careful application that matches the words of the passage.
Welcome: Spot the three parts
4 minShow the three parts of the reading: verses 1–4, verses 5–9, and verses 21–24. Read the first verse of each part. Tell children they will listen for who is being addressed, what they are told to do, and how the Lord is mentioned in each section.
Ephesians 6:1, Ephesians 6:5, Ephesians 6:21
Read and explain: Children and fathers
7 minRead Ephesians 6:1–4 aloud. Ask children to name the instructions they hear. Children are told to obey their parents in the Lord and to honour father and mother. Fathers are told not to provoke children to wrath, but to nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Point out that this part includes both command and care.
Ephesians 6:1, Ephesians 6:2, Ephesians 6:3, Ephesians 6:4
Discuss: Serving from the heart
7 minRead Ephesians 6:5–9 slowly. Explain that this part speaks to servants and masters in the letter. The text says service is not just for when eyes are watching. It is to be done in singleness of heart, with good will, as to the Lord. Masters are told to do the same things and to give up threatening because the Master in heaven shows no partiality.
Ephesians 6:5, Ephesians 6:6, Ephesians 6:7, Ephesians 6:8, Ephesians 6:9
Make and respond: Key verse reminder card
8 minLet each child choose one short phrase from the passage, such as “Honor your father and mother”, “doing the will of God from the heart”, or “give up threatening”. They make a small card with the phrase on the front and one simple response on the back, clearly marked as their own application.
Ephesians 6:2, Ephesians 6:6, Ephesians 6:9
Closing: Comfort and blessing
4 minRead Ephesians 6:21–24. Explain that Tychicus will bring news and comfort. Notice the warm ending words: peace, love with faith and grace. Ask children which word they remember most from the ending. Finish by summarising that the whole passage speaks about relationships lived in the Lord’s presence.
Ephesians 6:21, Ephesians 6:22, Ephesians 6:23, Ephesians 6:24
Questions to explore
What two things are children told in Ephesians 6:1–2, and what are fathers told in Ephesians 6:4?
Look for the words obey, honor, do not provoke, and nurture in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Ephesians 6:1, Ephesians 6:2, Ephesians 6:4
According to Ephesians 6:6–7, what kind of service is wrong, and what kind of service is right?
Notice the contrast between serving only when watched and serving from the heart with good will as to the Lord.
Ephesians 6:6, Ephesians 6:7
Why are masters told to give up threatening in Ephesians 6:9?
The verse points to the Master in heaven and says there is no partiality with him.
Ephesians 6:9
Make, think or respond
Key Phrase Reminder Card
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or pens
- markers or crayons
- scissors if available
Try it together
- Read several short phrases from the passage and let each child choose one.
- Fold or cut paper into a small card.
- Write the Bible phrase on the front.
- Write one matching response on the back, such as obeying promptly, helping sincerely, or using words that are not threatening.
- Invite children to share how their phrase fits one part of the passage.
The card helps children separate what the passage says from one careful way to respond to it.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, offer three phrase choices and let them draw a picture to match the phrase instead of writing a full sentence.
- For older or quicker children, ask them to explain how Ephesians 6:1, Ephesians 6:8 and Ephesians 6:9 each give a reason for the instruction in that verse.
An optional closing prayer
You may pray: “Lord, help us obey your words, honour others, serve sincerely from the heart, and receive your peace, love and grace. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Ephesians 6
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with a promise:
3 “that it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth.”
4 You fathers, don’t provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
5 Servants, be obedient to those who according to the flesh are your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as to Christ,
6 not in the way of service only when eyes are on you, as men pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,
7 with good will doing service as to the Lord and not to men,
8 knowing that whatever good thing each one does, he will receive the same good again from the Lord, whether he is bound or free.
9 You masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with him.
21 But that you also may know my affairs, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will make known to you all things.
22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know our state and that he may comfort your hearts.
23 Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love. Amen.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.
Source passages
Something to make together
These activities connect with the passage. Choose one that suits your group and the time you have.
