Bible Study

Divide the verses of the passage between the children to read aloud and then lead a discussion with the questions and comments below.

Ephesians 2:13–18:

¹³ But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to Him through the blood of Christ. ¹⁴ For Christ Himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in His own body on the cross, He broke down the wall of hostility that separated us.¹⁵ He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in Himself one new people from the two groups.¹⁶ Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of His death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death. ¹⁷ He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from Him, and peace to the Jews who were near.¹⁸ Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.

These verses are from a letter that the Apostle Paul wrote to the church in the city of Ephesus. He is talking about how some of the Gentile people or non-Jews became part of God’s family through Christ.

Optional: have the children build a small wall using the blocks as you speak about verses 13–14; then have the children break down the wall at the proper time when you talk about verse 14.

• In verses 13 and 14, how do you think we are united in Christ? By faith, belief in Him and what He did on the cross, and through His blood.
• How were we separated from God, from being close to God? Sin.
• How is anyone brought near to God? Through the blood of Christ—cleansing of sin.
• In verse 14, what does Christ bring to us? Is that peace just a good feeling or is it more? Peace—inner peace, not only a feeling, but peace in our relationship and being united with God again.
• The Jewish people are God’s chosen people. The Jews believed that only they could be God’s children, so they felt separated from non-Jewish people. But Jesus Himself ministered to Gentile people, such as the woman at the well; and God sent Peter, Paul, and other apostles to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles. God wants all people, in all nations, to know Him as Father. Through Jesus, the walls of separation are broken down! Children break wall down now.
• Compare the wall torn down at Jericho and the wall of hostility in this passage. Take a few moments to consider this. Children consider and discuss.
• Verses 15–16: Jesus kept God’s laws and commandments perfectly, so we simply have to put our faith in Him. He is our Savior! Through Christ, we are one family! Christ’s death on the cross brought common ground to both Jews and Gentiles and removed the wall of separation.  
• Verse 17: Discuss the kind of peace that God gives us. This peace cannot be found through religion or natural birth, even the Jewish people received this peace that before Christ didn’t exist through the law. Children consider and discuss.
• Verse 18: How is this similar to our SuperVerse?
• What does this say about all believers in Christ—all who have been adopted? Are there any differences in how God sees us or what rights and privileges He gives us?
• How does verse 18 relate to what we have been talking about in our lesson today?