Welcome to Week Two of our Ephesians for Families Bible Study: Alive in Christ. Last week Paul reminded us that God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world. This week he shows us what God rescued us from and what He made us into. Salvation is God’s gift of grace, and now we get to live together as His people. If you are just joining us, Week 1 covers Paul’s background and why he wrote this letter.
Note for Parents: Read the Bible passage and the devotional thoughts on your own first, and feel free to highlight and make notes as you go. Then gather your family for the questions, activity, and prayer.
Bible Focus
Ephesians 2:1–10 is one big, powerful thought. If your kids are able, read all 10 verses together.
Read Ephesians 2:1-10
“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.“
Devotional Thoughts
Big Idea: God makes us alive with Christ by His grace.
This passage summarizes the gospel and can lead to great conversations with your kids. Paul first explains that apart from Christ we are dead in sin. Then he moves quickly from our helpless condition to the rescue God offers in the gospel. Parents, use this passage to explain the problem of sin and the good news of Jesus in a simple, gospel-centered way.
Dead in Sin Apart from Jesus
Paul wants us to see how deep our need for Christ goes. He describes life apart from Christ as spiritual death. Left to ourselves, we drift away from God, follow sinful desires, and let the world around us shape us. That goes much deeper than a bad day or a few poor choices. A doctor can tell a sick person to eat better and exercise, but nobody can coach a dead person back to life. Paul says we cannot reach God or repair our relationship with Him on our own.
The language of spiritual death is strong, and it may feel heavy for younger kids. The words matter. You can use simpler language with your children: Before Jesus, we were stuck in sin and could not get free by ourselves. Remind them that everyone born into this world deals with sin, which is why everyone needs Jesus.
Made Alive in Christ
Then Paul writes, “But God.” Out of His deep mercy and great love, God made us alive together with Christ. How does that happen? Spiritually dead people cannot wake themselves up, and they cannot slowly turn bad habits into good ones. Salvation is a gift of grace that we receive by faith. We are saved by what God did through Jesus, and our own work earns none of it. Paul adds that God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, so that in the ages to come He can show the riches of His grace toward us.
Created for Good Works
Verse 10 gives us the result. We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared ahead of time. Those good works come after salvation and flow from it. Now that God has made us alive in Christ, we can put our energy into living the life He calls and empowers us to live. That is wonderful news for everyone who trusts in Jesus.
Remind your kids: God rescued us and made us new, and now we live to show His love.
Family Questions
These questions are meant to start a real conversation. Feel free to reword them for younger kids or let older ones sit with the harder ones a little longer.
How does Paul describe what we were like before we knew Christ?
What words in this passage show how God feels about us?
According to verses 8 and 9, how do people get saved? Do we earn it, or does God give it to us?
What does verse 10 say about why God made us alive in Christ, and how does that encourage you in your everyday life?
Family Activity: Dead vs. Alive Drawing
Give each person a sheet of paper and some crayons or markers, then fold the paper in half so you have two sides to fill. Parents, draw along with your kids.
On the first side, have everyone draw a picture of what it feels like to be stuck in sin -Ephesians 2:1-3. Ideas include a broken heart, a person tangled in ropes, or someone sitting in the dark. Keep this part simple and short, especially with younger kids.
When the first pictures are done, read Ephesians 2:4-5 out loud together. Then turn the paper over and have everyone draw what it means to be alive in Christ. Ideas include a heart with light shining from it, someone walking in the sunshine, a family praying together, or hands helping someone.
When everyone finishes, hold up the drawings and let each person explain their before and after. Close the conversation with this truth: Because of Jesus, we are not stuck anymore. We are alive, and we can live for Him.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for rescuing us when we could not rescue ourselves. Thank You that You made us alive with Christ because of Your great love and mercy. We are saved by grace through faith, and we cannot earn it. Help us trust in what Jesus has done for us. Show us the good works You prepared for us, and teach us to live as Your people and show Your love to others. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Explore More Ephesians Bible Studies
Week 4 – Mystery of the Gospel
Week 8 – Put On the Armor of God
Discipleship Cliff Bible Studies Hub
Continue Your Discipleship Journey
Bible study is one way to point your kids to Jesus. For simple ways to do it in the middle of an ordinary day, read Everyday Ways to Point Your Kids to Jesus. Looking for more Bible studies, devotionals, and practical tools? Browse Family Resources at Discipleship Cliff.
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