Ephesians 6:5-9

INTRO: Who’s Your Real Boss?

Let’s be honest—most of us don’t love being told what to do. Whether it’s parents, teachers, coaches, or managers, being under authority can feel frustrating. And if you’ve ever had a lazy group partner or been asked to do something annoying at work, you know how hard it is to keep a good attitude.

I’m sure we all have a story like this where we’re doing a group project for science or another class and you’re the main one that actually did the work for the group. It’s frustrating right? Maybe you’re the one that is the lazy group partner. What I’ll say to you if that’s you is come on, you can do better. 

But what if God actually cared about how we handled those everyday moments?

In Ephesians 6:5–9, Paul writes to people who were either under authority (as bondservants) or had authority (as masters). And while we don’t live in a master/slave culture today, the principles here still hit hard. Paul is showing us that the way we serve—and who we serve—makes all the difference.

Ephesians 6:5–9 CSB

Slaves, obey your human masters with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as you would Christ. Don’t work only while being watched, as people-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, do God’s will from your heart. Serve with a good attitude, as to the Lord and not to people, knowing that whatever good each one does, slave or free, he will receive this back from the Lord. And masters, treat your slaves the same way, without threatening them, because you know that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.

MAIN POINT 1: What You Do When No One’s Watching Shows Who You’re Living For

Verse 6 – “Not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers…”

Some of us know how to turn it on when people are looking—when our coach walks by at practice, or the teacher is checking our work, or we want to impress someone.

But Paul says real integrity is when you work hard and stay faithful even when no one is watching. Why? Because you’re not just working for them. You’re working for Jesus.

Illustration:

Have you ever cleaned your room in two minutes because your parents were on their way home—but left it messy all day before that? That’s “eye-service.” What if you cleaned like God was the one walking through the door?

Challenge:

Are you more concerned with being noticed by people or being faithful before God?

MAIN POINT 2: Everyday Work Becomes Worship When You Do It for Jesus

Verse 7 – “Rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man…”

When you serve others with a willing, joyful heart—even in things that feel boring or beneath you—it becomes an act of worship.

Application:

• When you do your homework with excellence, it can honor God.

• When you help at home without complaining, it reflects Jesus.

• When you show up early to work or practice with a good attitude, you’re living like a servant of Christ.

Truth:

There is no such thing as “just a job” when you realize you’re working for Jesus.

MAIN POINT 3: God Sees It All—and He Rewards Faithfulness

Verse 8 – “Whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord…”

Sometimes it feels like no one notices when you do the right thing. No applause. No reward. No one says thanks.

But God sees every act of obedience. Every moment of effort. Every time you choose to serve even when it’s hard. And He promises that He will reward it.

Encouragement:

You may feel invisible sometimes—but heaven is watching, and God is keeping score in the best way possible.

MAIN POINT 4: The Way You Lead Should Reflect the Way Jesus Leads You

Verse 9 – “Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening…”

Paul flips the conversation to those in authority. If you’re leading others—on your team, in your friend group, maybe even younger siblings—you’re called to lead like Jesus.

No manipulation. No power trips. No threatening or control. Just servant leadership.

Application:

The way you treat people who look up to you says something about the Jesus you follow.

Truth:

We all have the same Master in heaven, and there is no favoritism with Him. If Jesus leads with humility and love, so should we.

CLOSING CHALLENGE: Who’s the Real Boss of Your Life?

You might not have a full-time job or a team of employees under you, but this passage is about more than employment—it’s about the heart behind everything you do.

• If Jesus really is your Lord, then your schoolwork, your job, your relationships, and your leadership should reflect that.

• The way you respond to authority… the way you serve others… the way you lead… it’s all spiritual.

ACTION STEPS:

Daily Surrendered Prayer

Each day this week, take a couple minutes to pray a prayer of surrender. It could be something like this - “Jesus, I surrender everything I do today - my work, my words, my attitude - to You. Help me to serve You, not just people. Let my life reflect You in all things today.”

You’re placing yourself in a posture of centering your mind on serving the Lord before you even begin your day.

2. Faithfulness Journal

Start a journal called “unseen moments”. Each day, write down one moment where you chose to do the right thing when no one else noticed - whether it was showing respect, working hard, being honest, or helping someone.

This will help you grow your awareness of God’s presence in your everyday life.

3. Memorize Ephesians 6:7

“Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people.”

Write it down on a card, put it on your lockscreen, say it out loud during your day.

What you’re doing is allowing the Word of God to reshape your motives.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

I want to leave you with this last scripture before we go into small groups.

1 Corinthians 10:31 LEB

Therefore, whether you eat or you drink or whatever you do, do all things for the glory of God.

There are so many things we do throughout our days. If we start making the shift of doing everything as if we’re doing it for the Lord, it’ll start to really shift the way that we live.

The more you practice these things, the more they become permanent in your life. Not perfect, but permanent, consistent.

Don’t just work hard. Work Holy.

Closing Prayer:

“Jesus, help me live like I’m working for You in every area of my life. Whether I’m serving or leading, I want to reflect You. Give me the strength to stay faithful, the heart to serve with joy, and the humility to honor You even when no one sees. Amen.”

Reflection Questions:

1. “Obey your earthly masters with respect… just as you would obey Christ” (v.5)

Who are some of the “authorities” in your life right now? How can you show respect and obedience to them like you would to Jesus?

2. Paul says to serve with a “sincere heart.”

Have you ever done the right thing, but with the wrong attitude? Why do you think our heart behind what we do matters to God?

3. “Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people” (v.7)

How would your attitude change if you thought of school, chores, or your job as a way to serve God? What’s one area you could shift your mindset this week?

4. “The Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do” (v.8)

Have you ever felt unappreciated for doing the right thing? How does this verse encourage you to keep going, even when no one notices?

5. Paul tells leaders to treat others with the same respect.

If you're in a leadership role (like team captain, class leader, older sibling), how do you treat the people under you? What does it look like to lead like Jesus at school or home?

6. “There is no favoritism with God.” (v.9)

Why do you think favoritism is such a big deal to God? How can you be someone who treats others equally, even if they’re different from you?