Wonderfully Chosen

Scripture:

Ephesians 1:1–14 NLT

This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. I am writing to God’s holy people in Ephesus, who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan. And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan. God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God. And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.

Ephesians 1:3–8 NLT

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.

Memory Verse:

Ephesians 1:4 “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love”

References:

Romans 8:28–30 (NIV84)

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

1 Corinthians 2:6–8 NLT

Yet when I am among mature believers, I do speak with words of wisdom, but not the kind of wisdom that belongs to this world or to the rulers of this world, who are soon forgotten. No, the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God—his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began. But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would not have crucified our glorious Lord.

Galatians 4:1–5 NLT

Think of it this way. If a father dies and leaves an inheritance for his young children, those children are not much better off than slaves until they grow up, even though they actually own everything their father had. They have to obey their guardians until they reach whatever age their father set. And that’s the way it was with us before Christ came. We were like children; we were slaves to the basic spiritual principles of this world. But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.

2 Thessalonians 2:13–14 NIV84

But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Background Research:

Questions:

Who wrote the letter to the Ephesians?

What does it mean when Paul says we are 'chosen' by God?

What does the term 'grace' mean in relation to God’s blessings?

Why did God adopt us into His family according to the lesson?

Why did God adopt us into His family according to the lesson?

Why did God adopt us into His family according to the lesson?

How does Paul describe God's love for us?

Why is it important that we are united with Christ?

What does it mean to be part of God's family?

How can we share the good news of salvation with others?

Theme: Chosen to Be God’s Family through Christ

Object Lesson:

Here’s a kid‑friendly, Grace Kids–style object lesson for Ephesians 1:3–8 that’s joyful, visual, and easy for volunteers to teach.

🌈 Object Lesson: “The Backpack of Blessings”

Ephesians 1:3–8 — God gives us every spiritual blessing, chooses us, forgives us, and pours out His grace.

🎒 Main Idea (Kid Level)

God gives us every good thing we need to follow Him — not because we earn it, but because He loves us.

🎒 Supplies

A backpack

Several items to pull out one at a time (toy crown, heart, eraser, flashlight, small gift box)

Labels or cards with simple words: , , , , ChosenLovedForgivenLightGrace

🎒 The Lesson

Hold up the backpack.

Say: “Imagine you’re going on a big adventure. You need the right things in your backpack so you’re ready. In Ephesians 1:3–8, Paul tells us that God has already packed our ‘spiritual backpack’ with everything we need to follow Him.”

Now pull out each item one at a time.

👑 1. Crown — “Chosen” (v.4–5)

Say: “This crown reminds us that God chose us to be part of His family. Not because we’re perfect — but because He loves us.”

Kid connection: “Have you ever been picked for a team? God picked you first.”

❤️ 2. Heart — “Loved” (v.4–5)

Say: “God decided long ago that He wanted us in His family. His love came first — before we did anything.”

Kid connection: “God’s love doesn’t run out like a battery. It keeps going.”

🧽 3. Eraser — “Forgiven” (v.7)

Say: “Through Jesus, God erases our sins. Not just some — all. He wipes the slate clean.”

Kid connection: “Have you ever messed up on homework and erased it? God does that with our hearts.”

🔦 4. Flashlight — “Light” (v.7–8)

Say: “God gives us wisdom and understanding — like a light that helps us see the right way to go.”

Kid connection: “When you’re in the dark, a flashlight helps you not bump into things. God’s truth helps us not bump into sin.”

🎁 5. Gift Box — “Grace” (v.6–8)

Say: “Grace means God gives us good things we don’t earn. It’s a gift — not a prize.”

Kid connection: “You don’t earn birthday presents. God’s grace is like that — a gift because He loves you.”

🎒 Wrap-Up

Hold up the backpack again.

Say: “God doesn’t send us into life empty-handed. He fills us with blessings — being chosen, loved, forgiven, guided, and covered in grace. Everything we need is already packed.”

🙌 Optional Motion Verse

Kids repeat with motions:

“God gives us every blessing in Christ!” (Hands up like receiving a gift)

AI Generate with Copilot

Songs:

Adopted as Sons https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyDgN7YVrZs

Jesus loves me https://youtu.be/bBYZbZ4bXao?list=RDHBwOFkZkWVg

Outline:

Wonderfully Chosen

Bible Passage: Ephesians 1:3–8

Summary: In Ephesians 1:3–8,

Paul explains how God has blessed us through Christ by choosing us before the foundation of the world.

This passage emphasizes the grace and love of God in selecting us as His children and the blessings that come from this divine choice.

Application:

We Are chosen to be children of Godin Christ

We are valued by God

We were designed to be his children before the creation of the world.

Teaching:

God chooses us through his GRACE not our merit.

God’s grace and love provides each of us with value and purpose.

How this passage could point to Christ: This passage points to

“Jesus as the ultimate expression of God’s plan for redemption...”

“... in Christ, ... Scripture centers on His work that enables our relationship with God.”

Big Idea: Our identity and purpose are fulfilled in Christ!

Chosen Before Time

Ephesians 1:3–4 NLT

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.

How does Paul describe God's love for us?

God’s plan for us began before we were created

God loved each of us before we were born

God’s plan for sending Jesus was part of his plan

Adopted in Love

Ephesians 1:5–6 NIV84

he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.

Adopted through love

God adopted us as His children through Jesus

You are included in God’s Family through Christ

I is God’s will that you be in the Family

3. Redeemed Richly in Grace

Ephesians 1:7–8 NIV84

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.

We are Redeemed (Ransomed) through the blood of Jesus

We are Forgiven of our sins through Jesus

We receive this forgiveness through the riches of God’s Grace