ALIVE by GRACE

Scripture:

Ephesians 2:1–10 NLT

Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Memory Verse:

Ephesians 2:8 NLT

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.

Ephesians 2:10 NLT

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

References:

Kid‑friendly Glossary-

Grace

Grace is God giving us good things we don’t deserve. It’s like God saying, “I love you no matter what,” and giving you a big gift even when you didn’t earn it.

Salvation

Salvation is God rescuing us from sin and bringing us into His family. It’s like being stuck somewhere scary and Jesus coming to save you and bring you to safety.

Mercy

Mercy is God not giving us the punishment we do deserve. It’s like when you mess up, but instead of getting in trouble, someone forgives you and helps you do better.

Spiritual Death

Spiritual death means being far away from God because of sin. It’s like trying to use a toy with no batteries — it can’t do what it was made to do.

Spiritual Life

Spiritual life means being close to God because Jesus makes our hearts alive again. It’s like getting brand‑new batteries and suddenly everything works the way it should — full of joy, hope, and purpose.

Background Research:

Romans 11:30 NLT

Once, you Gentiles were rebels against God, but when the people of Israel rebelled against him, God was merciful to you instead.

Romans 11:32 NLT

For God has imprisoned everyone in disobedience so he could have mercy on everyone.

Ephesians 2:2 NLT

You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.

Ephesians 5:6 NLT

Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him.

Hebrews 4:6 NLT

So God’s rest is there for people to enter, but those who first heard this good news failed to enter because they disobeyed God.

Hebrews 4:11 NLT

So let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall.

Colossians 3:1–2 NLT

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.

Romans 2:15 NLT

They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right.

Romans 9:17 NLT

For the Scriptures say that God told Pharaoh, “I have appointed you for the very purpose of displaying my power in you and to spread my fame throughout the earth.”

Theme: God Grace

Object Lesson:

Here is a Grace Kids–style, joyful, hands‑on object lesson for Ephesians 2:1–10, written to match your ministry voice, your teaching style, and the way you love to make Scripture come alive for kids.

Grace Kids Object Lesson: “From Broken to Brand‑New!”

Based on Ephesians 2:1–10

Main Point:

Jesus doesn’t just fix us a little — He makes us brand‑new!

Key Verse (kid‑friendly paraphrase):

“We were dead because of sin, but God made us alive with Christ. It is by grace you have been saved.” (Ephesians 2:5)

🧰 Supplies

A broken or tangled item (old headphones, a knotted rope, a cracked toy)

A brand‑new version of the same item

A large gift bag

A sticker or tag that says “GRACE”

A sticker or tag that says “WORKS”

Optional: a flashlight for the “alive” moment

🟦 STEP 1 — The Broken Problem (Ephesians 2:1–3)

Hold up the broken/tangled item.

Say: “Have you ever had something that was so broken you couldn’t fix it? No matter how hard you tried, it just stayed broken?”

Let kids react.

Explain: “The Bible says that because of sin, our hearts were like this — broken, stuck, and unable to fix themselves. The Bible even says we were spiritually dead — like a toy with no batteries. We couldn’t make ourselves alive again.”

🟩 STEP 2 — Trying to Fix Ourselves (Ephesians 2:8–9)

Put the ‘WORKS’ tag on the broken item.

Say: “Some people think, ‘If I just try harder… if I’m super good… if I do enough good things… maybe I can fix myself!’”

Pretend to fix the broken item. It doesn’t work.

Explain: “No matter how hard we try, we can’t fix the problem of sin on our own. The Bible says we are not saved by our works.”

🟨 STEP 3 — God’s Big Surprise (Ephesians 2:4–5)

Bring out the gift bag with the brand‑new item inside. Put the ‘GRACE’ tag on the bag.

Say: “But God didn’t leave us broken. The Bible says He is rich in mercy and full of love. So He gave us something we could never earn…”

Pull out the brand‑new item.

Say: “This is what God does! He doesn’t just fix us a little. He gives us a brand‑new life through Jesus. That’s called grace — God giving us something amazing that we don’t deserve.”

🟧 STEP 4 — From Dead to Alive (Ephesians 2:5–6)

Turn on the flashlight.

Say: “When we trust Jesus, He makes our hearts alive — like turning on the power! We go from darkness to light, from dead to alive, from broken to brand‑new.”

Let kids say: “Alive with Christ!”

🟪 STEP 5 — God’s Masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10)

Hold up a blank paper or canvas.

Say: “And guess what? God doesn’t stop there. The Bible says we are His masterpiece — His special creation — made to do good things that He planned for us.”

Let kids imagine what God might paint on His masterpiece.

🎉 BIG IDEA TO TAKE HOME

I was broken by sin, but Jesus made me brand‑new. I am God’s masterpiece!

Songs:

🎶 Kids Songs Inspired by Ephesians 2:1–10

1. “Grace (La‑De‑Da)” — Seeds Kids Worship

Theme: God’s grace is a gift, not something we earn. Why it fits: Super joyful, Scripture‑based, and perfect for helping kids understand Ephesians 2:8–9.

2. “Alive” — Hillsong Kids

Theme: Jesus makes us alive! Why it fits: High‑energy motions song that matches Ephesians 2:5 — “God made us alive with Christ.”

3. “God’s Masterpiece” — Lifetree Kids

Theme: We are God’s workmanship (Ephesians 2:10). Why it fits: Directly teaches kids that God created them for a purpose.

4. “My God Is So Big” — Kids Worship Classic

Theme: God’s power to save and transform. Why it fits: Reinforces the “only God can save us” message from Ephesians 2:4–5.

5. “This Is Amazing Grace” — Phil Wickham (Kids Worship Version)

Theme: God’s amazing grace and rescue. Why it fits: Older elementary kids love it; connects strongly to Ephesians 2:8.

6. “I’m Trusting You” — Lifetree Kids

Theme: Trusting Jesus for salvation, not ourselves. Why it fits: Helps kids understand “not by works” in a simple, singable way.

7. “Every Move I Make” — Kids Worship Version

Theme: God’s love and mercy follow us. Why it fits: Celebrates God’s kindness (Ephesians 2:4–7) in a fun, motion‑heavy way.

8. “You Forgive Me” — Lifetree Kids

Theme: God’s mercy and forgiveness. Why it fits: Perfect for explaining Ephesians 2:4 — “rich in mercy.”

9. “Rescuer (Good News)” — Rend Collective Kids Version

Theme: Jesus rescues us from sin. Why it fits: Matches the “saved by grace” message with upbeat joy.

10. “Brand New” — Kids Worship Version

Theme: Jesus makes us new creations. Why it fits: Connects to the transformation from spiritual death to life.

Outline:

Alive by Grace

Bible Passage: Ephesians 2:1–10

Summary:

We were once spiritually dead in our transgressions

We have been made alive through God's grace and love

We are transformed through Christ.

Application:

God's grace is always available to them.

Rely on God's love and to

“Share this good news with others who may feel lost or alone.”

Teaching: The sermon can teach that

Salvation is a gift from God, not something we earn by our actions.

Faith in God is important

Faith in God transforms our lives.

Big Idea: God's grace brings us to life, transforming us from the inside out and inviting us to share this gift with others.

1. Dead in Darkness

Ephesians 2:1–3 NIV84

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.

Darkness is

Disobedience of God’s laws for us (Transgressions)

Disobedience of God’s know laws = SIN

Disobedience of God’s laws = Spiritual Death

2. Alive in Love

Ephesians 2:4–7 NLT

But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.

God’s Great Love

Made us ALIVE with Christ

God’s rich mercy reached us even when we do not deserve it.

God’s grace saves us

God raised up Christ so we might love and experience His love.

3. Gift of Grace

Ephesians 2:8–10 NLT

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Amazing GRACE

God saved you By HIS Grace

You did not earn it

You have to believe

God’s salvation is not an award for your goodness

It is given to you freely

We are God’s masterpiece

We are created anew in Christ

Questions:

What does it mean that we were once 'dead in our transgressions and sins'?

How does God show His love and mercy to us according to this sermon?

Why can we not take credit for our salvation?

What does it mean to be God's 'masterpiece' as mentioned in the sermon?

How does believing in God transform our lives according to the sermon?

What does it mean to be 'alive with Christ'?

What is grace and why is it important?

Why is it not enough to just do good things to earn God's love?

Can you think of a time when you felt God's love or mercy in your life?

What are some good things that God created us to do?

What does it mean to have a 'spiritual life'?

How can we share the good news of God's grace with others?

What does it feel like to be called God's 'masterpiece'?