Walk Worthy

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6

Walk Worthy

4 Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. 4 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.

5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all. Ephesians 4:1-6 NLT

References:

Ephesians 4:1–16 NIV84

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit— just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men.” (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Ephesians 4:15–16 NLT

Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

Background Research:

Theme: We have been called by God

Object Lesson: “The Body That Works Together”

(Ephesians 4:1–16)

Big Idea

The Church is like a body — every person has a job, and when we work together in love, we grow strong in Jesus.

Main Scripture Focus

Ephesians 4:15–16 — “We will grow to become… the mature body of Christ… From Him the whole body… grows and builds itself up in love.”

🎒 Object Needed

A or Mr. Potato Head Build‑a‑Body toy (I have a potato head tht will be here by next week. If you want to use it I will have it on the table in Children’s church. If you want to use another object lesson i am perfectly ok with that as well.)

OR a bag with random items: a glove, sunglasses, shoe, hat, etc.

This is only a suggested object lesson

🧩 Lesson Flow

1. Start With a Funny Visual

Hold up the Mr. Potato Head with pieces missing or in the wrong places.

Say: “Does this look right? What if your foot tried to be your ear? What if your hand said, ‘I don’t want to help today’?”

Kids laugh — and now they’re hooked.

2. Build the Body Piece by Piece

As you add each part, connect it to a truth from Ephesians 4.

— “Jesus is the head. He leads us.” Head

— “We look for ways to love others.” Eyes

— “We serve and help.” Hands

— “We go where Jesus sends us.” Feet

— “We speak truth in love.” Mouth

“Each time you add a piece, the body becomes more complete — just like the Church becomes stronger when each person uses their gifts.”

3. The “Teamwork Test”

Ask for 4–5 volunteers.

Give each child a simple job:

One holds the toy

One adds pieces

One reads a verse

One cheers

One gives a high‑five when the body is complete

Explain: “When we all do our part, the body grows. When we don’t, the body struggles.”

This mirrors Ephesians 4:16 perfectly.

4. The Growth Moment

Hold up the completed toy.

Say: “This body is strong because every part did its job. That’s what Paul says the Church should be like. When we love each other, help each other, and follow Jesus, we grow stronger together.” (Copilot created)

🌱 Takeaway Truth

“I grow stronger when I use my gifts to help God’s family.”

🗣️ Discussion Questions

What gift do you think God gave you?

What happens when someone doesn’t use their gift?

How can we build each other up in love?

What does it mean to live a life worthy of your calling?

How can being humble and gentle help us in our friendships?

What does Paul say about the importance of being patient with each other?

Can you name one way we can keep ourselves united in the Spirit?

Why is it important to speak the truth in love to each other?

What does it mean to speak the truth in love?

What happens when we don’t use our gifts in the church?

Can you name one thing that brings us together as one body?

What is the 'big idea' of Ephesians 4:1-6?

Songs:

Suggested song list based on Ephesians 4:1–16, focusing on unity, love, teamwork, and spiritual growth —

🎶 Kids Songs Based on Ephesians 4:1–16

⭐ 1. “We Are the Church” — Go Fish!

Theme: Unity and teamwork in God’s family Connection: Ephesians 4:4–6 — “One body, one Spirit, one Lord.” Why it works: Catchy, motion‑friendly, and teaches that we belong together in Christ.

⭐ 2. “Love One Another” — Yancy & Little Praise Party

https://youtu.be/R7fNraCf0uk?si=L91PbSuzGxr0YK2i

Theme: Loving others as Jesus loves us Connection: Ephesians 4:2 — “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Why it works: Bright, joyful, and perfect for preschool through elementary worship.

⭐ 3. “We’re All in This Together” — Hillsong Kids

https://youtu.be/NjcN3IvvDMY?si=ASt9OP23wppiQgqy

Theme: Working together as one body Connection: Ephesians 4:16 — “Each part does its work.” Why it works: Encourages teamwork and celebrates every child’s role in God’s plan.

⭐ 4. “Build Each Other Up” — Seeds Family Worship (Ephesians 4:29)

Theme: Encouraging words and kindness Connection: Reinforces the “building up in love” idea from verse 16. Why it works: Scripture‑based, easy to memorize, and great for small‑group singing.

⭐ 5. “One Body” — Colin Buchanan

Theme: Unity in Christ Connection: Ephesians 4:4 — “There is one body and one Spirit.” Why it works: Fun motions and clear teaching about being part of one family.

⭐ 6. “Together We Grow” — Grace Kids Original

Theme: Growth through love and teamwork Connection: Ephesians 4:15–16 — “We will grow to become mature in Christ.” Why it works: You can write this as a Grace Kids original — upbeat, call‑and‑response style with hand motions.

⭐ 7. “Speak Life” — TobyMac (Kids Worship Version)

https://youtu.be/GTZqHSPM7ZA?si=8ExZoFibkbPRpdjG

Theme: Speaking truth in love Connection: Ephesians 4:15 — “Speaking the truth in love, we grow.” Why it works: Modern sound for older elementary; reinforces positive speech.

⭐ 8. “God’s Family” — The Rizers (Ephesians 4:4–6)

Theme: One family under one God Connection: Ephesians 4:6 — “One God and Father of all.” Why it works: Scripture‑based, energetic, and easy for kids to sing along.

⭐ 9. “We Belong Together” — Lifetree Kids

Theme: Unity and belonging Connection: Ephesians 4:3 — “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit.” Why it works: Gentle melody, great for closing worship moments.

⭐ 10. “Grow in Love” — Grace Kids Original

Theme: Spiritual growth through love Connection: Ephesians 4:15–16 Why it works: Perfect for a motion‑based song with hand gestures showing “grow,” “love,” and “together.”

Ephesians 4:15–16 NIV84

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (copilot created)

Outline:

Walking Worthy: Embracing Our Calling

Bible Passage: Ephesians 4:1-6

Summary: In Ephesians 4:1-6,

...live in a manner that reflects their new identity in Christ,

...emphasizing the significance of humility, gentleness, and patience in maintaining unity amidst diversity.

Application:

help children grasp the meaning of kindness and patience in their interactions,

highlighting that being part of God's family means supporting each other, even when it's challenging.

Teaching:

that true unity is cultivated through character traits

like humility and patience,

which reflect Christ's love in our daily lives.

How this passage could point to Christ:

Christ's love and sacrifice serve as the ultimate example of humility and unity;

by embodying His character, we can better live out the call to be one body.

Big Idea: True Christian unity is achieved through practicing humility and kindness, which allows us to support and uplift one another as we follow Christ together.

Practice Patience and Humility

Ephesians 4:1–2 NLT

Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.

Pursue Peace and Unity

Ephesians 4:3 NLT

Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.

3. Live As One

Ephesians 4:4–6 NLT

For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all.

4. Growing

Ephesians 4:15–16 NLT

Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.