Christ Centered Relationships

Notes: . I have struggles with this passage for children, but if you emphasize Christ as our Example of love then they can understand how the love for a husband and wife should reflect the love of Christ. The message for the child should be that they can reflect the love of Christ in their lives by how they love their friends family and Christ. You have the freedom to use as much of this lesson or as little of the lesson as you want to, for this is only a suggestion for this lesson

Scripture:

Ephesians 5:28–33 NLT

In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church. And we are members of his body. As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

References:

Here are clear, kid‑ministry‑friendly Scripture cross‑references for Ephesians 5:28–33, organized by theme so you can plug them straight into lessons, slides, or take‑home pages.

📖 Scripture References for Ephesians 5:28–33

❤️ 1. Loving Others as Yourself

(Ephesians 5:28 — “husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies”)

— “Love your neighbor as yourself.”Mark 12:31

— Look to the interests of others.Philippians 2:3–4

— Love comes from God; we love because He loved us.1 John 4:7–12

💒 2. Christ’s Love for the Church

(Ephesians 5:29 — Christ cares for the church)

— Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her.Ephesians 5:25

— The church was purchased with Christ’s blood.Acts 20:28

— Christ is the head of the church.Colossians 1:18

🧬 3. Becoming One (Marriage Unity)

(Ephesians 5:31 — “the two will become one flesh”)

— The original “one flesh” design.Genesis 2:24

— Jesus affirms God’s design for marriage.Matthew 19:4–6

— Mutual care and responsibility in marriage.1 Corinthians 7:3–4

🌟 4. The Mystery of Christ & the Church

(Ephesians 5:32 — “this is a profound mystery”)

— The mystery revealed in Christ.Colossians 1:26–27

— The marriage supper of the Lamb.Revelation 19:7–9

— Christ as the Bridegroom.John 3:29

🤝 5. Respect & Love in the Family

(Ephesians 5:33 — husbands love, wives respect)

— Parallel teaching on love and respect.Colossians 3:18–19

— Husbands and wives honoring each other.1 Peter 3:1–7

— A picture of mutual trust and blessing.Proverbs 31:10–12

Theme: Love like Christ

Object Lesson:

Ephesians 5:28–33 is rich, visual, and surprisingly kid-friendly when you translate it into something they can see and feel. Here’s a Grace Kids–style object lesson that’s simple, memorable, and ties directly to Paul’s message about how husbands and wives love each other the way Christ loves the church.

💛 Object Lesson: “The Mirror That Shows How We Love”

(Based on Ephesians 5:28–33)

🎯 Main Point

“Loving others the way Jesus loves us shows what’s in our heart.” Paul uses marriage as an example: husbands and wives love each other like they love their own bodies — gently, kindly, and with care — just like Jesus loves the church.

🧰 Supplies

A handheld mirror

(a heart ❤️ and a frown 😕)Two stickers or emojis

A small towel or soft cloth

🪞 The Lesson

1️⃣ Hold up the mirror

Say: “When you look in a mirror, you see your face. But did you know the Bible says our love is like a mirror too? It shows what’s inside our heart.”

Let a child look in the mirror.

2️⃣ Add the heart sticker to the mirror

Say: “In Ephesians 5, Paul says husbands should love their wives the way they love their own bodies. That means being gentle, kind, patient, and caring — just like Jesus loves us.”

Explain: “When we love others well, it’s like this heart sticker. People see Jesus’ love reflected through us.”

3️⃣ Add the frown sticker

Say: “But when we’re unkind, selfish, or rough with our words, it’s like this frown sticker. It covers up the love Jesus wants people to see.”

Ask: “What kind of sticker do you want people to see when they look at your life?”

4️⃣ Wipe the mirror clean

Use the cloth to wipe the mirror.

Say: “Jesus helps us clean our hearts so His love shines through again. Families — moms, dads, kids — we all get to show Jesus’ love to each other.”

🌟 Bottom Line

“Love others the way Jesus loves you — let His love shine through your life.”

🗣️ Optional Discussion Questions

“What does love look like in a family?”

“How can we show love like Jesus this week?”

“What happens when we forget to love well?”

Songs:

🎶 Kids Playlist Based on Ephesians 5

❤️ Walk in Love (Ephesians 5:1–2)

— Teaches active love with joyful motions. "Love One Another” — Yancy & Little Praise Party

— Perfect for “be imitators of God. ”“I Wanna Be Like Jesus” — Go Fish!

— Connects directly to loving like Jesus. “Love Like That” — Hillsong Kids

— Practical everyday “walk in love” behavior .“Be Kind” — Slugs & Bugs

💡 Children of Light (Ephesians 5:8–10)

— Scripture-based and energetic. “Shine Your Light” — Seeds Family Worship

— Timeless and motions-friendly. “This Little Light of Mine” — Kids Worship Classic

— Celebrates living brightly for Jesus. “Light of the World” — Hillsong Kids

🧠 Wise Choices (Ephesians 5:15–17)

— Reinforces choosing God’s way. “Wise Up” — Seeds Family Worship (Proverbs 1:7)

— Simple truth: Jesus shows us how to live.“The Way” — Hillsong Kids Jr.

🙌 Worship & Thankfulness (Ephesians 5:18–20)

— Perfect for “always giving thanks. ”“Give Thanks” — Yancy

— Joyful, high-energy worship. “Every Move I Make” — Kids Worship

— Helps kids express gratitude and awe. “Great Are You Lord” — Kids Version

👨‍👩‍👧 Family & Kindness (Ephesians 5:21–33)

— Reinforces respect and kindness in families. “Obey” — Go Fish!

— Encourages love, patience, gentleness, and self-control. “Fruit of the Spirit” — Yancy

Outline:

Love Like Christ

Bible Passage:

Ephesians 5:28–33 NLT

In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church. And we are members of his body. As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Summary: This passage emphasizes the deep love and commitment that husbands should have for their wives, comparing it to Christ's love for the church. It teaches about mutual respect and sacrificial love within the context of marriage.

Application:

Children can learn that love involves caring for others and being selfless.

They can apply these principles in their relationships with family and friends, leading to stronger, more compassionate interactions.

Teaching:

Teach that love in relationships requires commitment, sacrifice, and respect.

It highlights the importance of loving one another as Christ loves us.

Christ becomes the example to learn the importance of building strong relationships with our families and with each other.

Big Idea: True love is sacrificial and reflects the love of Christ, serving as a blueprint for all of our relationships, especially in the family.

1. Cherish with Christ-like Care

Ephesians 5:28–30 NLT

In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church. And we are members of his body.

Perhaps you could explain how just as Christ nurtures and cherishes the church, husbands are called to love their wives with the same care and devotion. By applying this selfless love in relationships, even children can learn the value of being kind and considerate towards family members. This will help them see their role in the family as one that reflects Christ's love.

2. Commit to Create Unity

Ephesians 5:31–32 NLT

As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one.

Marriage is a reflection of Christ's relationship with the church. As children understand this concept,...

Children might see marriages around them as examples of commitment and unity.

They can learn to appreciate the importance of loyalty and love, fostering these values in their own friendships and relationships.

3. Express Love with Respect

Ephesians 5:33 NLT

So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Emphasize that love is not just an obligation but a joyful expression of respect and care.

Encourage children to show respect to their families, understanding that through these small acts, they mirror Christ's love.

By following God's blueprint, we build strong, loving relationships characterized by mutual respect and affection.

What does it mean to love someone like Christ loves the church?

How can we show love to our family and friends?

Can you describe a time when you showed love to someone?

What do you think it means to respect our parents and family members?

How can we reflect Christ’s love in our everyday actions?