In this lesson, children learn that God’s love is so big we can never fully measure it, and that God is able to do far more than we could ever ask or imagine. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God loves us more than we can measure, and He can do far more than we can ever imagine. Nothing is too big for Him.
Memory Verse
Ephesians 3:20
Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us…
(WEB)
Stand up tall with your arms stretched wide, like you are reaching for the sky. Then slowly bring your arms out as far as you can, showing how much more God can do. Do this motion each time you say the verse together.
The Story: Ephesians 3 for Kids
Long ago, a man named Paul was in prison because he was telling people about Jesus. Paul was not sad about being locked up. He cared most about the people who needed to hear the good news. Some of those people were not from the Jewish family of God’s people. They were from many other nations, and Paul wanted them to know that God loved them too.
Paul told the new friends of Jesus something wonderful. God’s plan had always included people from every nation. Now everyone could be a part of God’s family, together, as one body. Paul said he was a servant who was given the gift of sharing this good news. He said it was a privilege, even though he was the very least of all the followers of Jesus.
Next, Paul prayed for his friends. He got down on his knees and asked God to make them strong inside, through His Spirit. He asked that Christ would live in their hearts because they trusted Him. Paul hoped they would have roots deep in God’s love, like a big tree that stands strong in the wind.
Paul wanted them to understand how wide, long, high, and deep God’s love really is. He said that Christ’s love is bigger than anything we can fully know. Paul hoped they would be filled up with all the fullness of God. He wanted them to see that God is able to do far more than we could ever ask or think.
At the end of his prayer, Paul gave all the glory to God. He wanted everyone in the church and everyone in Jesus to praise Him forever and ever. Paul loved his friends, and he trusted that God would take care of them.
Read It Together
Ephesians 3:16-17
16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man; 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that you, being rooted and grounded in love…
(WEB)
Point out that Paul prayed for God to make people strong on the inside. Ask the children what it means to have Christ living in your heart. Explain that trusting Jesus is how He comes to live with us.
Ephesians 3:18-19
18 May be strengthened to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and height and depth, 19 and to know Christ’s love which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
(WEB)
Show the children how Paul used the words width, length, height, and depth to describe God’s love. Let them stretch out their arms to show how big it is. Explain that God’s love is so big it goes beyond anything we can fully understand.
Ephesians 3:6
That the Gentiles are fellow heirs, and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of his promise in Christ Jesus through the Good News…
(WEB)
Point out that people from many nations are fellow heirs and members of one body. Remind the children that everyone who trusts Jesus belongs to the same family. Help them think of friends from different places or backgrounds who are part of God’s family too.
Talk About It
- What is one thing you think God can do that seems very big to you?
- How does it make you feel to know that God’s love is bigger than we can measure?
- Why do you think Paul kept telling people about Jesus even while he was in prison?
- Who are some people in your life who belong to God’s family, even if they are different from you?
- What is one way you can show God’s love to someone this week?
Activity Ideas
Draw the Width, Length, Height, and Depth
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a large picture of a heart and label the four directions of God’s love: width, length, height, and depth. Let them add colors and drawings that show what God’s love looks like to them. Talk together about how each direction shows that His love is big and never ends.
Reach as High as You Can
You will need an open space where children can move safely. Call out the words “God can do more than we ask or think!” and have children stretch their arms up, out, and down as far as they can. Each time, ask them to reach a little farther than before. Finish by reminding them that God is able to do even more than they can reach.
Take-Home Love Chain
You will need paper strips, tape or glue, and a marker. Have each child write one way they can show God’s love at home, such as helping a sibling or saying thank you. Link the strips together into a paper chain. Encourage children to take the chain home and add a new link each day as a reminder of God’s family and His great love.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God’s plan has always been to bring people from every nation into one family through Jesus. Paul’s prayer reminds us that our strength comes from God’s Spirit and that Christ’s love is beyond full understanding. The passage also shows that God is able to do far more than we can ask or imagine, which invites trust rather than control.
When teaching children, avoid overstating what God will do in a specific situation, such as promising particular answers to prayer. Keep the focus on God’s character and His love, which is what the passage emphasizes. Let children know that some things about God are too big to fully understand, and that is part of the wonder.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You that Your love is bigger than we can measure. Help us remember that You can do far more than we could ever ask or imagine. Make us strong inside, and let Jesus live in our hearts. Help us share Your love with everyone we meet. Amen.
