Ephesians 4:3-6

What Does Ephesians 4:3-6 Mean?

Paul says unity is something to be “eager” about – not casual, not passive, but actively working to maintain. The foundation of that unity isn’t a set of rules everyone follows or a culture everyone adopts. It’s seven simple truths about who God is and what He has done. When believers keep those truths at the center, they can be different in countless ways and still be deeply one. Unity is maintained in the bond of peace – meaning it takes active effort and peaceful attitudes to preserve it.

Hero Challenge

Memorize Paul’s seven “ones” this week – one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God. Say them out loud in order. Then share them with a family member and talk about which one means the most to you right now and why.

Did You Know?

Paul was writing to a church in Ephesus that included people from dozens of different cultural backgrounds – Greeks, Jews, Romans, freed slaves, wealthy merchants, and working-class craftspeople. Instead of telling them to all become the same kind of person, Paul pointed them to the seven things they already had in common. Unity already existed – it just needed to be carefully kept.

Ages 4-6: Little Hero Question

Can you count to seven? Let’s name seven things Paul says we all share together in God’s family!

Ages 7-9: Growing Hero Question

Paul says be “eager” to maintain unity. What do you think can break unity in a group of friends or family, and how can eagerness for peace help fix it?

Ages 10-13: Champion Question

Paul’s unity is based on shared truths about God, not shared opinions on everything. Where is the line between the things we must agree on and the things where it’s okay to be different?