Ephesians

Overview

In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul addressed Gentile members of the Church (see Ephesians 2:11) who were perhaps recent converts (see Ephesians 1:15). He taught various saving principles, including how the Savior unites us, the importance of prophets and apostles, modeling our relationships after the Savior, and withstanding the powers of evil.

Prepare to Teach

The following information provides teachers with ideas of what may need to be prepared in advance for each lesson:

Ephesians 2–5

Lesson purpose: This lesson is intended to help students learn how to find truths from the scriptures that will help them in their lives and bring them closer to the Savior.

• Student preparation: Invite students to study the scriptures between now and the next class, looking for truths the scriptures teach. Invite them to ponder the different ways they can identify these truths.

• Video: “Flecks of Gold” (3:16; watch from time code 0:00 to 2:26).

• Videoconference teaching suggestion: After students have made their poster, invite them to select the gallery view so they can see all their classmates. Invite all students to display their posters so that the whole class can see them. Ask a student to select a poster that looks interesting to them, and then invite the student who made the poster to explain it. While the student is explaining, it may be helpful for students to select the speaker view so that they can see the poster clearly. Then invite the student who just shared to select another poster that looks interesting to them and have the student who made it share next. Repeat as desired.

Ephesians 2

Lesson purpose: This lesson is intended to help students recognize and seek blessings that are available because Jesus Christ leads His Church today through prophets and apostles.       

• Student preparation: Invite students to ponder the question “What would my life be like without prophets and apostles whom Jesus Christ has called to lead His Church?”

• Materials for class: For activity D, have some copies of the For the Strength of Youth booklet (2011) available for students who cannot access the digital version in Gospel Library.

• Videos: “Excerpts from The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles” (2:45); “He Lives: Testimonies of Jesus Christ” (2:10)

• Videoconference teaching suggestion: Students could use an app or program already available on their phone or computer to digitally create a representation of Ephesians 2:19–21 . Then they could share their screens to show and explain what they created and share what their representation helps them understand about Jesus Christ and His Church.

Doctrinal Mastery: Ephesians 2:19–20

Lesson purpose: This lesson is intended to increase students’ mastery of the teachings in Ephesians 2 as they memorize the reference and key scripture phrase for Ephesians 2:19–20, explain the doctrine, and apply the doctrine and the principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge in a real-life situation.

• Student preparation: Consider telling students the practice application scenario from this lesson and inviting them to ponder how they could use the principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge to help their friend.

• Content to display: The chart in the practice application, or provide a paper for students with the questions from the chart on it.

• Videoconference teaching suggestion: To help students explain Ephesians 2:19–20, follow steps A and B from the lesson. Instead of students writing down answers in step C, consider dividing the class into small breakout groups and assigning each group a specific question from step C. Invite each group to discuss how they might answer the question and to prepare a role play of the scenario to present to the whole class. Encourage the groups to include each student in the role play.

Ephesians 5:21–33; 6:1–4

Lesson purpose: This lesson is intended to help students follow the Savior’s example to improve their relationships with others.

• Student preparation: Invite students to think about the members of their family and identify one thing they love about each of them.

• Content to display: Images of the Savior that show Him treating his family members with love and respect.

• Videoconference teaching suggestion: To help students complete the student preparation activity, they could be invited to bring a family member into the videoconference call or to display an image of their family member during the call and share one thing they love about that family member.

Ephesians 6:10–24

Lesson purpose: This lesson is intended to help students understand what God has provided to protect them from the evils of the world, evaluate their current spiritual preparation, and make a plan to improve their spiritual protections.

• Student preparation: Invite students to review and complete the activity titled “The armor of God will help protect me from evil” in Come Follow Me—For Individuals and Families and come prepared to share what they learned about the armor of God (see “October 2–8. Ephesians: ‘For the Perfecting of the Saints,’” Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: New Testament 2023).

• Handout: Image of man dressed in armor

• Videos: “The Armor of God” (2:02) or “Put on the Whole Armor of God” (3:10; watch from time code 0:28 to 2:24).

• Videoconference teaching suggestion: Consider messaging or emailing a copy of the handout to students in advance. If you know that a student in class enjoys drawing, consider asking him or her beforehand to draw the armor. Then make their drawing into a handout for the class. Alternatively, consider displaying the handout on the screen. Then, after students read Ephesians 6:14–18, invite them to use the annotate feature to identify the different pieces of armor.