EPHESIANS | AMBASSADORS OF CHRIST
Message from Pastor Chad Everett
OVERVIEW
Did you know that when you believe in Jesus, you have a special job to do?
The Bible says we are ambassadors for Christ! An ambassador is someone who is sent to represent someone else. That means we get to show people what Jesus is like by the way we talk, the choices we make, and how we treat others.
Jesus has made us new creations and brought us into a relationship with God. Now He wants us to share His love and truth with the people around us.
Church isn’t just a place we go on Sundays. We are part of Jesus’ Church, and He has given us an important job to do!
You don’t have to wait until you’re grown up to represent Jesus. You can do it right now at home, at school, on your team, and with your friends. Are you ready to get on the field?
HOW TO USE THIS STUDY GUIDE
Read About It → Talk About It → Think About It
Open your Bible and read each passage together.
Use the Talk About It questions to find answers in God’s Word. These questions follow the same Bible truths the adults are studying, so Kidz can be part of the conversation, too!
Then use the Think About It questions to talk about your choices, attitudes, and actions. Think about how you can represent Jesus wherever you go.
MEMORY VERSE
“We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us.”
— 2 Corinthians 5:20 (NKJV)
BIG WORDS
- Apostle: Someone sent out with a message.
- Ambassador: Someone who represents another person or kingdom.
- Citizenship: Belonging to a country or kingdom, with rights and responsibilities.
- Ekklesia (Church): God’s people, called together and sent to represent His Kingdom.
- Will: What someone wants, chooses, or plans.
- Reconciliation: Bringing people back together in a right relationship.
- New Creation: Who we become when we belong to Jesus. He makes us new!
SECTION 1 — CALLED TO BE AMBASSADORS OF CHRIST
BIG IDEA
An ambassador represents someone else. Because we belong to Jesus, we are His ambassadors! Our home is in heaven, but we live here on earth to show people what Jesus is like. We represent Him when we follow His Word, make good choices, and treat others with His love.
READ ABOUT IT
Ephesians 1:1–2; 2 Corinthians 5:20; Philippians 3:20
TALK ABOUT IT
- In Ephesians 1:1, what does Paul call himself, and who chose him for this work?
- According to 2 Corinthians 5:20, who are we ambassadors for?
- What message does God want people to hear through His ambassadors?
- According to Philippians 3:20, where is our citizenship, and who are we waiting for?
- If we belong to heaven’s Kingdom, whose ways should we follow while we live on earth?
THINK ABOUT IT
- When people see how I act at home, at school, or with my friends, do they see someone who represents Jesus? What are some examples?
- Have I ever done something wrong just because everyone else was doing it? How can God’s Word help me choose differently?
- If I remember that I am Jesus’ ambassador, how should that change the way I talk to my family, treat my classmates, or play with my friends?
READ MORE
2 Corinthians 5:18–19
SECTION 2 — NEW CREATIONS WITH A SPECIAL MESSAGE
BIG IDEA
When we belong to Jesus, He makes us new! Our past mistakes don’t have to decide who we are. God brought us into a relationship with Him through Jesus, and now He has given us a special message: Other people can come to God through Jesus, too! We get to help share that good news.
READ ABOUT IT
2 Corinthians 5:17–20
TALK ABOUT IT
- According to verse 17, what does the Bible call someone who is in Christ?
- What has passed away, and what has become new?
- According to verse 18, who brought us back into a relationship with God, and how did He do it?
- What special job has God given us because He brought us back to Himself?
- According to verses 19–20, what message does God want us to share with others?
THINK ABOUT IT
- Have I ever thought, “I’m always bad at this,” “I can’t change,” or “I’ll never get it right”? What does God’s Word say about who I am in Jesus?
- Do I sometimes think God loves me more when I do everything right and less when I make mistakes? What does Jesus teach me about God’s love?
- Is there someone at school, in my family, or in my neighborhood who needs to know Jesus loves them? How could my words or actions help them learn about Him?
READ MORE
2 Corinthians 5:21
SECTION 3 — THE CHURCH: CALLED TO SHARE GOD’S KINGDOM
BIG IDEA
Jesus said He would build His Church, and the enemy would not defeat it! The Church isn’t just a building where we meet on Sundays. It’s God’s people! We come together to learn about Jesus, and then we go out to share His truth and love with the world.
READ ABOUT IT
Matthew 16:13–18
TALK ABOUT IT
- Where did Jesus take His disciples, and what did He ask them about Himself?
- Who did Peter say Jesus was?
- Who helped Peter understand the truth about Jesus?
- What did Jesus say He would build, and what would not defeat it?
- Why can we trust Jesus to help His Church instead of thinking we have to do everything by ourselves?
THINK ABOUT IT
- Do I think church is only somewhere I go on Sunday, or do I understand that I am part of God’s Church? How can I be part of what Jesus is doing during the week?
- Have I ever been afraid to tell someone I love Jesus, pray for a friend, or do what’s right because someone might laugh at me? What did Jesus promise about His Church?
- Is it easier for me to act like a follower of Jesus at church than at school or with friends? What is one way I can show His love outside the church building?
READ MORE
Matthew 16:19
SECTION 4 — THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM: FOLLOWING HEAVEN’S AUTHORITY
BIG IDEA
Jesus told His followers about the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Keys remind us of authority. As Jesus’ ambassadors, we don’t get to make up our own rules and expect God to follow them! We learn what His Word says and follow His ways. We represent His Kingdom when our choices agree with what He wants.
READ ABOUT IT
Matthew 16:18–19; Philippians 3:20
TALK ABOUT IT
- According to Matthew 16:19, what did Jesus promise to give?
- Which Kingdom do those keys belong to?
- What did Jesus say about binding and loosing on earth and in heaven?
- According to Philippians 3:20, where is our citizenship?
- How do Jesus’ promises about His Church and the keys of the Kingdom show that His authority is greater than the enemy’s?
THINK ABOUT IT
- When something goes wrong or I don’t get my way, do I stop and think about what God’s Word says, or do I just react because I’m upset? What could I do differently?
- Have I ever wanted God to help me get my own way, even when I knew I wasn’t making a good choice? How can I learn to want what God wants?
- Think about a problem with a friend, a brother or sister, or someone at school. How could following Jesus’ ways help me handle that situation differently?
READ MORE
2 Corinthians 5:20
SECTION 5 — GET OUT OF THE LOCKER ROOM: GET ON THE FIELD!
BIG IDEA
Pastor Chad reminded us that church is like a locker room where a team gets ready for a game. We come together to learn God’s Word and grow stronger in our faith, but we can’t stay in the locker room forever! Jesus has already defeated the enemy, and He has given us a job to do. It’s time to get out of the locker room and onto the field!
READ ABOUT IT
2 Corinthians 5:17–20; Matthew 16:18–19; Philippians 3:20
TALK ABOUT IT
- According to 2 Corinthians 5:17, what has Jesus made us?
- What special job and message has God given us in 2 Corinthians 5:18–19?
- According to 2 Corinthians 5:20, who do we represent, and who speaks through us?
- What did Jesus promise about His Church in Matthew 16:18–19, and what did He say He would give His followers?
- According to Philippians 3:20, where do we belong, and how should that help us decide what is important?
THINK ABOUT IT
- Whose team am I playing for? When I choose what to do, how to speak, or how to treat someone, am I thinking about what Jesus wants or only what I want? Can I think of a time when I chose my own way instead of His?
- Am I living like Jesus has made me new? Do I sometimes say, “I can’t help it,” when I’m angry, selfish, or unkind? Am I trying to be good just so God will love me, or am I learning to obey Him because He already loves me? What can I ask Him to help me change?
- Am I ready to get on the field? Do I listen to God’s Word at church but forget to follow it at home or school? Is there something I’m afraid to do, like standing up for someone, telling the truth, or talking about Jesus? What is one thing I can do this week to represent Him?
READ MORE
1 Samuel 17:26–29
REMEMBER THIS!
You belong to Jesus! You represent His Kingdom! It’s time to get on the field!
When you believe in Jesus, He makes you new and gives you an important job. You are His ambassador! That means you can show His love, speak His truth, and follow His ways wherever you go.
You don’t have to wait until you’re older to be part of what Jesus is doing. Every day brings opportunities to be kind, tell the truth, help someone, pray for a friend, and make choices that honor Him.
Just like a team doesn’t stay in the locker room, we don’t just learn about Jesus at church and forget about Him during the week.
You’ve been equipped. It’s time to get on the field and represent Jesus. It’s game time!