Paul's Letter to the Ephesians

Paul had been traveling and teaching. Everywhere he went,
Paul preached to the people about Jesus. Many people were glad to hear what Paul said. Others got angry and tried to stop Paul. That is why he was sometimes in jail!

Once while Paul was in jail, he wrote a letter to church friends in the city of Ephesus. Paul had been in Ephesus before and helped the people know more about Jesus. Now Paul wanted to help the church friends keep on doing good works and teaching.

Paul had important things to tell the people about church. Paul wanted to help the people in Ephesus understand how church people were to act. Paul said, “Get along with one another. You are all God’s children—and God wants all of you to work together in the church. Some of you are to be teachers, some preachers, and some pastors. Let us all learn more about what God wants us to do and how we can live like Jesus.”

Paul prayed for his friends in the Ephesus church. He asked God to give everyone in the church wisdom and understanding. Paul said this to his church friends: “Love one another because Jesus loved us and helped us. Do honest work with your own hands so you can help anyone in need. Sing and make music from your heart to God. Give thanks to God for everything.”

Finally, Paul asked the church friends to pray for him. Then Paul gave the letter to a friend to deliver to the friends in Ephesus.