Illustrations from Ephesians

Ephesians 3:8-12, 14-19Universal

The Deepest Map Ever Made

In 2012, oceanographer Victor Vescovo set out to do what no human had done — visit the deepest point in all five of the world's...

Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12Universal

The Name on the Jersey Before the Draft

In 2017, a video went viral of a couple adopting a seven-year-old boy named Michael from foster care in Grand Rapids, Michigan. What caught the...

Devotional

Evening Prayer: The Bible is Not a Sex Manual

Gracious God, as this day fades into evening stillness, I bring before You the conversations we so often get wrong — the ones about bodies, intimacy, and what it means to bear Your image as whole persons. We have turned...

Ephesians 2:14Eastern Orthodox

Devotional

Contemplating Climate Change and Hope

Dear God of Love and Justice, When the satellite images show another glacier calving into the sea, when the farmers in eastern Kenya watch their third failed harvest in a row, when the coral reefs off Queensland bleach white as...

Ephesians 2:14Black Church

Modern Examples of Corruption

In our modern world, the specter of corruption looms large, often seeming insurmountable. Picture this: a young woman named Maya, brimming with dreams and aspirations, lands her first job at a local nonprofit aimed at helping underprivileged youth. She steps...

Ephesians 4:29Missional

1 Corinthians 12:14-20Universalgiftsfamily

The Incredibles: When Everyone Is Special (1 Corinthians 12:14-20)

In *The Incredibles*, there’s a pivotal moment when Syndrome, the film's villain, unveils his chilling master plan: to make every person “super” through technology, proclaiming, “When everyone is super, no one will be.” It’s a stark reminder of how easy...

Theological Reflection

Thinking About Faithfulness - Teaching Material

Imagine a gardener who spends hours tending to each plant, nurturing them with care, watering them just right, and providing the perfect amount of sunlight. With each passing season, the gardener’s faithfulness is evident not just in the plants that...

Ephesians 2:8-9Arminian/Wesleyan

When a Basement Bakery Feeds a City

In 2015, Rashida Williams started baking sweet potato pies in her basement kitchen in Detroit. She had one goal: earn enough to keep the lights...

Ephesians 6:10-18Roman Catholic

Theological Reflection

Reflecting on Faithfulness - Commentary

As we reflect on the profound truth found in Ephesians 2:8-9, we encounter a doctrine that reshapes our understanding of faithfulness. The Apostle Paul proclaims, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it...

Ephesians 2:8-9Anglican

Devotional

Evening Prayer: Vocation

Dear Heavenly Father, As we gather this evening, I invite you to guide our reflections on the sacred calling of vocation, drawing us into the profound wisdom Paul offers in Ephesians 6:10-18. Imagine, for a moment, the battleground of our...

Ephesians 6:10-18, 2 Corinthians 10:4, 1 Peter 5:8Pentecostal

The Armor of God: Dressed for Spiritual Battle - Story

The sermon emphasizes the importance of spiritual armor as described in Ephesians 6, highlighting the reality of spiritual warfare and the necessity for intentional preparation in the Christian life. It encourages believers to actively engage in prayer and rely on God's strength, reminding them that they fight from a position of victory through Christ's sacrifice.

Ephesians 4:29Arminian/Wesleyan

When Technology & Human Connection Meets Faith

In our fast-paced, technology-driven world, the challenge of truly connecting with one another can feel overwhelming. Picture this: a young woman named Sarah sits in a bustling coffee shop, her eyes glued to her phone. Around her, friends are seated...

The Hubble's Empty Patch of Sky

In 1995, astronomer Robert Williams made a request that his colleagues thought was wasteful. He asked to point the Hubble Space Telescope at a tiny,...

The Telescope Aimed at Nothing

In 1995, astronomer Robert Williams made a decision his colleagues called a waste of time. He pointed the Hubble Space Telescope at a tiny patch...

Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12Universal

Chosen Before the Doors Opened: The Story of George Müller's Orphans

In 1836, George Müller opened the doors of his first orphan house on Wilson Street in Bristol, England. But what most people forget is that...

Ephesians 6:10-18Reformedspherical warfarecomprehensive

Amazing Grace: Armor for Spherical Warfare - Reformed (Ephesians 6:10-18)

In the heart of 18th-century England, a man named William Wilberforce stood in the shadows of the House of Commons, a figure not only of political stature but of profound spiritual conviction. Picture the grand chamber, its walls echoing with...

adults

Biblical Insight

Biblical Truth About Goodness - Application

In our rapidly changing world, the concept of Goodness often feels like a moving target, leaving many of us wondering how to embody it faithfully in our daily lives. Ephesians 2:8-9 teaches us, “For by grace you have been saved...

Ephesians 2:8-9Black Church

The Small Woman Who Carried a Hundred Children

In 1930, Gladys Aylward stood before the China Inland Mission board in London and received their verdict: rejected. She lacked the education, the language aptitude,...

Ephesians 2:8-9Roman Catholic

Theological Reflection

Thinking About Forgiveness - Church Context

Forgiveness is one of the most profound gifts we can extend to one another, rooted in the grace we ourselves have received. Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves;...

Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12Universal

The Orphan Who Was Claimed Before He Could Walk

In 1864, Confederate raiders kidnapped an enslaved woman named Mary from a small Missouri farm, taking her infant son with her. Moses Carver, the farmer,...

Ephesians 6:10-18Roman Catholicliturgical armorsacramental

Of Gods and Men: Liturgically Armored - Catholic (Ephesians 6:10-18)

In the heart of the French countryside, nestled among the rolling hills, stands the Abbey of Our Lady of the Sorrowful. This serene oasis is home to a community of Trappist monks, known for their silence, prayer, and unyielding faith....

adults