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The Saints living in Ephesus who had been Gentiles before their conversion may have felt like “strangers and foreigners” (Ephesians 2:19) as they worshiped with the Jewish Christians. Paul reminded the Saints of Ephesus that they had been united through Jesus Christ as “fellowcitizens … of the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19). The church they now belonged to was built upon the foundation of Christ and His apostles and prophets and had the power to bless them as they came together with faith in Jesus Christ. This lesson can help you recognize and seek blessings that are available because Jesus Christ leads His Church today through prophets and apostles.
Emphasizing the role of prophets. Understanding the role of prophets can help students respond to challenges to their faith. Look for ways to emphasize prophets’ important role and teachings and share your own testimony of their inspired leadership.
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?”
Possible Learning Activities
A sense of belonging
Why might someone feel like they do not fit in as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?
If someone did not feel like they fit in the Church, what counsel would you give them?
Consider inviting students to role-play the situation in the previous question.
Ponder how you feel about the Lord’s Church. When have you felt a strong sense of belonging in the Church? Have there been times when you felt like you did not fit in? What blessings do you feel are available as a member of Christ’s Church? As you study this lesson, look for truths about what the Lord has done for us that can unite us as members of His Church.
Breaking down barriers
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Jerusalem model Temple closeup_161
During the time of Paul the Apostle, non-Jewish converts to Christianity (or those who formerly were Gentiles) may have felt like they did not fit in with the rest of the Church and may have felt more like “strangers and foreigners” (Ephesians 2:19). For example, at the temple in Jerusalem, they would not have been allowed past the “wall of partition” (Ephesians 2:14) to the more sacred areas of the temple where only Jews, including Jewish Christians, would have been able to go. In addition, Gentiles had previously not been offered the blessings of the gospel until Heavenly Father’s revelation to Peter (see Acts 10).
Paul wrote to the Saints at Ephesus, who may have been recent converts. Read Ephesians 2:12–14, 18–21, looking for how the Lord had blessed the Ephesians. It may be useful to know that these verses begin with Paul inviting these Saints to recall their lives before their conversion. The “household of God” (verse 19) that Paul mentions refers to the Church of Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 2:19–20 is a doctrinal mastery passage. Consider marking doctrinal mastery passages in a distinctive way so you can locate them easily. You will learn more about this passage in the next lesson.
If you would like to see a video depiction of Ephesians 2:10–22, consider watching “Ye Are No More Strangers” (2:27), available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
How did the Lord bless the Ephesians?
Through His Atonement, Jesus Christ removed all barriers that separated Jews from Gentiles and also separated Gentiles from God. Gentiles no longer had to become Jews, live the law of Moses, or become circumcised to join the Church. As they came to Jesus Christ and accepted His gospel, they were of “the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19)—part of God’s covenant people.
In what ways does the Savior break down barriers between us and others?
How do you feel about everyone having “access … unto the Father” (verse 18) through “the blood of Christ” (verse 13)?
How would you summarize the blessings of verses 19–21 to someone who feels like they do not fit in the Lord’s Church?
Why do you think Paul compared the Church to a household or family?
The chief cornerstone
Consider inviting a student to draw the following on the board. Alternatively, students could build a representation with blocks, cups, or books as a class or in small groups.
In Paul’s day, a chief cornerstone was a large stone laid at the corner of a foundation. Each cornerstone of a foundation supported much of the weight of the structure and served to connect walls. The angle and placement of all other stones was measured out from the chief cornerstone.
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Photo of the cornerstone of a temple
Draw a representation of what is described in Ephesians 2:19–21. You could label your drawing with terms from the scripture passage.
Invite a student or students to show their drawing, or what they built, and explain what it represents.
What truths can we learn from how Jesus Christ has established His Church?
Students may use different words but will probably identify a truth like the following: The Lord’s Church is built upon the foundation of apostles and prophets, with Jesus Christ as the chief cornerstone.
What do you know about Jesus Christ that makes the comparison of Him to a chief cornerstone fitting?
In what ways can we build our lives on the Savior and His apostles and prophets?
How does building our lives upon the foundation of Jesus Christ and His prophets and apostles help us find a place and purpose in the Church?
Your foundation
Consider which of the following activities would best meet students’ needs. Students might benefit from choosing a couple of the options to work on individually, or activities could be assigned to small groups.
As you do some of the following activities, ponder these questions:
What am I doing to build my life on the foundation of prophets and apostles with Jesus Christ as the chief cornerstone? What blessings have I experienced?
In what ways might the Lord want me to build even more on this foundation?
Take a few moments to ponder what your life would be like without the Lord’s prophets and apostles on the earth today. Imagine life without their authority from the Lord, and their inspired teachings, guidance, and Christlike example. Write in your study journal how life would be different and what you would miss.
Later in his epistle, Paul mentioned additional blessings that come through prophets, apostles, and other Church leaders. Read Ephesians 4:11–14 and consider marking these blessings. It may be helpful to know that an evangelist is a patriarch, and a pastor refers to a leader of a congregation, like a stake or district president, bishop or branch president. Write down one or two ways you have experienced these blessings.
Think about how prophets and apostles have helped you come to know the Savior and become more like Him. Write your thoughts in your study journal. The following videos (available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org) might help you reflect and write.
“Excerpts from ‘The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles’” (2:45)
“He Lives: Testimonies of Jesus Christ” (2:11)
After sufficient time, invite multiple students to share the blessings they experience from the Lord through prophets and apostles. Emphasize how important and valuable it is to hear students’ thoughts and experiences. Consider adding your own thoughts and testimony.
What did you learn?
To finish this lesson, think about what you learned. Consider how building your life on the foundation of prophets and apostles with Jesus Christ as the chief cornerstone unites you with “the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19). Think about how you will build your life even more on the foundation of prophets and apostles with the Savior as the chief cornerstone.
If time permits, consider inviting students to share what they learned or what they will do to build their lives on Jesus Christ and His prophets and apostles.
Commentary and Background Information
Ephesians 2:14. What is the “middle wall of partition” spoken of by Paul?
The temple in Jerusalem contained several courts or areas, and only certain types of people could enter each court. Gentiles were permitted to ascend the temple mount and enter the outer court, called the Court of the Gentiles. The inner courts of the temple, however, were shielded from Gentile access by a special partition or wall that stood about one meter high. If a Gentile passed beyond this wall, he could be put to death. Archaeologists have discovered two of the marble blocks that made up this barrier, and they contain inscriptions in Greek and Latin that read: “No foreigner is to pass beyond the barriers surrounding the sanctuary. Whoever is caught doing so will have himself to blame for his death which will follow” (Richard Neitzel Holzapfel, Eric D. Huntsman, Thomas A. Wayment, Jesus Christ and the World of the New Testament [2006], 160).
Following Paul’s third missionary journey, some Jews in Jerusalem accused Paul of bringing Gentiles beyond the barrier, leading to a riot and ultimately to Paul’s arrest (see Numbers 1:51; Acts 21:27–29).
Ephesians 2:20. Why is the Church of Jesus Christ founded upon apostles and prophets, with Christ as the chief cornerstone?
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said this about the foundation of Christ’s Church:
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Official Portrait of Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. Photographed January 2018.
In New Testament times, in Book of Mormon times, and in modern times these officers form the foundation stones of the true Church, positioned around and gaining their strength from the chief cornerstone, “the rock of our Redeemer, who is [Jesus] Christ, the Son of God” [Helaman 5:12]. … Such a foundation in Christ was and is always to be a protection in days “when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you.”
If students would benefit from a more in-depth discussion of Ephesians 4:11–14, invite them to read these verses, looking for why the Lord gave the Church apostles, prophets, and other leaders. One principle they could identify is this: The Lord has called apostles, prophets, and other Church leaders to help perfect the Saints and protect them from false doctrine.
Display or draw a picture of a boat in the midst of rough waters. Discuss what can happen to a boat that is tossed about on the water in violent storms, and how that could relate to us. Also discuss how Jesus Christ helps us navigate these troubled waters through the way He organized His Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.