Like most of us who attended Sunday School as a child, I remember learning about the Armor of God, but it wasn’t until studying it again as an adult that I really grasped its significance. My own lack of understanding when I was younger motivated me to find a way of teaching our children about the Armor of God in a way that they can fully comprehend what His armor does for us and how they can use it in their daily lives.
Many of us may shy away from really explaining the Armor of God because we aren’t sure how to address spiritual attacks with our children. While spiritual attacks by the enemy are very real, we tend to want to protect children from this concept.
However, by teaching them about the Armor of God in a way that they understand, we are strengthening them against the enemy. When they understand the Armor of God they can begin to use it to its fullest, even as young children.
There may be times when you feel very attacked. Keep in mind; the enemy wouldn’t be attacking you unless he knew you and your faith were one of God’s greatest weapons. God will never leave you!
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Attacks from the enemy don’t come as something scary but as the things that make you jealous or feel like lying, the things that make you question God, and the things that keep you from seeing the truth about yourself and God’s word.
Children learn and retain information much more effectively when they are learning through play or activities that spark their imagination. This helps them commit what they are learning not only to their active memory but also their long-term memory.
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.”-Ephesians 6:10-18
To start out, it is important to make sure your children understand the backstory of the Armor of God. Paul was writing a letter to the church at Ephesus, wanting to share with those people ways that God gives us everything we need through Him to protect ourselves from the enemy.
Set the stage for their imaginations to picture where Paul was when he wrote this letter. You could even have your children role play this part of the story to gain Paul’s perspective.
Paul was in a Roman prison when he was writing this letter, surrounded by armed Roman guards. While he was inspired by God to write these words, the constant view of the guards’ armor likely helped him create the analogy.
What you’ll need:
In the bowl, mix the water, vinegar, and food coloring. Wrap one hard-boiled egg in aluminum foil, being sure that it is completely covered up. Place the other egg in the plastic bag and make sure it is sealed tightly. Explain to your child that you are going to put both eggs in the colored water, and watch for the differences between the egg with the metal “armor” and the “invisible” armor. Wait about 10 minutes. Have them take out both of the eggs and dry them off. Peel of the foil from the first egg. Even though you wrapped it in tin foil, the water will have seeped in through the tiny gaps, coloring parts of the egg. The other egg should be free of any color if the bag was sealed tightly. Having the proper armor makes all the difference in the amount of protection you receive. As believers in Jesus we choose God’s armor, even though it is invisible to others (the plastic bag covered egg) instead of our own ideas of protection (the foil covered egg).
In our next post we will share ideas to make learning about each piece of armor fun and memorable, so be sure to check back this coming week!
-Meghann (wife and mom of four)
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