Armor of God: Part 2

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this lesson is to help the fourth graders understand that righteousness, or following God's commandments/doing the right thing, is a source of protection. Additionally, the students will understand that the Bible is our sword, which cuts through sin.

INTRODUCTION - 10 Minutes

  • Review concept of spiritual warfare, belt of salvation and helmet of truth, shield of faith
  • Ask about the characters from Hebrews 11 or other examples of faith over the past week.
  • As a class, take another look at the picture of the soldier.
    • Servant can bring large size picture of roman soldier with different components or use sample in appendix below.
  • Today's lesson will focus on the Breastplate of Righteousness, the Sword of the Spirit and the Sandals of the Gospel of Peace

HOLY SCRIPTURE - 10 Minutes

Reread Ephesians 6:11-18

Memory Verse

"Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." (Ephesians 6:11)

Our strategy for cutting through sin to get to the Kingdom of God is the Gospel and the Holy Bible

  • Ephesians 6:17
  • Matthew 6:33
  • Matthew 4:1-11
  • John 17:17
  • Psalm 119:105

Sandals of the Gospel of Peace

  • 1 Peter 3:15
  • John 16:33

CONTENT (Key Points) - 15 Minutes

Breastplate of Righteousness

The breastplate covers our hearts. Setting our hearts on doing the right thing and following God's commandments is a great protection for us.

  • Ask the students to think of examples in school or another place where being set on God's commandments can protect us.
  • "How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You." Psalm 119:9-11
  • "Then it will be righteous for us, if we are careful to observe all these commandments before the Lord our God, as He has commanded us." Deuteronomy 6:25
  • "But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all aand on all who believe. For there is no difference" Romans 3:21-22

Examples of righteousness from the Bible:

  • Story of Joseph and Potiphar's wife - Joseph kept God's commandment
  • David and Saul - David had the opportunity to kill Saul, but he did not because he was anointed

Saint examples:

  • Saint Demiana
  • Saint George

Sword of the Spirit and the Sandals of the Gospel of Peace

The Sword of the Spirit, which is the Bible, cuts through the enemy's lies. The Sandals of the Gospel of Peace protect our feet from stepping in all the things that can make us unclean and also represent readiness to tell others about Jesus.

  • We need to know God's word and read it daily (keeping our sword sharp). We don't just wear it, we use it actively all the time.
    • "For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between the soul and the spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires" Hebrews 4:12
  • Jesus used the Bible against satan
  • The world teaches us that the most valuable thing is to have many things. However, the Gospel of St. Matthew teaches us that the most important is the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33)

Example: Saint Phillip and the Eunuch (Acts 8:26-39)

  • Saint Philip was ready to explain to the man the words of the Bible and teach about Jesus.
  • Are our sandals ready to go ? Are we ready to preach the Gospel of peace? Is our sword always sharpened?
  • The Apostles are a good example of being ready; take for example Saint Mark, St Paul, St Peter's sermon, etc...

DISCUSSION (Challenge) - 5 Minutes

  • Knowing and following God's commandments is what allows us to accept God's righteousness and cleanses us and keeps us from sin.
  • Knowing our Bible is one of the keys to our progress in our spiritual life.
  • Ask the students to think of ways to use our spiritual sword and how to keep it sharp.
  • Think of ways that verses from the Bible can protect us.

APPLICATION (Action) - 10 Minutes

  • Throughout this module, students can make posters with each part of the armor of God in each lesson. This week, students can make breastplates, sandals, and a sword to add them to the poster
  • This week, have the children memorize the Ten Commandments and think of ways that verses from the Bible can protect us.
    • For example, the story of Sodom and Gomorrah where the Bible says "escape for your life," teaches us to leave a place, company, music or other influences that could take us away from God and lead us to sin, which is death for us

ACTIVITY - 5 Minutes

  • Song: To the tune of "head, shoulders, knees, and toes"
    • "Belt, breastplate, shoes and shield, helmet and sword x2
    • This is the armor of God
    • Belt, breastplate, shoes and shield, helmet and sword"

SERVANT RESOURCES

  • "A Kid's Guide to the Armor of God" by Tony Evans for kids

PARENTS CORNER/HOMEWORK

  • During this week discuss with your child about the importance of doing the right thing according to God's will for us.
  • Knowing God's commandments and keeping them in front of us is a breastplate that keeps the arrows of the devil away from our hearts.
  • Share verses that have helped you in your life focus on God.
  • Reiterate to your child the importance of knowing God's word and making a plan for reading His word daily in order to Know God's Word and be ready to talk about our Faith in Christ through the Gospel.

APPENDIX