Grades 1-3
Introductory Activity—Shield of Faith Target
Materials: poster board, marker, tape, table tennis balls
On the poster board, draw a target consisting of three circles. Tape the target to a wall. Line kids up about 10 feet from the target. Allow each child to throw three table tennis balls at the target. If a child hits the center area, they receive 3 points. If they hit the middle ring, they receive 2 points. If they hit the outer ring, they receive 1 point. The child with the most points wins! Explain that just as the balls bounced off the target, our enemy’s attacks will bounce off the Shield of Faith when we use it. We use the Shield of Faith whenever we declare our faith in God, no matter the circumstances. Say the Weekly Verse together.
Live It Out
Game—Armor Relay
Materials: two sets of kid’s soldier armor
Form two teams with your children. Say the Weekly Verse together. Line the teams up on one side of the room and place two sets of armor on the other side of the room. Each team will send one person at a time to put on one piece of the armor. When that child returns, the next person will go. The first team to put on every piece of armor is the winner. Say the Life Point, and remind the kids that God wants people to obey Him.
Craft—Stick Swords
Materials: jumbo craft sticks, aluminum foil, glue, stickers or small jewels
Give every child two jumbo craft sticks, a small piece of aluminum foil, glue, and stickers or jewels. Instruct them to break one of their sticks in half. Direct them to glue the short stick to the long stick so that it looks like a sword. Tell them to wrap the blade with aluminum foil. Instruct them to decorate their sword with stickers or jewels. Say the Weekly Verse together, and remind your children that God has given us the Sword of the Spirit (the Bible) to help us live for Him.
Grades 4-6
Introductory Activity—Sink or float?
Materials: small oranges, large buckets, water
Fill several large bowls with water, and form several groups of children surrounding the water-filled bowls or buckets. Give every child an orange. Ask: “Will the orange float with its skin on or with it peeled off?” Let multiple children answer. If a child votes that it will float with its skin peeled off, give them time to peel off the skin thoroughly. (The entire skin must be peeled off.) Everyone can place their oranges in the water to see if they sink or float. (The oranges without their skin should sink.) Explain to your children that the orange sinks under the water without its armor. Tell your children that God offers us armor so we can stand against any challenge we face daily. Say the Weekly Verse together.
Live It Out
Game—Truth or Lie?
No materials needed
Tell the children they can stand up in front of the class and tell everyone one thing about themselves. They can tell something true about themselves or make something up. The rest of the class will vote whether the statement is true or false. Afterward, tell your children that one piece of the Armor of God is the Belt of Truth, and because the Bible is God’s truth. Remind the kids that God wants people to tell the truth. Say the Life Point together.
Craft—Sword Bookmark
Materials: construction paper, markers, scissorsBefore class, search for a basic sword design online, and print the one you like the best. Give each child a piece of construction paper and markers. Show your children the sword design you printed and instruct them to draw it on paper. Direct them to write the Weekly Verse on the blade of the sword and cut out the sword. Encourage them to keep their swords in their Bibles as a reminder that the Bible is the Sword of the Spirit. Say the Weekly Verse together.
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