Are we ready to defend right and truth?
Ephesians 6:11, 13
“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
LEARNING GAME
Put on the “Whole Armor of God” build a warrior toss game
OBJECTIVE: Youth can learn ways they can defend truth and righteousness as they put on the “whole armor of God.” Here they can mount figures individually or compete in a group to see who builds their warrior first.
TO MAKE:
1. Print the images in black and white (for children to color). Or, print images in color, choosing the warrior that resembles each child. Print images on cardstock for durability. Laminate if desired after cutting out images.
2. Fold the card in half. Once folded tape the top and the bottom leaving the side open to create the pocket. Then slip the images inside.
BUILD A WARRIOR GAME:
#1 Explain the armor of God showing the armor and warrior and helmet (see Armor of God Symbols placement below).
#2 Have youth put together their warrior. If mounting them on the board you will need tape or velcro or magnets to mount. If you laminate images the double-stick tape works easily. Or, don’t laminate if playing individually.
#3 Youth can pull images from their card/envelopes and lay them in front of them.
OPTIONS: Put together individually or by competing in a GAME as follows.
HOW TO PLAY:
Each youth has their own set in front of them including their own block to roll. First, they set up with armor pieces in front of them and place the warrior figure on the front of the card.
(1) At a “BUILD A WARRIOR!” call from the leader each time they roll the die/block. It will land on an armor image.
(2) They place that armor piece (rolled) on their doll. If they roll an armor piece they already have on their warrior, they forfeit their chance to build their warrior and have to wait until the next “BUILD A WARRIOR!” is called.
(3) The first to build their warrior wins. If playing in a large group you can continue to get the 2nd 3rd and 4th place winners as you continue to play to all of them to build their warrior (or as long as time allows).
DISCUSSION POINTS (Armor of God)
Armor of God Symbols (placement)
• HELMET (of salvation) – over the head, symbolizing clean thoughts and the word of God; learn His word by reading the scriptures, listening to the prophets and to the Spirit, and praying always (Shadrach’s example—Daniel 1)
• BREASTPLATE (of righteousness) – over our heart, symbolizing conscience and choosing the right (Enoch’s example—Hebrews 11:5; Genesis 5:24 – “Enoch walked with God” and was translated as “God took him” )
• SHIELD (of faith) – symbolizing our faith in Jesus Christ, our Savior (David’s example—1 Samuel 17:37; Ephesians 6:16)
• GIRDLE (of truth) – symbolizing purity; we can withstand the fiery darts (Ephesians 6:16) of Satan, who will lie to us; the Holy Spirit can guide us to know the truth
• SWORD (of the Spirit) – the word of God (read scriptures, pray always, listen to the Spirit)
• SHOES (shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace) – suggesting the way we should travel our course or journey in life (Ephesians 6:15)
Examples of Scripture Heroes – Who Put on the Whole Armor of God?
• David Fighting Goliath: Because of his faith in the Lord, he was able to use a stone from his sling and hit the wicked giant Goliath on the forehead, killing him. The giant wore heavy armor while David did not. David wore a different kind of armor—spiritual armor from God.
1 Samuel 17:1–11—Israel and the Philistines engage in war. Goliath challenges any Israelite man to personal combat.
1 Samuel 17:12–58—David slays Goliath. Israel defeats the Philistines.
• Esther (The Queen of Courage): Ester fasted and asked her people to fast to save her Jewish people; the king’s heart was softened and here people were spared (Esther 2-10; Esther 8:1-8, 11, 17)
• Ruth (The Wise Widow): Ruth’s mother-in-law, Naomi, said, “My Heart Rejoiceth in the Lord” (1 Samuel 2:1). Ruth’s faith after losing her husband led her to travel unknown paths and worship an unknown God, going with the mother-in-law saying, “Thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God” (Ruth 1:4-18).
• Noah. (The saver of our earth) Genesis 6:9 Noah was a just and perfect man who walked with God. He was a Prophet telling the wicked people to repent, warning them of a flood. Then following God’s instructions, built an ark and kept his family and two of every animal safe from the rain that flooded and cleansed the earth.
• Joseph (who was sold into Egypt): As a slave, he was taken to Potiphar a captain in Pharaoh’s court. He was innocently thrown into prison and then later interpreted the Pharaoh’s dream of 7 years of feast and 7 years of famine. The Pharaoh then put him in charge of the granaries to store up wheat to save all from starvation even his brothers who were mean to him. (Genesis 37)
• Jesus Christ (Our Savior) He saved us all from sin (if we repent). Setting the perfect example to follow, He showed us how to live so we can return to heaven. He died for us making it possible to be resurrected and live forever. Our hero is Jesus.
• Captain Moroni (see Title of Liberty activities below*)
More DISCUSSION & SCRIPTURE UNDERLINING.
Prepare and Protect Our Spirits and Souls with the WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD
PREPARE – Loins girt: An easy way to prepare ourselves to fight the evil of our day is to
#1 Study our scriptures;
#2 Pray; and
#3 Live the plan of truth that comes from Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 6:14 “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness.”
PROTECT – Breastplate: This physical armor protects our vital organs like our lungs and heart, but the spiritual armor protects our thoughts which are very powerful in today’s battle zones. Temptations to do evil will lose their power as we have the strength that comes from righteous choices. God’s rewards for a right living give us this breastplate strength.
“Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:10-11).
Feet shod: Our feet should be shod with the “preparation of the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15). “Your feet … represent your goals or objectives in life. … Preparedness is the way to victory. … The tide of victory rests with him who is prepared” – Harold B. Lee
Shield: With “the shield of faith,” we can “quench all the fiery darts of the wicked” (Ephesians 6:16). Temptations are flaming arrows from the adversary that come from all directions. With faith in the Lord, we can keep them from penetrating and bringing us spiritual harm.
“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:20
Here are a few ways to start fighting those darts of the adversary:
• Live modestly in our language (don’t speak lightly of sacred things).
• Live modestly in behavior (be conscious of the way you motivate others’ behavior towards you).
• Live modestly in appearance (dress modestly–keeping your treasures covered).
“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17).
Helmet: “The ‘helmet of salvation [Ephesians 6:17] guards our reasoning, intellect, and thoughts.” – Robert D. Hales.
As we focus on Jesus Christ and His gospel teachings we can keep pure with our eyes single to the glory of God.
Sword: “The sword of the Spirit … is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17).
We can be alert 24/7 by focusing on the word of God in the scriptures. This way we can keep our swords sharp “sharper than any two-edged sword” (Ephesians 6:17; 12).
“The word of God “(Ephesians 6:17) is our sword. We use it to fight the adversary’s evil. Our faith and test-ament (testimony) can give us the power of God’s Spirit. It can bring us peace as we live the teachings of Jesus Christ. This way we can conquer the enemy who does not want us to benefit from rightful living.
It is our right and we must fight for this spiritual freedom. Every minute of every hour Satan will lose the power he wishes to inflict on us and our friends. We can fight to the bitter end (if we have to). He can only read our actions which cause more temptations to come. Daily repentance will PROTECT US from the fiery darts piercing our hearts and souls. PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD (we owe it to ourselves and our loved ones).
MORE ARMOR OF GOD ACTIVITIES
*Title of Liberty
*Title of Liberty
*Title of Liberty
