Our Focus Today Helping children understand that God has given them everything they need to stand strong by putting on the Armor of God every day.
Key Truth God has given us His Armor. We can choose to put it on every day.
Bible Passage Ephesians 6:10, 13–18
Memory Verse “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand agains
At A Glance
Approximate Lesson Time: 45–60 minutes Welcome, Snack & Lesson Activity • 10–15 minutes Gather Around God’s Word • 10–15 minutes Read the Story • 10–15 minutes Truth in Action • 5–10 minutes Open Your Bible • 10–15 minutes Closing Prayer & Clean-Up • 2–3 minutes
Leader Encouragement
During this study, you’ve helped children discover that bravery doesn’t come from never feeling afraid. It comes from trusting the One who is always with them. As this study comes to a close, remind them that God’s Armor isn’t something they leave behind today, it’s something they can choose to put on every single day.
The story God is writing in a child’s heart is always bigger than the lesson on the page.
Leader Preparation
Lesson Supplies Study books Pens Highlighters Hanging wooden signs Printed SPORT acronym paper Small calendars Acrylic paint pens Square mirrors (to add to the last page of the lesson)
Teaching Supplies Bible Clear glass Water Index card or sturdy cardstock Completed sample lesson activity
Prep Ahead Highlight today’s Bible passage in your Bible. Practice today’s Truth in Action before children arrive. Gather the supplies for today’s Truth in Action. Set out the lesson activity supplies for each group. A completed sample lesson activity.
Volunteer Roles
Lead Teacher Welcome the group and guide each part of the lesson. Read the Bible passage and story aloud. Lead the Truth in Action, discussion, and closing prayer.
Small Group Leaders Welcome children and encourage conversation. Support children throughout the lesson. Answer questions, encourage participation, and offer extra help as needed.
Floater Welcome families and direct children to their groups. Help with transitions and assist wherever needed throughout the lesson.
Leading the Lesson
Welcome, Snack & Lesson Activity
Time: 10–15 minutes Welcome children, help them get settled, and enjoy the time together as they complete today’s lesson activity.
Instructions Welcome children as they arrive. Invite them to begin today’s lesson activity. Encourage conversation while everyone enjoys a snack. As children finish, encourage them to continue chatting with their group until it’s time to begin.
Conversation Starters Which piece of God’s armor do you think you’ll use the most? What’s something you’ve learned during this study? How do you think God’s armor can help you this week?
Gather Around God’s Word
Time: 10–15 minutes
Transition Give children a two-minute warning before beginning. Invite everyone to simply set aside today’s lesson activity and grab only their study book, Bible, and pen. There is no need to clean everything up. Children can return to the activity later if time allows or take home any remaining supplies to finish.
Opening Prayer Begin with a simple prayer, inviting God to prepare hearts and minds to learn from His Word.
Bible Reading
Read Ephesians 6:10, 13–18 directly from your Bible.
Connect today’s Bible passage to the story by explaining that God has already given us everything we need to stand strong. Each day we can choose to put on His armor, trust His promises, and remember that He is with us wherever we go.
Read the Story
Today’s Stair-Step Reading
Lesson 5
Re-read Lessons 1–4, then continue directly into Lesson 5.
Read the story aloud while children follow along.
Engage Children By… -Announcing page turns for younger readers. -Reading speech bubbles together. -Asking observation questions. -Pointing out humorous moments. -Inviting predictions as the story unfolds.
Truth In Action
Time: 5–10 minutes
Supplies Clear glass Water Index card or sturdy cardstock
Let’s Begin Hold up the empty glass.
“We’ve been learning about God’s Armor and all the ways He protects us. Today we’re going to finish with one last reminder.”
Fill the glass almost to the top with water.
“This water represents all the worries, fears, and hard things that try to fill our hearts.” “What are some of those kinds of worries?“
Allow children to answer. (Examples may include: being afraid of the dark, worrying about school, feeling left out, trying something new, someone in the family getting sick).
“Sometimes those worries can feel so big that they seem ready to spill over and take over our thoughts.”
Hold up the index card/cardboard.
“What do you think will happen if I put this card on top of the glass, turn it upside down, and let go?”
Allow children to make predictions. Carefully place the card over the glass, turn it upside down, and slowly remove your hand.
Let everyone observe.
Why didn’t the water fall out?
Allow children to respond.
“The air inside the glass is holding everything in place. This reminds us of God. Even when life feels overwhelming, God is with us holding everything together for us. He surrounds us with His protection, holds us steady, and doesn’t let fear take over. We don’t have to face life’s worries by ourselves because God promises to be with us wherever we go.”
Ask What have you learned about God’s armor during this study? Which piece of God’s armor has helped you the most? How can remembering God’s promises help when you begin to worry?
Wrap Up “God doesn’t promise that we’ll never face hard things, but He does promise to be with us through every one. God has given us His armor. When we choose to put it on each day, we can be brave because we never face life alone.”
Open Your Bible
Time: 10–15 minutes
Activity 1 Complete Activity 1.
Invite children to look up Ephesians 6:10, 13–18 and highlight the action words that tell us what to do with God’s Armor. Encourage them to notice that God doesn’t simply describe the Armor—He tells us to put it on, stand firm, take up, and pray. You can act the motions out!
Fill in the blanks to find out what the “secret weapon” is.
Ask: What does God tell us to do with His armor? Which piece of armor is mentioned last? What “secret weapon” do we have?
Activity 2 Complete Activity 2.
Invite children to solve the memory-word puzzle by identifying each habit that helps them practice putting on God’s armor every day.
After everyone has finished, have a volunteer to reveal the secret memory word.
Use the secret memory word to guide children in completing the final blank at the bottom of the page. Remind them that putting on God’s armor isn’t something we do just once, it’s something we practice every day as we learn to trust and follow God.
Ask Why is putting on God’s armor something we do every day? Which of these habits would you like to practice more this week? How can these habits help you be brave?
Closing Prayer
Pray the prayer at the end of Lesson 5.
Clean-Up
Invite children to: -Organize their supplies. -Throw away trash. -Help tidy their small group area. -Continue working on today’s lesson activity if time remains or take home any remaining supplies to finish later.
Only the Holy Spirit can give us peace in the midst of the storms of restlessness and despair. We should not grieve our Guide by indulging in worry or paying undue attention to self. -Billy Graham
