Our Focus Today Helping children understand that true peace doesn’t come from the things around us, it comes from trusting God and putting on His armor every day.
Key Truth God’s armor helps us stand strong.
Bible Passage Ephesians 6:13–17
Memory Verse “Put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground.” Ephesians 6:13 (NIV)
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
The world offers many things that promise comfort, peace, and security, but lasting peace is only found in Jesus. As you lead today, remember that children are learning more from your example than your words. Every time you point them back to God’s promises, you’re helping them discover where true peace is found.
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 Canvas art boards Armor of God stickers Glow-in-the-dark stickers Dinosaur stickers Foam sports stickers Acrylic paint pens
Teaching Supplies Bible Two clear containers of water Two oranges (one peeled, one unpeeled) Chart paper
Prep Ahead Highlight today’s Bible passage in your Bible. Practice today’s Truth in Action. 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 What helps you feel calm when you’re worried? Where do you feel most peaceful? What do you remember from Max’s story last time?
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 6:13–17 directly from your Bible.
Connect today’s Bible passage to the story by explaining that God’s armor isn’t something we wear on the outside. Each piece reminds us of a truth that helps us trust God and stand strong every day.
Read the Story
Today’s Stair-Step Reading
Lesson 3 Re-read Lessons 1–2, then continue directly into Lesson 3.
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 Two clear containers of water Two oranges (one peeled, one unpeeled)
Let’s Begin Hold up both oranges.
“These two oranges look almost exactly the same. Let’s see what happens when we put them in water.”
Invite two volunteers to each drop an orange into the water. Allow everyone to observe.
“What do you notice?” Allow children to answer. Set the containers aside while you continue with the lesson.
“Let’s come back to these in a little while.”
(After reading the story and completing the lesson activities, bring the containers back out.)
“Do you remember our oranges? Let’s take another look.”
Point to the floating orange. “This orange reminds us what it looks like when we put our trust in God. Not because life is easy and not because we never feel afraid, but because when we trust God, we can “float” through life’s hard times instead of feeling like we’re sinking under them.”
Point to the orange resting on the bottom. “This orange reminds us what it looks like when we try to face life on our own. Fear, worry, and hard situations can begin to feel very heavy and weigh us down until it feels like we’re sinking.”
Hold up the unpeeled orange. “The peel reminds us of God’s Armor. When we trust Him, He gives us everything we need to stand strong.”
Ask Does God’s Armor mean hard things never happen? How does God’s Armor help us when life feels difficult? Which piece of God’s Armor are you excited to learn more about?
Wrap Up “Life isn’t always easy, but we never have to face it alone. God has given us His Armor to help us stand strong and remember that He is always with us.”
Open Your Bible
Time: 10–15 minutes
Activity 1 Complete Activity 1.
Invite children to write a list of things that make them feel peaceful, calm, or comfortable. Then, invite each child to share one response and add it to a group chart.
Once everyone has finished, ask the children to place a check mark next to the things they can have with them all the time.
Ask Which things couldn’t you check? Why do you think some things bring comfort for only a little while?
Explain that many things can help us feel peaceful for a season or in a certain moment, but they can’t always be with us. God is different. His peace and His presence never leave us, no matter where we are or what we’re facing.
Activity 2 Complete Activity 2.
Explain that every piece of God’s Armor reminds us of an important truth about following Jesus. Invite children to read each description and match it to the correct piece of armor.
Depending on the age of your group, children may work independently, with a partner, or in small groups before reviewing the answers together.
Ask Which piece of God’s Armor stood out to you today? Which reminder do you think you’ll need most this week? How does God’s Armor help us stand strong when fear shows up?
Volunteers can take turns explaining the matches to the group.
Closing Prayer
Pray the prayer at the end of Lesson 3.
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.
All our fret and worry is caused by calculating without God. The one thing that keeps us from the possibility of worrying is bringing God in as the greatest factor in all our calculations. -Oswald Chambers
