Sword of the Spirit - Littleton Vineyard

5-G Impact Doing Life With God in the Picture
SG - Lesson 2 - Winter Quarter
Unit: Armor of God
Sword of the Spirit
Key
Concept
l Bible Summary
l Ephesians 6:10-18 – Today kids will learn how
to use the Sword of the Spirit. Ephesians 6:17 says,
"Take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of
Winning the battle
God." Children will see that the Sword of the Spirit
means knowing our
helps us discern right from wrong when we are
Bible so that we
attacked by Satan. The Sword is God's
know right from
Word.
wrong.
When we go to the Bible, it helps us know what
we should do in order to fight the attack. Kids will
also learn that knowing their Bibles well will help them fight Satan's
Elementary
attacks.
Small Group
Prep
l Unit Bible Verse
"Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes."
– Ephesians 6:11
l Memory Verse
“We aren’t fighting against human enemies but against rulers, authorities, forces of cosmic
darkness, and spiritual powers of evil in the heavens.” – Ephesians 6:12
Unit Overview
Kids learn that there is a battle between God and Satan. God’s mission is to help as many people in
this world as possible choose to believe in and follow Him, and grow Christians into the people He
wants them to be. Satan’s mission is to prevent people from choosing to believe in and follow God,
and prevent Christians from growing into the people God wants them to be.
A rmo r Of Go d:
H ow It’s U sed :
Helmet Of Salvation
Assure Believers Of Salvation
Sword Of The Spirit
Discerns Right From Wrong
Belt Of Truth
Distinguishes Between God’s Truth And Satan’s Lies
Breastplate of Righteousness
Protects Heart And Character
Shield Of Faith
Defends Against Satan’s Arrows Of Attacks On Faith
Shoes Of The Gospel Of Peace
Enables Good News Of Jesus To Be Delivered
Littleton Vineyard Promiseland - “Inviting children to a LIFE adventure of friendship with Jesus”
Curriculum Adapted from Willow Creek Promiseland Winter 5-G Impact for the Littleton Vineyard
1
5-G Impact Doing Life With God in the Picture
SG - Lesson 2 - Winter Quarter
l Objectives
KNOW WHAT (LG): Kids will hear how the Sword of the Spirit, the Bible, helps us know right
from wrong.
SO WHAT (LG): Kids will learn that knowing the Bible will disarm Satan when he attacks us.
NOW WHAT (SG): Children will do an activity to help them think through why a situation is
wrong and back it up with the Sword of the Spirit, the Bible.
Leader’s Heart Prep
Read Ephesians 6:10-18. Wouldn't it be cool if there was such a thing as a "personal
right from wrong detector" you could carry with you? You could carry it to business meetings
and detect who is trying to pull a fast deal on you. You could use it in your personal life to
know what is the right thing to do. You could even have it next to the TV remote so that
you could detect which shows and ads are right, and which ones are wrong and you ought
to avoid. The truth is all believers have a "personal right from wrong detector" available to
them. It's called the Sword of the Spirit, or the Word of God. "For the Word of God is living
and active. Sharper than any double- edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and
spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12.
This week pick up the Sword, detect right from wrong, and follow what is right!
l In Advance
o
o
o
(done by your administrator)
Gather Bibles – 1 per Small Group.
Photocopy and cut out Scripture Cards – 10 cards per Small Group
Place the above-mentioned items in a bin for each Small Group
Leader.
l Your Morning Schedule
1) Arrive in the Kidatorium 30 minutes before the service begins to meet
the rest of your team (Worship Leader and Large Group Leader) and
pray.
2) Check your Small Group supplies needed for the morning.
3) Plan to be ready to help greet children 15 minutes before the service
begin s, welcome new children and help draw children into a fun
welcoming activity.
4) Kids can stop at the memory verse station and earn Promiseland
Bucks. (If a child is new, show them the verse sheets on the sign-in
table and explain how they can earn Bucks.)
5) Open the Promiseland Store. (One leader should man the store.)
6) Invite kids to play a game with a new friend from the game cabinet.
7) Help lead a simple craft or activity.
8) Children start in Small Groups 5 minutes past the service start to meet YOU, their small
group leader.
9) Worship begins 10 minutes into the service. (9:10 a.m. or 10:55 a.m.) Participate with the
kids in worship, help kids engage, and model worship!
10) The Large Group lesson will run for about 10 minutes, then you will break into Small Groups
for 20 minutes, when you’ll then return to Large Group for the remaining of the lesson. Sit
with children in Large Group and help them engage in the lesson.
11) At the end of the service, help children at the Promiseland Store, help them work on their
Memory Verses and tidy / clean up your Small Group area.
Littleton Vineyard Promiseland - “Inviting children to a LIFE adventure of friendship with Jesus”
Curriculum Adapted from Willow Creek Promiseland Winter 5-G Impact for the Littleton Vineyard
2
5-G Impact Doing Life With God in the Picture
SG - Lesson 2 - Winter Quarter
Unit: Armor of God
Sword of the Spirit
Kid Connection
(5 minutes)
WELCOME the kids to your Small Group.
ASK, "During this last week were you able to identify an attack from
Satan? This attack from Satan could be a temptation to cheat on a
test, lie, disobey a parent, or disrespect someone. What was the
attack, and how did you respond?"
l Transition
SAY, "Last week we learned how to put on the Helmet of Salvation to stand
firm against Satan's attacks. Your teacher gave you the directions to put on this
Armor. First you ID, or identify, the attack of Satan. Then you go to the Bible to find the
truth. If you can't identify the attack from Satan, you could get hurt. Today's piece of Armor
will help you identify the attack.
See if you can figure out in Large Group how this piece of Armor can help you ID, or identify
Satan's attack."
[When it’s time for worship to begin, go with your kids to Large Group and be ready to
participate in worship. Sit with your group. Help children stay engaged in the teaching.]
Small Group
(20 minutes)
ASK, “How can the Sword of the Spirit help you identify Satan’s attack?”
EXPLAIN, “Knowing the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, means we can know right from
wrong. Knowing our Bibles will help us identify Satan’s attack, because we will know what is
right from wrong.
CONTINUE, "What are two things the Sword helps us to do when Satan attacks us?"
EXPLAIN, "1) The Sword is excellent at separating us from the enemy and keeping us
close to God. Reading our Bibles means we are using our Swords to resist Satan. When we
resist Satan, the Bible tells us he will flee or run away from us. 2) The Sword is excellent at
disarming Satan's lies and cutting through to the truth."
Littleton Vineyard Promiseland - “Inviting children to a LIFE adventure of friendship with Jesus”
Curriculum Adapted from Willow Creek Promiseland Winter 5-G Impact for the Littleton Vineyard
3
5-G Impact Doing Life With God in the Picture
SG - Lesson 2 - Winter Quarter
Activity: Getting To The Truth
The purpose of this activity is for kids to use their Bibles to get to the truth and
explain why others should follow the truth.
l Supplies (Provided By Your Administrator)
o
o
Bible
Scripture Cards
l Set-Up
COUNT off by twos.
DESIGNATE the ones to be the Truth Army and the twos to be the Peer Pressure Army.
HAVE the two armies sit opposite of each other.
GIVE a Bible and Scripture Cards to the Truth Army.
l Instructions
SAY, "Today we are going to play 'Getting to the Truth.' Those of you in the Truth Army will be
the ones who believe what God says and want to do what God says is right. Those of you in the
Peer Pressure Army will be the ones who do not believe in what God says and want to do what
God says is wrong."
EXPLAIN, “I will read a situation. The Peer Pressure Army will decide which part in the
situation is the peer pressure and try to pressure the Truth Army to believe and do that thing.
The Truth Army will find a verse in the Bible for that situation and try to convince the Peer
Pressure Army to believe and do the right thing. After each situation the armies will switch
responsibilities."
READ the first situation.
Situations
[Read each of the following situations one at a time. The verse included under each is the
verse the Truth Army will find and read.]
1) After a science class on evolution, you all get into a discussion about evolution. Some
people stress strongly that evolution is true and God had nothing to do with creating the
world. Others disagree.
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." – Genesis 1:1
2) You are all at a friend's house. One kid takes out an adult magazine. Many people are
excited to look at this magazine but others don't want to.
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble , whatever is right , whatever is pure ,
whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think
about such things." – Philippians 4:8
Littleton Vineyard Promiseland - “Inviting children to a LIFE adventure of friendship with Jesus”
Curriculum Adapted from Willow Creek Promiseland Winter 5-G Impact for the Littleton Vineyard
4
5-G Impact Doing Life With God in the Picture
SG - Lesson 2 - Winter Quarter
3) You find a broken change machine at the mall that gives more than twice the amount of
change that it should. Some want to call the mall manager, but many want to get as much
change as they can.
“Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.” – Romans 12:17
4) You are out fishing when one friend pulls out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. This
person says, "Want to have some fun?" A couple of people tell this person their parents
do not allow them to smoke. Others say, "C'mon, let's do it! Or, are you chicken?"
"Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord." – Colossians 3:20
5) You are on the bus, and a bunch of kids are swearing and saying Jesus' name badly. A
couple of people aren't swearing. These two say that the Bible says not to swear. They
are called a name for saying that.
"You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone
guiltless who misuses His name." – Exodus 20:7
6) You are all talking with a friend who heard something about a new kid at school that you
know is untrue. Some people say it is a lie. Others say they are just having a little fun with
the new kid and to lighten up.
"A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret. " – Proverbs 11:13
7) You find an expensive backpack with money and a camera in it. Some people think they
should take it. Others think it would be stealing.
“I am the Lord your God. Do not steal.” – Leviticus 19:10,11
8) Your dad tells you to shovel the walk before you can go anywhere. Ten minutes later, all of
your friends show up at your door to ask you to go sledding. You tell them you can’t go.
They tell you to just go anyway. You tell them you have to obey your dad.
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’ –
which is the first commandment with a promise – ‘that it may go well with you and that you
may enjoy long life on the earth.’” – Ephesians 6:1-3
9) You all have a big report due the next day. You get an email with a website that has online
reports on every subject. Some people email back and say that would be cheating. Others
want to use it.
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is
dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” – Luke 16:10
10) You are in a group of friends and some want to play a really nasty prank on a kid in your
class. Some people stand up for him and say that it is wrong. Others want to do the prank.
“Love your neighbor as yourself.” – Luke 10:27
Littleton Vineyard Promiseland - “Inviting children to a LIFE adventure of friendship with Jesus”
Curriculum Adapted from Willow Creek Promiseland Winter 5-G Impact for the Littleton Vineyard
5
5-G Impact Doing Life With God in the Picture
SG - Lesson 2 - Winter Quarter
l Wrap Up
ASK, “How can the Sword of the Spirit help you when you are attacked by Satan?”
EXPLAIN, “1) The Sword is excellent at separating us from the enemy and keeping us close to God.
This means that when you go to God’s Word, you are close to God’s truth and further away from
Satan’s lies. 2) The Sword is excellent at disarming Satan’s lies and cutting through to the truth. This
means that the more you know God’s truth, the Bible, the easier it is to recognize Satan’s lies.”
CONTINUE, “We learned that it is very important to read and know our Bibles so that we can quickly
keep Satan at a distance and disarm his attacks on us. This week commit to read a few verses from
the book of John and see what God might be trying to teach you. We need to take up the Sword of the
Spirit, which is the Word of God, and stand firm in this battle for good and evil. Remember, WINNING
THE BATTLE MEANS KNOWING OUR BIBLE SO THAT WE KNOW RIGHT FROM WRONG.”
l Bible Verses
[Unit Bible Verse]
"Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against
the devil's schemes." – Ephesians 6:11
[Today’s Memory Verse]
“We aren’t fighting against human enemies but against rulers, authorities, forces of cosmic
darkness, and spiritual powers of evil in the heavens.” – Ephesians 6:12
REMIND the kids, "These verses means that when we are on God's
side, we can use the armor of God to defend ourselves against Satan's
attacks. Satan is our enemy, so we need the armor God gives us to
fight him and protect ourselves."
At this point be sure to give each child 1 Promiseland BUCK just
for being at church today. You can remind them that they can earn
BUCKS by memorizing verses (5 BUCKS), attending (1 BUCK),
bringing a friend (1 BUCK), etc.
l Prayer
D urin g this U n it, ki ds
can earn an extra 10
Pro mis elan d B ucks
by m emo riz ing
Ep hes ian s 6:11 -17,
o n th e A rmo r of Go d.
Ta lk ab ou t th is and
h elp kids m emo riz e
th e v erses .
ASK KIDS if there’s anything they would like prayer for. Write their
requests in your Small Group Prayer Notebook. Invite kids to pray.
END PRAYER WITH, Please help our friendships grow with You. Remind those of us who trust
You that we are saved and that can never be taken away. Please also help answer any
questions we may still have.
[Small Groups return to the Large Group area for the remaining of the teaching time. If you did
not get through all of your wrap up, or have time to work on the memory verse, you can do so if
there is time after the Large Group teaching is finished.]
Kid Connection Continues …
Small Group Leaders, use this time to continue to build community and learn more about your kids
and their concerns. Listen closely so you are better equipped to pray for and reach out to each child.
At the end of the service time encourage kids to work on memorizing their Bible verses and earn
Promiseland Bucks. Show them the Promiseland Store and help them to shop with their Bucks.
[Give a parent letter to each child when they are dismissed.]
Littleton Vineyard Promiseland - “Inviting children to a LIFE adventure of friendship with Jesus”
Curriculum Adapted from Willow Creek Promiseland Winter 5-G Impact for the Littleton Vineyard
6
5-G Impact Doing Life With God in the Picture
SG - Lesson 2 - Winter Quarter
Littleton Vineyard Promiseland - “Inviting children to a LIFE adventure of friendship with Jesus”
Curriculum Adapted from Willow Creek Promiseland Winter 5-G Impact for the Littleton Vineyard
7