The Whole Armour of God

(Eph. 6.10-18)

I need:

- Banns book

- Baptism cards

- Service sheet

- ASB (for collect)

- Props for talk (protective clothes)

- Bible (the 'sword of the Spirit')

- OHP acetates

Welcome and Introduction

Welcome (please be seated)

A special welcome to the newest members of our church. Present parents with Baptism Certificates.

Banns of marriage.

Notices - Holiday Club

- Coventry YFC

The Lord is here.

His Spirit is with us.

We ask God's forgiveness for our sins

Let us return to the Lord our God and say to him:

Father,

we have sinned against heaven and against you.

We are not worthy to be called your children.

We turn to you again.

Have mercy on us,

bring us back to yourself

as those who once were dead

but now have life through Christ our Lord. Amen

Absolution:

May almighty God have mercy on us,

forgive us our sins,

and bring us to everlasting life,

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The reason why God can forgive us our sins is because on the cross Jesus died in our place. But the good news is that after he died, he rose again from the dead.

So let us give thanks to the risen Lord, as we sing together hymn No. 30. Alleluia, alleluia. (Please stand)

Song: 30 Alleluia, alleluia

The Collect of the day

(from ASB)

Children's activity: Protective clothing

Before I was a curate I was an engineer, and at times I used to work on construction sites, (describe Mobile).

Ask some children to come out and dress them in:

- boiler suit

- hard hat

- boots

- protective glasses

Discuss what each item protects you from.

An engineer can face many dangers on a construction site, and clothing like this can really help to protect him.

But every Christian can also face many dangers in life. ...not dangers from falling objects, or chemicals, ...but dangers like these...

OHP

- doubts

- fears

- lies

- cruel words

- temptation

- guilt

Now can clothes like this protect us from dangers like these?

Of course not, ...but God does not leave us unprotected.

As we will hear later, God gives Christians a special set of clothing which will protect us from things like this.

But first we're going to sing another song.

Because as well as giving us protective clothing, God also protects us by being with us.

So let us sing number 49.

Be bold, be strong, for the Lord your God is with you. (Please stand)

Song: 49 Be Bold

Please be seated for our Bible reading. You can find our reading on the service sheets. Children, listen carefully, and see if you can spot the different types of protective clothing which it mentions.

Reading: The Whole Armour of God

(Ephesians 6. 10-18)

Talk

The Bible often describes Christians as 'Soldiers', ...soldiers who are fighting against evil and all the bad things in the world.

Our Bible reading said that we are not fighting against human beings, but against the forces of evil in the world.

Soldiers in the army today have special uniforms and equipment to help them fight effectively. ...And it was the same in Jesus' day, ...only in those days a Roman soldier didn't wear a modern uniform, instead he wore armour.

(There's a picture of a Roman soldier in your service sheets).

Now in our Bible reading, St Paul is saying:

"Just as a Roman soldier wears armour to protect him in battle, ...so too we Christians must wear God's armour to protect us from things like this..." (show OHP again)

So here is our Roman soldier. OHP

Can any of the children tell me what was the first item of protective clothing he has to wear?

A belt

It holds his tunic in and gives him freedom of movement.

The Christian soldier also has a belt to wear. You can't see it, ...but can you imagine putting it on?

It's called the BELT OF TRUTH.

Jesus said that his disciples would know the truth, and the truth would set them free (Jn. 8.32).

The more that we get to know God, the more we learn God's truth. Then in times of emergency, this truth can help us to move quickly because we know what to do and how to fight evil. ...And we won't get bogged down with doubts and fears.

Truth can give us freedom of movement, ...just like a belt helps a Roman soldier to move quickly.

Now what was the second item of protective clothing the Roman soldier has to wear?

A breastplate

It's quite heavy and it protects him from attack.

The Christian soldier also has a breastplate to put on ...its called the BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.

If we live a godly life we will be protected from lies. (It's hard to attack someone as being a liar and a cheat if everyone can see that they are a good person).

A righteous life can help to protect us from attack, ...just like a breastplate helps a Roman soldier.

Now what was the third item of protective clothing the Roman soldier has to wear?

Shoes

A soldier who has his boots on is ready to go anywhere he is needed. In fact, soldiers sometimes sleep with their boots on!

The Christian soldier also has shoes to put on ...they're called the SHOES OF PEACE.

Christian soldiers aren't meant to stand around, but are to be ready at any moment to go to take the Good News of peace to others. The good news that we can find peace with God, because of what Jesus has done for us.

God's message of peace makes us ready to go out to others, ...just like shoes help a Roman soldier to be ready to go out.

Now what was the fourth item that a Roman soldier has to protect himself?

A shield

A soldier carries a shield to protect him from arrows.

The Christian soldier also has a shield ...its called the SHIELD OF FAITH.

We read that our enemy, the Devil, is often firing arrows at us. They can take the form of:

- cruel words which people say to us,

- disappointments which we face in life,

- temptations to do things that we know are wrong,

- doubts and fears that come into our mind,

...and so on.

Our only defence against arrows like these is faith in God. Now I don't mean 'faith' in the sense that we need simply believe that God exists, ...I mean it in the sense that we deliberately decide that we are going to rely upon God to protect us.

As we sang earlier, "Be bold, be strong for the Lord your God is with you." We can put our trust in him.

Faith can protect us from the Devil's arrows, ...just like a shield protects a Roman soldier.

Now what was the fifth item of protective clothing the Roman soldier has to wear?

A helmet

A helmet protects a soldier's head.

The Christian soldier also has a helmet to put on ...its called the HELMET OF SALVATION.

Salvation is a gift which we receive from God when we are put right with Him. We can know that God has forgiven us for the wrong things we have done in the past, and we can be strengthened to overcome sin in the future.

Salvation can protect us from fear and guilt, ...just like a helmet protects a Roman soldier.

And what was the last item that a Roman soldier has to protect himself?

A sword

It's a weapon that a soldier can use to defend himself.

The Christian soldier also has a sword ...its called the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT.

And the sword of the Spirit is this... (show a Bible).

Do you remember when Jesus was being tempted by the Devil in the wilderness?

The Devil showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world, and said to him "All this I will give you, if you kneel down and worship me."

But Jesus knew the Bible, and replied, "The scripture says, 'Worship the Lord your God and serve only him!'"

If we know what's in the Bible, we can use it to defend ourselves from attacks that are evil, ...just like a sword helps a Roman soldier to defend himself.

Ask all the children to come out to the front.

The Bible tells us to put on God's armour now, so shall we do that?

Let's put on the:

- belt of truth

- breastplate of righteousness

- shoes of peace

- shield of faith

- helmet of salvation

- sword of the Spirit

Ask congregation to join in the words from the notice sheet:

"So put on God's armour now! Then when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist the enemies attacks; and after fighting to the end, you will still hold your ground."

Kids return to their seats.

Psalm 121 (verses 1-3, 7-8)

I lift my eyes to the hills:

but where shall I find help?

My help comes from the Lord:

who has made heaven and earth.

He will not suffer your foot to stumble:

and he who watches over you will not sleep.

The Lord will defend you from all evil:

it is he who will guard your life.

The Lord will defend your going out and you coming in:

from this time forward and for evermore.

Christians are soldiers in a battle. The war is still raging, but there's a sound on the wind like a victory song.

Songs: 681 There's a sound on the wind

OHP We are marching

We affirm what we believe about God

Do you believe and trust in God the Father, who made all things?

We believe and trust in him.

Do you believe and trust in his Son Jesus Christ, who redeemed the world?

We believe and trust in him.

Do you believe and trust in his Holy Spirit, who gives life to the people of God?

We believe and trust in him.

This is the faith of the Church:

This is our faith. We believe and trust in one God,

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Prayers

...finishing with the Lord's Prayer.

Christians are in a battle, but we are not on our own. Jesus goes with us, and he is our leader.

Song: 543 Onward Christian Soldiers

Blessing (ASB p107, para 19)

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

In the name of Christ. Amen.

Please join us for refreshments which are served in the Church Hall after the service.

We are marching

We are marching in the light of God,

we are marching in the light of God,

we are marching in the light of God,

we are marching in the light of God.

We are marching - Oh,

we are marching in the light of God.

We are marching - Oh,

we are marching in the light of God.

We are living in the love of God ...

We are moving in the power of God ...