Bible Reading: Ephesians 6:10-20

“We have to defeat the monsters!” Max shouted, swinging his imaginary sword. “Let’s go get them!” Max and his dad started charging across their backyard toward the imaginary monster lair, swinging their swords and shouting their war cries as they played heroes.

“But wait!” Max’s dad stopped short. “We have to put on armor first!”

“Oh yes, you’re right. To protect us!”

“Yes! What armor do you think we’ll need?”

“A helmet!” Max declared. “And a breastplate!”

“That’s exactly right! And don’t forget a shield.”

Max and his dad started putting on their imaginary armor, making sure their breastplates fit them well and their helmets were securely fastened.

“Now we have our full armor on!” Max said when they were ready.

“You know,” Dad said, “the Bible talks about putting on the full armor of God.”

“What does that mean?” Max asked.

“It means we should protect ourselves against the devil. Satan wants to lead us away from God, but the Bible gives us ways to stand against him. It says to put on the belt of truth and the breastplate of righteousness.”

“What about our shields and helmets?” asked Max.

“Great point. The Bible talks about taking up the shield of faith, which is faith in Jesus, and putting on the helmet of salvation. Our salvation comes from God when we place our faith in Jesus. Because of Jesus’s death and resurrection, God forgives our sins and gives us eternal life when we trust Jesus as our Savior, and we receive Jesus’s righteousness–His goodness. The Bible also talks about taking up the sword of the Spirit”–Max’s dad held up his imaginary sword–“which is the Word of God.”

“Is that the Bible?” asked Max.

“Yes!” said Dad. “Putting on our armor helps us remember the truth and power we have in Jesus so we can stand against the devil’s lies.”

“Well, I want to put on the armor of God!” Max said. “Let’s finish defeating these monsters with our pretend swords and then we can go inside and take up the sword of the Spirit by reading the Bible!”

“That sounds like a great idea, Max!” Dad smiled as they started charging toward the imaginary monster lair again.

–Elizabeth Cooper

How About You?
Are you wearing the armor of God for protection against the devil? When we place our faith in Jesus, He saves us from sin and Satan and makes us right with God. (To learn more, click the “Good News!” button in the right column of this page or go to www.keysforkids.org/goodnews.) Satan has no power over us, but he still tries to get us to stray away from God and His truth. Put on the full armor of God so you can stand firm against Satan’s temptations and lies.

Today’s Key Verse:
Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. (CSB) (Ephesians 6:11)

Today’s Key Thought:
Put on the full armor of God