Sword of the Spirit (kids lesson)
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“Sword of the Spirit" Thursday, July 11th
“Sword of the Spirit" Thursday, July 11th
and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
“Sword of the Spirit" Thursday, July 11th
Ideally, each teacher will have a sword or image of a sword to show the various parts.
(Object lesson: Have two swords and get an assistant so you can demonstrate a “fight.”)
SWORD PARTS AND PURPOSES:
SWORD PARTS AND PURPOSES:
This “Sword of the Spirit” lesson is designed to help us look at the various parts of a typical sword, with which the common man of Paul’s time would have been familiar. Then how they compare to God’s word.
This “Sword of the Spirit” lesson is designed to help us look at the various parts of a typical sword, with which the common man of Paul’s time would have been familiar.
The Handle: Grip/ Handle: This is where all the control of the sword is.
Q: what will happen if do not hold on to the handle tightly? A: You have to hold it tightly or you could lose the sword or it could hurt someone. (Story of man losing his sword.)
You have to hold it tightly or you could lose the sword or it could hurt someone.
It is important that we handle God’s word properly. If we do not study it and know it very, very well we might use it wrongly and hurt someone unintentionally.
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
The Pommel: The pommel is piece (typically a metal ball or similar) at the end of the handle.
Q: What do you think this was used for? A: Not just to help soldiers grip, but it also provides counter balance and can be used to strike offensively.
The pommel is piece (typically a metal ball or similar) at the end of the handle
(Demonstrate counter attack…) God’s Word can be used to counter the attacks of the enemy. For example: if you are angry and you think you want to say something ugly to someone God’s word says to “be angry and do not sin.”
The Blade: the double edge sword has a blade on both sides.
Q: What is this part used for? A: It is used for cutting and the double edge sword can cut both one way and another.
Not just to help soldiers grip, but it also provides counter balance and can be used to strike offensively.
says God’s word is like a double edge sword but even sharper.
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Q: HOW DOES THE WORD OF GOD CUT AND PIERCE?
The Word of God is even more powerful in that the Holy Spirit uses it to cut through to our hearts, getting through justifications and causing us to be convicted.
God’s Word can get through the barriers we tend to put up.
They found the Word of God and the Word pierced the heart of Josiah – God was Merciful.
And Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the secretary, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the Lord.” And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it. And Shaphan the secretary came to the king, and reported to the king, “Your servants have emptied out the money that was found in the house and have delivered it into the hand of the workmen who have the oversight of the house of the Lord.” Then Shaphan the secretary told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it before the king. When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes.
The King was “cut” by the word of God because He knew that He was not living the way that it said and the people were not either. The word of God showed Him how they were not pleasing God.
The Tip of the Sword: it is used to pierce. The verse we just read says God’s word pierces to the the deeper parts of our hearts. It can convict us or tell us what we are doing is wrong or right and get us to change.
TRAINING WITH THE WORD OF GOD
TRAINING WITH THE WORD OF GOD
Q: BEFORE USING A SWORD IN BATTLE, WHAT DID SOLDIERS HAVE TO DO TO GET READY?
Q: WHAT DID A SOLDIER NEED TO DO TO BE GOOD WITH A SWORD? Soldier must be comfortable with it (practice).
Q: Do any of you have to practice music or sports? How often?
They had to train. They had to
Q: HOW DO WE PRACTICE WITH GOD’S WORD? We read it, study it (Q: What is the difference between reading it and studying it? Study = understanding it’s meaning.) Meditate on it. Q: What does that mean? Think about how it applies to your life.
USING THE SWORD OF THE WORD OF GOD!
USING THE SWORD OF THE WORD OF GOD!
Q: WHEN DO WE BATTLE USING THE WORD OF GOD?
Soldier must be comfortable with it (practice). We must have quick access to the Word (study, memorization) and be able to wield it.
Q: Do any of you have to practice music or sports? How often?
Q: HOW DO WE PRACTICE WITH GOD’S WORD? We read it, study it (Q: What is the difference between reading it and studying it? Study = understanding it’s meaning.) Meditate on it. Q: What does that mean? Think about how it applies to your life.
Q: HOW DOES THE WORD OF GOD CUT AND PIERCE?
The Word of God is even more powerful in that the Holy Spirit uses it to cut through to our hearts, getting through justifications and causing us to be convicted.
God’s Word can get through the barriers we tend to put up.
• Soldier must be comfortable with it (practice) • The handle must be easily accessible and is 1st thing the soldier grabs • We must have quick access to the Word (study, memorization) and be able to wield it • Bible references: o - Rightly handling the Word of Truth ▪ We need to use it properly – Study it o - Always be prepared - ▪ Our military trains continually. Use illustration of a military, firefighter or other first responder that you know. Training is always required so they are prepared. • Question: How prepared do you feel to share your story of faith with others o (Our personal testimony is one of the most powerful tools God has given us.) o No one better at handling the Word than Jesus himself whom says IS the Word incarnate. ▪ Read and look at the Temptations of Jesus • Question: How does this passage pertain to The Cross guard of the sword? o (Reference the cross guard on the sword and continue to next section as you answer...) Cross guard: • One use is the Cross Guard provides balance • Main purpose is that it guards • Bible References: o Temptations of Jesus ▪ Devil misused three scriptures and Jesus was able to guard against the misuse he knew the script and the context • (Good place to talk about the importance of context, especially w older ones)
They found the Word of God and the Word pierced the heart of Josiah – God was Merciful.
And Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the secretary, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the Lord.” And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it. And Shaphan the secretary came to the king, and reported to the king, “Your servants have emptied out the money that was found in the house and have delivered it into the hand of the workmen who have the oversight of the house of the Lord.” Then Shaphan the secretary told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it before the king. When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes.
And Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the secretary, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the Lord.” And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it. And Shaphan the secretary came to the king, and reported to the king, “Your servants have emptied out the money that was found in the house and have delivered it into the hand of the workmen who have the oversight of the house of the Lord.” Then Shaphan the secretary told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it before the king. When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes.
because your heart was penitent, and you humbled yourself before the Lord, when you heard how I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and you have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, declares the Lord. Therefore, behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace, and your eyes shall not see all the disaster that I will bring upon this place.’ ” And they brought back word to the king.
2 kINGS
The King was “cut” by the word of God because He knew that He was not living the way that it said and the people were not either. The word of God showed Him how they were not pleasing God.
2 kINGS 22:
THE WORD OF GOD IS USEFUL FOR ALL THE BATTLES IN LIFE.
The handle must be easily accessible and is 1st thing the soldier grabs.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
If we learn it and know it, and understand what it means the word of God will be a help to us in every situation we face.
We must have quick access to the Word (study, memorization) and be able to wield it •
For teaching, reproof, correction, ready for every good work.
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
God’s word is like a lamp.
Q: HOW IS GOD’S WORD LIKE A LAMP? A: It shows us where we need to go and what we need to do in the decisions we make and things we do.
Meditating on God’s word.
- Rightly handling the Word of Truth ▪
Q: WHY DID SOLDIERS ALWAYS HAVE THE SWORDS STRAPPED TO THEIR WAISTS?
They had to always have it ready to use their sword. (They couldn’t say, wait, hold on)
We need to use it properly Study it - Always be prepared -
but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.
WHEN WE ARE BEING TEMPTED TO DO WRONG
WHEN WE ARE BEING TEMPTED TO DO WRONG
JESUS USED GOD’S WORD TO OVERCOME TEMPTATION.
Training is always required so they are prepared
Question: How prepared do you feel to share your story of faith with others.
(Our personal testimony is one of the most powerful tools God has given us.) o No one better at handling the Word than Jesus himself whom says IS the Word incarnate.
Read and look at the Temptations of Jesus
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, “ ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”
MT 4:1
JESUS understands through scripture that living by God’s word is what brings good in life not just fulfilling physical wants.
Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and “ ‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’ ”
(Reference the cross guard on the sword and continue to next section as you answer...) Cross guard: • One use is the Cross Guard provides balance • Main purpose is that it guards • Devil misused three scriptures and Jesus was able to guard against the misuse he knew the script and the context • (Good place to talk about the importance of context, especially w older ones)
Cross guard: • One use is the Cross Guard provides balance • Main purpose is that it guards •
Devil misused three scriptures and Jesus was able to guard against the misuse he knew the script and the context.
(Obj: The enemy can use your own sword against you if you do not know how to use it well enough. That is why we need to know all of God’s word.
Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ”
Mt 4:7
We need to trust God and not have to try to make God prove what He says. That is not trust. When we trust we know God will come through.
Jesus knew that you have to not use a scripture in a way that goes against another scripture.
Question: Do know of any Bible passages that people take out of context?
(Example: Has little to do with Christians gathering to worship). Other examples from other lessons, that lead people to sin...
- Devil is a liar and the father of lies. - For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, ▪ People typically hear what they want to hear.
- False teachers will come (and have come)
But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.
- Follow the example of the Bereans ▪ We are all responsible for our own actions and/or inaction.
Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
Q: HOW DOES THE WORD OF GOD CUT?
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
The Word of God is even more powerful in that the Holy Spirit uses it to cut through to our hearts, getting through justifications and causing us to be convicted.
▪ The Word of God is even more powerful ▪ God’s Word can get through the barriers we tend to put up o , ▪ They found the Word of God and the Word pierced the heart of Josiah – God was Merciful ▪ (Jonah may be another good example) ▪ Question: What Bible verse means a lot to you? How has it affected the way you live? • Question: Do you find yourselves sometimes being apologetic for God’s Word? o We do not need to be ashamed of the gospel ▪ – “I am not ashamed of the gospel…” ▪ The Power is in the Word o – “we cannot help but speak of what we have seen and heard…” ▪ When the truth is in front us we should feel a responsibility to proclaim it o – “All scripture is God breathed…
God’s Word can get through the barriers we tend to put up.
, ▪ They found the Word of God and the Word pierced the heart of Josiah – God was Merciful ▪ (Jonah may be another good example) ▪
Question: What Bible verse means a lot to you? How has it affected the way you live?
Question: Do you find yourselves sometimes being apologetic for God’s Word?
We do not need to be ashamed of the gospel ▪ – “I am not ashamed of the gospel…” The Power is in the Word o – “we cannot help but speak of what we have seen and heard…”
When the truth is in front us we should feel a responsibility to proclaim it.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
Sword Fighters (Game) Fun One on One game that can work in small or big groups. Each student competes against a partner in a sword duel. Tip: Make sure you have a defined space where students can duel. They may take the fighting all over your church building if the game is not contained. Each student finds a partner. Partners stand across from one another. Students then extend their right hand towards each other and interlock thumbs. Once interlocked, each student points out their pointer finger.
When the leader yells GO each student's goal is to push their pointer finger towards their opponent and touch some part of their body. Once one of the students is poked they are out. The winner finds a new partner for a new round. You can either make this a tournament competition of elimination where one student wins all of their rounds and is the group champion, or you could simply have students choose a new partner once their match is over. Note that if students break from one another it is a draw and they have to start over.