Leader Guide

Bible Study

Have children look up and read the passages listed and lead a discussion to dig deeper into God’s weapons.

1. 2 Timothy 1:7:

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

God has given us His Holy Spirit to live inside us and to fill us with power, love, and self-discipline. We do not have to rely on our own strength in a time of weakness.

Ask:

• Explain the advantage God’s power gives us when we are weak. Do you ever feel like giving up or giving in?
• What do we often fear when we go against the crowd and stand for what is right? Rejection, being made fun of.
• Why do we need God’s love in the battle? Not to be bitter or angry with others, not to lash out, but to show God’s love, hoping to draw others to the truth.
• Were the three men timid in our story? Why is it important not to be timid when standing for God? No, they were respectful but bold and unwavering. We are to reflect the power of God in us and our resolve to stand firm.
• What is self-discipline? How does it relate to obedience?

2. Ephesians 6:13–17:

¹³Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. ¹⁴Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. ¹⁵For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. ¹⁶In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.¹⁷ Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Ask:

• Is this armor we actually put on?
• How can we put it on? Reading, believing, living and applying God’s Word. Listening to the Holy Spirit and following His direction.
• Is it okay to just put on some armor? No, every piece.
• Can we put it on one time and forget about it? No, we need to put it on everyday. 
• How do you think knowing and believing you are saved is a helmet to us? What does it protect us from? Doubt and fear; mind games; Satan’s lies that we are not saved, are not God’s child, and that we have failed God if we sin; and He doesn’t love us any longer.
• How can faith stop Satan’s weapons?
• Why do you think it is important to have peace in a battle?
• God’s Word is a sword; a sharp and powerful weapon! Why is it important to know the Word of God? Tells us what is right and wrong. Tells us how to act and what to do.
• How can it help us to fight Satan’s lies? We can know the truth< - when he twists God’s Word to deceive us, we are not confused.
• How can the Word be used as a weapon? Know God’s promises and what He will do for us to cancel out lies. Builds our faith and makes us strong.
• How can God’s Word be used to help us grow and strengthen our weaknesses? Shows us who we are deep inside, exposes areas of weakness and things that need to be cleaned up.<

3. Read Ephesians 6:18:

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

Ask:

• How can prayer be an offensive and defensive weapon?
• What does it mean to pray in the Spirit? Allow God’s Spirit to pray things we don’t understand; submit to His Spirit to pray through us instead of us just saying what we think we should pray. To pray God’s will versus our will.
• Is it important to pray for other believers; why?
• What should we ask God for when we are faced with a trial, testing or temptation?
• Why is it important to start our day with prayer?

Pray: God, thank You for not sending us into the battle empty handed. You have given us powerful weapons to obey You even when others don’t. In Jesus’ name, Amen.