Leader Guide
Shield Skit
- 10 socks, rolled into balls; or 10 sheets of paper, crumpled into balls
- A basket, box or bag to hold the “balls”
- One adult or teen assistant
- Two 5th or 6th graders to be Actors 1 and 2
- Clean trash can lid, costume shield, or poster board decorated like a shield
Prior to class, assign the two actors and assistant their parts, but do not give Actor 2 all the details. See activity instructions.
You may wish to keep the balls to use in Lesson 2.
Place the shield and the container of balled-up socks or paper balls near you, on one side of the front of the room.
Have Actor 2 go into the hallway with the teen or adult assistant. Leave the door open for safety, but be sure they stay out of view so they cannot see what happens to Actor 1. Do not tell Actor 2 exactly what will happen beforehand; just say to follow the directions Actor 1 will give in the hallway.
Do the short skit without explaining what is happening to the class. This will catch them off guard and grab their attention. You will discuss what happened after the skit is over.
Have Actor 1 stand in the front of room several feet away from you. Suddenly shout, “It’s time for a test!” Immediately begin throwing the paper balls at Actor 1, avoiding head shots. Actor 1 should act surprised and try to avoid getting hit, but basically must endure the “attack.”
Loudly enough for the whole class to hear, tell Actor 1 to go into the hallway and get Actor 2. In the hallway, where the class cannot hear, Actor 1 should tell Actor 2 that when you say: “It’s time for a test,” Actor 2 should quickly pick up the shield and use it for protection. Actor 1 should not mention the balls.
Gather the balls from the floor into the container, then stand where Actor 1 had originally stood.
Actors 1 and 2 should come in and stand where you had been standing by the shield. Shout, “It’s time for a test!” Pause for a moment as Actor 2 picks up the shield, then begin to throw the balls, which should be blocked with the shield.
Have everyone sit down to begin the discussion.
Let’s read what Jesus told Peter. Read Luke 22:31–32:
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to Me again, strengthen your brothers.”
What does this mean?
Jesus told Peter that Satan was going to sift and test him, but also that Jesus had prayed for him. He said that after Peter had been tested and restored, he was to strengthen his brothers—meaning the other believers.
In our skit, when I threw balls at Name of Actor 1, what did this represent?
Yes, this represented a test or trial. Now, when Name of Actor 2 came into the room and went through the same test, what happened that was different?
Yes, Name of Actor 2 picked up the shield and used it for protection. How do you think Name of Actor 2 knew to pick up the shield?
Yes, Name of Actor 1 went through the test and then helped prepare Name of Actor 2 by saying to use the shield!
Optional: read Ephesians 6:16:
In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.
Jesus wanted Peter to use his experience to help other people who may go through similar trials. And He wants us to do this, as well!
This skit was lots of fun, but tests in real life are not fun or easy. Yet God allows trials and tests into our lives to strengthen us, so we can mature and grow spiritually as followers of Jesus. Through testing, we can learn about ourselves and discover weaknesses and strengths under pressure in difficult situations.
We may think we know what we will say or do; but until we are tested, we really can’t be sure. Peter found this out the hard way! And after Peter was restored, he strengthened others.
In the same way, we can share the lessons we learn from going through hard times to help other people.