Leader Guide

Object Lesson

Can of paint
Paint brush
Small unpainted wood board
Bottle or tube of sunscreen
Beach towel
Sunglasses
Table
Bible (printed copy) and the Superbook Bible App

Gather as many as you can of the above listed items; or, if preferred, substitute other items and adjust the presentation accordingly.

Place the gathered items at one end of the table.

ice for the best time. You will need one plate per child plus 6 plates and 6 balls.

The SuperVerse tells us that God equips us and produces in us all that we need to do His will and live according to His Word in the Bible.

The word “equip” means to furnish or supply what is necessary for a particular purpose, service or action.

Stand behind the table with the paint supplies in front of you.

Let’s see, I’ve got a brush, a can of paint, and a board. I’ve definitely been equipped with all I need to paint this board.

What if I choose to not open the paint, dip the brush in it, and apply the paint to the board? Would the board still be protected against things like rain, snow, and the sun? Children respond.

What should I do? Use the brush and paint the board.

Move the painting items to the side; and put the beachball, towel, sunscreen, and sunglasses in front of you. Where would you use these things? At the beach or swimming pool.

Let’s say that someone in your family gathered all of these items so you would be protected and have fun at the beach or pool. However, you left your house and chose not to take any of the items with you. Would that please the person who cared for you and wanted you to be fully equipped? No!

What if you took the sunscreen but didn’t bother to put it on when the sun was bright and hot? We would get sunburned!

The point is, someone can equip you with all you need, but if you don’t choose to use it, it doesn’t benefit anyone! Also, the person who took the time to supply it for you would be disappointed.

God never asks us to do something without providing all that we need to be successful. One powerful way He equips us is by providing invisible spiritual armor so we can be prepared for whatever we encounter.

Please listen carefully as I read Ephesians 6:13–17 so you can hear all He provides and what we are expected to do with His effective and powerful gifts to us.

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. 17Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

What does God expect us to do with this armor? Put it on, hold up the shield, take the sword, put on the helmet, put on the shoes.

God provides powerful, invisible tools and weapons to live victoriously and to stand strong as we serve Him and help others. We can become heroes in God’s eyes when we live by faith, truth and obedience, when we stand in Christ’s righteousness, when we are filled with His peace, and when we share the Gospel with others. He supplies us with everything we need to be successful. But God won’t dress us. He won’t put a sword in our hands! We must choose to pick up, put on, and use all the equipment that He provides for us to be heroes for Him!

Pick up the Bible and/or a smart phone with the Superbook Bible app.

God’s Word equips us for every situation and every temptation we may face.

Psalm 119:11 says:

I have hidden Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You.

The more we get to know God’s Word, the more we know how to live and what pleases Him!