Tutorial: Full Armor of God

Outfit your child with the "Armor of God." This a great activity for this time of year, as the season of costumes approaches. Save your armor for Reformation Day activities (more post on that in October).

The Full Armor of God--Ephesians 6:13-17

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Materials:

• Plastic/play armor (I got mine really cheap at the Dollar Store. Many stores will probably be carrying armor outfits since Halloween is approaching.)
• • Breast plate
  • Sword
  • Helmet
  • Shield

• Old shoes or sandals
• Belt of some kind 
• Permanent marker

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Step One: My plastic armor had creepy dragons on the front of them, so I removed those and drew crosses to replace them. Then, using a permanent marker, I wrote the appropriate words on each piece of plastic armor.

HELMET OF SALVATION

BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

SHIELD OF FAITH

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT

Step Two: I had to get a little creative with the belt of truth and the shoes of readiness, because (of course) they didn't have these at the Dollar Store. So for the feet/shoes of readiness, I grabbed an old pair of sandals. (Fall is a good time to repurpose summer's sandals since they won't fit next year, anyway.) I cut a piece of silver duct tape to cover the top of the shoes and then split the word readi-ness across them. 

SANDALS OF READINESS

Step Three: For the belt, I took two pieces of duct tape and sandwiched them with the belt in the middle.

BELT OF TRUTH

Step Four: Now, you've got on your full armor of God. Wear it proudly and sing some songs like these for your little Solider of the Lord to march to...

Onward, Christian solider!

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before. Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe; forward into battle see his banners go! 

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before.

I'm in the Lord's Army

I may never march in the infantry, Ride in the cavalry, Shoot the artillery.
I may never fly o'er the enemy, But I'm in the Lord's army. (yes, sir!)
I'm in the Lord's army, (yes, sir!) I'm in the Lord's army, (yes, sir!)
I may never march in the infantry, Ride in the Calvary, Shoot the artillery.
I may never fly o'er the enemy, But I'm in the Lord's army. (yes, sir!) 

Comments

[Joanne (The Simple Wife)]

Oh my goodness!

When I worked at Family Bookstore in high school they had a set of this for sale. We'd dress up in it and have sword fights in the aisles...

Love you!

[Robert]

Very creative! I've preached on Ephesians 6 many times--sometimes using a large flannelgraph figure to illustrate, but I admire you for the effort and ingenuity put into this. Keep up the good work!

Your site caught my eye this morning because of the reference to Sabine Baring-Gould's hymn, "Onward, Christian Soldiers," published 145 years ago today. If you'd like to learn a bit more about the man and his song, you can check out my daily blog, Wordwise Hymns, for today. God bless.

[miranda]

I saved this great idea! Thanx!

[MorMor]

I thot about using cardbord boxes - about the same background color as armor - my mother was a FRUGILE Swede and I have 2 grand daughters :-) GREAT IDEA - In my adult Sunday School class,I drew the armor for adults to learn the Bible verse and parts of God's protection.

[Jedediah Martin]

I would like to have a ring with a face piece as a shield a lot like the one you used for your costume. It is just for me, so I when I see the ring on my finger I will remember to keep my shield of faith up.

[bedroom furniture]

great man :D

[cosplay]

For what I've seen is a greatest thing you've taught to your child. It's great to let him build his faith starting when they are young :)