Single lesson

The Armour of God

Ephesians 6:10–20

This lesson helps children see that Paul uses armour as a picture for being spiritually ready. The passage teaches standing firm in the Lord, using truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, God’s word, and prayer.

6–10 years30 minutes

Before you teach

In these verses, Paul closes with a strong instruction. He tells believers to be strong in the Lord, to put on the whole armour of God, and to pray watchfully for all the saints. He also asks for prayer so he can speak the good news boldly.

Learning aim

Students will be able to name the pieces of God’s armour in Ephesians 6:10–18 and explain that this imagery teaches spiritual readiness to stand firm.

Welcome: What is armour for?

5 min

Show or describe simple protective items such as a hat, raincoat, or bike helmet, then explain that Paul uses armour as a picture. Read Ephesians 6:10-11 aloud from the printed passage and ask children to listen for who makes believers strong and why they need God’s armour. Emphasise that the strength comes from the Lord, not from ourselves.

Ephesians 6:10, Ephesians 6:11

Read and explain: Standing firm in God’s strength

8 min

Read the whole passage slowly. Explain that Paul says the struggle is not against flesh and blood, so this passage is not teaching believers to fight people. He repeats the idea of standing and withstanding. Then walk through the armour pieces in order: truth, righteousness, readiness for the good news of peace, faith, salvation, and the word of God.

Ephesians 6:12, Ephesians 6:13, Ephesians 6:14, Ephesians 6:15, Ephesians 6:16, Ephesians 6:17

Discuss: What does each piece show?

6 min

Ask children to match each armour piece with the word or phrase Paul gives it. Keep answers tied to the text. Point out that the shield of faith is used against the fiery darts of the evil one, and the sword of the Spirit is identified as the word of God. Note that prayer is included all through this readiness.

Ephesians 6:14, Ephesians 6:15, Ephesians 6:16, Ephesians 6:17, Ephesians 6:18

Make and respond: Paper armour display

7 min

Children trace a simple person shape or use a drawn outline on paper. Add labelled armour pieces: belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of the good news of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and sword of the Spirit. As they place each piece, have them say the exact words from the passage where possible.

Ephesians 6:14, Ephesians 6:15, Ephesians 6:16, Ephesians 6:17

Closing: Prayer and boldness

4 min

Finish by reading Ephesians 6:18-20. Explain that Paul does not end with armour only, but with prayer, watchfulness, perseverance, and a request for bold speech. Invite the group to name one truth they learned from the passage, then close with a short prayer asking God to help them stand firm and pray for others.

Ephesians 6:18, Ephesians 6:19, Ephesians 6:20

Questions to explore

According to the passage, where does our strength come from?

Look at Paul’s opening words and answer with the phrase he uses, rather than giving a general idea.

Ephesians 6:10

What does Paul say our struggle is not against?

Use the exact contrast in the verse to notice that this passage is not about fighting people.

Ephesians 6:12

Which item of armour is called the word of God?

Find the piece that Paul names and then read the explanation attached to it.

Ephesians 6:17

Make, think or respond

Label the Armour Display

What you’ll need

plain paper
pencils or markers
scissors
glue

Try it together

Draw a simple person outline on a sheet of paper.
Draw or cut out six armour pieces and write the matching words from the passage on each one.
Glue the pieces onto the outline in the order they appear in Ephesians 6:14-17.
Read the labels aloud together and add a final note on the page: 'Pray at all times.'

This activity helps children remember that Paul uses each piece of armour to picture spiritual readiness in Ephesians 6:14-18.

Adapt for your group

For younger children, prepare the outline and armour shapes in advance and focus on naming each piece with its matching word from the text.
For older or more confident children, ask them to add a sentence under each piece explaining how it helps someone stand firm, using the wording of Ephesians 6:10-18.

An optional closing prayer

Proposed words: Lord, help us be strong in you, stand firm, remember your truth, and pray for others with perseverance and boldness.

Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic

Ephesians 6

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

¹² For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

¹³ Therefore put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

¹⁴ Stand therefore, having the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

¹⁵ and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Good News of peace,

¹⁶ above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one.

¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

¹⁸ with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints.

¹⁹ Pray for me, that utterance may be given to me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the Good News,

²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

World English Bible Classic. Public domain.