The Armor Of God
Children's sermon
The Giant Book Of Children's Sermons
Matthew To Revelation
Object: a football uniform with all the equipment
Good morning, boys and girls. How many of you go to your school's football games with your parents or friends? Do any of you play football? (let them answer) Some of you go to the games, and some of you even play football. It's a pretty rough game, isn't it? (let them answer) Do you ever get hurt playing? (let them answer) When I watch the games at the stadium or on television, I always think about what a rough game football is, and how easy it would be to get hurt. Of course, I know that the uniform that each football player wears helps to protect him, and also helps him to be a better player.
Have you ever seen all the parts of a football player's uniform? (let them answer) I brought one along with me this morning so that you could see all the parts. (show each pad and tell them where it goes in the uniform) You can see how many different parts it takes to protect the body against injury. There is something for the knee, the hip, the thigh, the ribs, the shoulder, and the head. When you are wearing all these pads, it means that you can hit harder and you can take harder hits from other football players.
Christians are a little bit like football players. We have to play in a pretty rough world sometimes with people who are not so nice. Some people we know like to lie and do mean things. Others play unfair and cheat while some will do anything to hurt someone else. If you are a Christian, you can't do the same things that they do. We don't want you to lie or steal from someone else and hurt them because you were hurt. A Christian cannot do those kinds of things. That is why the Apostle Paul tells us to help ourselves with a different kind of equipment. Pretend that these shoulder pads are called "forgiveness" and that this helmet is called "truth." We can name the knee pads the "love" that God has for you and the hip pads, "honesty." When you put on all the good things that God has to give you to protect you in this world, then you are safe. I know that some people are going to try and hurt you, and sometimes you will wonder if it is worth being a Christian. But I know that it is, and you will know that it is also when you know how you feel after telling the truth, or after forgiving someone who has tried to hurt you.
Jesus has a special place for the people who wear his kind of protection, and I know that you will want to share what he has for you. The next time you see a football player, remember the kind of pads that God is asking you to wear, and you will know how much he cares for you in this world. God bless you.
Good morning, boys and girls. How many of you go to your school's football games with your parents or friends? Do any of you play football? (let them answer) Some of you go to the games, and some of you even play football. It's a pretty rough game, isn't it? (let them answer) Do you ever get hurt playing? (let them answer) When I watch the games at the stadium or on television, I always think about what a rough game football is, and how easy it would be to get hurt. Of course, I know that the uniform that each football player wears helps to protect him, and also helps him to be a better player.
Have you ever seen all the parts of a football player's uniform? (let them answer) I brought one along with me this morning so that you could see all the parts. (show each pad and tell them where it goes in the uniform) You can see how many different parts it takes to protect the body against injury. There is something for the knee, the hip, the thigh, the ribs, the shoulder, and the head. When you are wearing all these pads, it means that you can hit harder and you can take harder hits from other football players.
Christians are a little bit like football players. We have to play in a pretty rough world sometimes with people who are not so nice. Some people we know like to lie and do mean things. Others play unfair and cheat while some will do anything to hurt someone else. If you are a Christian, you can't do the same things that they do. We don't want you to lie or steal from someone else and hurt them because you were hurt. A Christian cannot do those kinds of things. That is why the Apostle Paul tells us to help ourselves with a different kind of equipment. Pretend that these shoulder pads are called "forgiveness" and that this helmet is called "truth." We can name the knee pads the "love" that God has for you and the hip pads, "honesty." When you put on all the good things that God has to give you to protect you in this world, then you are safe. I know that some people are going to try and hurt you, and sometimes you will wonder if it is worth being a Christian. But I know that it is, and you will know that it is also when you know how you feel after telling the truth, or after forgiving someone who has tried to hurt you.
Jesus has a special place for the people who wear his kind of protection, and I know that you will want to share what he has for you. The next time you see a football player, remember the kind of pads that God is asking you to wear, and you will know how much he cares for you in this world. God bless you.
