READ ALL OR PARTS OF Matthew 23:1-36 FROM YOUR BIBLE OR WATCH THE BIBLE STORY VIDEO.

DISCUSSION: Have you ever worn armor? (Probably not) What about protective gear for a sport or for biking/scootering?

Follow up question – Has it been helpful? Have you needed the protection – or wished you had the protection when you forgot or didn’t put it on?



STORY: The speed and intensity of NASCAR races is amazing. Drivers push their car to speeds above 200 miles per hour on a racetrack with other cars, that are also going 200 miles per hour, and there is a high probability that they will bump into each other! It takes a certain amount of guts for those drivers to get into the car and do what they do. They can have confidence because they trust the safety equipment around them to protect them. In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul reminds believers of the confidence they can have in facing the battles of this world because God has given them His armor for protection. In the letter, Paul reminds the people of all the reasons they can be bold and confident. He reminds them that because Jesus Christ has already defeated sin and conquered death, Christians also get to claim that victory. Thought Satan tries to do battle against us, we can put on the truth, righteousness, faith, and salvation that we have in Christ. We can stand up and battle against evil because everything we need to fight has been supplied to us in Christ!

QUESTION: Do we need to fear Satan or evil if we belong to Jesus?

ANSWER: While Satan and evil are real, we do not need to fear them. God is stronger and more powerful than Satan and evil. When we trust in Jesus, we are His forever and that nothing can take us away from Him. While Satan is our enemy, Jesus holds the victory.

QUESTION: Do we need to put on our spiritual armor every day?

ANSWER: WE should! “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 – truth, righteousness, gospel of peace, salvation, and the Spirit are never bad things to focus on, remember, and have.

WORK ON MEMORIZING OUR SCRIPTURE VERSE!

Heavenly Father,

Thank You, God, for giving us victory in Jesus. Help us to put on Your armor to stand and fight. Even when we see evil around us in the world, help us to battle with confidence because Jesus has conquered sin and death. The victory belongs to Jesus!

AMEN