Live a life of Love (Ephesians 4:25-32, 5:1-2)
'No put downs'It can be easy to fall into the trap of using this bible passage to teach a lesson on behaviour modification, but perhaps there is more in the passage than a list of behavioural changes.
Ephesians 5:1-2 has a beautiful summary of these words: "Live a life filled with love". Think about how your words can build up someone as you live a life filled with love, and how this can be an overflow of a heart for Jesus. Check out the link above for great ideas of how to do this. Love looks like this"Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God" Ephesians 5:1-2 (NLT)
After a long list of instructions, Paul sums up this passage by reminding us what love looks like. Love looks like Jesus, offering his life for us. Love looks like sacrifice, acceptance, grace, humility and faithfulness. |
Intergenerational Worship
Intergen Australia have a great collection of resources for exploring this topic, written and compiled by Rev Beth Nicholls.
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The Armour of God (Ephesians 6: 10-20)
Putting on the armour of GodDiscuss and make the armour of God.
This resource has a full lesson plan: Question pages for discussing each part of the armour and then making the armour. The activity can be done in groups, with each group making one part of the armour or the full armour, depending on time and available resources. Resources needed:
Activities
Lollipop Soldier
The idea is from a Dutch website, Trak Tatie and while there are no english instructions, you can see how easy it is to make it
You will need
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Intergenerational StoriesThe armour of God is for all ages! Why not use this opportunity to ask other generations to share how they have needed God's armour in their lives. Consider inviting a couple other people to share their stories -- from kids, intermediates, teenagers, young adults, adults, seniors. You could film their responses and create a video for your whole church to be encouraged by the faithfulness of all generations.
Children's MinistryThe Salvation Army have a good Junior Soldier resource with some teaching ideas, questions to ask and interactive learning. You can find it here
Dress Me Up ArmourTaken from the Teachers Pay Teachers website (you'll need to sign up for a free account) at this link
"Teaching on the Armor of God?? Here is a fun lesson that can get really personal. Each child colors a paper version of him or herself (which can be mounted, laminated, felted..etc.) As you teach through each piece of armor, the children can cut, color, and dress "themselves" until they are covered with the "whole armor of God."
Minecraft Soldier
We loved the Mylittlehouse.org nativity set they did a few years ago, which are similar in style to Minecraft figures.
Here they have an armour of god soldier to make. They're not the simplest of things to construct, but good for kids who like a challenge. Perhaps provide them with the materials to start at church and finish at home, if you're limited with time. You can download the template here Armour of God illustrationsThere are some beautiful Armour of God illustrations and worksheets on the mighty interweb, and these are some of our favourites:
Armour of God -- girl in armour to colour in, from Melonheadz Blog. 
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Media
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These videos below talk more about how the armour of God defends us against the work of the devil/satan. You may like to watch them first before deciding if they are appropriate for your children.
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