Worship Service

Psalm 139:1-18

1 O Lord, you have searched me, and you know me. 2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4 Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord. 5 You hem me in-behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. 7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. 11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," 12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. 13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well. 15My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, 16 your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. 17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! 18 Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you.   

Ephesians 6:10-20 

Children learn about the Armor of God, putting on spiritual protection against Satan's evil plans. Using catcher's gear as a metaphor, they discover the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, feet fitted with the gospel of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and sword of the Spirit. Ephesians 6:10-20 teaches kids to wear God's armor daily, trusting in Jesus for victory over Satan. 

Get Ready: If you do not have access to catcher’s gear, substitute these supplies with those suggested. The card stock can be rolled so it has a curve to fit around your shin when you show it to the kids. 

How many of you have watched a Major League Baseball game? (Pause.) What is some of the equipment that baseball players need? (Invite kids to respond.)

One player on the team--the catcher--has some very special equipment. The catcher is in a very dangerous spot right behind the batter and needs certain equipment for protection. (Invite kids to name each piece of equipment, and reveal the supplies as they’re named. If you have real catcher’s equipment, pass it around. If you’re using substitute items, invite kids to share whether they think the substitutes will work, and have fun with it!) 

The mask protects the catcher's face from foul tips or pitches that might get past the glove. The glove protects the hand from balls. (Put on the mask and glove.) The chest protector protects the middle part of the body. (Put on the chest protector.)  Finally, the catcher wears shin guards to protect the knees and legs. (Put on the shin protectors.) No catcher would ever think of going into the game without this protective equipment.

The Bible teaches us that you and I need protection in our lives, too. The Bible calls it the armor of God, which protects us from Satan's evil plans to hurt us. What kind of protection does the Bible say that we need? Let’s go through each piece together: 

The belt of truth: The Bible tells us that God’s enemy, Satan, is the "father of lies," but Satan can never win if we hold onto the truth that Jesus is Lord. (Lead kids to pretend to put on a belt.)

The breastplate of righteousness: Satan can never harm us when we choose to do what God says is right. (Lead kids to pretend to put on a breastplate.)

Feet fitted with the gospel of peace: Satan tries to create worry and confusion in our lives, but knowing Jesus brings peace. (Lead kids to pretend to put on shoes.)

The shield of faith: Satan will try to plant seeds of doubt in our hearts and minds, but those seeds of doubt can never take root if we have faith in Jesus. (Lead kids to pretend to hold a shield.)

The helmet of salvation: Jesus came from heaven to earth to save us from the evil one. If we choose to follow Jesus, we will win the battle against Satan. (Lead kids to pretend to put on a helmet.)

The sword of the Spirit: the Bible, God's holy Word, is a powerful weapon against Satan. (Lead kids to pretend to hold a sword.)

Just as a catcher needs protective equipment, Christians need all the protection God has given us. Remember, Satan cannot harm us when we put on the "full armor of God."

Dear God, thank You for the protection that You have given us against the evils of this world and Satan’s plans to harm us. Help us to always remember to put on every piece of Your armor. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.