Matthew 10:34-42
Dave Yeiser
3-16-25
Gather
- A covered picnic basket/hamper. Fill it with toy armor and weapons (swords, bow/arrows, etc…). If you don’t have toys, substitute pictures of these items. Keep the basket covered until the application section.
- Material from Voice of the Martyrs or Global Christian Relief to understand persecution Christians are facing around the world
Introduction
Watch this clip from the History Channel about the first battle of Bull Run (2 mins.)
Background
Ask: What did the people of Washington DC, who came out to picnic and watch the battle think it would be like? Why did they think that?
What happened instead? How long did the War actually last?
Is a battle a place for a picnic?
Do you remember from our study of the armor of God what kind of war are we fighting? Who is our enemy?
Looking into the scripture passage
Let’s look at some Bible verses that describe our enemy.
Read: 1 Peter 5:8
Ask: What is Satan like and what does he want to do to Christians?
Read: 1 John 5:19
Ask: What does Satan rule over?
Read: Revelation 20:2
Ask: What is Satan like and what does he want to do to Christians?
Do you think Satan ever takes a break from trying to do these things to Christians? No! He knows that he was defeated by Jesus’ death and resurrection and he will one day be cast into the lake of burning fire. Until then he wants to cause as much harm as he can to the people of his enemy, God.
Ask: Could you ever walk through the lion’s territory (or the snake’s or the dragon’s) without being alert for him? Can we ever stop being alert for him and his attacks on us?
Ask: Do you think following Jesus is safe? Let’s see what Jesus says about it.
Read: Matthew 10:38-39
Ask: Does your answer change after reading these verses? What does Jesus say following him means? It means being willing to lose even your life for his sake.
Is that “safe?” Is it safe to be a soldier?
Apply the passage
Activity 1
Ask the kids what they think might be in the picnic basket. Open it and begin taking out each item, talking about its importance in fighting Satan (see Ephesians 6:10-18). Being a soldier in God’s army isn’t “safe,” but it is secure! We are on the winning side (see Romans 16:20)!
Activity 2
Visit a war memorial site in your town. Talk about soldiers who have died for their country and how Christians both live and die for a better country, one built by God. Use material from the VOM or GCR to learn about people who are dying for Jesus even today. Pray for the specific persecuted Christians you read about. Ask God to strengthen your faith to love Jesus with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Memorize
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called….
1 Timothy 6:12a
Practice the verse
- Create a poster with the verse written in bold lettering and some of these elements:
–photos of persecuted Christians (from VOM and/or GCR)
–other verse references about our battle (see above as well as the devotion archives from the armor of God series)
–pictures/drawings of the armor of God
- Army march around the house each day, saying the verse as you go.
Extra Stuff
Dig Deeper (for older kids and parents)
Look at the promises of God’s word in these verses
John 12:31 1 John 4:4
James 4:7 Revelation 20:10
Songs to sing
“The Lord’s Army” (traditional children’s Sunday School song)
“A Mighty Fortress is our God” (traditional hymn by Martin Luther)
“O Church Arise” (Keith Getty)
