A Field Guide To The Wiles of the Devil: Parent Resources

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 6:12

As we journey through our current sermon campaign, “A Field Guide to the Wiles of the Devil,” it is our prayer that we would be unified as a body. This includes equipping families to have conversations about spiritual warfare, a topic that overwhelms even many adults. 

In the first three sermons of this campaign, two things are clear— the spiritual battle we are in [Eph. 6:13] is real and God has given us all that we need to wage war. So how do you communicate this to your children?

Below you will find different resources linked as well as some discussion points. 

Resources

Tiny Theologians Armor of God cards. These discipleship cards provide conversation starters for the different pieces of armor outlined in Ephesians 6:10-20.

Pilgrims Progress

There are many versions of this story written for kids. Some will be available at our resource table on Sundays, but there are many online as well. One is linked here, and there are also coloring books that accompany this version at the same link:

Jesus Storybook Bible

This is what we use with preschool kids during our Sunday gatherings and it is available on our resource table. Specifically, the story entitled “A Terrible Lie” (page 28) would equip parents of younger children to discuss the fall of man and why spiritual warfare exists.

Scripture memory

I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11

Kids are able to memorize Scripture with you! Pastor Jeth has encouraged the family of Doxa to memorize Ephesians 6:10-20 as we continue through this campaign. Encouraging your kids to join alongside you is modeling a spiritual discipline that will benefit them long after the campaign is finished. To hide God’s Word in our hearts is to prepare for battles to come in the future, to secure the belt of truth firmly around our waist. Try starting simple, with one verse at a time for a few days during mealtime. You will be surprised at how quickly they are able to memorize! 

Discussion Points

The battle is real. Spiritual warfare is an abstract concept even for adults to grasp. On a child’s level, a spiritual battle might look like wanting to lie to their parents, being tempted to cheat in school, wanting to bully other students, or fighting with their siblings. 

God has given us everything we need to be a soldier in the battle and He has already fought the battle for us. In Ephesians 6:10-20, Scripture outlines the different pieces of armor that are available to us to go into battle (to fight against the temptation to lie, cheat, fight, etc.). God has been good to provide the analogy of a soldier going into war for us so that we can better understand that these are pieces of armor we need to put on.

Belt of Truth: Pastor Jeth preached specifically about verse 14, that we are to “fasten on the belt of truth.” This is a great opportunity to explain to children that truth is defined by God’s Word, which is a different message than is given by our culture. We fasten on the belt of truth through reading and memorizing Scripture. This is also an opportunity to discuss with kids that Jesus first and perfectly puts on this armor for us and as an example to us. When He was tempted in the wilderness, He used Scripture to defend Himself. This is Jesus demonstrating what it means to fasten on the belt of truth!

Written by Taylor Bumgarner, The Director of Doxa Kids