Armor of God Preschool Theme

This Armor of God Preschool Theme is based on the Bible book of Ephesians 6:13-18.  Read, pray and reflect on this passage.  Also read where the Armor of God is referred to by Isaiah in Isaiah 11:4-5 and 59:17.

You'll find more themes to help you with your planning on my bible preschool themes page.

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Let's Review the Scripture!

This theme for preschoolers is typically taught concretely and sometimes it is avoided because of the battle references.

That is not the purpose of this section of the Bible!  Let's have a mini Bible study together!

Ephesians 6:10-18:

"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people." (NIV)

The armor Paul is talking about here is concerning "the achievement of righteousness & justice and the proclamation of God's truth that brings peace." (1)

Let's look at each piece of armor and their biblical meanings and keep this in mind as we carry out activities with our preschoolers.

-Belt of Truth:  A belt was an item put on before the others.  Integrity of character, truthfulness (as in faithfulness to God).  Preschool translation:  Don't lie!

-Breastplate of Righteousness:  A breastplate covers the majority of a person's major and most important organs.  Righteousness is a moral quality, biblically it is the state of moral perfection required by God.  We can not be righteous on our own, but do so through faith in Christ.  Therefore, the breastplate of righteousness refers faithfulness in God through Christ.  Preschool translation:  Do good things that honor God.

-Feet fitted:  The footwear used in battle allowed sturdy grounding. Here, feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the Gospel of peace refers to standing strong in the word of God.  It refers to a readiness of action-to spread the Gospel.  Preschool translation:  Talk about God.

-Shield of Faith:  A shield is used in battle to deflect arrows, missiles or other items projected during battle and could be moved toward the direction of the items.  Many shields at that time were watered down and could therefore extinguish flaming missiles and arrows.  Our sheild of faith is our faith is the faith that saves us (Ephesians 2:8).  Preschool translation: Have faith.

Isaiah 59:17 and 1 Thessalonians 5:8 both refer to the breastplate (as one of faith and love) as well as helmet of salvation.

-Helmet of Salvation:  A helmet, obviously, protects the head.  Putting on a helmet of salvation reminds us to, with our heads, remain strong in our faith and our hope of salvation (how God saves or rescues us) and He has, through Christ!  Preschool translation: God protects me.

-Sword of the Spirit:  In this list of pieces of armor, the sword is the only one that is used for offense as opposed to defense.  The sword of the Spirit refers speaking the word of God--spreading the Gospel. Preschool translation:  The Bible is God's word.

-And pray!  We should teach our children to be aware of the needs of those around us.  Our friends, friends' families or others who may be sick and pray for them.  Teach them to pray together for the needs of those around them.  Prayer is another theme that will be on the page soon.

In summary, as we use concrete activities for teaching of each piece of armor, remember to talk to you preschoolers about what piece of Armor of God is about.  Scripture is using armor that is used for physical battle as a metaphor to teach us how to live as Christians and how to respond and treat each other.

Let the Theme planning begin!

This  page includes preschool lesson plans, activities and Interest Learning Center ideas for your Preschool Classroom!

You can either scroll down through this page to see all of the preschool activities for your theme or click the link below to go to specific preschool activity types you are looking for.

To read my Statement of Faith, click here.

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ARMOR Art Activities Block Area Circle Time Activities Dramatic Play Ideas Gross Motor Games Library and Literacy Math And Manipulatives Activities Music and Movement Sand and Water Table Science Activities Writing Activities

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Art Activities

Armor of God Theme Art

Shield of Faith

Materials Needed: poster board cut out into shield shapes, crayons or markers, a cross stencil, glue and misc. arts and craft supplies

On the top of the shield, encourage the children to print the following "Trust in God" on their shield shape.

They trace a cross on the shield. 

The children color and decorate the shield and print their name on it.

VARIATION:  Use lighter weight paper, only use crayons or markers to decorate and make into a kite!

Self-Portrait Cards

Each child makes a self-portrait and prints their name on their paper. They can paint, color, make a collage of themselves, whichever you choose.

At the end of the day, they trade their pictures with a friend.

Send a note home that they have a prayer card and their child will be praying for the person whose self portrait they have.

Belt of Truth

Give the children a belt made from construction paper pieces taped or stapled together.

Let them paint with watercolor paints.  

When dried, add their Monogram Letter (see Easel activity below) to it.

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Block Area

Armor of God Theme Block Center Ideas

Walls of Protection

Provide little people, horses and blocks for the children to build forts, castles and other structures.

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Circle Time Activities

Armor of God Theme Circle Time Ideas

Circle Time is such a great time for children to learn the social skills of being together as a large group AND to learn more about your theme!

Story Prop Box

Bring the following items in a box to bring to circle to introduce the story:

umbrella (protects us from rain and sun); flashlight (keeps us safe in the dark); healthy piece of food (to stay strong); pair of shoes (to protect feet from walking on things we shouldn't); belt; crown (helmet of salvation to remind us of the promise of Christ)

Show the children one item.  Have them identify it and talk about what it is used for.  

Introduce the story.  Tell them that today's story is about us putting on "the full armor of God".  And it helps to protect us from making poor choices, doing things we shouldn't, etc.

Bible Story

Read this Bible story often at Circle Time throughout the week.

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Dramatic Play Ideas

Armor of God Theme Ideas to Transform Your Dramatic Play Area

Dress up in the Times

Provide biblical times cloths (long robes, dresses, headpieces, etc.) along with some armor of God.  

You can purchase it or make up your own belt, shield, etc.

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Gross Motor Games

Armor of God Theme Large Group Games 

that help build their muscles while they have fun together

Shoe Relay

Have the children take off one shoe and place it in a basket on the opposite side of the room.

Pair up the children.  Have one of the pair look at their partner's shoe and then go to the basket and find the matching shoe and bring it to their partner.

They help their friend put on their shoe.

The other partner then goes and does the same.

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Library and Literacy

Armor of God Theme Ideas for Your Library and Literacy Activities for your Preschool Classroom

Book Suggestions for the Library

(I LOVE Amazon, and some of the links below will take you to the Amazon website.  If you do choose to purchase yours through Amazon, they do send me a few cents--which supports my coffee habit! )

Benny Wears God's Armor by Erika Barnowsky

God's Armor for Me by Amelia Shearer

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Math And Manipulatives Activities

Armor of God Theme Activities to help your Preschoolers develop those small muscles in their hands and develop their math skills!

Lacing Shoes

In advance, cut out different types of shoe and boot shapes.

Laminate.

Punch holes around the perimeter of the shape.

Provide lacing string for the children to lace.

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Music and Movement

Armor of God Theme Music and Movement Activities and Ideas to get your Preschoolers Movin' and Groovin'!

I'm in the Lord's Army

I may never march in the infantry

Ride in the cavalry

Shoot the artillery

I may never fly o'er the enemy

But I'm in the Lord's army!

Yes Sir!

I'm in the Lord's army!

Yes sir!

I'm in the Lord's army!

Yes sir!

I may never march in the infantry

Ride in the cavalry

Shoot the artillery

I may never fly o'er the enemy

But I'm in the Lord's army!

Yes sir!

My God is So Great

This is one of my favorites.  Teach the children some hand motions to go with each verse!

My God is so big, so strong and so mighty

There's nothing my God cannot do (stomp feet twice)

My God is so big, so strong and so mighty

There's nothing my God cannot do  (stomp stomp)

He made the trees

He made the seas

He made the elephants too

My God is so big, so strong and so mighty

There's nothing my God cannot do (stomp, stomp)

My God is so great, so strong and so mighty

There's nothing my God cannot do (stomp, stomp)

My God is so great, so strong and so mighty

There's nothing my God cannot do (stomp, stomp)

The mountains are his

The rivers are his

The skies are his handy works too

My God is so great, so strong and so mighty

There's nothing my God cannot do (stomp, stomp)

There's nothing my God cannot do (stomp, stomp)

There's nothing my God cannot do (stomp, stomp)

For you (say loudly and point at each other!)

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Sand and Water Table

Armor of God Theme Activities for the Senses!

Sinking Slowly

Provide items that will float at first but then sink such as pieces of different types of paper; cardboard; a cup.

They float but as the water gets to them more and more, they sink.  

We are strong and saved and protected by God.  We need to continue to learn about him and live our lives as he has shown us in His word, the Bible, or slowly, we will become weak and give in to temptations.

For example: God does not want us to lie.  It is displeasing to Him and hurts others.  If we stop thinking about these Godly things, it will become easier for us to just tell a little lie, then a bigger one.  

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Science Activities

Armor of God Theme Science Activities--for your Preschool Scientists in Training!

Removing the Armor

Materials needed:  2 oranges, a large clear bowl 3/4 full of water.

Place the oranges in the water.  They are floating.  Talk about oranges and what is on the outside and the inside.

Is the inside getting wet from the water?  Why not? (the peel protects it just like the armor of God protects us).

Discuss the armor of God one piece at a time.  Read the Bible story one line at a time, explaining what each part means (see section at beginning of this page).

After you discuss one piece of armor, remove one piece of the orange peel of one orange and return to the water.

Discuss next piece of armor.  Take the orange and remove another piece of peel.

Continue as you do each piece of armor.

Slowly, the orange will sink lower and lower.

As you talk about each piece and remove a piece of peel, ask the children what they think something they could do would be that would remove that piece of armor (i.e. Belt of Truth:  if you lie).

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Writing Activities

Writing Activity Ideas for Your Armor of God Theme!

Prayer List

Help the children pray for those around them in need.

Print "I am praying for" on the top of a paper (have one for each child at the writing center).

The children print the names and draw pictures of those they are praying for.

Pray with the children over the list.

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Go to main BIBLE THEMES page from this Armor of God Page

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Go to main GENERAL THEMES page

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