Ephesians 6 teaches children that God gives them everything they need to stand strong against wrong, and that they can obey and love the people God puts in their lives. This lesson works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God gives us his armor so we can stand strong, obey our parents, and do good because we love him.
Memory Verse
Ephesians 6:11
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
(WEB)
Have the children stand tall, then pretend to pull on a helmet, buckle a belt, and lift a shield one piece at a time. Each piece is a reminder that God helps us stay strong.
The Story: Ephesians 6 for Kids
The apostle Paul was writing a letter to friends in a city called Ephesus. He had been put in prison for telling people about Jesus, but he still wrote to encourage them. He wanted them to know that God was with them and would help them every day.
First, Paul spoke to children. He told them to obey their parents, because this is what pleases the Lord. He said that honoring your mother and father is the first commandment that comes with a promise. Paul also spoke to dads and told them not to make their children angry, but to teach them about God with patience and love.
Paul then talked to people who worked for others, and to bosses too. He reminded everyone that God sees every good thing we do, even when no one else does. He told the bosses to treat their workers kindly, because God is the boss of everyone.
Next, Paul told a picture story. He said that a Christian is like a soldier who gets dressed for battle. The soldier wears a belt of truth, a breastplate of right living, shoes ready to share the good news of peace, a shield of faith, a helmet of salvation, and a sword, which is God’s word. Paul said the enemy throws hard things like fiery arrows, but faith can stop them.
Finally, Paul asked his friends to pray for him at all times. He wanted God to help him speak boldly about Jesus. He ended the letter with a sweet blessing of peace and love for all who love the Lord Jesus.
Read It Together
Ephesians 6:1-3
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with a promise: 3 “that it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth.”
(WEB)
Point out that obeying parents is described as right and pleasing to the Lord. Ask children to name one way they can honor their parents this week, and notice the promise that comes with it.
Ephesians 6:13-14
13 Therefore put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness…
(WEB)
Show children that the armor is for standing, not for running. Explain that the belt and breastplate help us stay steady when we face hard choices, and that God gives us these things to use.
Ephesians 6:18
With all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints…
(WEB)
Point out that Paul asks for prayer at all times, not only at bedtime or meals. Help children think of a few moments in their day, like walking to school or waiting in line, when they could talk to God quietly.
Talk About It
- What do you think it means to obey your parents because you love the Lord?
- Which piece of God’s armor do you think helps you the most when you feel scared or unsure, and why?
- How can you be strong for God when no one is watching you?
- What is one hard moment this week when you could pray for help, just like Paul asked?
- How does knowing God is the boss of everyone change the way we treat our friends and helpers?
Activity Ideas
Draw Your Armor
Give each child a sheet of paper and crayons or markers. Ask them to draw a simple soldier, then add a belt, shield, helmet, and sword, labeling each with a word like truth, faith, salvation, and God’s word. Let them take turns explaining their drawing to the group.
Armor Up Relay
Gather paper towel tubes for swords, paper plates for shields, and cardboard for breastplates. Line children up in two teams, and have them race to put on one piece of armor at a time, then run to the finish line and back. Pause at the end to say a short thank you prayer together.
Family Armor Card
Cut a piece of cardstock into a small card and write Ephesians 6:11 on one side with a simple picture of a shield. Let children decorate the other side with stickers or colored shapes. Encourage them to keep it in a pocket or backpack and read it aloud at dinner or bedtime all week.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that the Christian life is both a call to live well in ordinary relationships and a call to stand firm against spiritual opposition. Paul treats family, work, and spiritual warfare as connected parts of faithful living. The armor is described as God’s own provision, so it points to dependence on God rather than personal toughness.
With children, avoid making the spiritual battle sound frightening or suggest that every hard feeling is a demon attacking them. Keep the focus on God’s protection, his love, and the simple call to obey and pray.
A Prayer to Close
Father, thank you for giving us your armor to help us stand strong. Help us obey our parents and honor them, because we love you. Teach us to pray at all times, and to trust you when things feel hard. Keep us close to you every day. Amen.
