Guard Your Heart

Co-Host Tag you’re it!

(Host jumps and screams.)

Host What are you doing? More importantly, why are you dressed like that?

Co-Host The Renaissance Fair. Herman’s neighborhood is Hosting one, so I’m dressing up to participate. Haven’t you been to one?

Host No, I haven’t. Have any of you ever been to a fair that was knight and princess themed?

Co-Host I’m even thinking about participating in the knight’s duel.

Host With that armor?

Co-Host I’ll be fine. Rusty was the one who picked it out for me. He knows what he’s doing.

Host I wouldn’t be so sure. In fact, today we’re discovering why having the right kind of armor makes a big difference. Let’s get the day started with a little medieval-themed game. We have two teams, each with a kid and an adult volunteer. Each team has 60 seconds to launch and catch as many marshmallows from this marshmallow catapult as possible. Of course, you have to catch them in your mouth. Ready? Go!

Co-Host Good job. I’m off to win the duel!

(Co-Host exits.)

Host I’m going to try to talk him/her out of that. Stand to your feet and give three people a high-five as we get ready to check in at the lab.

Co-Host Why wouldn’t you let me duel? Rusty’s joining the games at today’s fair. He seems totally fine.

Host Do you guys think that Rusty will be okay if he fights in that armor? I don’t either. It’s made of foam.

Co-Host What’s wrong with foam?

Host Nothing if you’re wanting something squishy to make your sneakers comfortable, but it won’t do much to protect. The Bible actually talks about the need to protect ourselves, specifically our hearts.

Co-Host Like with a chest plate or bullet-proof vest?

Host Those can be helpful, but when the Bible talks about the heart, it means that invisible part of us where our thoughts and decisions come from. It’s where we choose how we want to live, and especially where we choose to connect with God.

Co-Host That does sound important.

Host It is. Before we get to the Big Point, let’s play a quick game. I have two teams who will compete. One team member will hold this heart and one will try to make a goal through the heart with these balls/beanbags. A member of the other team will try to block the shot. Let’s see who blocks the most shots.

Host You did a good job protecting the heart. Let’s have one of you help us reveal the Big Point.

(choose volunteer)

Co-Host You will help as we count down from three and then read the Big Point.

Host Let’s all say it together, Guard Your Heart!

Co-Host I can see why we want to keep our hearts healthy and safe. If that’s the place where we connect with God, then I don’t want anything to get in the way.

Host Yeah, we want to hear God and follow the big plan He has for us. We should probably try to stop Rusty from using that foam armor before it gets ugly.

Host Do you see now why Rusty’s armor was a bad choice?

Co-Host Yeah, do you guys think it was a disaster? I’m glad you stopped me before I got hurt. I hope I have something better to protect my heart. Like the Big Point says,

Co-Host Guard Your Heart!

Host I have good news for you. God gave us just the armor we need to protect our hearts. It’s found in the Big Verse.

(Host and Co-Host choose a kid to volunteer.)

Co-Host Help as we count down from three and then you’ll read the verse.

Co-Host Ephesians 6:11 (NIrV) says, “Put on all of God’s armor. Then you can remain strong against the devil’s evil plans.” Whoa, wait a second. That verse makes it sound like we have someone plotting against us.

Host We do, Satan. He is our enemy, and he would love to make our hearts a mess. Thankfully we can use God’s armor to protect us. Let’s use an example from everyday life to explain it.

Host What is this?

Co-Host That’s a football uniform. They look cool, but do they have a purpose?

Host Look at this.

Host What kind of sport does this person play? (Pause) Ice Hockey, correct. Why do you think ice hockey players wear so many layers of padding?

Co-Host We have one more person to look at.

Co-Host Why would a soldier need protective equipment?

Host If a player wants to stay in the game or a solider wants to stay alive, they need protective equipment. Just like you would suit up for a game or battle, you have to suit up as a Christian.

Co-Host That’s because God’s armor protects our hearts, which is important because our hearts are where we connect with God.

Host It’s hard to follow God’s plans if Satan’s evil plans are making a mess of our hearts. God’s plans are always for our good. We don’t want to let anything get in the way. God’s armor helps us keep the enemy out and keep our hearts safe.

Co-Host What’s the armor like?

Host That’s what we’re going to discover in the Big Story. First let’s stand and worship God.

The idea of fighting an enemy like Satan might seem a little weird or even scary, but everyone has to stand up to the enemy and guard their hearts. That’s why we have God’s armor. It’s there to help us protect ourselves and fight back. You don’t have to be strong enough on your own. God is the one who makes you strong. Let’s use the verse we learned in the Big Story to pray. Ephesians 6:10 (NIrV) says,

“Finally, let the Lord make you strong. Depend on his mighty power.” Let’s say it like a prayer. “Jesus, thank You for making me strong. I will depend on Your power.” (Repeat multiple times breaking the prayer into smaller segments) It’s not your armor; it’s God’s armor. He will make you strong.

Co-Host Rusty learned a painful lesson about having the right kind of armor to protect him.

Host Yep, but I bet he won’t forget the lesson he learned. If we want to protect our hearts, then we need God’s armor. It’s important to take care of it. Remember the Big Point,

Host Guard Your Heart!

Co-Host I’m going to use my faith in Jesus as a shield and God’s word as my sword. It’s the perfect way to keep your heart safe so you can connect with God.

Host That’s something you can share with your family when you do this week’s Big Do.

Host Use a pool noodle as a sword and a pillow as your shield. See who can be the first to slash your opponent’s arm or leg.

Co-Host Let’s practice that today. We’ve chosen two adult Volunteers to engage in a knight’s duel. The best two out of three wins. Cheer them on!

Host It’s important to keep our hearts safe so we can always connect with God and live the way He wants us to live. Let’s turn and connect with our small groups and talk about what we’ve learned.

• What big mistake did Rusty make today? He chose flimsy armor to protect him. Does it matter what we use to protect our invisible heart? Yes, we want to use God’s armor so that we can stop the enemy’s plans

• What are some ways that we connect with God? Pray, Read our Bibles, Worship. Where do we make the choice to connect with God? Our hearts

• What are some of the different parts of God’s armor that we can use and what does it do? Refer to Ephesians 6:13-17

• What did Herman tell us to do with our families in the Big Do? Use a pool noodle sword and pillow shield to battle an opponent.

• Our Big Point says Guard Your _____! Heart Brain

• Rusty’s armor was made of what material? Steel Foam

• The shield in God’s armor is compared to our ______. Abilities Faith

• The sword in God’s armor is compared to ______ Our words God’s Word

• Who makes us strong? God Our friends

• Ephesians 6:11 (NIrV), “Put on all of God’s armor. Then you can remain strong against the devil’s _____ plans.” Good Evil

• Why is it important to guard your heart?

• It isn’t necessary to guard your heart if you go to church ever week. True False

• Name one way that we connect with God using our invisible heart.

• What challenge did Herman give us as this week’s Big Do? Use a pool noodle sword and pillow shield to battle an opponent.