Putting on the Armor of God throughout Scripture Study
Intro: Game
Ask for FOUR volunteers and Have each put on the XL T-shirt (so they don’t get their shirt and tie too wet)
Tell TWO volunteers to stand in the boxes made with tape on the floor (one volunteer in each box). Give them each a water gun.
Explain that they will get 60 seconds to get the other person’s shirt as wet as possible! They can duck, block, or try to dodge, but they must keep within their boxes. If either contestant steps outside his or her box, the competition will be over immediately.
Tell the volunteers “Go!” and start the stopwatch.
When 60 seconds are up inspect the contestants to determine which one came out less wet. (you may want to give them a prize)
Then proceed to Round 2—but with one little modification.
Explain that they will do the exact same competition, with the same rules—except for one thing.
Pull out the trash bags and give one to ONE volunteer to put on over his or her shirt.
Then give the volunteers their water guns, say “Go!” and start the stopwatch. When 60 seconds are up, inspect the contestants to see who won. (Give a prize)
Ask the original two volunteers to stand next to the last two. Then ask the audience which two, of the four, ended up the wettest Ask the audience which two stayed the driest.
Point out that the right kind of protection makes all the difference!
I. Armor of God
Paul wrote a letter to the Ephesians while he was in a roman prison. He could have been looking at a soldier as he wrote this letter.
READ: Ephesians 6:10-19
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
As humans we are tempted and worked over pretty good in the world but as missionaries it seems we are fighting battles daily. We NEED the whole Armor of God!
ASK: have you ever found yourself teaching a lesson and feeling caught flat footed?
ASK: have you ever left an appointment or meeting or lesson exhausted maybe even soaking wet like you just sat there and got pelted with a water gun?
Part of the armor Paul talks about that can help us so we aren't caught flat footed comes from STUDYING THE SCRIPTURES.
II. Scripture Study
After the great apostasy, the gospel was restored back to the earth because a fourteen-year-old kid read and pondered his scriptures. ONE scripture, James 1:5, led Joseph Smith to receive revelation.
Think of the influence his scripture study has had on future generations?
We have all heard the primary song “Scripture Power”. Do we believe it? Do we realize the power and protection that comes from scripture study?
ASK: How serious do we take our scripture study?
I’ll be honest, sometimes a nap sounds more fun than sitting in an uncomfortable chair to read.
Sometimes, a quiet apartment is more appealing than a companionship scripture study session.
But I know when I am sitting in someone’s home and am able to share something I recently studied or recall a scripture that applies to the life of someone I’m teaching, I am glad I “armored up” instead of taking that nap.
ASK: has anyone experienced this? Anyone want to share a personal experiences when that has happened to them?
Studying the scriptures and learning the gospel is much more than gaining information.
The scriptures are a heavenly gift. They will give us knowledge and conviction that will bless our life and enable us to bless others eternally.
III. Scripture Study makes us Happy
I’m sure all of us have felt homesick or a little down while serving. WE are away from friends and family. We are uncomfortable EVERYDAY. We are doing something that isn’t easy and can occasionally make us inadequate for the call.
ASK: can scripture study help us feel happier?
READ: “His words will fill you —and those you teach —with light and truth. They will help you —and those you teach —live righteously and receive divine protection and strength. They will help you come to know Him and taste His love, which is sweet above all that is sweet. His words will fill your soul with joy”
READ: Elder Dieter F Uchtdorf said: “He created us to have joy! So if we trust Him, He will help us to notice the good, bright, hopeful things of life. And sure enough, the world will become brighter.”
I know, if we let it, one of the greatest blessings of our mission is having a scheduled time to study the scriptures every day.
Conclusion
We only get 18 months-two years to focus on spreading the gospel, studying our scriptures, and inviting others come unto Christ through baptism. It is our ONLY job in life right now. This job isn’t easy and our time is short!
So we have a choice- we can go out each day and come home “soaking wet” OR we can STUDY OUR SCRIPTURES, put on the Armor of God and come home feeling a little brighter. It’s our choice.
I know as we patiently persist in studying the word of God, (even when we would rather have a quiet apartment for a nap) our understanding will grow. We will come to treasure our time with the scriptures.
And in turn each day we will be able to:
- discern truth from error.
- have the “gospel of peace.”
- Enjoy protection
- have the ability to quench the fiery darts of the adversary.
- teach truth with power and authority.
- And be fortified against worldly influences
Because we will have studied and put on the “armour of God”.
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