Armor of God - Book of ActsSample

Shield of faith

Bible story: Paul and the shipwreck (Acts 27:21-44)

Today we are learning about the shield of faith, a great weapon for protection because we can move it around and defend ourselves from specific attacks. The Bible says we can use it to extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one.

It does not say “if” the arrows come but “when” they do, we will not be powerless against them. The truth is that the enemy is constantly attacking us. Your enemy wants to distract you with flaming arrows and surprise you. He has tailored his strategy specific for you. He has studied your habits, your deepest fears and weaknesses, and has aimed his arrows at those areas specifically.

Faith is believing God and His Word, even if we cannot see His spiritual kingdom. We know that God exists even though we cannot see Him, and that is faith in our hearts. As we have faith, we can defeat these directed attacks of the enemy.

In today’s Bible story from the book of Acts, Paul was at sea during a terrible storm, and God tells him that no one aboard ship will die from the storm! Paul chose to believe that God had spoken to him, even though he could not see God. It is exciting to see that next Paul tells everyone what God said, and has them eat a large meal for strength. Not only did Paul believe God, but he was willing to publicly share God’s message with others and act on the message! He would have been terribly embarrassed if someone would have died from the shipwreck.

Sometimes we also need to go public on the Word of God, believing Him instead of men. Will you take up your shield of faith by being sure of what you do not see? This is how you will win against the enemy and extinguish his flaming arrows!

"I choose to believe in God and have faith."

Discussion questions:

1. In real life, what are the “fiery arrows of the evil one?”

2. What is a specific example of how you can deflect an arrow with your shield of faith in normal life?

3. What do you do to make sure you do not leave your house without your faith?

4. Where was Paul going when he was on the ship in today’s Bible story? How many people were on that ship?

5. How did Paul learn that the ship would be destroyed but nobody would die because of the storm?