The War is Already Won

Mark and a few other dads spent most of Lenten teaching to the Sunday School boys about the Armor of God from Paul's letter to the Ephesians.  There were video illustrations, Nerf wars, tackling exercises, and football analogies!  When I asked Mark to take on this Bible study with the boys, I promised him 2 things:
1) I would write the lessons and he could just "show up and teach" (Yeah right!)
2) He would help from one or two other dads.  (Which he did...and I thank them ALL so much for "tackling" this study with enthusiasm!)

Anyway, Chris August's song "Battle" really comes to mind when you're studying the Armor of God.  As John Eldridge writes in Wild at Heart, boys & men are created by God with a warrior mentality, to fight for what's right, for protection of their families, etc.  The lyrics of "Battle" tell the whole story of the greatest Battle ever fought...and won... by our Lord and Risen Savior Jesus Christ!!



There's a battle between good and evilAnd it's raging inside of meThere's a struggle, it's God and the devilIt's love against the enemy
Whoa, noI'm not giving up nowWhoa

Cy, Nolan, Ayden, & Shane preparing the "armor"

Life's a fight of wrong and right, that's tearing me apart
Oh, but what the cross has done
Yeah, the world will try to battle for my heart
But the war is already won

Shane, Mark, & Eric lead a tackling drill ...is this "Sunday School" or "Sunday's COOL"?!
There's a snake that's hiding in the garden
There's a beautiful apple tree
There is trouble on the horizon
But I'm claiming victory

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.--Ephesians 6:10-11