Teaching Our Children About Spiritual Warfare

For both parents and Kids Ministry leaders, we must give serious consideration as to what spiritual nourishment we are feeding our children. Too often, kids are only taught a few famous Bible stories over and over again. They learn about Noah’s ark, David and Goliath, Daniel and the lion’s den, and other popular stories. While telling these stories is important, children also need to learn biblical truths and basic Christian doctrines. This includes the reality of spiritual warfare.

This month at our church, our kids are going through theme 11 in the Kids Empowered curriculum. This theme focuses on overcoming temptation and walking in victory over the devil, with the memory verse being Matthew 6:13 (NIV): “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”

Arming Our Children With Spiritual Weapons

It is important to teach our children about the reality of Satan and the kingdom of darkness. As we do this, we must never do so in a way that conjures fear of the devil. Jesus is so much greater than the devil. He has defeated him through His work on the cross and has paid the price for our salvation and deliverance. So, as we teach our kids about spiritual warfare, we should do it with Christ’s victory and God’s greatness as the backdrop.

But we must not shy away from telling our kids about these realities, thinking that they are too young or that it will only scare them. They need to know how to use spiritual weapons to overcome the evil one. They should learn how to pray and declare God’s Word when they face temptation or spiritual attack. They should learn about the power of the blood of Jesus and how praise is a weapon in our spiritual warfare. They should learn how to resist the devil so that he will flee (see James 4:7).

This past Sunday, we had a special Kids Service where I taught the children in kindergarten through sixth grade. In an age appropriate way, with object lessons and illustrations, I taught on the reality of evil spirits. I shared how Jesus came to save us from sin and also to deliver us from the evil one. The kids were engaged in the lesson, and it was not scary or overbearing for them. We had a powerful time of ministry as I led the children in a prayer to submit to God and resist the devil.

Let’s not hold back in teaching our children spiritual realities. Let’s engage them at their level, and teach them the truths of God’s Word in a way that they can understand and apply to their lives. Let’s equip them for the battle that they are in and give them the tools they need to overcome the evil one!