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| Helmet of salvation window |
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| Norval Presbyterian Church |
Click here for: Overview * Background Notes * In the arts * Questions for Discussion * Workshops
Workshops include: Arts, Drama, Kitchen, Game, Music, Computer
OVERVIEW
STORY:
Explore Paul’s idea of the “armour of light,” as found in his letter to the Christians in Roman.
WORKSHOPS & ACTIVITIES:
• ARTS – make own armour of light, depict armour of light in clay, stained glass designs in black tape and paint with soap
• MUSIC – teach and sing "Last night I had the strangest dream," or "Let there be peace on earth"
• DRAMA – role play scenarios without and with armour of light
• KITCHEN – Goodness and Light parfaits
• GAME – Goodness and Light mini golf
• COMPUTER – Life of Christ, Life of Paul, Cal and Marty, Fall of Jericho, KidPix3
SOURCE TEXT:
Romans 13. 11 – 14.
KEY VERSE:
The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour
of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; … Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ…(King James Version).
AFTER STORYTIME IN CHURCH, ALL CHILDREN MEET IN THE CHURCH HALL FOR GATHERING TIME, BRIEF REVIEW, THEN GO TO SCHEDULED WORKSHOPS.
BACKGROUND NOTES & OTHER NEAT INFO
WHO WROTE THIS?
This variation on the armour of light is found in a letter to the Christian community in Rome, and is attributed to the apostle
Paul, a disciple of Jesus.
WHO WAS PAUL?
According to John Dominic Crossan in his book In Search of Paul, (NEW YORK: Harper Collins, 2004):
“Paul was Jewish born and bred, understood Hebrew, was a Pharisee, and was proud of all that lineage. He identified
himself as a Jew within Judaism.(p.4)”
WHERE IS OUR KEY VERSE FOUND IN THE BIBLE?
It’s found in Paul’s letter to the Romans, the book of the New Testament called Romans.
NEAT POINTS OF NOTE ABOUT PAUL’S LETTERS (ALSO KNOWN AS EPISTLES)
The following points are helpful, and found in the NOAB/NRSV (New York: Oxford University Press, 2001).
- “Letters are the earliest documents in the New Testament, and its most common literary form” (p. 240).
- “Some scholars date 1 Thessalonians before 50 CE, twenty years before Mark’s gospel” (p. 240).
- “Thirteen of these letters are from Paul or his missionary associates” (p. 240).
- ***Crossan (in 'In search of Paul' cited above) points out that only 7 of the 13 letters attributed to Paul were very likely
to have been written by Paul. Paul’s seven letters are:
- * Romans
- * 1 Corinthians
- * 2 Corinthians
- * Galatians
- * Philippians
- * 1 Thessalonians
- * Philemon (In search of Paul, p. 105).***
- “The Greek work “epistole,” “letter,” originally referred to an oral communication sent by
a messenger…. Even in the New Testament period, the letter-carrier might be entrusted with crucial information about
a letter’s content” (NOAB, p. 240).
- Although, because of its length, it is the first in the letters of the New Testament, Romans is probably the latest of Paul’s
undisputed letters to be written”(NOAB, p. 242).
- The letter was occasioned in part by circumstances in Rome during the reign of the Emperor Nero (54-68 CE). The greetings…may
reflect Nero’s reversal of his predecessor’s edict [Claudius’s, to expel Jews from Rome]. The recent return
of Jews to the imperial capital, including Jewish Christians like Prisca and Aquila, who had been driven out and probably
lost property and community ties during their exile, may well have aroused tensions within the Christian house groups in which
Gentile believers had become predominant” (p. 242).
- Universal accountability before God, Paul’s theme throughout the early chapters of the letter, is more specifically
applied in chapters 12 – 16. Rather than being a treatise on Christian salvation, Romans is a sustained appeal for holy
living, directed to Gentile Christians tempted to look down on their beleaguered Jewish neighbors, within the Christian congregations
and without. The apostle’s call to realize in common life the justice of God which the Christian congregation celebrates
is the letter’s enduring legacy” (p. 243).
- Footnote for “put on the Lord Jesus Christ…” (Rom 13. 14): “an early Christian metaphor for baptism.”
NOW, WHAT DO WE MAKE OF ALL THIS BUSINESS ABOUT ARMOUR?
When we hear phrase like “armour of God,” or “armour of light,” we all easily picture the sword and
helmet of the Roman imperial soldier. Millenia of images, like the beautiful helmet of salvation from Norval Presbyterian
Church, near Toronto, Ontario (seen at top of this lesson), have helped to burn these images into our collective memory.
But is this likely what Paul meant?
In In search of Paul, Crossan makes the excellent argument that Paul repeatedly positions the kingdom of God as the
dialectical opposite of the Roman empire – any earthly empire for that matter:
“Paul opposed Rome with Christ against Caesar, not because the empire was particularly unjust or oppressive, but because
he questioned the normalcy of civilization itself, since civilization has always been imperial, that is, unjust and oppressive….
“Paul’s essential challenge is how to embody communally that radical vision of a new creation in a way far beyond
even our present best hopes for freedom, democracy, and human rights. The Roman Empire was based on the common principle of
peace through victory or, more fully, on a faith in the sequence of piety, war, victory and peace. Paul was a Jewish visionary
following in Jesus’ footsteps, and they both claimed that the Kingdom of God was always present and operative in this
world. He opposed the mantras of Roman normalcy with a vision of peace through justice or, more fully, with a faith in the
sequence of covenant, nonviolence, justice and peace (xi).”
It’s important, then, to reinforce the idea that Paul would have wanted to emphasize non-violence and justice, rather
than war and victory, in his letter to the Christians in Rome.
It’s the degree of reassurance and protection, rather than the tool (like helmet) for providing it that would have been
easily identifiable by his readership, that’s of greatest significance in this passage.
Therefore in this study unit, the object of the exercise will be to get the children to imagine a “new look” for
Paul’s armour of light.
IN THE ARTS
Fine art
Typically, armour of light looks a lot like gear from the Roman army.
Perhaps we should imagine something more like the garments William Blake clothes his figures in in the restoration of Job’s
family in his work from 1825. Click here to see this artwork.
Music
Music that captures the sentiment Paul expresses here would be primarily appeals for peace.
There’s a piece I really like by ‘local’ artist, Glen Soderholm, of nearby Campbellville, Ont.
It’s called “Peace of Christ,” from his album Rest. He does the opening as a kind of a cappella
chant. My ear can hear a children’s chorus doing it. Click here for Glen's website.
That musical reference may be a bit obscure.
How about “Last night I had the strangest dream.” I just heard it recently on a children’s album by Shelburne,
Ont.-based artist Eric Nagler. Many other folkies have performed this Ed McCurdy song. Very easy to play on guitar (even I
can do it!)
And what about the old classic, “Let there be peace on earth.” Another nice one for children’s voices.
Poetry
Look no further than Portia’s mercy speech from Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice. In case you don’t
have it committed to memory(!?!):
The quality of mercy is not strained.
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven,
Upon the place beneath.
It is twice blessed.
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.
It is mightiest in the mightiest,
It becomes the throned monarch better than his crown.
His sceptre shows the force of temporal power,
An attribute to awe and majesty.
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings.
But mercy is above this sceptred sway,
It is enthroned in the hearts of kings,
It is an attribute to God himself.
And earthly power dost the become likest God's,
Where mercy seasons justice. (Act 4, Sc. 1, ll. 182 – 95)
[I wrote a reflection on mercy a couple of years ago...I see it's still posted. Here's the link if you like to read my little essay on mercy, from Aug. 05.]
Oh, and hang on, one more thing. For poetry, we can’t overlook the King James rendering of these lines from Paul. That’s
why I chose them for our key verse:
“The night is far spent, the day is at hand; let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the
armour of light.
Let us walk honestly, as in the day…
Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ.”
(I’ve taken out here the phrases that aren’t helpful for teaching children.)
The rhythm is wonderful – delicate and consistent, not a one-two marching beat, but more of a one-two-Three, almost
waltz for the most part.
The word choices of the King James translators create an overall picture that’s closest to the spirit of Paul, I think.
The comfort in the familiar and childish excitement in the simple acts of waking up from a long night’s sleep, pulling
on a fresh set of clothes, and putting one foot in front of the other to greet, with Christ, whatever adventure the new
day brings.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
1. Describe how it feels when you wake up in the morning and remember you have a certain thing or project you wanted to do?
2. What do you think the armour of light would look like?
3. Would it be light or heavy?
4. Cloth or metal?
5. What do you think it means to walk honestly?
6. What does it mean to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ?”
7. By this, do you think Paul wanted people to get out and fight for peace? Or something else? How would you describe the
something else? Live your life in a way that helps people to get along. Like being forgiving?
8. Can you name a situation in which you were forgiving, and this action helped you stay friends with someone?
9. Can you think of a situation in which you were relieved that someone forgave you, so that you could still be friends?
10. Do you think going through a time where people aren’t friends, aren’t forgiving, could be described as a “dark”
time, like night?
11. Do you think an experience of forgiveness makes it feel like daytime, like sunshine bursting in on a dark time?
12. Who helps you get through the dark times to the daylight?
WORKSHOPS
Please find below suggested workshops for this unit. For each one, when you are in real time with the children:
1. Quickly review or recap the story with them before starting activity. Each week, see how much more detail each group of
kids can supply on the story they've been studying.
2. Link or explain your activity to the current story.
ARTS 1 – Create ‘armour of light’ from cloth
WHY: To get children to think about how the comforts of God’s kingdom are different that the protection of worldly empires.
MATERIALS: large pieces of cloth (could be old bed sheets), scrap material, felt pieces, glue, embellishments such as beads,
sequins, etc.
IINSTRUCTIONS: Have the children make ‘garments of God’s kingdom’ out of cloth.
Idea – Ephesians 6. 14-17 (not one of Paul’s letters) gives a list of pieces of ‘the full armour of God:’
• waist of truth (belt)
• breastplate of righteousness (vest or tunic)
• feet shod with the gospel of peace (slippers or sandals)
• shield of faith (cross pendant or necklace)
• helmet of salvation (bandana or hair band)
• sword of the spirit is the word of God (hey, that’s an easy one – Bible!)
Get them to brainstorm what images they might cut out of the felt or scraps to glue on to the garments to symbolize peace.
I’m thinking hippie flower power, lots of daisies…!
ARTS 2 – Create ‘armour of light’ from clay.
Material – Lots of plasticine, or even homemade salt clay in different colours.
Directions – Have the children sculpt a person (themselves?) out of clay. Then dress the figure in their interpretation
of the armour of light. Suggest they think of their vestments as the ‘garments of God’s kingdom’ if they
get stuck on armour.
ARTS 3 – Stained glass images of ‘armour of light’
Material – Liquid tempera paints, dish soap, pencil and paper
Directions – There’s lots of stained glass that shows Roman armour. Let’s present some alternatives!
Get permission from your church to paint (wash-off-able) designs on a clear glass window.
Depending on the window, figure out how to segment to children can work on separate portions, perhaps in teams.
Have them sketch out image on paper first. Then apply their concept to the window using tempera paint mixed with dish soap.
MUSIC
Teach and perform “Last night I had the strangest dream.” Or “Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin
with me….”
KITCHEN
Activity – make Goodness & Light Parfaits.
Why: To reinforce the ‘light’ in the armour of light.
Ingredients – vanilla oreo or Girl Guide cookies, Cool Whip, cups of vanilla pudding, tallish dessert dishes..
(You can use any flavour of white cookie or pudding. Just no chocolate. You know, night well spent, daytime is here…!)
Instructions: Have the kids crush several cookies. Put half of crumbs in bottom of parfait dish. Add a big spoonful of pudding,
then a big spoonful of cool whip. Repeat each layer. Top with more crumbs. Ahh, the rewards of being a child of the light!
GAME
Activity – Goodness and Light mini golf
Why – to help the keys remember key lines from these verses
Material – clubs, bent hangers or floral wire, ball.
You could use a dollar store mini golf or croquet set for this. If you’re worried about kids clobbering each other,
try this.
Make clubs out of empty long wrapping paper tubes. Tape a shorter tp tube to end for club. If you can papier mache these ahead
of time, they will be good and solid. A ball could be found or make from wadded tape. You could use empty coffee can with
both ends cut out as the holes or hoops. Make sure your ball fits thru the hoop. On top of or beside each hole, place a phrase
from the key verse. Break them out any way you like, for instance:
1. The night is far gone
2. The day is near
3. Let us lay aside the works of darkness
4. And put on the armour of light
5. Let us walk honestly as in the day
6. Put on the Lord Jesus Christ
DRAMA
Activity – Goodness and Light theatre. Act of same scenarios using militant and then peaceful approaches to resolution.
Why – will remind the children that those who put on the Lord Jesus Christ seek peace through kindness and mercy.
Preparation – teacher should draft a number of scenarios to be acted out, and write each scene out twice. (Divide your
class in halves, then into teams or groups for acting out.)
Make your scenarios age appropriate. Some scenarios could be:
- Your little brother took some twoonies from your dresser
- Your two good friends have a bad fight at school and won’t speak to each other
- you find out your friend shoplifted when you were out at the mall.
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- What would you do?
One team will show the selfish approach. So for the situation of the purloined twoonies, they show some yelling and a fake
smack.
The other team will show the forgiveness approach. It will show that putting on the armour of light means trying not to get
angry and explaining to the little brother why he just can’t take whatever he wants, and maybe learning that older children
should put their special things away.
You get the picture….
COMPUTER
Programs:
- Life of Christ – look at background info on Paul
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- Life of Paul
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- Use Cal and Marty to create memory verse activity
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- Use Fall of Jericho to create a quiz based on verse and background info
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- Use KidPix3 to create an illustrated poem. Have the children type in the key verses. Then they pick a backdrop to drop the
poem on to. Then embellish with stamps, etc. Print out. Mount on construction paper. Take home for mounting or scrapbook.
-- July 22, 2007
| Job's family is restored |
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| by William Blake. |
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