1. What Is Spiritual Discernment?
Learning to recognize what agrees with God’s truth and what does not.
Children first need to understand that not everything they see, hear, read, or watch is necessarily good simply because it looks fun or harmless. We can compare ideas with what God has taught us in His Word.
A simple question children can learn to ask is:
“Does this agree with what the Bible teaches?”
Scriptures: Hebrews 5:14; Philippians 1:9-10; 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22.
2. Is Spiritual Warfare Like Movies and Games?
No. Scripture doesn’t present Christians as magical superheroes.
This distinction is especially important for children. Movies, television programs, books, and games may portray supernatural battles as entertainment. Biblical spiritual warfare is different.
Christians don’t defeat evil because we possess magical abilities. Our strength comes from God.
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.”
Ephesians 6:10
3. Where Does Our Protection Come From?
God.
Children don’t need to be taught to fear Satan, demons, or evil spirits. They need to learn to trust God.
This creates an important balance:
Evil is real → Evil should be taken seriously → But God’s children do not need to live in fear.
Scriptures: Psalm 56:3-4; James 4:7; 1 John 4:4.
4. What Is the Armor of God?
The armor includes:
- Belt of Truth: Know what is true.
- Breastplate of Righteousness: Choose what is right.
- Feet prepared with the Gospel of Peace: Be ready to follow and share God’s good news.
- Shield of Faith: Trust God.
- Helmet of Salvation: Remember that you belong to Christ.
- Sword of the Spirit: Learn and use God’s Word.
- Prayer: Talk to God and depend upon Him.
The key passage is Ephesians 6:10-18.
5. Should Christians Be Frightened of Evil?
No.
This deserves its own children’s lesson because we don’t want teaching about spiritual warfare to accidentally produce fear.
We can teach children:
Take evil seriously, but don’t become afraid of it.
We also don’t want children fascinated with evil. There is a middle ground between fear and fascination: biblical understanding.
Our attention should ultimately be directed toward God, not toward studying everything associated with darkness.
6. How Do We Evaluate Entertainment?
Instead of giving children only a list of things they are allowed or forbidden to watch, we can teach them how to think biblically for themselves.
Before watching, reading, listening to, or playing something, they can ask:
- What does this call good?
- What does it call evil?
- Where does its power come from?
- How does that compare with the Bible?
- Does this make evil seem harmless, attractive, funny, or desirable?
- What is this teaching me to think about God, good, evil, and spiritual things?
- Would this help or hurt my walk with God?
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