Before class, print out a copy of the Coat of Arms template for each student.
Coat of Arms Family Crest PDF
Earlier we saw Jesus was baptized to identify Himself with other believers. He wanted to fulfill all righteousness by His act of baptism even though He was sinless. Followers of God could see that Jesus obeyed God just as they did.
- In what ways do you identify with Jesus? (Answers may include: I’m a follower of His; I belong to Him; I’ve been baptized like Him, etc.)
- What are ways you identify with other believers? (Answers will vary; examples might be: We’ve been baptized; we are followers of Christ; we go to the same church, etc.)
Belonging to the family of God is amazing! There are millions of people in our family all over the world. We all identify with one another.
- What can you tell us about a Coat of Arms? (Allow a few students to share.)
Long ago in many parts of Europe, a Coat of Arms was worn by the medieval knights so they could be identified by others in battle. The Coat of Arms was very important to a knight because it let others know what he and his family were about. Let’s watch a quick clip about the Coat of Arms.
Play this video clip for your students [1:38].
What is a Coat of Arms
The Coat of Arms—sometimes called a family crest—tells the story of a family’s history. It has pictures and symbols representing symbolic events that have happened in that family. Your job today is to create your own Coat of Arms, one that identifies you as being a part of the family of God.
Hand out a Coat of Arms worksheet and writing/designing supplies to your preteens. On the banner below the shield students should write “Family of God.”
In each quadrant of the shield, students should write or draw something that identifies them with Christ and His Body of believers. For example: they can write dates and draw pictures of when they accepted Christ, when they were baptized, witnessing to a friend or the name and picture of your church, etc. They might also picture traditional symbols of their faith such as a cross, an empty tomb, a dove, etc. As students work on their Coat of Arms, be sure to create one for yourself.
For any student who has not identified with the Body of Christ, have them create a Coat of Arms based on things that represent God and His creation since they can identify with that: a rainbow, the Earth, stars, people holding hands around a globe, etc. On the bottom banner they can write God’s Creation instead of Family of God. Be cautious not to make anyone feel uncomfortable if they’re unsure of their salvation. Perhaps offer this alternative option for anyone who is new to your class or seems unsure of the assignment. Always make yourself available after class to students who would like to understand more about being part of God’s family.
As students work, you might want to play the following song [6:44]:
This I Believe (The Creed)-Hillsong Worship
- What pictures and words did you write to represent being a part of the family of God? (Allow volunteers to share; share what you included on your own Coat of Arms.)
Identifying with God and His family is the only way to live! We are so blessed to belong to our church. We have a wonderful church family who loves and cares for one another. As our focus verse says in Ephesians 4:25, we are all members of one Body.
Encourage believers who were unable to include baptism on their Coat of Arms today to talk to God and their parents if they think that is a step they would like to take.
Take your Coat of Arms home and display it proudly. Let your family see with whom you are identifying. This week as you think about the pictures you’ve drawn, consider how you are living this out every day. Challenge them to make sure they aren’t just pictures, but a way of life.
Pray to close.
Additional resources:
What the symbols on coats of arms, family crests and seals mean
https://www.genesreunited.co.uk/blog/genes-reunited-blog/archive/2013/11/7/what-the-symbols-on-coats-of-arms,-family-crests-and-seals-mean
