Helmet of Salvation Crafts

Ephesians 6:17 tops off the list of a Christian’s spiritual armor with the Helmet of Salvation and the Sword of the Spirit. The entirety of the passage in Ephesians 6 discusses the full armor of God, which includes the breastplate of righteousness, shoes of the Gospel of peace, and the shield of faith. Sunday School lessons and Vacation Bible Schools have used these passages, and have made crafts which help the students remember the point of the lesson.

These "helmets" can be made with three strips of 12-by-18-inch sheets of construction paper per child. The first strip is wrapped around the child’s head and marked so that it will fit comfortably. Glue one of the remaining strips from left to right in an arch on the inside of the first strip. Glue the other one in an arch from top to bottom on the inside of the first strip. Each child can decorate her helmet with glitter, crayons and cross decorations.

Newspaper helmets are cheap and easy to make. It begins with making a classic paper hat from two or three pieces of newspaper. Fold the top corners inward to the center of the paper so that it resembles a triangle in shape. Fold up the bottom edges of the paper hat twice. Insert your hand into the bottom and spread the ‘hat’ apart. Spray paint the hat a metallic silver color.

Cleaned plastic one-gallon milk jugs can make good helmet of salvation crafts. Use a box cutter and cut the top of the jug off in a 2-inch diameter from the cap. Leave the handle in place and cut on either side of it down to 2 inches from the bottom of the jug, leaving a 3-inch strip of plastic with handle. Remove the large portion of the jug and the structure is complete. Spray paint this helmet with metallic spray paint.

For those who are not particularly talented with crafts but who eagerly desire to help with Sunday School or VBS issues, there is the easy way. Take a trip to Burger King, ask for a number of their cardboard crowns for kids. Spray paint them silver or gold inside and out and let them dry. Although they resemble crowns more than helmets, most kids won’t care; the lesson will flow and the craft will help the students remember the point of the lesson.