Read this aloud first, every session
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Ephesians 6:10-13, World English Bible
Count the word: “stand” three times, and “withstand” once. The armor is for holding ground.
Plan it around your group
Prints the passage, your agenda, and all six pieces with questions on plain white. Nothing is uploaded or saved.
The six pieces, in Paul’s order
Open one at a time in the group. Each has the verse, one observation from the wording, three questions that move from the text to your week, and one thing to do.
1Belt of truthEphesians 6:14
Stand therefore, having the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist,
Ephesians 6:14, World English Bible
What the text says
It is listed first, and it is already buckled: the sentence says “having … buckled”, something done before the command to stand.
Three questions
- What word does Paul use for how the belt is worn, and what does that suggest about when truth gets settled?
- Paul says the wrestling is “not against flesh and blood”. How does that change who you treat as the opponent when someone lies to you?
- Where this week are you most tempted to shade the truth: at work, at home, or to yourself?
One thing to do before next time
Pick one conversation you have been softening or avoiding. Have it plainly this week.
2Breastplate of righteousnessEphesians 6:14
and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
Ephesians 6:14, World English Bible
What the text says
Same sentence as the belt, same tense: “having put on”. Paul pairs truth and righteousness as the two things already in place when a man stands.
Three questions
- The breastplate is named for what it is made of, not what it guards. What do you think it guards?
- What is the difference between doing right and looking right? Which one holds up under pressure?
- Is there one habit you would not want this group to know about? You do not have to name it aloud. What would putting it down cost you?
One thing to do before next time
Choose one private habit to stop for seven days, and tell one man in the group that you have chosen one.
3Feet fitted with the Good News of peaceEphesians 6:15
and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Good News of peace,
Ephesians 6:15, World English Bible
What the text says
The only piece described by what it prepares you to do. Feet are for going somewhere, and what they carry here is peace, in the middle of a passage about a fight.
Three questions
- Why would Paul put “peace” in a list of battle kit?
- “Preparation” means ready before you are asked. What would being ready to bring peace into a tense room look like?
- Who are you currently at odds with? What is the first step toward them that is yours to take?
One thing to do before next time
Make the first move toward one strained relationship: a call, a message or an apology.
4Shield of faithEphesians 6:16
above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one.
Ephesians 6:16, World English Bible
What the text says
The verb changes here from “having put on” to “taking up”, and this is the one piece Paul gives a stated job: it quenches the fiery darts.
Three questions
- Belt, breastplate and shoes are already on. The shield is “taken up”. What does that difference say about faith in the moment?
- What do the fiery darts look like for men your age: accusation, fear, comparison, something else?
- Describe a recent moment when you had to choose to trust God rather than react. What did you actually do?
One thing to do before next time
Write down the one dart that lands most often. Next to it, write the verse you will answer it with.
5Helmet of salvationEphesians 6:17
And take the helmet of salvation,
Ephesians 6:17, World English Bible
What the text says
The verb is “take”. In this sentence salvation is something received and worn, the piece that covers the head.
Three questions
- Why might salvation be pictured as covering the head in particular?
- On a bad day, what do you tend to believe about where you stand with God? Where did that belief come from?
- What would change in how you handle failure if your standing was already settled?
One thing to do before next time
Each morning this week, before your phone, say one sentence out loud about what God has done for you.
6Sword of the SpiritEphesians 6:17
and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
Ephesians 6:17, World English Bible
What the text says
The only piece Paul stops to define: the sword “is the word of God”. It is also the last piece named.
Three questions
- Every other piece is described by a quality. This one is defined as a thing. Why do you think Paul spells it out?
- Which verses do you actually know well enough to use without looking them up?
- Where in your week would one memorized verse make a practical difference?
One thing to do before next time
Memorize one verse from this passage. Say it to another man in the group before you meet again.
And then, verse 18
with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints.
Ephesians 6:18, World English Bible
Paul does not call prayer a piece of armor, but the sentence does not stop at the sword. End every session here: each man prays one sentence for the man on his left.
Can you list them in order?
Tap the six pieces in the order Ephesians 6 names them. Worth doing as a group before week one and again after the last.
Between meetings
Ten minutes a day, on your own.
FORGED is a 90-day Bible plan and devotional for men on iPhone. Each day has one practical challenge, one Scripture passage explained in plain English, and a quiet prayer timer.
It uses the same passage as this study: you earn Armor of God milestones from Ephesians 6 as you go, the Belt of Truth at Day 7, the Shield of Faith at Day 35 and the Sword of the Spirit at Day 90. Missed days never erase what you have earned.
Get FORGED on the App StoreFree to download. Day 1, Bible Basics and the Bible glossary are free; the rest of the 90 days is a paid upgrade. No account needed. Requires iOS 18 or later. Details checked against the App Store listing on November 10, 2026.
Publisher disclosure: Honest Little Apps publishes both FORGED and this page. This is not an independent review. This planner is a separate web companion, not a feature of the app.
Common questions
What are the six pieces of the armor of God?
In the order Ephesians 6:14-17 lists them: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, feet fitted with the preparation of the Good News of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Is prayer a piece of the armor of God?
Paul does not name prayer as a piece of armor. Verse 18 follows the list directly, though, and continues the same sentence: “with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit”. This planner treats prayer as how every session ends, not as a seventh piece.
How long should an Armor of God study take?
It fits one evening, three weeks or six weeks. Six weeks gives one piece per session, which leaves time for real discussion. One evening works as an overview or a retreat session, with one question per piece.
Which Bible translation does this study quote?
Every verse is quoted word for word from the World English Bible, a public domain translation, so you can print and copy the sheets freely. The WEB renders verse 14 as “the utility belt of truth”.
About this study
Scripture is quoted word for word from the World English Bible (public domain), checked on November 10, 2026. The observations stay with the wording of the passage; they are not commentary on Roman equipment or a statement of any one church’s teaching. Written by Honest Little Apps. Print and copy it freely for your group.
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