ATL: Bigger Than Before — S2 E26

ATL: Use It - S2 E28

A shield blocks. A helmet protects. But a sword fights back. A kid named Jordan challenges Micah about baptism — not as a bully, but as someone whose dad taught him differently. Jordan asks why Micah’s church baptizes in Jesus’ name instead of ‘Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.’ Micah knows the answer is right. He felt it when he came up out of the water. But he can’t find the scripture in the moment. The sword stays in the sheath. Tanner and Lina help him find it: Acts 2:38. Acts 8:16. Acts 10:48. Acts 19:5. Every baptism in the Bible was in Jesus’ name. The name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost IS Jesus — not three names, one name. The apostles understood it. And now Micah does too. Mr. Henry gives Micah his personal Bible — forty years of margin notes, coffee stains on Psalms, binding held together by prayer and stubbornness. “I’m giving you a sword. Learn to use it.” Ava asks to join the Bible reading group. The sword is in their hands now. Key Scripture Hebrews 4:12 (KJV) “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword.” Family Discussion • Do you know the scriptures behind what you believe? Could you explain your faith if someone asked? • Why is it important to know God’s Word and not just feel it? • Every baptism in the book of Acts was in Jesus’ name. Why do you think that matters? Big Idea The sword of the Spirit is God’s Word — and it only works when you know it well enough to use it.

ARK: It Is Written - S2 E31

What do you do when fear, temptation, or doubt tries to take over your thoughts? This week on ARK, we discover the final piece of the Armor of God—the Sword of the Spirit. Unlike the other pieces of armor that protect us, this is the weapon God has placed in our hands: His Word. When listener Hannah writes asking how to use the Bible when she's afraid, Papa shares one of the greatest lessons in Scripture. Together, the ARK crew travels to Nazareth as Jesus stands in the synagogue, opens the scroll of Isaiah, and boldly declares God's Word. Then they discover how Jesus defeated every temptation in the wilderness with three powerful words: "It is written." Ben Breezy explains why God's Word is more powerful than any weapon, the Rubber Bandit learns that no cowboy handbook compares to the Bible, and Miss Sunshine reminds us that the more Scripture we hide in our hearts, the stronger our spiritual sword becomes. Because when fear whispers...God's Word answers. Romans 12:1 (KJV) "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." * What the Sword of the Spirit represents * Why God's Word is living and powerful * How Jesus answered temptation with Scripture * Why memorizing Bible verses prepares us for spiritual battles * How to speak God's promises when fear and doubt come Fear says, "What if?" Faith says, "God said." Choose one Bible verse. Write it down. Memorize it. Then the next time fear, worry, or temptation comes, don't just think about it— Speak God's Word out loud.

ATL: Freedom - S2 E27

Freedom isn’t just a word on a calendar. It’s what happens when you stop letting the wrong voices tell you who you are. The first week of summer should be easy. But someone recorded Tanner’s assembly speech, posted it online, and now strangers are making fun of the most honest thing he’s ever said. “Preacher boy.” Edited to look like he was crying. Comments he can’t unsee even though he doesn’t have social media. Tanner’s stomach hurts. His brain is believing lies. He wonders if he should have just talked about homework and soccer like a normal kid. Ava reports three posts and gets two taken down. Mr. Henry sits Tanner on the porch and delivers the truth: “Salvation doesn’t just save your soul. It saves your mind.” The helmet of salvation protects how you think. And right now, Tanner has to choose whose voice matters — a hundred strangers on a screen, or the God who called him. That evening, while the neighborhood lights fireworks, Tanner carves a star that says “RENEW YOUR MIND.” This one’s for himself. Key Scripture Romans 12:2 (KJV) “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Family Discussion • Whose voice matters most to you? What do you do when the wrong voices get loud? • Have you ever been made fun of for doing the right thing? How did it feel? • What does it mean that salvation protects your mind, not just your soul? Big Idea The helmet of salvation protects how you think — and your identity belongs to God, not to strangers on a screen.

ARK: The Greatest Freedom - S2 E30

What does freedom really mean? This week on ARK, we celebrate Independence Day while discovering a freedom that lasts far longer than fireworks and flags. Through the story of Peter's miraculous escape from prison, kids learn that Jesus didn't just come to set people free from chains—He came to set hearts and minds free forever. Laugh along with the Rubber Bandit as he discovers why hearing protection is a really good idea, join Miss Sunshine as she explains the Helmet of Salvation, and listen as Ben Breezy reports live from one of the most incredible prison breaks in the Bible. Then travel with the Truth Traveler into Peter's prison cell as chains fall, prison doors open, and God proves once again that no prison is stronger than His power. The Helmet of Salvation reminds us that God protects our minds from fear, lies, worry, and hopelessness. When we remember who Jesus is and what He has done for us, we can have peace—even when life feels impossible. Galatians 5:1 (KJV) "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free..." * What the Helmet of Salvation protects * Why Peter could sleep peacefully in prison * How Jesus gives the greatest freedom of all * Why salvation guards our minds from fear and lies * That God still opens doors no one else can open The greatest freedom you'll ever have is the freedom Jesus gives. Whenever fear or worry comes into your mind, stop and remember: Jesus has already made a way. Ask Him to protect your thoughts and help you trust Him every day.

ATL: Bigger Than Before — S2 E26

There comes a moment when everything you’ve learned gets tested at once. Mrs. Calder asks Tanner to speak at the end-of-year school assembly. He says “sure” — which, in Tanner language, means “I’ll think about it and then panic.” But when he stands at the microphone, something happens. He doesn’t perform. He doesn’t preach. He tells the truth about his year — about standing up for a friend, choosing honesty when it cost him, and believing in a God who doesn’t need perfect kids, just willing ones. The gym goes quiet. Then it applauds. Afterward, Ava — who’s been watching all semester — asks to come to church. Mr. Henry hears about the assembly and gives them one final star: “FAITH IS YOUR SHIELD.” He tells them faith is the piece that makes all the others work. Without it, the armor is just costume. And then Ava picks up a pencil and writes in the Star Log for the first time: “I don’t know what I believe yet. But I know I want to find out.” The trail has more footsteps on it than ever. And July is coming. Key Scripture Ephesians 6:16 (KJV) “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” Family Discussion • What is the biggest thing you’ve had to trust God with? How did faith help you face it? • Tanner said God isn’t looking for perfect — He’s looking for willing. What does ‘willing’ look like for you? • Mr. Henry said without faith, the armor is just costume. What do you think that means? Big Idea Faith isn’t the last piece of armor — it’s the one that holds all the others together.