Last October, Clubhouse challenged you to finish this exciting story about discovering God's armor. Nearly 500 entries from every continent but Antarctica came into our office. Read on to discover the top picks in Clubhouse's all-time largest writing contest!

You finished the story by Tracy Lesch!

The five friends held hands and knelt around the warrior.

Kate began praying: “Heavenly Father, we're not sure what we're doing, but You know everything. Hear our prayer of need. Please show us what You want us to see.”

When the five opened their eyes, the warrior was adorned with gem-laden armor: a helmet, a round shield, a metal breastplate, a thick leather belt and sandals. A silver sword filled the statue's right hand.

“There are six pieces. We only hold and keep five.” Katie said.

“I'll take the shoes of peace,” Sharon said. “I don't like to fight.”

Just then, they heard a voice over a megaphone near the cave entrance.

“Come out, whoever you are. We will shoot if you do not comply.”

1st Place—Skilled Swordsmen

“Oh no,” Chloe moaned, “how do we get out of—”

“Hey, guys, quick,” Zach's voice rang out. “I've found something!”

It was a secret closet. All five kids crammed themselves in the small space and strained to close the cold, stone door. Just then they heard swift footsteps coming into the large chamber.

“I know I heard voices,” Kingsley hissed. “If someone is hiding, find him! I don't want anyone discovering my precious artifacts.”

Kingsley dismissed his assistants. Finally, entering the secret chamber, Kingsley roared, “They're here! The artifacts I've been looking for are here!”

His assistants quickly returned and reported, “Mr. Kingsley, we didn't find anyone.”

“Good,” Kingsley smirked, “that warning must have scared them away. Let's get these precious items out of here!”

“He can't do that,” Sharon whispered. “We've got to do something.”

“I've got it,” Stewart said, bubbling with excitement. “Remember the note said the Master Forger will await the prayer of need!”

“Then let's pray!” Chloe interrupted. “Dear Gracious God, we know You see everything. Please help us save the armor and safely get out of here. In Jesus' name, Amen.”

Opening his eyes, Zach said, “I've got a plan. We can use the Sword-our Scripture skills.”

“Good idea, but what about Kingsley and his men?” Chloe asked.

“We'll secure the armor in the care of the police, and we'll tell them all about Kingsley,” Stewart reassured.

“Ready? Let's fight!” Zach rallied as he burst open the door with a loud, echoing boom.

“Who? What? Who are you?” Kingsley said, surprised.

“We are the protectors of the armor!” Stewart shouted.

“You're joking. This is my armor!” Kingsley said. “I got here first.”

“That's not right!” Zach said.

Stewart confidently began quoting, “ 'He who pours out lies will not go free.' Proverbs 19:5.”

Bravely, Sharon continued, “Exodus 20:15 says, 'You shall not steal.' ”

“Bible freaks!” Kingsley roared with anger.

Cleverly, as the friends quoted Bible verses, they backed Kingsley and his two assistants into the secret closet.

“ 'The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful.' Proverbs 12:22,” Katie added.

“Enough with the Bible gushing!” Kingsley screamed.

“That should do it,” Chloe said.

“Wh-what's going on?” Kingsley quivered.

Wham! The stone door mysteriously shut tight with a thud.

“Let us out of here!” yelled Kingsley's assistants.

“God's Sword really works!” Chloe exclaimed. “Let's get the armor and get out of here.”

Later that day, as the friends were leaving the police station, the man who pushed the note in Katie's hand appeared. Smiling with kind eyes, he introduced himself, “Hello, I'm James Archer.”

The friends told the man all that had happened.

“You have fought the good fight today,” James said when he'd heard their story. “The Bible says in 2 Timothy 4:7, 'I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.' Press on in faith, young friends."

As the friends departed, Katie said, “That was quite an adventure!”

“Yes, it was,” Stewart replied, “and with God's Armor, we'll be ready for the next one.

Jordan T., 10
Lebanon, Ohio

2nd Place—Amazing Armor

Everyone's gasps echoed in the small room.

“What do we do?” Sharon asked.

Ten eyes looked down at the treasures they held. Sharon had the shoes of peace; Zach had taken the helmet of salvation; Katie held the breastplate of righteousness; Chloe lifted the shield of faith. Stewart loved facts, so he chose the belt of truth.

“God gave us this power,” Chloe said. “Whoever is out there will want it, but we're supposed to be the protectors. Prayer works, so I vote that's what we do.”

The shield she held began to glow, illuminating the room as they knelt to ask for guidance from the Master Forger.

It had only been a minute since he'd called out the warning, but Damon was an impatient man. He turned to his assistant.

“Send 'em in,” he said, nodding toward his two gunmen.

“Ahhhh . . . Sir?” his assistant said, glancing nervously at the cave entrance.

“Didn't you hear me?” Kingsley exploded, grabbing his assistant by the shirt. “I said send them in!”

“But boss, look!” the man said.

Light poured out of the cave's mouth, solid and warm.

Five kids walked out, each carrying a piece of bright metal armor. The shield was the brightest, shining like the sun.

Sharon spoke to the two men holding guns. “Please put away your weapons. We won't hurt you or cause any trouble.”

The gunmen glanced at each other and then took off running as Sharon's shoes glowed more like Chloe's shield.

“Come back, fools!” Kingsley screamed.

“Please believe us, you will not need guns,” Stewart said as his belt shone brighter. “We're only kids.”

“You're right,” Kingsley hissed. “You're just five kids who don't know anything about the armor you're wearing.”

Katie spoke for the first time. “Sir, we may not know a lot about what we're doing, but we have a God who knows everything, and He reveals His plan to us.” The breastplate of righteousness began to glow.

All this light was getting into Kingsley, gripping him from the inside. But then he suddenly laughed cruelly and grabbed a gun from his jacket.

“Is this part of God's plan?” he shouted, pointing the gun at the kids. Horror filled everyone's face as Stewart whispered to Zach.

“We need all of God's power to save this man. It's your turn.”

Zach took a step forward. “Sir, you can discover power right here, right now.”

“I have power,” Kingsley growled.

“Not real power,” Zach said. “Real power comes from God and lasts forever.”

Kingsley frowned. “It's a lie!”

“Do you want real power?” Zach asked as the helmet started to shine. “Do you want salvation?”

Light exploded from every piece of armor. When it faded, the armor of God was gone. All that was left was a man asking the Master Forger for true power.

“Come on, we have something for you!” Stewart was still speaking truth as he led Damon into the secret room.

“The sword of the Spirit should still be here,” Katie said. “We were supposed to share it.”

Katie was right. There was the sword, still held in place by the statue. As Damon stepped toward it, there was a bright flash of light. When everyone looked toward the statue again, they saw an old book instead of a sword.

“The Word of God pierces like a sword,” Chloe whispered.

Christian W., 13
Waterford, California

3rd Place—True Riches

Sharon let out a small yelp. “Who is that?” she whispered fearfully.

“I don't know,” Katie said as she clutched the breastplate.

Suddenly, a man appeared in front of them. He was tall and clean-shaven. Although he looked very handsome, his cold blue eyes showed he was an evil man used to getting his way.

Chloe gasped. “Damon Kingsley. The guy who inherited a billion dollars. He's been on the news for months!”

“I'm glad you recognize me,” Damon said. He smiled, but his smile sent chills down their spines. “I would love to believe you are innocent kids that just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. But you all seem pretty smart. I'll bet we can make an arrangement. You give me the armor, and I will give you $600 each.”

“Six hundred dollars!?!” Stewart sputtered. “Isn't that a lot of money?”

Damon waved his hand. “A mere trifle. So what do you say?”

Zach stepped forward. “We would like to talk about it, please.”

Damon stepped back. “Very well. But hurry up. The men outside will get suspicious and start shooting.”

They got in a huddle so Damon would not hear them.

“I don't trust him as far as I could throw him,” Katie said bluntly.

Sharon and Chloe nodded.

“I agree,” Zach said. “He gives me the shivers.”

“Six hundred dollars is a lot of money,” Stewart said, “but I have to agree.”

Zach stepped forward. “We would love to accept your generous offer, Sir, but we think we should keep the armor.”

Damon smiled his sick smile again. “Well, I guess we are going to have to do things the hard way,” he said. And with one quick motion, he grabbed the pistol clipped to his belt and pointed it at them. “Be wise and don't move.”

Suddenly, a shot rang out, and they automatically ducked. Without thinking, Zach picked up the sword and prayed, “Lord, I don't know what I'm supposed to do, but I'll trust You.”

The sword started to glow, and a beam shot out of it.

The beam hit Damon in the chest. He staggered backward and collapsed onto the rocky ground.

Katie took advantage of his fall and shouted, “Run! Run as fast as you can!” They all ran for the entrance to the cave.

Once they got outside, they all breathed a sigh of relief. They walked to their hotel with the pieces of armor.

When Katie got to her room, her mom immediately noticed the breastplate. “Where did you get that piece of metal?”

Katie smiled and said, “Boy, do I have a story to tell you.”

Bezi Y., 11
Lorton, Virginia

Honorable Mention—Mighty Warrior

“Oh, no!” Chloe shrieked. “What will we do—”

She was cut off by gunfire. Everyone fell to the floor.

Katie put the shield in the gap they had come through, blocking the bullets. Suddenly, the shooting stopped.

“Identify yourselves, and we won't shoot!” Kingsley's henchman shouted.

“We can't identify ourselves,” Sharon said decisively.

“We must say something or they'll shoot,” Chloe reminded her.

The next thing they heard was a round of bullets that caused the gap to widen in a cloud of rocks and dirt.

“The gap is too wide for the shield!” Katie cried.

“Hey,” Zach exclaimed. “I have an idea. What if one of us goes out in full armor to talk to them? Meanwhile, the others will try to find a way out and bring the police.”

“Good idea,” Stewart said. “I think you should wear the armor, because you came up with the idea.”

Quickly and carefully, everyone helped Zach put on the armor. He turned and walked slowly forward until he was out of sight. The friends stood silently, waiting . . . CRASH!

“What was that?” Sharon yelped.

“Come out or we'll shoot your friend!” Kingsley's henchman roared.

“Zach could die, and it's my fault,” Katie said. “If I hadn't convinced you to come with me, none of this would have happened!”

“We made our own choices.” Chloe said firmly.

“Now we need a solution.” Sharon added. “We can't help Zach by sitting here.”

“Hey, Katie” Stewart exclaimed. “Read the last line of that poem again.”

“And the Master Forger will await the prayer of need.” “You know, we forgot to ask God for wisdom before Zach left.” Sharon said. All five knelt to pray.

“Dear God,” Chloe began. “We need Your help. We are trapped in a cave surrounded by evil men who are threatening our lives. Please give us Your protection and wisdom. Please help us trust in You. In Jesus name, Amen.”

A strong blast of wind blew in followed by a blinding light. When their eyes adjusted, the stone warrior stood in front of them in a new suit of armor.

“Stay here until I call for you.” He said in a deep voice. He walked through the opening. His presence was so awesome that the henchmen collapsed.

“Come out children.” The warrior's voice boomed.

They ran out of the cave and grabbed Zach, but the warrior was gone!

Suddenly, police came from all directions.

“There you are,” came a familiar voice. The children rushed to their youth leader.

“We're fine,” Katie said.

“I need all of you to come to the station to tell your story,” the policeman said as they took the henchmen away.

“That won't be the only time you will be telling your story.” Their youth leader said sternly. The friends looked at each other and groaned.

While at the station, the children found out that billionaire Damon Kingsley was behind the secret plan to steal the armor and take over the world. Because of their intervention, his wicked plan was thwarted.

Kingsley and his men were sent to prison. As for the armor, it was given to a prominent museum in Israel with the poem for display. The children went home and lived peacefully . . . until their next youth trip.

Kara L., 14
Smiths Station, Alabama

Honorable Mention—Passageway to Safety

Everyone froze, hoping that the person on the megaphone would go away. In a few seconds, they heard the voice again.

“OK, archeologist, bring 'em here.”

“I think I recognize that voice,” Stewart said. “I heard it on the news last night. It's the famous billionaire, Damon Kingsley.”

“Once again, the billionaire attacks!” Sharon joked.

“Sometimes I really think it's like that,” an unknown voice said form behind.

All the kids jumped. They hadn't heard anyone come in. “I'm the one who gave you the riddle in the marketplace. I see you figured it out. We must leave immediately. I was hoping you would be here, as I knew I would need help to keep the armor out of Kingsley's hands. He has a lot of helpers waiting for me, and some of them are armed. Now where is the last weapon?”

Katie handed him the sword of the Spirit.

“Please help me move this over,” the man said as he began to push over the statue.

Everyone helped. Once it was moved to the side, a passageway appeared. The five friends followed the man into the secret tunnel.

Once they were safely into the passageway, Chloe asked, “Who are you?”

“Ah, yes, I forgot to tell you, didn't I?” the man said. “I'm Amos Kloner. And you?”

“I'm Chloe, and these are my friends Sharon, Zach, Katie and Stewart.”

Amos suddenly stopped and said, “Here we are.” They all climbed a ladder into Amos's lab. They walked to the door, but before they opened it Amos asked, “Does everyone have their armor on?”

“Yes,” the children answered.

“Then let's go!” Amos yelled. As they ran into the street, he shouted, “Come, fight the billionaire!”

People run up to help them. They yelled so loud that and scared Damon Kingsley so much that he ran away before he even saw them.

After it was all over and they were sitting in Amos's house, Katie said, “This reminds me of the story of Gideon from the Bible.”

Everyone agreed.

“Do you guys want to read it?” Stewart asked.

Everyone did. They opened their Bible and started to read the story of Gideon.

Krista B., 11
Lázne Tousen, Czech Republic

Honorable Mention—Blinded by Greed

A loud click echoed through the dark recesses of the secret chamber as someone cocked a gun. Katie caught her breath.

“I think they mean business,” she whispered to the others.

They nodded and walked single file out of the now not- so-secret cave. A half dozen of Damon Kingsley's men stood with their guns in firing position outside the chamber's entrance.

“Judd,” the man in charge barked. “Search them, and tie them up.” He turned and smirked at the five kids. “So you thought you could steal from one of the richest, most powerful men on earth?”

“Damon Kingsley?” Stewart muttered.

The leader smirked again. “That's right, and the boss wasn't happy when he found out that our 'friend' told some kids about the treasure.”

“Friend?” Chloe asked.

“Yeah, bring him in.”

Another one of Kingsley's men came in prodding a prisoner with his gun.

“The stranger who gave us the note in the market!” Sharon blurted.

“Yes, I'm an archeologist, and my name is Professor Mustaff. I gave you the note because you seemed to know a lot about Christianity and prayer.”

“But now that won't do you any good!” the leader cackled.

“You won't get away with this, Myer.” Dr. Mustaff said. Myer ignored him and squeezed through the narrow niche with three of his men, leaving two men to guard the prisoners. When the two guards had moved a short distance off, the professor whispered, “I strongly suggest we pray.”

The five friends nodded and bowed their heads. But they were interrupted by the sound of grunting as Myer and his men heaved the cumbersome statue out of the chamber. As they set the heavy statue down with a thump, Katie closed her eyes and prayed. “Dear Lord, don't let these men succeed. Please Lord, show us what to do.”

Suddenly, there was a blinding flash of light. Myer and his men jumped backward screaming and holding their heads.

“I can't see!” Judd shouted.

“We're blind,” Myer moaned.

“This is just like the Bible story where Elisha asks God to strike the enemy armies blind,” Professor Mustaff said.

Stewart nodded, “Maybe we're supposed to be like Elisha.” His friends and Professor Mustaff stared at him. “Remember at the end of the story, Elisha prays again and God restores their sight?”

Sharon shook her head emphatically, “What if they get mad and shoot us as soon as they can see?”

“That's a risk we'll have to take,” Stewart said as he began to pray. “Dear Father, I know these guys tied us up, and that they are trying to use this treasure for evil, but if it's Your will, please let them see again. Oh, and please help us to get safely back to the hotel. Amen.”

Myer and his men immediately regained their sight.

They dashed out of the cave without a backward glance.

“Well,” chuckled Professor Mustaff as he freed himself and began working on the other's knots, “that worked out pretty well. They were so afraid that they ran out without even thinking about the treasure.”

“God was really with us tonight.” Sharon said.

“Let's hope He'll be with us when the rest of the youth group finds out we're missing,” Stewart joked.

Everyone laughed as they left the cave thinking about their adventure.

Isaiah L., 13
Eagle, Nebraska

Honorable Mention—Savior of the World

“We know you're in there,” the voice echoed.

The five children started praying. Stewart had the sword in his hand. He felt God's power come on him. With a strength that wasn't his own, he lifted the sword and stuck the cave wall. When the dust cleared, they saw light and walked out.

They looked over at a team of 10 men with machine guns. The men opened fire. But Chloe stepped up and protected them with the shield of faith. The men panicked. They knew what God's armor could do.

“Scare them with the sword,” Stewart said.

Sharon took the sword and ran with the shoes of peace. Nine of the men escaped, but Sharon captured one and brought him back to the others.

“I have an idea,” Katie said. “Let's put the belt of truth on him, so we can figure out what to do next.”

When they did that, Zach asked, “Do you know what we are supposed to do next?”

“Yes, I do,” he said. “You are supposed to go to Golgotha, where Jesus died. I don't know why. I just know Kingsley has men there.”

“How on earth are we going to get there?” Zach complained.

“Calm down,” Sharon replied. “These shoes make you run fast. Let's all hold hands.”

They took off running and arrived at Golgotha within a few minutes. They dropped hands, not even breathing hard.

Zach looked around and saw they were surrounded by snipers. “Sharon, give me the sword,” he whispered. He had on the breastplate of righteousness. He charged at the nearest sniper. Snipers opened fire against him. But God's armor protected him.

While Zach was chasing off the snipers, the other four debated about what to do.

“How about we pray?” Stewart suggested. They knelt down in prayer to their Lord.

Stewart looked at the moss on the mountain. He brushed it away. He saw a notch that was the same shape as his helmet. He took the helmet of salvation and inserted it. The rock swung open.

Stewart yelled, “Everyone, get in here!” When Zach stepped in, the door swung shut.

It was not dark. There was a hole in the ceiling of the cave, illuminating the most beautiful thing on earth.

“The ark of the covenant!” gasped Katie.

“How did it get here?” Zach wondered aloud.

Stewart had studied this, so he knew a lot about it.

“Legend says when Babylon took over Israel, someone moved the ark. No one knew where.”

The five friends stood in reverent silence for a few moments.

“What are we supposed to do now?” Zach asked.

Stewart read the Greek inscription. “Put the armor of God around the sacred ark.”

They did that. Then they grabbed the sword and lifted it above the ark. Light came from the armor and went through the sword. The light went through the hole into the sky.

The mountain around them shattered to pieces. Light streaked across the horizon. It was a cross made of light. The clouds parted and they saw their Lord Jesus coming to save the world.

Ben B., 13
Radcliffe, Iowa

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