0764426966
Trade Paperback
270 pages
Dec 2004
Group Publishing

Review  |   Author Bio  |  Read an Excerpt

Excerpt:

Introduction
Tips for playing games, keeping games safe, and adapting games for your unique group of kids.

Section 1: Bible Story Games
Bible lessons boring? No way! Not with these great games that correlate with major Bible stories!

Section 2: Jesus Is…Games
Here are ten games to help you connect your kids with Jesus!

Section 3: The Bible Is…Games
Help kids discover ten truths about the Bible with these games!

Section 4: Holiday Games
Games for your holiday parties or just for fun!

Section 5: Wild ’n’ Wacky Games
These games will get your kids up, moving, and having an over-the-top blast!

Section 6: Total Silence Games
Shhhh! These games are played in absolute silence—use them when your kids want to play—and you need a break!

Section 7: Travel Time Games
Ten games to play when you’re on your way from here to there.

Section 8: Icebreaker Games
These games will help your kids get past those awkward first moments and get acquainted.

Section 9: Group-Builder Games
Twenty games to help kids form lasting friendships!

Scripture Index
Energy-Level Index

 

Jesus Is Games: Life-Size Kindness (Jesus Is Kind)

Luke 6:35

[ENERGY LEVEL] Low Energy

This game will help the children discover Jesus was kind and instructed us to be kind to others.

Supply List

• twenty-five sheets of construction paper
• dice
• marker
• masking tape

The Game

Lay the construction paper on the floor in a large circle, using a small piece of masking tape to hold each sheet in place. Your children will become playing pieces in a life-size board game, stepping from one sheet of paper to another.

Use the marker to write an “S” on one sheet. This will be where kids start. A child will stand there, roll one die, and then before advancing the number of spaces indicated on the die, will first tell how he or she could show kindness in a situation you describe. There are no wrong or right answers; encourage kids to think of creative, realistic ways they could show kindness in each situation.

After a child gives an answer, have the child advance the indicated number of spaces. Spaces are in a circle shape so there’s no “finish” line. Play until everyone has had several turns or has been around the circle at least once.

Here are several suggestions for situations you might use; add your own as well:

• You see an elderly lady drop her bag of groceries.
• A new boy arrives at school, and he cannot speak English very well.
• Mom is busy making supper when your little sister begins to fuss.
• Your friend has lost her kitten.
• You see paper on the floor at church.
• The elderly man next door is sick.
• Your little brother is having a hard time with his math problems.
• A family in your neighborhood has lost their house in a fire.
• The floor needs to be vacuumed.
• A new girl attends your Sunday school class for the first time.

Post-Game Discussion Questions

After playing this game, ask your students to sit down in groups of three and discuss:

• Describe a time when someone was kind to you. How did you feel?
• Describe a way that Jesus is kind to you. How do you feel?
• What are some ways you can show kindness at school?

Say: When we show kindness to others, we are following the example that Jesus set for us. The Bible tells us that Jesus is kind even to people who don’t like him.

 

Wild and Wacky Games: Bonez!

Ezekiel 37:1-14

[ENERGY LEVEL] High Energy

As they play this game, your children will discover that with God there is always hope.

Supply List

• none needed

 

The Game

Say: Let’s play a game that will help us remember the story of Ezekiel and the dry bones. Inform the children that they are each a “dry bone.” Have them mill around the playing area. Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Make a skeleton of __ bones. (Choose a number between four and ten.)

Have the children form groups of the number you called out, lie on the floor, and organize themselves into the shape of a skeleton. Children can be an arm, a head, a leg, or a torso. If you call out a large number, two or three children can make up a body part. If there are extra “bones” that won’t fit into any of the groups that you called, allow them to join into any group they like.

After all the groups have formed their skeletons, have the children stand and begin milling around again. Continue playing as long as time and interest allow.

 

Post-Game Discussion Questions

After playing a fast-paced game with a large group of children, you might find the children need help calming down. Have them sit down. Make a game of the children taking several slow, deep breaths. After everyone has settled, discuss these questions:

• How do you think you would feel if you really saw a bunch of dry bones come to life and join together to form skeletons?
• Tell about a time when you were in so much trouble that you thought you’d never get out of it. How did you feel?
• How do you think God’s people felt when they learned that God would still love and help them even though they did wrong things?
• What’s the best part of knowing that God loves and helps us—no matter what?

Say: It’s great to know that God loves us and will always help us, even when we sin!

 

Totally Silent Games: Silent Excitement

Luke 19:37-40

[ENERGY LEVEL] High Energy

As your kids explore the story of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem by playing this game, your kids discover what it means to be excited about Jesus.

Supply List

• none needed

 

The Game

Divide students into two groups, and have the groups stand facing each other. Explain that you have a challenge for them: to show the other group excitement, but totally silent excitement. Kids can wave their arms, open their mouths like they’re yelling, jump around—anything they want to do that shows excitement, so long as they’re silent.

Have groups watch you for the signal to start. When you point to a group, they should show “silent excitement.” When you point to the other group, the first team can stop. Whenever you point to either group, they have to show “silent excitement” again. You can make it more fun by switching back and forth quickly to see how quickly the children respond. But remember: They can’t laugh or make any noise!

After a few minutes, stop and let both groups know they did a great job with their demonstrations.

Post-Game Discussion Questions

After playing this game, ask your students to sit down in their groups and discuss:

• What made this game difficult? What made it easy?
• Jesus said that if his followers were to keep quiet, “the stones will cry out” (Luke 19:40). What do you think that means?
• When have you been so excited you just couldn’t keep quiet?
• What about Jesus makes you really excited?
• How can we help others get excited about what Jesus has done for us?

Say: Jesus’ followers just couldn’t keep quiet about him. They had to share their happiness and excitement that Jesus is our Savior. That’s something to get excited about! Let’s share our joy with others!