play Archives - Page 6 of 18 - Jesus Without Language

This is part of a single lesson pack, all ready to print and go.

Order

All Ages

Small group

Requires setup time

Quiet game

Can be seated

Print the game PDF page by clicking on the picture. We order things to help us understand the world and how to act. In this game, you are given 5 random images and told to order them. How you order them is entirely up to you and no answer is wrong, but you must give a reason why. Are they in value order? Age order? Does the order tell a story? Etc. Link to the blueprint conflict resolution part of this passage.

I can… we can…

All Ages

Any size group

No Setup time

Noisy game

Space needed

Repeat the following statement, changing the parameters, “I can reach this high/far, together we can reach this high/far.” “I can lift this much, together we can lift this much” etc. By working with others we achieve much more, praying with others we are joined by Jesus.

Cuck-oo, moo moo

All Ages

Any size group

No Setup time

Noisy game

Can be seated

One person shouts out the first half of an animal sound, and the next person needs to respond with the other half. e.g. person 1 says, “twit” and the next says “twoo”. Dependent on your setup, this can work over screens, directed across rooms, or going around a circle. Which sounds work alone, which need a partner?

Prayer chain Jesus

All Ages

Any size group

Requires setup time

Noisy game

Space needed

Sit the children in a circle and say we will be passing around the word ‘Jesus’ one letter at a time. Have the first person throw a letter J, you can do this with a ball or just by imitating the action, the receiver throws the letter E until you reach the last S and start again. Link to the idea that we find Jesus not alone but gathered, even if only 2 people were throwing the letters they would still find Jesus.

Who ate the cookie from the cookie jar

Under 7’s

Small group

No Setup time

Noisy game

Can be seated

If you have very small children, sing a round of this song. Talk about how it can be difficult to admit our mistakes and how others can accuse us. Link to Jesus talking about conflict

This is a passage many people would rather skim, we would rather not portray the angry Jesus who slings things like calling someone a devil. But this passage is so important to understanding not only Peter but the way the people of God could move from adoring crowds to chanting crucify. At the root of this passage, Peter gets it wrong on the back of declaring Jesus the Messiah, his great high and painful low clashing back to back.

This is part of a single lesson pack, all ready to print and go.

Nothing

All Ages

Small group

Requires setup time

Quiet game

Can be seated

Play this little board game, the rules are on the page, but the basis is that you need to lose everything to win. You’ll need a lot of counters or coins. The PDF is accessible by clicking on the picture.

Follow the leader

Under 7’s

Any size group

No Setup time

Noisy game

Space needed

This classic game ties in well to the story where Peter wanted Jesus to follow his dream, not Jesus’ mission.

When I’m king…

All Ages

Any size group

No Setup time

Quiet game

Can be seated

A variant on what I’ll take to grandma’s this is a game about memorising a list. Each player lists a decree they’ll make when he or she becomes ruler, the following person has to add their decree to the list after recalling all that has gone before.

Feel bags

All Ages

Small group

Requires setup time

Quiet game

Can be seated

These are precisely what they sound like. Grab some bags and hide things inside, have the kids feel the outside and guess the contents. What clues do the bags give us, why did we get some right and some wrong? Link to Peter’ community having dreams of a Messiah, why did they get right and wrong given the clues they had?

Jesus asks a seemingly simple question, and suddenly the slow meander to find food for Jesus’ friends becomes a pivotal moment. There are so many symbols and ideas packed into these few verses, identity, naming, foundations, kingdoms, keys… here are just a few games to get you started.

This is part of a single lesson pack, all ready to print and go.

Incomplete

Under 7’s

Small group

Requires setup time

Quiet game

Can be seated

Using the jigsaws PDF, give each child 12 pieces with only one complete picture. Have the build the one possible character. Talk about how God knows us completely and wants us to know him. The PDF is accessible by clicking on the picture.

The key relay

Ages 7+

Any size group

Requires setup time

Noisy game

Space needed

This is best played with a bowl full of keys and just one padlock per team/child, but if you don’t have that then you can use envelopes of key alternatives inside. Place the bowl of keys or alternatives at one side of the room, have the child run and collect a key and bring it back to their lock – repeat, returning keys, until you open your lock.

Who am I?

All Ages

Any size group

No Setup time

Noisy game

Can be seated

This is a well-known game, sometimes called the post-it notes game. Write the name of someone the child will know and stick it to their forehead. The child then has to guess ‘who they are’ by asking questions that can only be answered with a ‘yes’ or ‘no.’

Supporting limbs

All Ages

Any size group

No Setup time

Noisy game

Space needed

Have the youngsters get into small groups of 3–4 people. The idea of the game is for the group to support each other so that not everyone has to stand on the floor. Nobody is allowed to sit on the floor. Roll 2 dice, one for the number of feet that can be touching the floor, the second for the number of hands that can be touching the floor. (Hints : just pick numbers if you don’t have dice, and try balancing on knees) Talk about how sometimes we need the support of those around us.

Name scramble

All Ages

Small group

No Setup time

Noisy game

Can be seated

In this game, you try to build a name by searching for letters. When the children arrive, write their names on small squares of paper, one letter at a time. Drop the letters into a large tub filled with rice or some other filling material like shredded paper. Have the kids dig out the letters until you build a name. Substitute the paper for fridge magnet letters or similar if you are sure of your kids in advance.

This story of the Canaanite woman is an encounter of healing, of acceptance, of determination and of an unlikely party receiving the abundance of God’s love. These games play on the idea that the Canaanite woman didn’t appear to belong in this narrative as well as the words Jesus used the the passage about dogs and tables. There is a variety of games suitable for different sized groups and spaces.

Table roll – You will need a big table for this one and some small balls, ball pit balls or table tennis balls would be ideal. Pour the balls over the table. Have the kids positioned under or around the table with baskets to catch them when they drop off the edges.

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This passage can feel a little abstract as it relies on symbolism so the activities suggested here stick pretty solidly with exploring bread. For the older kids we can spread out to the ideas of symbolism and the confusion of the crowd. There are some printable ideas here as well to try and give you variety without moving away on a tangent.

Bread dominoes – Print this sheet of dominoes and play a round. It’s a small set so double up if you have extra kids. Grab the printout by clicking on the picture.

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This is a story of love and deception. Jacob works for 7 years with nobody tipping him off to the plan or requirement that the oldest daughter must marry first. These games tie into that number 7 and the idea of deception. Choose the game best suited to your age range and space.

Find Rachel – This simple pairs game can be printed by clicking on the image. It contains 8 pairs to find. Separate the cards, mix then place face down. Turn 2 cards to try to match the pairs. If they match leave face up otherwise reset.

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This story of Jacobs ladder dream has so many facets that could be spun off into games. the ladder, the stone, the voice of God. There is a selection here to suit a variety of group sizes and space layouts.

Soft as a stone – gather a selection of different materials. Have the children choose what is the best use for each material. eg thin cotton may be good as a bed sheet but would it be good as a trampoline? Wood may be good for a door but what about a slide? End with a stone. Would any of the kids like the stone as their pillow?

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Jacob and Esau may not be the best picture of brotherly love but rash decisions, silly tricks and family promises make this story utterly believable. These games will work for one child or many. Use the key to identify the best game for your group.

Under the stew – stick some pictures to the inside base of some bowls. Using dry goods like beans, corn, or flour cover the picture. Have the child move the ‘stew’ around to guess what picture it hides.

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New Testament

Old Testament

Resource Type

Season

Order

I can… we can…

Cuck-oo, moo moo

Prayer chain Jesus

Who ate the cookie from the cookie jar

Nothing

Follow the leader

When I’m king…

Feel bags

Incomplete

The key relay

Who am I?

Supporting limbs

Name scramble

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