Battling Sin

by Toni

Children have fun removing sin from their side of the battle field. Materials: Paper Towel Rolls Duct Tape Masking Tape Small Balls (Styrofoam or ping pong) Colored Markers Duration: Approximately 15 minutes Topics: Armor of God, Bible, Fellowship, Sin

Target Audience: Grades 1-6 (Ages 6-12)

Preparation: Put two paper towel rolls together using the duct tape to secure the middle. Have the children decorate paper towel rolls (swords) as desired. Use the masking tape to split your room down the middle. Use the masking tape to designate a home base corner for each team. What you will do: Separate into two teams. Give each child (and youth helpers) a "sword" made out of the paper towel rolls. Give the children several minutes to decorate their swords using the colored markers. Tell the children, "The Bible is your sword, the balls are the sins that come at you from everywhere in the world." Have the kids name some sins that are always coming at them. (stealing, cussing, being a bully, disobeying parents, etc.) With each sin throw a few balls out onto to the floor, ensuring that balls are on both sides of the battle field. Tell the children the rules of the game: Each team must stand at the "READY" position in their home base with their swords by their sides. They cannot cross the center line when removing the sin from their side. They must use their swords to move the sin balls to the other side. They must stop when the leader calls out stop. The leader calls out "GO" and the children begin to bat the balls into their opponent's side of the room. Give them 2 to 5 minutes of batting. The leader calls out stop and everyone must return to their home base and get in the ready position. The leader counts the "sin" on each side and pronounces the winner of that round. This can be done several times to emphasize how sin attacks us, how we must use our swords wisely (or they will break in half) and how we must regroup at the home base with our fellow soldiers to rest and get ready for the next battle.

Bible Balloon Race

by Donna Gentile

Children scramble to win the race and recall specific books of the Bible.

Materials: 18 Balloons (9 red and 9 blue) Permanent Marker Two 6 foot strings Books of the Bible Bookmarks Adult assistant Duration: Approximately 15 minutes

Topics: Bible, Memory/Review

Target Audience: Grades 3-6 (Ages 8-12)

Click here for the Books of the Bible Bookmarks Preparation: Before class, print copies of the Bible bookmarks, four bookmarks will print per page. The children and leaders should each receive one Bible bookmark. Blow up all 18 balloons* and knot-tie them closed. Do not blow up the balloons to the point of popping; rather, leave some expansion room within, so that the balloons won't pop as easily when the players roll them across the floor. With permanent marker, print one category below per red balloon. Repeat the process for the blue balloons.
Law (OT) Major Prophet (OT) History (NT) History (OT) Minor Prophet (OT) Letters (NT) Poetry (OT) Gospels (NT) Prophecy (NT)

Lay the strings on the floor, across from each other, with a distance of 8'-12' between them. Ask the children to remove their shoes.
*If there will be more than 18 players, categories can be repeated as necessary.

What you will do: Divide children into two teams, each containing an adult leader. Before starting the game, leaders will hand out the Bible bookmarks and spend several minutes reviewing the books under each category with their team. Teams line up single file behind the first string. The string on the opposite side of the room is the finish line. Tell the children that they will be using just their feet to roll the balloon across the floor towards the finish line. Leader #1 hands each member of "Team One" a red balloon and Leader #2 hands each member of "Team Two" a blue balloon, in random order. After handing out the balloons, both leaders position themselves at the finish line. When one leader says, "Bible Balloon Race," the first player from each team sets his or her balloon on the floor and begins to maneuver it towards the finish line. Once a player's balloon crosses the finish line, he or she must show the category printed on the balloon to his or her leader then name one book of the Bible from that category. If the player answers correctly, his or her team receives one point. If the answer is incorrect, no points are awarded. Either way, the next player on the respective team should begin moving his or her balloon to the finish line. If a player accidently pops a balloon, no points are awarded and the next player on the team begins immediately. If teams are uneven, a child from the team with fewer players will need to play twice. The team that finishes with the most points wins the game or if both teams have equal points, the first team to finish wins the game.

Christians Quest - The Books (part one)

by Craig

First game in a series designed to help kids memorize the books of the Bible. Materials: Bible and a plastic sword (or a homemade cardboard sword) Duration: 15 minutes Topics: Memory Work, Word of God

Target Audience: Grades 2-5 (Ages 7-11)

Preparation: Be forewarned fellow workers in Christ: Before presenting this game to the youth, ensure that you have it mastered, for surely they will throw the challenge back to you. What a shame it would be if you could not meet it. What you will do: Divide the kids into two equal teams. Choose one team to go first. This team will name the first book of the Bible. If they are correct, they hand the sword to the other team. Inform them that if they strike others with the toy sword their team will automatically loose the game. The next team names the second book of the Bible. If they name the book correctly, they hand the sword back to the first team. This continues until the kids have named all the books of the Bible or until one of the teams cannot name the next book. If a team cannot name the next book, the opposing team must be able to name it in order to win. When the kids get really good at it, you can have them spell the books of the Bible as they take turns reciting them in order. Kids on the same team can help each other. At first, allow the kids to use their Bibles to help learn the books. Start with the following story: Once upon a time (about three days ago), there were a couple of youngsters who wanted to become knights. At least they thought so. They liked the idea of wearing shiny armor, riding the best horses and hanging out with the royal family. Little did they know that it would take long hours of practice to acquire the skills they would need to become honorable knights. The wise knight practices and then practices again, preparing for battle. Being very wise young people, they decided to add games to their training. These games would be a fun way to gauge the effectiveness of their training and test the level of skill that each of them had attained. In our quest to

become stronger Christians, we too need to sharpen our skills by praying and reading God's Word, the Bible. So young Christians, are you ready to sharpen you skills? If so, let the games begin!

Christians Quest - The Apostles (part two)

by Craig

The second game in the series, designed to challenge the children's knowledge of the twelve Apostles.

Materials: Bible and a plastic sword (or a homemade cardboard sword) Duration: 15 minutes

Topics: Apostles, Memory Challenge

Target Audience: Grades 2-5 (Ages 7-11)

Preparation: Again, you must be forewarned fellow workers in Christ: Before presenting this game to your want-to-be knights, be sure you know the names of all twelve apostles. For surely you will be challenged to show your worthiness to be a knight trainer. What you will do: Have all the kids in your class stand in a large circle. Give the sword to any one child to start the game. Then call out a number between 10 and 20. The children pass the sword to the right from one child to the next and as they do, they count up to the number you just called out. The child holding the sword when reaching that number must say the name of one of the twelve apostles. Then call out another number, and let the game continue. Apostles' names can only be used once during each game, except James can be used twice. If the one with the sword fails to call out an apostle's name, that has not already been used, they must leave the circle and wait until the next game. Congratulate everyone left in the circle after naming all twelve Apostles, because they are one-step closer to becoming honorable knights in God's army. Play the game again if time permits. Start with the following story: Many days ago, a couple of youngsters started training to be knights. They often thought about how the people would cheer them on as they rode swift horses into the King's arena and wearing shinny armor. They had already been through some vigorous training. But, their quest was far from being over. There was much more they needed to learn. They must practice, practice and then practice some more. Would their efforts pay off? Could they at last become honorable knights, ready to carry out the will of their King? Only more games would tell if they had obtained the necessary skills. Our quest to become a strong Christian doesn't end after learning just one thing about God. Instead, it is a life long process. As Christians, we must sharpen our skills every day through prayer and reading God's Word. Then we will know how to live for Jesus, and how to share Him with others. This is the will of our Heavenly King. So let the games continue!

SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSONS

/ SEASONAL / CHRISTMAS / BIRTH 2 YEARS

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

This Christmas, put Jesus center stage by throwing him a birthday bash! Follow these simple steps, and it'll come together in a flash! Step One: Decorate the room and hallway with streamers, Mylar balloons, and "Happy Birthday, Jesus" signs. Show kids today is a special day. Step Two: As children enter, play kids' praise music to welcome them. Toddlers understand a birthday, and they'll be excited to take part. Step Three: Play a few simple party games like Pass the Baby-have children hug a baby doll and then pass it on. Step Four: Gather kids around your snack table and turn off the lights. Sing "Happy Birthday" while you enter with a small cake. (Alert: Consider any food allergies.) Step Five: If funds allow, send each child home with a party favor. Tell children Jesus is so happy they attended his birthday party!

Battle of Knowledge
by Mike

Game of wits, skill and good aim. (Team play) Materials: Masking tape Small bean bag or rolled-up sock 1 piece of red construction paper 1 piece of black construction paper 16 review questions Duration: 15 minutes Topics: Memory & Review

Target Audience: Grades 2-5 (Ages 7-11)

Are the children in these situations being boastful or humble?

1. Jimmy came running home from school. He got an "A+" on today's quiz. He thanked his mom for encouraging him to study the night before. Was Jimmy boastful or humble? __________

2. Tammy looked around at the other girls in her classroom. None of them had as nice a dress as she did. She couldn't wait for someone to notice, so she toldeveryone how pretty her dress was. Was Tammy boastful or humble? _________

3. Carl knew his parents were wealthy. He always got a large allowance. But all of his friends said Carl didn't act rich, instead he was very generous. Was Carl boastful or humble? __________

4. Liz was doing great in school, was captain of her soccer team, and had many friends. She didn't need to worry about Jesus right now in her life. Was Liz boastful or humble? __________

5. As James entered his friend's house, he noticed how old and dirty everything looked. He laughed and said, "Our furniture looks much nicer than yours." Was James boastful or humble? __________

6. Justin saw the mess his younger sister made. There was mud all over the floor. He knew his mom would clean it up, but he decided to do it himself before she noticed. Was Justin boastful or humble? __________