and more games

Had a blast at 9:45 Live (our Family Friendly Kids Service) at Redoubt North Wesleyan on Sunday. Working in Ephesians we talked about obeying our parents (Eph 6:1-3). With the link to the Old Testament (check it out) the logical game to play was "Old Testament." I've copied it below - but first I have to tell you that even the adults needed a clue to get the words!

Have fun!

Pastor Pete

OLD TESTAMENT ALPHABET HUNT
Years: 1-6
Game Type: Large Motor
Number of Teams: 2 or more
Playing Area: Indoors or Outdoors
Equipment or Supplies: O-L-D T-E-S-T-A-M-E-N-T Letters
Object of Game: The team to find all of the letters of “Old Testament” first wins.

DIRECTIONS
Pre-Class Preparation: Photocopy the O-L-D T-E-S-T-A-M-E-N-T letters on
cardstock. Make enough copies for each team plus two additional copies.
additional copies. Cut out the letters along the dotted lines then “hide” them
around room.
Directions:
1. Divide the class in two or more teams. Have players stand behind the
starting line as shown below.
2. On “GO” all the players but one on each team look for the letters to make
the words Old Testament. Have the one player who is not searching for the
letters stay behind the “starting line”. As the letters are found, have the
players bring the cards back to the player behind the “starting line” and
lay the letters on the floor in the right order to spell Old Testament. When
most of the letters are found, the player behind the “starting line” can call
out to his team the letters left to find.
3. Players continue looking for the letters until all of them are found.
4. The team to find all of the letters of “Old Testament” first wins.

Games in church????

A few years ago I was talking with a new student at Carey who was looking for new ways to reach children in church. In particular he was concerned that his own boys were getting bored and not wanting to go to Kids Church. Rather than sit and criticise from the sidelines he offered to help. Not seeing himself as a teacher he decided he'd like to run some fun games with the children. His Pastor's response was that "we don't have time to play games" or at least words to that effect.

Is that true - do we not have time for fun and games in Children's Ministry? Are games part of reaching children for Christ? Can we use games to teach? Or is that for the rest of the week?

In my church I am pleased to say that games are part of Kids Church. Sometimes to teach, sometimes to reinforce the message, sometimes just to have fun and sometimes to allow the kids to let off steam and so be more receptive when we ask them to sit still.

Games are an important part of any Children's Ministry programme. Children need times when they are active and able to run around - not to mention all the life skills that they can learn at the same time.

So next time you plan your programme make room for games. Your children will thank you and you too will have fun.

Having fun through games
Pastor Pete