Leader Guide
Bowling Game
- Bibles or the Superbook Bible App
- Twelve socks or tennis balls
- Two bed sheets, blankets, large bath towels, or drop cloths—blue, if possible
- Timer: clock/watch with second hand, stopwatch, timer app
- Twelve small stones
- Optional: painters or masking tape
Roll individual socks into balls.
Place the sheets on the floor next to each other.
Separate the sheets to create a passageway approximately 3–5 feet long and just wide enough for a balled up sock or tennis ball to pass through—see illustration.
Roll up and push each sheet together to create as much height as possible on both sides of the passageway, to represent water.
Mark or tape a “roll line” on the floor 12–15 feet from the entrance to the “Jordan River.” You may move the roll line closer for younger children or those with special needs.
Roll a few socks through the “river” to test the setup.
God performed a great miracle before the Israelites got to the city of Jericho!
Read Joshua 3:9–16:
Joshua told the Israelites, “Come and listen to what the Lord your God says. Today you will know that the living God is among you. … The priests will carry the Ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth. As soon as their feet touch the water, the flow of water will be cut off upstream, and the river will stand up like a wall.” … The Jordan was overflowing its banks. But as soon as the feet of the priests who were carrying the Ark touched the water at the river’s edge, the water above that point began backing up … until the riverbed was dry. Then all the people crossed over near the town of Jericho.
The people of Jericho probably thought they were safe from Israel’s army not only because of the walls around their city, but also because Israel’s people must cross the Jordan River. At that time of year, the river was at flood stage—overflowing its banks! It seemed impossible for the Israelites to cross it at that time. But as our SuperTruth says: “Nothing can stand against God!”
Point to the props as you explain the game. We will work as one team to get the twelve tribes of Israel over the Jordan as quickly as possible! We will play a few rounds and try for the best time. Each sock represents one tribe of Israel. When I start the time, you will each take turns rolling one sock at a time so it crosses over the Jordan River on dry land. The ball must stay within the boundaries as it rolls all the way through. It does not count if the ball rolls or bounces over the sheets representing the water. Keep taking turns until all twelve socks pass through, and we will stop the time and record it. Then, we will play another round to try to beat that time.
Conclusion: Great job everyone! That was an amazing miracle God performed for the Israelites—especially since the river was overflowing its banks! No wonder the hearts of the people of Jericho melted in fear! God made sure all twelve tribes, including 40,000 soldiers, made it across on dry land. When the priests safely crossed to the other side, the water was allowed to flow again. When we serve God, He will make a way for us in difficult situations.