Leader Guide

Game

Gather only the objects needed based on the obstacles you choose from the list shown below: Masking or painters tape, string or rope, tennis or rubber balls, paper, boxes, bags, laundry basket, long board—2"x4"x6ꞌ or 8ꞌ, balloons, tables, paper towel roll, Hula-Hoops, bean bags, ten blocks or dominoes, six plastic cups, paper cups
Optional: timer—clock/watch with second hand, stopwatch, timer app
Assistants to maintain the course and assist players
Paper or cardstock
Marker

Using marker, make signs for each station of the obstacle course, writing one number on each sheet of paper or cardstock.

Set up the obstacle course with the obstacles you choose from list below or other obstacles you create.

Place the numbered signs by each station so children can follow the proper order of the course.

Obstacle Ideas List:

Crawl under a table.
Crawl under a string or rope stretched between two chairs.
Jump into and out of a Hula-Hoop five times—may tape a ring on floor instead.
Walk on a balance board—lay board on floor for safety; do not elevate it.
Do balance board again, but this time walk sideways.
Toss two beanbags or paper wads into a laundry basket or box.
Walk from one point to another while balancing a book on your head.
Skip in place, hop, or balance on one foot while reciting the SuperTruth.
Do ten jumping jacks.
Bat a balloon in the air 3 to 5 times without letting it touch the ground.
Make a tower by stacking ten blocks or dominoes.
Build a pyramid using six cups.
Throw paper wads at cups placed on a table to knock one cup over.
Throw an empty paper towel roll like a spear through an opening like a Hula-Hoop.

The list consists of general ideas for obstacles to use at different stations. Add, remove or modify any obstacles that better fit your children, time frame, facility, and clothes worn by children, such as dresses or skirts, shoes. Keep safety as a priority as you choose and construct obstacles. Substitute any safe materials/objects you may have on hand.

Let’s play a game where you will go through the course laid out to overcome all the obstacles! But first, does anyone know the answer to the bonus question? Joshua’s spies promised Rahab that she and her family would be safe when Joshua’s army attacked Jericho if she followed their instructions. Where was this place of safety? In Rahab’s house.

Have a child, a fifth or sixth grader if possible, walk through the course as you give instructions to demonstrate the flow of the course and how to perform the activities/obstacles properly. During the activity, have assistants walk through the course to help younger children or those with disabilities. As children participate, have the rest of the children cheer them on and encourage them by shouting things like, “You can overcome it!” “Don’t give up.” etc. Begin the activity and allow each child to have at least one turn through the course.

Options:

If you have a large group, allow the next player to begin the obstacle course as soon as the previous player finishes the first obstacle.
Time individuals as they go through the course and write the times on a board.
Play as a large group and add times up to get a total time. Run through the course a second time if time permits to try and beat that time.
If you have extra time at the end of the lesson, you may have children do the obstacle course again for fun.

What obstacle was the most difficult for you?

How can this compare to what we face each day in our lives?

The game today was fun. We used lots of different obstacles that you had to overcome before you could move on to complete the course. The obstacles in life aren’t usually fun; in fact, they can be very difficult and sometimes even scary. However, with Christ, we can overcome them all. Now, let’s learn some more about how Christ helps us overcome obstacles in our lives.