Leader Guide
Game
- Sheets of paper, three per child
- Red crayons or red washable markers, one per child
- Large box about 2 feet high.
- Paper grocery bag or small box
- Bibles or the Superbook Bible App
- Optional—timer
- Optional—masking or painter's tape
On the front of the box, write: BONDAGE.
On the front of the grocery bag or small box, write: GOD.
Place the box at one end of the room.
Mark or tape a line several feet away from the box.
Place the bag in the middle between the box and the mark or line.
Read the SuperVerse, Exodus 6:6b, to the children:
"I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, I will rescue you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm."
The Israelites needed someone to save and deliver them—they needed a redeemer! The Israelites’ bondage and captivity in Egypt is symbolic of mankind’s bondage and captivity to sin. Jesus said in John 8:34,
“I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin.”
Now, who do you think sins—who is Jesus talking about?
In the book of Romans, the Bible says that we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. God sent Jesus to live a life without sin so He could pay the price for our sin and redeem us. Jesus rescued us by His death and blood that was shed on the cross! Today, we are going to play a game of redemption.
Hand out the red crayons or markers and three sheets of paper to each child. Have each child write his or her name in large letters in the middle of ONE sheet of paper, then draw a large heart around the name.
Does anyone have an idea why we used a red crayon?
Yes, it represents Jesus’ precious blood. He purchased our freedom from sin and redeemed us so we can live for God!
Have children wad up ALL THREE of their papers into balls and place them into the box. Divide the children into two teams and line them up behind the mark/line. Start the game. The first player from each team runs to the box and quickly sorts through it to find one with a name. The player then runs to the bag and shouts the name on the paper, adding, “You have been redeemed!”—then places the paper in the “God” bag. The player runs back to the beginning and the next player takes a turn. It will be harder to find papers with names later in the game. The first team to complete the game wins.
That was a fun game! Let’s shout our SuperTruth together before we learn more about our Redeemer: “God will redeem me.”
Option: You may choose to play this as one large group without separating into teams. Play two rounds and try to beat the previous time as a group.