Leader Guide
Game
- Bible or the Superbook Bible App
- Optional: painters or masking tape
- Two bags with handles: grocery bags or totes are ideal
- Two medium-size boxes or plastic containers
- Small items such as coins, pebbles, or dried beans: five per child, plus extras, to also be used in the Teaching section
- Optional: poster board, whiteboard, or chalkboard
- Optional: marker or chalk
Mark or tape a starting line at one end of the room.
Write “Inheritance” on one box, fill it with the small items, five per child, and place it at the starting line.
Write “Fun and Games” on the other box; place it at the far end of the room, about 20 feet from the starting line.
Mark or tape a “throw line” about 6 feet from the “Fun and Games” box.
Write the SuperTruth on the board.
In the Superbook adventure, why did Aaron think he could not return home? He didn’t think his dad could forgive him.
Was this true? No.
How did Aaron’s father respond when he found his son?
Let’s say our SuperTruth together: “Our heavenly Father is always ready to forgive.”
In our game today, you will each have a turn to play the Prodigal Son. You will take your inheritance, waste it all on fun and games, feel sorry for what you’ve done, and go home with nothing. However, you will arrive home to much more—forgiveness and a celebration. Let’s get started!
Divide the children into two equal teams and have them stand single-file behind the starting line, with the box of items between the teams. Give a bag to the first player on each team and start the game. The two players each take five items from the “Inheritance” box and place them in their bags for the journey.
They walk quickly to the “throw line,” take the items from their bags and throw the pieces one at a time into the “Fun and Games” box. To keep the game moving quickly, you may say that all pieces that miss the box should be left where they fall on the floor; OR, if you have more time, you may tell children to keep throwing until each piece lands in the box.
Children then carry their empty bags back “home.” If playing on a clean floor or carpeting, players can make the journey back by “walking” on their knees—symbolizing that they are sorry. If the floor is rough, children should walk on their feet.
Upon returning “home,” players should stand up, hand the bag to the next player, and walk to the end of the team line. On the way, each member gives the player a “high five” while the entire team celebrates by clapping, cheering, then shouting the SuperTruth together. After the celebration, the next player begins the journey. The first team to have all players complete the journey and celebrate wins.
How does it feel to be forgiven?
Yes, one thing we can always be sure of is that our heavenly Father has unfailing love for His children and will always forgive us! Now, let’s learn some more about our Bible story and the father’s forgiveness.