Leader Guide
Game
- Two medium-size, cube-shaped boxes with lids; use three boxes for classes with more than 32 children
- Question and Answer Sheets
- Marker to write on the boxes
- Whiteboard and marker, or chalkboard and chalk
- Sixth grade helper or volunteer to keep score on the board
Make a copy of the Question and Answer Sheets.
Make “Answer Boxes” by using the marker to write a different letter on all four sides and the bottom of each box: T, F, A, B, C. The top of each box will remain blank.
Mark or tape a starting line near one end of the room, and place the boxes on the floor about 15–20 feet away.
Divide the children into two teams. If there are more than 32 children in the class, make three teams. Have the teams line up at the starting line. Hold up an answer box and show the letters on its sides as you explain the game.
Let’s play a game to review the Prodigal Son Parable that Jesus told. One player from each team will play at the same time. I will ask a question and give you two or three answers to choose from. The answers may be T for True and F for False; or they may be A, B or C, for multiple choice. Some answers are silly; some may be close to the correct answer, but not quite right. One person from each team will go at the same time. When it’s your turn, listen carefully for the question and the possible answers.
The Prodigal son took a journey to a far land so you will go quickly from the starting line to the other end of the room on your journey—the catch is that you must travel in the way that I call out, such as skipping or hopping. Once you reach the other end, you will pick up your team’s answer box, find the correct answer on it, and hold it toward me so I can see it. Each player who holds up the correct answer will receive two points. In addition, the first player to hold up the correct answer receives a bonus point. Don’t be tempted to look at the other player’s answer—it may not be correct! If you forget the question, I will repeat it for you. The team with the most points wins.
Question and Answer Sheet - Answers in bold
Wait for me to give the question and all the possible answers, then follow my instructions about how to go to your team’s answer box, find the side with the correct answer as fast as possible, and hold it up for me to see.
1. This is from the bonus question from Large Group. What were the three things that the father told his servants to put on the Prodigal Son when he returned home?
A. Boots, jacket, and a hat.
B. Shirt, shoes, pants.
C. Robe, ring, sandals.
Go to your team’s answer box by hopping on one foot.
2. The SuperTruth says that God celebrates when we:
A. Are old enough to leave home.
B. Tell on someone who made a bad choice.
C. Ask Jesus to forgive us.
Go to your team’s answer box by walking backward. You can turn your head to make sure you don’t run into anything!
3. The SuperVerse says there is _____ in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God:
A. Anger.
B. Money
C. Joy.
Go to your team’s answer box by taking giant steps and swinging your arms up and down.
4. Who often came to listen to Jesus teach?
A. Tax collectors and sinners.
B. Adam and Eve.
C. Abraham and Isaac.
Go to your team’s answer box by hopping on both feet.
5. Who complained that Jesus spent time with sinful people?
A. Moses and the Israelite army.
B. Mary, Jesus’ mother.
C. Scribes and Pharisees
Go to your team’s answer box by skipping.
6. When Jesus heard the complaints, He agreed to stop teaching sinners and only spend time with church members. Is the answer T for True or F for False? False.
Go to your team’s answer box by walking sideways.
7. Jesus said that if a shepherd had one hundred sheep and lost one, the shepherd would:
A. Pray and ask that his sheep would miraculously return.
B. Look for the lost sheep until he found it.
C. Be happy he still had ninety nine sheep left.
Go to your team’s answer box by sliding your feet without lifting them from the floor.
8. When the shepherd found the sheep, he would:
A. Shave the wool and make a coat.
B. Put it on his shoulders and joyfully carry it home.
C. Ride the sheep all the way home.
Go to your team’s answer box by tiptoeing.
9. Jesus’ story of the lost sheep compares the sheep to people who have sinned and are lost. Is the answer T for True or F for False? True.
Go to your team’s answer box by skipping.
10. In the parable of the Prodigal Son:
A. The older son asked for his share of his father’s estate.
B. The younger son asked for his share of his father’s estate.
C. The younger son asked the father to travel with him to a distant land.
Go to your team’s answer box by walking backward. You can turn your head to make sure you don’t run into anything!
11. What did the younger son do with his money?
A. Gave it to the poor.
B. Invested it wisely.
C. Wasted it on wild living.
Go to your team’s answer box in a zigzag pattern—demonstrate if necessary.
12. After the Prodigal Son lost all of his money, he got a job:
A. Feeding cows.
B. Feeding pigs
C. Racing horses.
Go to your team’s answer box by twirling as you hop on both feet.
13. When the Prodigal Son returned home, he planned to:
A. Tell his father that he needed more money.
B. Ask his father to hire him as a worker.
C. Demand that his father let him live at home with full privileges.
Go to your team’s box by skipping backward. You can turn your head to make sure you don’t run into anyone.
14. When the father saw his son coming home at a distance:
A. He ran inside and locked the door.
B. He ran to his son and hugged and kissed him.
C. He waited for him and told him he must ask forgiveness.
Go to your team’s answer box by hopping on your right foot while clapping your hands.
15. The father ordered the servants to prepare a feast and celebrate the younger son’s return home. Is the answer T for True or F for False? True.
Go to your team’s answer box by sliding your feet without lifting them from the floor.
You all did very well remembering so many things from the Bible story! Let’s continue now and talk about the Signposts video we saw in Large Group.