Leader Guide

Game

  • Four paper plates
  • Four cups: foam, paper or plastic—two different colors, styles or sizes. See instructions below for options
  • Optional: marker
  • Optional: painters tape or masking tape

If using four identical cups, use the marker to decorate two of them to make them unique.

Place a mark or line near opposite ends of the room, about 20 feet apart, if possible.

Place a line or mark on the floor mid-way between the other two lines.

First, let’s answer the question from Large Group. What are some ways that the Good Samaritan was generous? He was generous with his money, paying for the man to stay in the inn and promising to pay any extra that was needed. He was generous with his possessions: he used his own bandages, oil and wine to help the man, then put him on his donkey. He was generous with his time: he may have been in a hurry but he stopped to help, took the injured man to the inn, and promised to come back later. He was generous with his physical strength, lifting the man onto the donkey. He was generous in his soul, having compassion for the man.

This game illustrates the SuperVerse. When we bless others, we will be blessed in return. Let’s say the SuperVerse together. Proverbs 11:25:

The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.

The second part of the verse says that when we refresh someone, we will be refreshed in return. Refreshing means to bless someone; to revive or lift their spirit! It could be giving encouragement or comforting someone. It could be helping them with a need in their life. Let’s read a different Bible version of the SuperVerse to help us understand this game.

Read Proverbs 11:25 (cev):

Generosity will be rewarded: Give a cup of water, and you will receive a cup of water in return.

Refreshing is compared to giving a cup of water. When you’re outside working hard on a very hot day, a cup of cold water is refreshing, isn’t it? In this game, you will refresh and be refreshed. To illustrate this, you will give a cup and receive a cup back! Are you ready to play?

Divide the children into two equal teams. Divide each team again into two groups. If groups are uneven, one player may play twice.

One group of each team stands behind the line or mark at one end of the room.

The other group of each team stands behind the other line or mark at the other end of the room.

Give a paper plate and a cup (same type or color) to the first player of each of the two groups at one end the room.

Give a paper plate and a cup (different type or color) to the first player of each group at the other end of the room.

Start the game. The players balance their cups upright on their plates (bottom of cup rests on plate) as they walk toward the center to meet their teammate. If a cup tips over or rolls off the plate, the player must stop to pick it up, and then stand it up on the plate before proceeding.

Teammates then carefully exchange cups at the center line or mark. They will tilt their plates and roll the cups off one plate and onto the other. They must do this without touching the cups with their hands.

When the cups are successfully exchanged, players can use their hands to stand the cup up.

They return to the starting line, then give the plate and cup to the next player on their team.

Continue until all players have exchanged cups and returned to their starting line or mark. The first team to do this wins.

Note: For an added challenge for grades 4–6, if a cup falls to the floor, children cannot touch it with their hands. They must scoop it up with the plate, or use the plate to push the cup against their foot and roll it onto the plate again.

Conclusion: That looked challenging and fun. What part of the game was most challenging to you? You gave a cup and received a cup in return. When we bless someone, God will bless us in return!