Leader Guide

Game

Signs Follow: Play a game about sharing the Gospel and God’s confirmation.

In Large Group, you were asked to watch for what happened when Peter and John laid hands on the believers in Samaria. What is the answer? The believers were filled with the Holy Spirit.

This was one way that God worked through the disciples to prove that their message was true. By God’s Spirit and authority, people were saved and healed.

Before Philip arrived in Samaria, people spoke of Simon as “the Great One—the Power of God.” After seeing the true power of God through Philip, the people began to follow him instead. Let’s say our SuperVerse today—Mark 16:20:

God does not perform signs and wonders to entertain; they are done to confirm His Word and to further His kingdom on earth.

Divide the children into two equal teams. One child may need to play twice. Divide each team in half. The team halves stand at opposite ends behind the marks or lines directly across from each other. Hold up the balloons. One balloon says “Preaching” and the second balloon says “Miracles.” Our game represents what happened in our Bible story and still happens today. The Word goes out, and God’s power and miracles follow to confirm that His Word is true.

Give a “Preaching” balloon to the first player on each team at one end of the room, and a “Miracles” balloon to the second player in that same line. (The children in the lines on the opposite side of the room do not get balloons initially.)

Say “Go.” Each player with a “Preaching” balloon bats it in the air while walking forward to deliver the balloon to the first teammate in line on the other side of the room. The balloons cannot be caught or held in the hand.

After the “Preaching” player has taken three steps, the next player in line begins walking forward, batting the “Miracle” balloon to deliver it to the second teammate on the other side. The players with the balloons now begin walking to the other side, batting their balloons. Continue this progression until the last child on a team reaches the other side with the “Miracle” balloon. This team is the winner. Play additional rounds if time permits.

Conclusion: Every time God’s message went out, His power followed to confirm it. We serve a God of miracles and can trust that God will confirm our words and actions with His power!