Leader Guide
Fish Game
- Paper fish used in Small Group Game—one fish per group of four children; note that the larger the coin sealed inside the fish, the easier to flip it in this game
- Paper plates, one per child
- Timer: clock/watch with second hand, stopwatch, or timer app
- Scissors
- Whiteboard and marker, or chalkboard and chalk
- Sixth grade helper or another volunteer to keep score
Write the SuperTruth on the board. Leave space to keep score.
Jesus knew Peter would be tested, and that in a time of fear Peter would fail. Yet Jesus also prayed for Peter to become even stronger after the test.
After Jesus rose from the dead, He came to the disciples when they had fished all night but caught nothing. What miracle did He perform?
He provided 153 large fish in their nets! Jesus prepared a meal for Peter and the disciples and invited them to breakfast. We have been talking about a catch of fish; now we are going to play a game of catch fish! You will put the fish on the plate for breakfast and say the SuperTruth at the same time! Let’s say it now together: “Jesus knows my weaknesses.”
Divide the class into groups of four. Give each group one fish and each child one plate. Have each group form a square with a child standing at each corner, about 3 to 5 feet away from each other. Small classes may form groups of three and stand in a triangle pattern. Children will lean and stretch their arms out to flip and catch, so adjust the distance to be challenging but not too difficult. Children should not be close enough to touch plates or slide the fish between plates.
Each round is 30 seconds. When the timer starts, a player on each team begins by placing the fish on the plate. With an underhand motion, they will flip it to a child next to them. That child then flips it to the next child until everyone in the group has taken a turn. Before each flip, each child must say a word of the SuperTruth in order. When the SuperTruth is completed, the group immediately starts over and keeps track of how many times the SuperTruth is completed during the time period without the fish falling to the ground. If a fish does fall to the ground, the player who last flipped it must start the SuperTruth over again; however, the number of successful completions still counts for that round. Be prepared to help children with special needs. When time expires, each group will say their score to be recorded on the board. Play as many rounds as time permits. You may tally each round’s scores for a grand total.
Optional: To make the game more difficult for Grades 4–6, have them say the SuperVerse, Hebrews 4:15, instead of the SuperTruth, as they flip the fish.
Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because He was tempted in every way that we are. But He did not sin!