Leader Guide
Game
- Round balloons, one for each team of 4–6 children; the same balloons may be used for the game, “A Long Way Off” in Additional Activities
- Paper plates or sheets of cardstock, one per team
- Optional: painters or masking tape
Blow up and tie balloons closed.
Place a mark toward one end of the room.
Mark or tape a line near one end of the room, allowing room for children to stand behind it.
Mark or tape two more marks about every 4 feet from the first mark according to the illustration. If using tape, lay small tape marks across the course.
Let’s say our SuperTruth together: “God waits patiently for us to turn to Him.” The youngest son made a bad decision to walk away from his father and the blessed life that he had at home. We will mess up and make unwise choices in life. Yet God does not disown us and tell us we no longer belong in the family. Instead, He waits patiently for us to turn to Him.
Divide the children into teams of 4–6, depending on class size. Divide each team in half again. Have each half stand directly across from their teammates behind the marks at the opposite ends of the room. See illustration.
Walk as you talk and demonstrate turning at each mark. Today we are going to play a fun game about turning. You will walk from the start mark to the finish mark at the other side of the room. When you come to each of the two marks along the way, you must turn completely around before you can continue. Now, does that sound easy enough? Hmmm, yes—probably a little too easy.
Hold a paper plate or cardstock sheet and place a balloon on top of it, then demonstrate again walking the course.
To make this more challenging, you must balance the balloon on top of the plate as you walk and turn. Now, be careful—if you move too quickly, the balloon may fall to the floor. If it does, you must pick it up and continue from that spot. When you reach the finish line, hand the balloon and plate to the next player on your team, who will then take the journey to the finish line at the opposite end. The first team to finish wins!
Play again as time permits.
Conclusion: Good job turning, everyone! In our journey of life there will be times we make bad choices and need to turn back to God. We will always find Him waiting patiently for us with open arms of love and forgiveness.