Leader Guide
Building Game
- Bibles or the Superbook Bible App
- Marker
- Two index cards
- Two paper cups
- Forty building blocks or dominoes
- Optional: Painter's tape or masking tape
Review Paul and Barnabas Building Game instructions.
Write TEAM 1 on an index card and TEAM 2 on the other card.
Make a happy face on the outside of each cup.
Write the SuperVerse on the board:
Place a mark or line on the floor near one end of the room.
Place the tables 15–20 feet from the line or mark.
Place the Team 1 index card on one side of the table.
Place the Team 2 index card on the opposite side of the table.
Place a cup with the face visible on the left and right side of the table, in front of the cards.
Note: For larger classes, add teams, blocks, and cups. For smaller classes, use a timer and work as a large group.
Play at least twice to build a tower in the least amount of time.
Build ‘Em Up! Demonstrate how we can encourage others.
We have been discussing how we must encourage others and show them God’s love. Let’s read another verse that says this a little differently. Read Romans 15:2 (NLT).
It is easy to focus on our own needs and do things to build ourselves up—and we should! However, we can’t ignore others in the process. As followers of Christ, we must look for ways to motivate others and help them do what is right. When we do that, we build them up in the Lord, and God’s Kingdom is strengthened. In this game, we are going to build towers that represent people. Point to the cup. But instead of building your own team’s tower up, you’re going to race to build the other team’s tower up!
Divide the class into Team 1 and Team 2. It is important for each child to know the team number that they are assigned. Have the teams shout their team number aloud.
The teams must be even and may have up to ten children. If the teams are uneven, a child on one team may need to play an additional time.
Each team will build a tower of a maximum of twenty blocks with each child having two turns. Smaller teams allow children to take additional turns.
Have teams form two separate lines behind the mark with Team 1 facing the card for Team 2, and Team 2 facing the card for Team 1. Place an equal pile of dominos or blocks (maximum of twenty) near each team behind the line or mark. The first player from each team will pick up a block and quickly carry it to their team’s side of the table and place it in front of the card. Then the players will balance a cup—happy face out—on top of their block and return to their team. The next players take their turn. Players lift the cup and place their block on the tower and balance the cup on top again.
The first team that successfully completes their tower with the cup on top wins. Allow the other team time to complete their tower.
Note: If a tower falls at any point, a player may be chosen to help the current player rebuild the tower, and then play continues as before. This shows support and encourages the player.
Congratulate the winning team and then reveal the card by placing it against their tower. Now, do the same with the other card.
Neither team built their own tower—instead, you built the other team’s tower up! This is what the verse is talking about, helping others and building them up instead of always focusing on ourselves!