Leader Guide
Match Game
- Philip Match Cards
- Seven sheets of cardstock
- Scissors
- Masking tape or painter's tape
- Optional: marker
- Whiteboard and marker or chalkboard and chalk
Write the SuperVerse on the board—Matthew 6:33:
Make one copy of each of the Philip Match Cards—double-sided, if possible.
Cut apart the twenty-eight individual cards.
If using single-sided copies: write a different number from 1–28 on the back of each card in random order. The numbers should be upside-down to the words on the reverse, so when the card is flipped up along its top edge, the word will be right-side-up.
Tape the top edge of each card on the wall with the numbered sides showing in four rows of seven cards.
Kingdom Match: Play a game to seek after the things of God.
Let’s say the SuperVerse together—Matthew 6:33:
Seeking the kingdom of God means to pursue God, His Word, and His will continually. It means to follow Christ’s perfect example from when He lived on earth. In this game, we will seek and find matches of things found in God’s kingdom. You must also identify and avoid cards that do not represent God’s kingdom.
Divide the children into two teams; they do not need to be even. Have teams sit together so everyone can see the cards on display. On each team’s turn, a player gets two guesses to seek and match things found in God’s kingdom. The player chooses a card number, and the leader will flip that card up along its taped edge to reveal the word. The same player will then select a second card number to try to match the first card. If the cards don’t match, they are flipped back down again. If the two cards match, the leader carefully peels the cards from the board and gives them to the team. There are also four cards that represent unrighteousness: fame, greed, pride, and selfishness—these things have no part in God’s kingdom. When these cards are revealed, ask if it is something that would exist in God’s kingdom and represents righteous living. Tell children to remember the card’s location and flip it back down again. Play until all “kingdom” pairs are removed from the board. The team with the most pairs wins.
Conclusion: As followers of Christ, we must continually seek after God’s kingdom first, and stay away from things not pleasing to God. Simon sought after God’s power because of greed, pride, and selfishness. As with Simon, we must guard our hearts and repent. When we seek God’s kingdom first, God will provide everything we need.