Leader Guide
Action Game
- Gather only the objects needed based on the obstacles you choose from the list shown below:
Masking tape or painter’s tape
String or rope
Tennis or rubber balls
Paper, boxes, bags
Laundry basket
Long board—2 “x4” x6ꞌ or 8ꞌ
Balloons
Tables
Paper towel roll
Hula-Hoops
Bean bags
Ten blocks or dominoes
Six plastic cups, paper cups
- Optional: timer—clock/watch with a second hand, stopwatch, timer app
- Assistants to maintain the course and assist players—can be players who have completed the course
- Paper or cardstock
- Marker
- Whiteboard and marker or chalkboard and chalk to keep score
- Table
- GizmoNote (optional take-home note)
Using the marker, make signs for each station of the obstacle course, writing one number on each sheet of paper or cardstock.
Set up the course with the obstacles you choose from the list or use your own items.
Place the numbered signs by each station so children can follow the proper order of the course.
Obstacle Ideas List:
- Jump into and out of a Hula-Hoop five times—may tape a ring on the floor instead.
- Walk forward on a balance board—lay the board flat on the floor for safety; do not elevate it.
- Walk sideways on the balance board.
- Toss two beanbags or paper wads into a laundry basket or box.
- Walk from one point to another while balancing a book on your head.
- Skip in place, hop in place, or balance on one foot while reciting the SuperTruth: “Everyone needs Jesus.”
- Do ten jumping jacks.
- Bat a balloon in the air three to five times without letting it touch the ground.
- Make a tower by stacking ten blocks or dominoes.
- Build a pyramid using six cups.
- Throw paper wads at cups placed on a table to knock one cup over.
- Throw an empty paper towel roll like a spear through an opening such as a Hula-Hoop.
- Crawl under a table. (Not recommended if girls wear skirts or dresses.)
- Crawl under a string or rope stretched between two chairs. (Not recommended if girls wear skirts or dresses.)
The list consists of general ideas for obstacles to use at different stations. Add, remove, or modify any obstacles that better fit your children, time frame, facility, and the clothes worn by the children, such as dresses, skirts, or shoes. Keep safety as a priority as you choose and construct obstacles. Substitute any safe materials/objects you may have on hand.
Don’t Give up! Play a game to overcome obstacles.
In our Superbook adventure, what were some obstacles that Zacchaeus encountered when he wanted to see Jesus? The large crowd, his height. Angry people may have tried to block him or keep him from advancing. People who were unkind and tried to discourage him. His pride, ego, greed.
Did Zacchaeus give up? No!
He was determined to see Jesus. He did whatever he needed to do to overcome everything that stood in his way. That is what this game is about: overcoming whatever stands between us and the finish line.
Have a sixth-grade helper or an older child walk through the course as you give instructions to demonstrate the flow of the course and how to perform the activities/obstacles properly. During the activity, have assistants walk through the course to help younger children or those with disabilities. As children participate, have the other children cheer them on and encourage them by shouting things like, “You can overcome it!” “Don’t give up.” etc. Begin the activity and allow each child to have at least one turn through the course.
Options:
- If you have a large group, allow the next player to begin the obstacle course as soon as the previous player finishes the first obstacle.
- Time individuals as they go through the course and write the times on a board.
- Play as a large group and add up all of their times to get a total time. Have the children go through the course again if time permits to try and beat that time.
- If you have extra time at the end of the lesson, you may have children do the obstacle course again for fun.
What obstacle was the most difficult for you? Children answer.
The game today was fun. However, the obstacles we can face in life aren’t usually fun; in fact, they can be very difficult and sometimes even scary.
We encouraged and cheered for one another in this game. How is that different from what Zacchaeus encountered? People tried to stop him.
Do you think that could ever happen to us? Others may make fun of us or reject us. They can try to hold us back.
What are some obstacles that could hinder us from coming to Jesus or having a closer walk with Him? Fear, embarrassment, being too busy, pride, self-righteousness, sin, a wrong view, or not understanding who God is.
No matter what people may say, everyone needs Jesus! Like Zacchaeus, we must do everything we can to overcome anything that would keep us from Him. The good news is that we are not alone; we can pray and ask the Holy Spirit to strengthen us and help us overcome any obstacle!