Leader Guide
Active Game
- Ten Dominos to build foundations
- Four dominos per child, plus extras
- Two tables
- One box or container
- Whiteboard and marker, or chalkboard and chalk
- Optional: painters tape or masking tape
Write the SuperVerse on the board. James 1:2–3:
When troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.
Refer to the illustration to help set up the game.
Place a starting line or mark near one end of the room.
Put one table about 10–12 feet from that line or mark.
Place a box on the floor about two feet from the back of the table.
Place dominos in the box—one per child.
Place a second table about 10–15 feet from the back of the first table.
For smaller classes, give children more dominos and additional turns to grow endurance.
Today, we are being challenged to consider trials and troubles in a different way. Instead of a totally negative experience, God wants us to see hardships as an opportunity for spiritual growth.
Optional: Ask if anyone can say the SuperVerse from memory. Let’s read aloud today’s SuperVerse from the board. James 1:2–3:
When we trust in God and allow Him to do His perfect work in us, our endurance and patience will develop and grow! That’s the basis for this game.
Have the children stand single file behind the starting line.
Walk through the course and model the actions as you explain the game.
Give one domino to each player. This domino represents troubles we may face. Each player will carry the domino slowly to the first table this way: step, stop, another step, stop, and so on until reaching the table.
When trouble comes, we must deal with it. It can sadden us, weigh us down, and slow us down. The player will then stack the domino he/she is carrying on one of the “foundation” dominos.
The player will then walk to the box and get one domino from it. This domino represents a trial we may face.
The player then slowly proceeds as before—step, stop, step, stop—to the second table. Once a player reaches the second table, he/she will place the domino on one of the “foundation” dominos, just as before. The player will then skip or jump up and down with arms waving all the way back to the starting line.
Why would you return this way? Hint: look at the SuperVerse on the board. We are full of joy because Jesus is working in us and is with us through the trial or troubles.
Why do you think we are stacking dominos in the shape of an “E”? Hint: Look at the SuperVerse again. E stands for endurance. God builds or grows endurance in us as we trust in Him during hardships.
This
game has one more rule. After the first player takes a turn, every player who
follows will stack a domino on that same level until that level is completed
for all five parts of the E. For example, stack five dominos evenly across the
second level before beginning the third level, and so on. Demonstrate
to help the children understand.
Encourage the children to cheer each other on as each builds endurance. Play until each child has taken a turn.
Conclusion: Wow, look at how endurance grew! It could not have grown without experiencing troubles and trials! Having our faith tested is never fun; yet, if we are willing to stand strong, trusting in God through a tough circumstance, God can do great things!