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Leader Guide

Game

  • 40 paper plates (32 are used in the Matching Game)
  • Marker
  • Pencil
  • Disposable rectangular table cover or tablecloth (often 54"x108"). You may substitute 4 sheets of butcher paper; about 16 feet. 
  • Scissors
  • Ruler or tape measure
  • Masking tape or painters tape
  • Bible or the Superbook Bible App

If reusing the Matching Game plates, peel off the cards and add 8 additional plates. 
Using the marker, write "LOVE" in large letters on both sides of the 40 plates.
Cut the table cover into two equal lengths, approximately  54 inches each.

If substituting butcher paper, cut into four sheets, each approximately four feet long.
Tape two sheets together to make two, 3 feet x four feet long sheets.
Using the pencil: Write ten words randomly (vertically, horizontally, slanted, etc.) across each sheet.
Leave plenty of space between each word. 1. Prejudice 2. Hatred 3. Cruelty 4. Anger 5.Hostility
6. Intimidation 7. Mockery 8. Persecution 9. Rejection 10. Insults
Write over the penciled in words with the marker.
Mark or tape a line near each end of the room
Position one sheet about 3-5 feet from each line. Leave several feet between the sheets.
Adjust the distance as desired.

As we discussed in today’s Teaching, 1 Peter 4:8 says:

Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.

It’s easy to love people who are kind to us and love us in return. Jesus went further and told us to love our enemies and to pray for them! When we are mistreated and suffer persecution for our faith, it is only by God’s love that we can cover or forgive and COVER those sins. That is what this game is all about.

Point to the tablecloth and hold up a plate. You are going to cover your enemy’s sins with love.

Divide the children into two teams; they do not need to be equal. Try to mix genders and ages.

Have each team stand behind a line at opposite ends of the room.

Start the game. The first player from each team tosses one plate to try and cover a word on the sheet with “love.” If a plate covers over at least half the word, it counts as covered.

Once the first player has tossed a plate, the next player immediately takes a turn. This is a race to cover all of the words before the other team, so teams should move as quickly as possible.

If all of a team’s plates are tossed before their words are covered, two players from the team should retrieve all of the plates that are NOT touching a word and bring them back to use again. 

If a plate lands on an opponent’s word, it counts for the other team and must remain there!

The first team to cover all of the “sins” on their sheet wins.

Play more rounds as time permits.   

Conclusion: Just as God demonstrated His love for us while we sinned against Him by sending Jesus to die and forgive our sins; we must follow His example and respond in love to those who sin against us! (See Romans 5:8.) Yes, love covers a multitude of sins and enables us to endure and grow as we follow Christ and respond as He did!