Leader Guide

Match Game

Let’s say the SuperVerse together. John 14:21:

 

 

We are going to play a matching game. There are eight sets of cards with images of Bible characters who did what Jesus told them to do. In their obedience, they experienced Him in deep and life changing ways. The matching cards are numbered and have an A or B on them. The A card represents when Jesus instructed the people to do something. The B card represents what happened when the people obeyed.   

 

You will score five points for each Bible character match. There are also 4 blank card sets to match. These you only score one point but more importantly, the blank cards are removed which makes it easier to remember and find the Bible character cards. After each Bible character match, we will briefly discuss what Jesus told the people to do and the result of their obedience.

 

Teams will alternate turns. Only one player from one team plays at a time. A turn consists of a player choosing a card from the A side and the B side. The player first selects a card from the A side of the board and shows it to the other players. Then the player does the same for a card on the B side. If the cards match, the player keeps the cards and returns to the team. If the cards are not a match, they are placed back in the original spots, face down. If a player selects one blank card and one-character card, both are returned to the board, face down in the original spots.

 

Following each match of character cards, lead a brief discussion about the significance of what happened in the images. Use the following information, feel free to add your own.

Note: If time is limited, instead of asking questions, briefly give a summary of each match. 

·      Who is the character or characters?  

·      What is the setting or what is happening in the story?

·      What did Jesus tell the character or characters to do?

·      What was the result of the character’s obedience? 

·      What was revealed about Jesus or what did the characters experience from the encounter with Him?  

 

1. Ananias is sent to Saul: As Ananias prays, Jesus tells Ananias to lay hands on Saul so he can see again. Ananias fears Saul but obeys. Ananias lays hands on Saul and he regains his sight. (Acts 9)

 

2. Saul encounters Jesus: Jesus appears to Saul as he travels to Damascus to persecute the Christians. Saul is blinded and is instructed to wait for Ananias to lay hands on Him. Paul is healed, is baptized as a believer in Christ, and begins to boldly preach the Gospel. (Acts 9)

 

3. Zacchaeus and Jesus: Zacchaeus is a hated, dishonest tax collector. He climbs a tree to see Jesus. Jesus tells him to come down so He can dine at his house. Zacchaeus’ life is dramatically changed by Jesus and vows to make it right for all he has stolen. (Luke 19:1–10)   

 

4. Blind man at the Pool of Siloam: Jesus makes mud and puts it on the blind man’s eyes. Jesus tells him to go wash in the Pool of Siloam. The man obeys and is healed! (John 9:1–11) 

 

5. Jesus turns water into wine: Jesus is at a wedding feast of a friend. Mary, His mother, tells Jesus that the wedding host has run out of wine. Mary tells the servants: “Do whatever He tells you.” Jesus tells the servants to fill up the jars with water. They obey and Jesus miraculously turns the water into the best wine they have tasted. (John 2:1–11)    

 

6. The miraculous catch of fish: After Jesus’ resurrection He appeared on the shore as the disciples fished. They fished all night and caught nothing. Jesus told them to cast their nets on the right side of the boat; and they caught so many fish that their nets were full and near breaking. (John 21:1–6)

 

7. Levi/Matthew called by Jesus: Matthew was a tax collector who worked for the Roman government. Jesus came by his tax booth and told him to follow Him. Matthew left his booth and became Jesus’ disciple. Matthew invited his tax collector friends to eat with Jesus at his house. (Matthew 9:9–10)

 

8. Jesus tells the disciples to wait in Jerusalem for God’s promise of the Holy Spirit: Before Jesus ascended to heaven, He instructed them to wait in Jerusalem to be baptized in the Spirit and receive power to witness about Him all over the world. 120 believers gathered in prayer and received the promise of God’s Spirit to boldly preach the Gospel. (Acts 1:4–7,12–15; 2:1–4)

 

Play until all cards are removed from the board. Count the matches and award points. The team with the highest score wins.

 

Conclusion: When we walk in obedience to Jesus and God’s Word, He will reveal Himself to us and we can experience Him in new and exciting ways. As Mary, Jesus’ mother, told the servants at the wedding feast, “Do whatever He tells you.” (John 2:5)