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Leader Guide

Obedience Game

  • Marker
  • Two Balloons, plus extras
  • Optional: ping pong balls to make the game more difficult for grades 5-6
  • Two paper, foam or plastic plates
  • Whiteboard and marker, or chalkboard and chalk
  • Tape or chalk
  • Two assistants to keep score, such as sixth grade helpers after they have taken a turn

Blow up the balloons and tie them closed.

Use the marker to write “Obey” in large letters on each balloon.

Use tape or chalk to place a mark at opposite ends of the room, about 15–20 feet apart, adjusting to room size as necessary.

Divide the children into two equal teams. If teams are uneven, one player may play twice or a leader may play.

Have each team divide in half again. One half of each team will stand at one mark and the other half of each team at the other mark. Hold a plate on top of your head with one hand, then place a balloon on top of the plate. Continue holding the plate but do not touch the balloon. Walk from one mark to another, demonstrating how the balloon must stay on the plate as you travel.

Hold up a balloon so children can see the written word. This balloon represents obedience. As we saw in the video, being a hero for God depends on obediently doing all He says to do. You cannot please God without faith and obedience. Walking in obedience gives us direction and purpose.

The area between the two marks represents our life as we walk it out day by day. Each player receives ten points for completing the walk of obedience. However, you lose one point each time the balloon falls to the floor. This represents walking without obedience because you are not following the instructions.

You must place the balloon on the plate again and continue your walk again from that spot. When you get to the other mark, hand the plate and balloon to the next player on your team, who will walk back to the other mark. The first team to finish gets five bonus points! The team with the most points wins.

Hand a plate and a balloon to one player on each team. Begin the game and have your assistants keep score. Be prepared to help younger children or those with special needs.

Wow, that was an interesting game. It looked challenging to walk without being able to see the balloon above your head. Sometimes when we walk in obedience, we must walk by faith and not by

sight, fully trusting in God even when we don’t understand the big picture of His plan. Yet God does see everything, and He will protect and guide us by His Spirit.

Let’s learn more about obedience and how God gives us the courage, power and wisdom to be a hero in His eyes!