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Leader Guide

Matching Game

  • Match Cards; 3 pages
  • Cardstock
  • Scissors
  • Optional: marker
  • Tape
  • Bible or Superbook app

Make two copies of each of the three Match Card pages on cardstock.

Cut apart the 24 individual cards, including the blank ones.

Shuffle all of the cards in a pile.

Write a different number from 1–24 on the back of each card (if taping to the wall, number them upside down so when flipped up, they can be easily read).

Tape the top edge of each card on a board or wall—or place them on the floor—with the numbered backs showing, in 4 rows of 6 cards.


 

Today’s SuperVerse says that God equips us with all we need to do His will or to participate and complete His plan for us. God’s will is what He desires or what pleases Him.


The verse tells us that He not only equips us, but He also produces every good thing in us that is pleasing to Him. Raise your hand if you have ever heard of the Fruit of the Spirit. Children respond.


The Holy Spirit produces in us good things, which the Bible calls fruit—but it’s not fruit like apples, oranges and bananas! Galatians 5:22-23 tells us the names of this fruit. Read Galatians 5:22–23:

22But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!


Showing or displaying these wonderful characteristics in our lives pleases God. It is His will for us to have each one of these fruits in our lives all the time! By consistently displaying these characteristics, we show others that God is alive and His power is working in us and in the world today! By doing this, we are living like godly heroes in His eyes.


Now, we are going to play a fun matching game to find and match all nine Fruit of the Spirit that God produces in us through Jesus Christ. This will help us to learn them and understand what pleases God.


There are also six blank cards that will remain in the game the entire time.


Divide the children into two teams; they do not need to be even. Have teams sit together so everyone can see the cards on display. A different player gets two guesses on each team’s turn. The player will choose a card number, and the leader will flip that card to reveal the word on the other side.

The same player will then select a second card number to try to match the fruit on the first card.

If the two cards match, the leader gives them to the team.

If the cards don’t match, they are turned over again in the same location.

Whether the cards match or not, play continues with the other team taking a turn.

As you remove each matched pair, if time allows, briefly discuss how each fruit can be beneficial in living and representing God to others. Play until all pairs are removed from the board. The team with the most pairs wins.


OPTION: To make the game more challenging for older children, leave all blank cards on the playing board through the entire game; do not remove them when they’re matched.


Conclusion: Let’s pray! Thank You, Jesus, for producing in us this wonderful fruit so we can represent You in our lives every day! When we view and love others as You do, we become a hero in Your eyes. We pray in Your name. Amen!