Leader Guide
Match Game
- Twelve round balloons plus extras for breakage
- Painters tape or masking tape
- Measuring tape or yardstick
- Timer: stopwatch, clock with second hand, or timer app
- Whiteboard and marker, or chalkboard and chalk to keep score
- Bibles or the Superbook Bible app
Blow up the twelve balloons and tie them closed.
Measure a space about 10x10 feet or 12x12 feet.
Tape a line across the center to divide the area into two rectangular sections.
Tape a line on each side of the middle line, about 4 feet away from it.
Mark or tape a back boundary for each section about 10–12 feet from the middle line.
Mark or tape the side boundaries for each section about 10–12 feet from each other.
Refer to the illustration for help.
Let’s say the SuperTruth together: “God first gave to us.”
The Bible tells us that we are made in God’s image. (See Genesis 1:27.) God first gave to us and He continues to give to us. Some reasons are:
He gives to supply all our needs.
He gives so we learn to put Him first and give back to Him.
He gives so we share what we have to help others, which enables us to experience the joy of giving like He does!
At times we may be tempted to be selfish and hold onto what we are given by God. Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (See Acts 20:35.)
This is what our game is about—giving more than we receive!
Divide the class into teams of 2–3 players, mixing older and younger players on each team, if possible. Teams do not need to be even.
Place six balloons on each side of the game area.
Each balloon represents a gift from God.
Two teams will play at one time and they will have one minute to try to outgive each other.
Stand in your team’s area on one side (4 feet away from the center line). The space on both sides of the center line (4 feet away on each side) is a restricted zone. You cannot stand in this area. You can only reach into it from behind the line to hit or grab a balloon. Each team’s goal is to have the least number of balloons in their area when time runs out. The team that has the fewest balloons wins the round and scores ten points. If both teams have the same number of balloons when time expires, it is a tie and each team scores five points.
Balloons outside the marks do not count. You can hit a balloon or grab it and throw it over the line. Remember, you cannot cross over the line into the restricted zone!
After the first round, let the next two teams play. Teams that are not playing can gather balloons from outside the game area and place them on the teams’ borderlines to re-use.
Play multiple rounds as time permits and tally scores. Try to match up different teams who have not played each other. Declare first, second and third place winners from the point totals.
Conclusion: That was fun! God first gave to us to save us, to bless us, and to bless others through us! Let us always be on the lookout for opportunities to give to God and others!