Leader Guide
Balloon Game
- Rope; 30-40 feet
- two round balloons
- Two paper plates
- Permanent marker
- Scissors
- Measuring tape or yardstick
- Optional: masking tape or painters tape
- Whiteboard and markers or chalkboard and chalk to keep score
- Bible or the Superbook Bible App
For larger classes, add more rope and another balloon.
Blow up the balloons and tie closed.
Write FAITH on each balloon.
Mark or tape two lines about 15–20 feet apart. at opposite ends of the room.
Carefully cut the rope into two 15–20 foot sections, depending on your room size.
In Large Group you were asked to listen carefully for something Paul said that God does NOT live in. What is it? Man-made temples.
Let’s say our SuperTruth together: “Faith shows me things I cannot see.”
In this game, we are going to walk or live by faith, not by seeing with our physical eyes, but by our spiritual eyes of faith.
Divide the children into two equal teams. If 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.
Ask two older children to take one rope and stretch it between the two lines or marks until it is taut.
This rope represents the Holy Spirit who we can’t see. He guides us on the straight path of truth. Since we can’t see God’s Spirit, we must follow Him by faith.
Hold a plate on top of your head with one hand, then place a “Faith” balloon on top of the plate. Continue holding the plate but do not touch the balloon. Hold the rope loosely with your free hand and walk backwards from one mark to another, demonstrating how the balloon must stay on the plate as you travel backwards, not being able to see.
Each player receives ten points for completing the walk. However, you lose one point each time you lose faith. That happens when the balloon falls off the plate. You must then place the balloon on the plate again and continue your walk from that spot. When you get to the other mark, hand the plate and balloon to the next player on your team, then take the rope from the player holding it so he/she can get in line to play. Players will walk by faith and then hold the rope after completing their walks. In this way, we walk by faith and then encourage and help others to follow the Holy Spirit’s leading!
The first team to finish gets five bonus points! The team with the most points wins.
Hand a plate and a “faith” balloon to one player on each team. Choose one player for each team at each end to hold the team rope. Remember, they must stretch it out and hold it tightly.
Begin the game and have your assistants keep score. Be prepared to help younger children or those with special needs.
Conclusion: Wow, you all did great! It is important to walk by faith each day and in step with God’s Spirit!
In our Signpost Teaching today, we will learn more about the one true, invisible God who we can seek and know.