Optional Opening Game

Make two copies of the Obstacle Card Page on cardstock in color or black and white. See note.

Make one copy of the Shepherd’s staff Page on cardstock in color or black and white.

Make two copies of the Sheep and Water Page on cardstock in color or black and white.

Note: Add additional sheets of cardstock to copy more Sheep for classes larger than four children. Add one additional sheet for 5-8, 9-12, 13-16 children, etc.

Optional: For black and white copies, use crayons or markers to color the cards and objects.

Cut out the two shepherd staves from the Shepherd’s Staff Page. One is extra.

Cut out the pond and the individual sheep cards from the Sheep and Water Page.

Create sheep game pieces. Start with the Sheep Card face up, blank block at the bottom. Hold the blank block with one hand and carefully fold the middle sheep block backward at the line. Now hold that stack of the middle sheep and the blank block in one hand and fold the top sheep backward at the line. The two sheep should now be face-up at the top and bottom of the stack.

Unfold the stack and pull the blank block out until it sits flat on the table and forms a triangle or tent shape with a sheep visible on both sides. Place a strip of tape from the base block to the sheep at the open end to finish. The sheep should now be visible on both sides and stand upright on the base.

Tape the water image at one end of the game board (poster board).

Cut out the individual cards from the two Obstacle Card Pages. Bend/fold at the line below the image to form a base so the card stands upright.

Place the 18 Obstacle Cards on the game board – images facing the water. Leave adequate space between cards to move the sheep from the top of the board to the water. The course should be challenging but not too difficult.

Write the name of each child on the base of each sheep triangle.

Optional:

Add physical objects such as branches, rocks, small twigs with leaves for realistic obstacles

· Color the board surface with crayons or markers.

· Draw and color paths for children to follow around obstacles to the water.

· For a larger game area, tape obstacles on a tabletop instead of a poster board.

In today’s Bible story, Moses was a shepherd who cared for his sheep. He protected them from anything that could hurt them and found safe paths to walk. He also led them to water and grass to eat. In this game, you are shepherds who guide your sheep to water and grass with a shepherd’s staff. Hold up the staff.

Raise your hand if you are ready to be a good shepherd! Children respond.

Place the game board on a table. Write the child’s name on the sheep base before their first turn.

Each player will take a turn to guide a sheep using only the shepherd’s staff from the top of the board, around the obstacles, to the water and grass at the bottom of the board.

Play until each child takes at least one turn.

Optional: Move the obstacle cards to different locations and play again. The tape on the obstacles will pull up easily and can be used to attach the cards to the game board surface again.

Optional: give each child a sheep to take home with his/her name on it to remember the story of Moses and how God is always with us and gives us courage to do difficult things, too.

Conclusion: You were all good shepherds like Moses! Did you know that we have a shepherd, too? Jesus called Himself the Good Shepherd and He guides us, protects us and gives us everything we need including strength and courage to do what He asks us to do.