Leader Guide
Optional Opening Game
- Old-style wood slotted clothespins—one or more per child (or substitute jumbo craft sticks)
- Small box
- Utility knife
- Index card
- Tape
- Fine-tip marker
- Marker or crayon
- Ruler
On the top/middle of the box, carefully cut a square about 2.5” to 3”.
Draw a door and window on one box side and color them in with the marker or crayon.
Place a strip of tape on both sides of the index card—tape it loosely to one end or back of the house to save for later use.
Through the Roof
Note: If time is short, skip this activity or save it for the end of class.
In today’s Bible story, a man is lowered from the roof to a room below where Jesus is teaching. We will find out more about that later! In this game, you will try to drop the man (hold up a clothespin) into the opening of the roof. Do you think you can do it?
Line up children and give them a clothespin at their turn.
Each child steps up to the house and stands in front or over the top of it. Standing up straight, the child holds the clothespin up at a minimum waist high and drops it into the “roof” opening. Empty the box and give the children additional turns.
Option 1: For an added challenge, make the “roof” opening smaller by placing the index card over it and taping it loosely in place. The card can be adjusted as desired to add to the challenge, especially for older children.
Option 2: Move the box a few feet away from the children and have them take turns tossing the clothespins into the “roof” opening.
Good job for kindly helping the man to get into the house! There are many ways we can help people and show them kindness.