Game Description
Youth will take part in a learning simulation experiencing what it is like when gifts are not appropriately utilized as a blessing to all members of the body of Christ. Makes a great activity for a Halloween Alternative or for a creative Bible Study lesson.
Game Materials
ROUND 1: You’ll need a Bible and several large bags of individually wrapped candy. There should be 10 different types of candy. Depending on the size of your group, you might have more than 1 bag of some of the 10 types of candy. Since in the second part of this activity people will be trading candy, individually wrapped candly that is not chocolate and does not easily melt is preferable.
- For one of the 10 types of candy, only allow enough of that candy in circulation for 10% of the total group to be able to have some.
- Set aside an extra bag of candy to be available for anyone who finishes ROUND 1 without candy.
ROUND 2: Use the same candy already passed out in ROUND 1. Using the extra bag of candy you set aside, distribute a couple peices of candy to anyone who did not receive a piece in ROUND 1.) Continue to retain the candy you have chosen to repesent salvation so that only 10% is in circulation. Hold the rest back for the end of ROUND 2
ROUND 1
Game Preparation
Select one of the 10 types of candy to represent salvation. Only allow enough of this candy in circulation for 10% of the entire group to have some.
Game Play
- Take an equal number of students away from the rest of the group as you have bags of candy and explain to them how the game works. Be sure that the other youth cannot hear your instructions. Tell each of the those you have chosen that you are going to give them bags of candy to share with the other students. There’s only one catch: They can give candy only to the guys, or only to the gals, only to those with spectacles, only those in youth choir, those with a “d” in their name, those with 4 letters in their surname, only to kids with black tennis shoes, those with buttons on their shirts, those without socks, those who frown, etc. (The idea is to pick something that will eliminate at least half of the kids – these are only suggestions – be creative. Also remember you want the criteria to be difficult to discover.)
- Remind kids not to tell the others why some youth are getting, candy and others aren’t. Warn kids to only give candy to those in the designated group, even if the other kids beg.
- After giving the these designated ones their instructions, tell the rest of the group that the game will be played in 2 ROUNDS. For ROUND 1, I’m going to let the youth i took aside back into the room. When they come in, they’ll have some candy to share. You can ask, bribe, and beg them for it, but do not take it from them. You may or may not get some candy. If you figure out what the criteria is for getting candy, you’ll be entitled to an extra portion. Do NOT eat your candy yet. You will need it later for ROUND 2
- Call those with the candy back into the room. Allow them time to circulate through the group handing out candy according to their criteria to the chosen few.
Discussion
Once you have completed this phase of the game, ask:
- What was it like to be one who received the gifts?
- What was it like to be left out or passed over?
- Did anyone figure out why he or she did not get gifts? (Give extra candy to the first person who identified any of the criteria.)
- Are you willing to share your gifts with some people because of the way they look, or do you ignore others because they appear to be different?
- What makes you treat some people differently than others?
Application
Near the end of the discussion, say: The Bible instructs us to treat each other fairly and equally, and to place what we have into His hands to bless others. God wants to bless others through us, but we often limit those he can touch through us by personal prejudice, misconceptions, jealousy, greed, personal ambition, bitterness, or even laziness.
ROUND 2
Game Preparation
Continue to keep the candy aside that you have chosen to represent salvation. Remember you should only allow enough of this candy in circulation for 10% of the entire group to have some.
Game Play
- Say, “Of course, we all have our favorites when it comes to candy. Before we begin ROUND 2, take a moment to trade candy with each other in order to get your favorite candy.” (Give them some time)
- Say, “Now we are going to do something a little different. Imagine that like King Solomon, you are granted anything you wish by God. Each type of Candy represents something special. You may trade and bargain with each other to get whichever candy you like. At the end of this activity, we will see what blessings you are gifted with in life, depending on your candy you possess. You may not forcibly take candy from anyone.”
- Depending on time, announce one or two of the items below, in any order. Eventually go through all the types of candy, but leave “salvation” for last.
- After each announcement, give youth an opportunity to trade again based on this new revelation.
- Continue through the list. Then end with Salvation.
- Of course there won’t be enough of salvation for everyone to have it. Some may be willing to trade everything they have for it. Others will be simply frustrated.
Choose colors or different types of candy to represent different things.
Some possibilities are:
- Wealth
- Power
- Good looks
- Meaningful career
- Love
- Popularity
- Pleasure
- Long Life
- Health
- Salvation (Initially make certain there is only enough candy representing “salvation” for about 10% of people to have a peice. At the end of this activity, give each person one from those you have set aside..)
Discussion
At the end of the activity, ask youth:
- Are you happy with what you posses in this game? How do you feel about your situation in life as reflected by the candy you have?
- Before salvation, what did you evaluate as most important to obtain? What it was that you tried to collect?
- What were you willing to give to others?
- Were you selfish or generous with what you were given?
Application
In life, we will all be blessed with different things. Some people may receive an abundance while others may recieve the simpler things in life and only according to their needs of the moment.
- Some may be blessed with wealth – will you use it for selfish pursuits or will you use it to bless others?
- Some may be blessed with power – will you use your power to help those who cannot help themselves.
- Others will be blessed with popularity – will you use your influence to speak on behalf of those who cannot speak up for themselves.
Not only are we blessed in different ways, but we also receive different gifts and talents. Everything we have is a gift from God. If God didn’t give something to us directly, he blessed us with the means or abilities to obtain them.
- Will you use what you have been given selfishly, or for the benefit of others?
- Will you cling to them or place them into the hands of God to use?
There are only about 10% of people who are Christians in Singapore.
- How did you feel if you were one of those without the candy representing slvation?
Conclusion
As Christians, we are all given the knowledge of the gospel – the good news – salvation. Do we keep that knowledge to ourselves or do we share it with the remaining 90% of Singaporeans who do not yet know Christ as Savior?
(Give each 2 pieces of candy representing salvation) Take these pieces of candy you have been given and give them to someone and tell them about the activity you have done today – share with them the good news of salvation.
- What is it in your life that is a priority for you?
- What have you been blessed with?
- Will you selfishly keep it top yourself or will you place it in God’s hands for him to use?
Holiday CollectionGames and Activities in Celebration of common Holidays.
Creative Holiday Ideas has over 300 pages of ideas to help you plan your next New Year’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Halloween or Fall Festival, and Thanksgiving event. If you’ve ever wondered what you’re going to do for all these holidays and how you’re going to do it, this resource is for you.
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WARNING: There is some risk of injury with this activity and as such it is only suitable for older youth. NOTE: For a safer variation, cut a pumpkin yourself for each team. Try to cut them in the same pattern, Then simply allow the kids to put them together.
Game Description
Theme
Once upon a time, there was a little orange pumpkin named Perky. One day he looked around in the pumpkin patch and saw that all his friends were orange. He thought he would like to be some other color. So he sat up proud and said, “I’m a pumpkin round and fat, (make a round shape with hands) and I can change my color (point to self) just like that!” (on that, snap your fingers)
Create a Halloween lantern with stars for eyes, the Christian fish symbol for a mouth, and a cross for its nose. Then pass out the following poem (source unknown)