Sometimes the best way to learn is by playing a game.
It’s much easier to remember something when you are having fun and all of your senses are engaged. And surely the best games are party games?
The next time your RE class, parish youth group, altar server team or sacramental prep group has a celebration, we’ve got you covered.
Pin the Palm on the Donkey
Matthew 21: 1-9
It’s the triumphant arrival at Jerusalem! When Jesus arrives in Jerusalem he is welcomed by cheering crowds who lay blankets and palm leaves in the path of his donkey.
A picture of a donkey is put on the wall (sound familiar?) Everybody gets a palm to put in the path of the donkey. Except they need to do it blindfolded. Whoever gets the palm closest to the donkey’s feet wins!
Feeding of the 5000 Basket Toss
Matthew 14: 13-21
In this game, the disciples are split into two teams, blue and red. Players have to run around gathering ‘scraps’ in the form of bean bags of their team’s colour. Twelve baskets are set up. The disciples must stand at a set distance and toss their gathered scraps into these baskets. The team that gathers the most bean bags of their colour wins.
Jesus multiplied five loaves and two fish to feed a large crowd. When the disciples were sent out to gather the scraps, there was enough to fill 12 baskets. Jesus can take what little we have, in talent, or courage, or patience, and multiply it to an abundance.
Who do you say that I am?
Matthew 16: 13-20
Two teams sit on the floor on either side of a makeshift screen (a bedsheet, perhaps). Each team has a chair facing the screen and must choose a player to sit in the chair. When the screen drops, the player sitting in the chair shouts the name of the person in the chair opposite them. The first player to correctly name the other wins that person to their team.
After the children have played the game for a while, talk to them about this scenario:
Imagine Jesus on one chair and Simon Peter on the other (you could choose two children to play these roles). Jesus asks, ‘Who do people say the son of Man is?’ The people around Simon shout ‘Elijah!’, ‘John the Baptist!’, ‘A prophet!’ Then Jesus asks, ‘And what about you? Who do you say that I am?’
Simon answers, ‘You are the Messiah, the son of the Living God.’
Jesus praises Simon and says, ‘And I tell you that you are Peter. And upon this rock I will build my church.’ Then he tells his disciples not to tell anyone that he is the Messiah.
The Missing Sheep
Luke 15: 1-7
One player acts as the Good Shepherd. While this player leaves the room, the others (the sheep) choose somebody to hide, and be the lost sheep. Upon returning the Good Shepherd must work out which sheep is missing by looking at the sheep that are left. The Good Shepherd cares for his sheep. He searches for the lost sheep and calls each sheep by name.
Good Samaritan Relay Race
Luke 10: 25-37
Each team is set up with three runners and one poor victim, stationed halfway up the track. The first two members of the team are the priest and the Levite. They run past the victim and back again without stopping.
The third is the Samaritan. This player runs up, wraps the person in toilet paper bandages, anoints their wounds (this could be done with a dry cloth, or chocolate sauce, depending on how messy you want things to get), and runs with them to the turning point (the inn). Then they run alone back to the start. The first team to get their victim treated and taken to the inn, and the Samaritan to return home is the winner.
Sometimes we can get so caught up in our own race that we don’t notice those around us who need our help. Jesus calls us to be like the Samaritan.
Mary and Martha Musical Chairs
Luke 10: 38-42
This is set up like a game of musical chairs. When the music stops, the players who manage to find a seat get to be Marys. Those who miss out must be Martha. Their job is to fetch a tray of snacks to offer around, while casting passive aggressive side-eye at those still sitting. As the game progresses, extra Marthas may choose to sweep, tidy, or engage in some grim dusting.
The Washing of Feet
John 13: 1-17
This game begins like a game of Twister, played barefoot. except the ‘dots’ are plates of red, blue, yellow and green jelly. At ‘right foot, red!’, players must squish their toes into the nearest red jelly plate. Once you go out (by falling over), you join the team of servants who must wash the sticky mess off the hands and feet of the people who are disqualified after you. Explain to the team of players washing that this is the real point of the game. Jesus calls us to be servants to one another.
The Pearl of Great Price
Matthew 13: 45
A treasure hunt around the back yard for all of the pearls the merchant has hidden away (you could use marbles, beads, or golf balls) to gather together and trade for the pearl of great price (perhaps a pinata, perhaps a birthday cake?) The Kingdom of Heaven is like a pearl of great value. When the merchant finds one he goes away and sells all that he has to buy it.
The Unfolding of the Kingdom of God
Matthew 13: 31-46, Luke 15: 8-10
This might seem a little like pass-the-parcel. But it is so much more than that. A large parcel is passed around a circle (bear with me). With each layer unwrapped, more is revealed about the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed. The Kingdom of God is like the leaven, the Kingdom of God is like a treasure in a field and a widow’s lost coin. If you are feeling generous, each Kingdom parable might be taped to a treat of some kind, because we all know pass-the-parcel has become a bit of a free-for-all in that regard. The final gift might be something that can be shared with everyone, just like the Kingdom itself!