Category Archives: Management

Audience

Teens and Adults

Time

15-20 minutes
Description

This game challenges team members to find ways to measure their progress towards a goal when the way to measure their progress is unclear.

Scriptures

2 Corinthians 10:12

Materials

• Graduated pitcher (or any container for liquid that shows measurements along the side)
• Unmarked pitcher or water bottle that holds 30 or more oz (one per team)
• Multiple containers for liquid of various sizes
• Water source or pitchers filled with water (one per team)
• Permanent marker
• Prizes for the winning team (optional)

Preparation

• Find out how much water each of your various containers of different sizes can hold, and write it down somewhere.
• Place these containers around the room inconspicuously.
• Put the unmarked pitcher or water bottle and the pitcher of water at each table.
• Practice the script.

Procedure

Use the following script (or modify to suit your needs):

• “We’re going to play a game that deals with measuring your progress.”
• “At each of your tables, I have place a pitcher of water and an empty water bottle (or pitcher).”
• “Your goal is to fill the empty container with exactly 29 oz of water.”
• “I have a graduated pitcher here at the front that I will use to test whether or not you have been successful.”
• “However, it’s not enough just to measure your final result.”
• “You also have to measure your progress at the following increments:
  • 5, 8, 15, 21, 24, 29 oz”
• “When you think you have measured out each of the increments, come to me, and I’ll test it with the graduated pitcher.”
• “You have to successfully measure out each increment before you can move on to the next one.”
• “The first team to successfully measure out all the increments and reach 29 oz wins.”
• “What questions do you have?”  (Answer questions, but don’t answer any questions that deal with how much different containers in the room hold yet.  You can let them know that they can use any containers they can find but only if they ask.  Then, allow them to start the game.  Provide no direction unless directly asked, and only tell how much the different containers hold to individuals.  One of the lessons that you are trying to teach is the need for them to take initiative to determine their own way of measuring their success.  When a team has successfully finished the challenge, stop the game and have teams answer the following debrief questions.)

Debrief Questions & Discussion

1. What was challenging about the game?
2. How did you solve the problem of measuring your progress?
3. Were you guessing, or did you know for sure what your progress was?
4. What about this game was similar to trying to find ways to measure your progress with your work or ministry?
5. What lessons can you apply to your work or your ministry?
6. (If you want to work in the Scripture from above:  What happens when we try to measure our progress by comparing ourselves with others?)