Time
15-25 minutes
Description
This is game that helps participants understand how difficult it can be sometimes to keep our lives pointed toward Christ.
Materials
- Blindfolds (one for each team)
- Prizes for “enemies or demons.”
- Prizes for the winning team (optional)
- Flipchart and markers
Preparation
· Find a wide-open space in which to run the race. Make sure that there are no obstacles that the runners might stumble over.
· Select a point in the room or outside that can represent “Christ.”
· Select starting points around the room or outside that are equidistant from the “Christ” point.
· Mark off the starting points and three to four relay points of equal distance. In other words, you want to divide each path to “Christ” into three to four segments.
· Post the debrief questions on a flipchart, but keep it concealed until the activity is over. (See the end of this lesson for questions.)
· Practice the script.
Procedure
Use the following script (or modify to suit your needs):
· “We’re going to run a race today, but it’s going to be a different kind of race.”
· “This race will be a relay race, which may or may not be familiar to you.”
· “But in this race, you will be blindfolded!”
· “AND…each racer will have an enemy who tries to keep you from finishing your race!”
· “Interested?”
· “Okay, I’m going to divide you into teams.” (Divide group into teams of 5-6. Each team needs to be equally sized. Extras can serve as additional “enemies/demons.”)
· “Now I need a volunteer from each team to be the ‘enemies or demons.’”
· “Your job will be to try to prevent the runners on the other teams from reaching their goal, and if you help your team win because you confused the other teams, your team will get a prize (optional).”
· “So, here’s how this race works.”
· “Each team will start from their starting point.” (Indicate starting points for each team.)
· “One team member will line up on each of your team’s relay points (including the starting point).” (Indicate relay points for each team, and have the team members take their positions.)
· When it’s your turn to race, you will have to put on a blindfold.” (Indicate blindfold and how to put it on.)
· “If your blindfold is not on correctly, your team can be disqualified, so make sure you get it on so that you can’t see.”
· “The first racer will put on his blindfold and run to the first relay point.”
· “Once there, he will take off the blindfold and give it to the next runner, who will then put on the blindfold before starting to run.”
· “The first team to reach this point, which we are calling ‘Christ,’ wins!”
· “But remember the enemies/demons? These enemies/demons will run up to you as soon as you put your blindfold on, and they will spin you around 3-5 times. When they are done spinning you, they may point you in the wrong direction.” (Assign “enemies/demons” to opponents’ teams. Extra “enemies/demons” should be instructed that they can are to stand off to the side and shout confusing directions to the runners to keep them from reaching the goal. Be sure to reward these extra “enemies/demons” after the race, since they aren’t part of a team.)
· “One team member is your “Holy Spirit.” He or she will stand off to the side and call out directions to you about which way you should go.”
· “You will have to listen very carefully to hear your “Holy Spirit” telling you how to face toward ‘Christ’ and to separate the voice of your “Holy Spirit’ from the voice of any demons.”
· “Is everyone clear on the instructions?” (Answer any questions.)
· “Okay, everyone get on your places. First runners, put on your blindfolds. “Enemies/demons,” get ready to spin them. Ready, get set….GO!” (Help everyone to follow the rules, but try not to interfere in the race. When the race is over, award prizes if you choose and have the teams reassemble to answer the debrief questions, listed below.)
Debrief Questions
o “What made that difficult?”
o “Even if you didn’t win, how were you able to succeed in running the race?”
o “How is this like real life for a Christian?”
o (Have a volunteer read 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.)
o “How was running this race like the race Paul describes?”
o “Why do you think Paul compares our Christian life to a race?”
o “What does Paul mean by ‘running aimlessly’ and ‘fight(ing) like a man beating the air?’ How do these apply to us?”
o “Why would Paul need to ‘beat (his) body and make it (his) slave?’”
§ “Do we need to do this, too? If so, how?”
o “What other lessons can you take away from this activity?”
Teach Them 