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Interfaith Resources

5 Low-Prep Small Group Games Perfect for Sunday School

Alissa Ellett Leave a Comment

Get your creative juices flowing with these five low-prep ideas for small group games that are absolutely perfect for Sunday School.

group games

Fun group games that kids actually enjoy playing and aren’t crazy to prep for are hard to come by. We hope this list is helpful as you work to create the best Sunday School ever!

What group games are you playing your your kids during Sunday School? We’d love to hear in the comments section below!

A Cold Wind Blows

This game is a great precursor for any lesson having to do with the Holy Spirit, a wind or storm motif, and beyond.

Similar to musical chairs or “Have you ever”, in Sunday School have the group sit on chairs in a circle. Gather one fewer chairs than there are people, leaving one person standing in the middle of the circle.

The person in the middle begins a sentence with the words “A cold wind blows…” and then describes an attribute that refers to one or more players.

For example:

“A cold wind blows for anyone who is wearing red, has blonde hair, and plays basketball.”

Anyone sitting who fits in this category has to jump up and quickly find a new vacant chair. The person who was in the middle is also looking to sit in a vacant a chair, and whomever is left standing without a chair becomes the new person in the middle.

The game continues for as long as people are enjoying playing.

group games

Blind Draw

This is one of the group games that’s a great precursor to any Sunday School lesson that has to do with communication, language, scripture translation and beyond.

Have the children pair up. Each pair should sit back-to-back so they cannot see each other.

Give one member of the pair a picture, object or a scene. They must then describe this to their partner.

The other partner draws what they hear their partner describing to them.

Make it more challenging by not allowing them to use words that are too obvious. For example, the picture may be of a chicken but the person is not allowed to use the word “chicken, bird, hen.”

You can either give everyone the same picture or have a few different options.

Depending on the picture, you will need to allow 10-15 minutes. Once time is up, share the pictures – you will find there are some very funny interpretations!

group games

Secret Questions

This is a great used with any lesson having to do with getting to know God, the disciples getting to know Jesus, questions about the faith, and much more.

On the back of some Post-it Notes, i.e.: the sticky side, write some good get-to-know you questions. Make sure you write at least as many questions as there are people – you can double up with the questions if there’s a lot of people in your group.

Stick them all on a whiteboard or wall so people cannot see the question on the back. Each person then has to come up, pick a post it note and answer the question on the back.

Make the questions simple enough that the kids won’t struggle too much to think of an answer or be embarrassed to answer.

Once done, they select someone else in the group to choose and answer the next question.

group games

Human Knot

This is a great addition to a discussion about the Holy Spirit’s role as an “untangler” or what you all may be called to help untangle in your community. It’s also one of those group games about communication, patience, perseverance, etc.

Everyone stands in a close circle – puts both hands out – and randomly grabs hold of someone else’s hand, creating a massive knot!

Without letting go of hands, the group should try to untangle itself.

sunday school

Toothpaste Challenge

This game is a fantastic demonstration for a Sunday School lesson on the power of our words and actions and, therefore, why we need to use them wisely.

For this game, you need a few tubes of toothpaste. Depending on the size of your group, have each student work alone or create pairs or groups.

Ask the kids to take all the toothpaste out of the tube as quick as possible into a bowl.

Then ask them to put the toothpaste back inside the tube. Obviously, this is more difficult, and probably impossible to do.

There are lots of bible verses to apply to this, e.g. James 1:26, Proverbs 15:1 or 21:23, Ephesians 4:31-32.

Group Games FTW

Group games in Sunday school help to focus and engage the kids. Additionally, they create connection to the content you’re teaching. We hope this list is helpful to you!

And don’t forget to share your ideas with us in the comments below!

6 Colossally Meaningful Ways to Inspire Creation Care this Earth Day

Alissa Ellett Leave a Comment

The Earth is a masterpiece of God’s artistry. Invite your kids into practices of creation care to celebrate this on Earth Day!

creation care

Oh, lord, there are times when habitat destruction, pollution, and death can feel like almost too much to take in. So, let me offer you some hope this Earth Day. We are not powerless. Let’s inspire our kids to be a generation that takes creation care seriously and brings about change!

What are you doing with your kids this Earth Day to celebrate God’s beauty and bring healing to creation? Share with us in the comments below!

creation care

Using Our Power

Getting honest is important, even and especially when it’s uncomfortable to do so. We need to be real with ourselves about the state of things. It doesn’t help any of us if we avoid and deny.

Our holy texts tell us that “The earth lies polluted under its inhabitants; for they have transgressed laws, violated the statutes, broken the everlasting covenant.” Yikes! We’ve been on this path for a long time.

But, we have the power to make change happen. We do not have to live as victims, overwhelmed. God is with us, faithful and gives us the strength to protect, restore and create the world in partnership with the relentless Divine Force of Life. So, in turn, we might flourish along with her.

creation care

Creation Care with Your Kids

Support struggling animals. There are several animal species currently on their way to extinction. We can come together and help! We are all a part of God’s creation and deserve the best opportunity to flourish. And our lives will be drastically affected. On the other hand, we have the power to make a difference in our future.

Pick up trash. Head to the coast or to the sidewalks. Bring a bag, gloves, and help clear the land of waste. This helps our animal and plant brothers and sisters. Additionally, it increases our health. Lastly, it will make your community more beautiful to live in.

Clear your garage and pantry of pesticides. The fact of the matter is that these harmful chemicals are decimating insect populations. Why does this matter? Pollinators are something we CANNOT live without. So, we need to stop killing them off inadvertently.

creation care

Plant native plants. Dig in the dirt with your kids! First, this increases beauty. Second, you will use less water to keep them alive. Third, the insects will benefit from having plants they are designed to ingest and pollinate.

Create your own Act of Green. Earth Day Network is launching a series of major campaigns to bring about global collaboration. Support the effort by creating your own Act of Green — and helping them reach 3 billion. These acts are anything from quitting smoking to using fabric bags.

Switch to non-plastic bags and wraps. Zero waste alternatives include beeswax-infused fabric wrap, stainless steel and glass containers, silicon storage bags, and so many more. Some of these are easy to make at home with your kiddos, too!

Don’t forget to tell us what you’re doing with your kiddos to celebrate Earth Day in the comments below!

creation care

Earth Day Prayer

I leave you with a prayer from St. Basil the Great. As you celebrate Earth Day this year may you feel deep connection to the Earth where we find our home and our peace. And may you find joy and purpose in caring for Her.

O God, enlarge within us the sense of
fellowship with all living things,
our brothers/sisters the animals to whom thou
gavest the earth as their home in common with us.

May we realize that they live not for
us alone but for themselves and for
thee, and that they love
the sweetness of life.

Your Essential Guide to Exploring Hanukkah with Kids

Alissa Ellett Leave a Comment

Explore Hanukkah with kids this holiday season and teach them invaluable lessons about being human and our collective quest for God.

hanukkah with kids 101

It’s December! How?? I’m not sure. Time flies when you’re having fun planning, shopping, cooking, eating and traveling. I hope you’re already enjoying a rich holiday season, making space for all those traditions you love.

What’s your favorite holiday tradition you just can’t celebrate without? Tell us in the comments below!

And speaking of traditions, I’ve got a whole bunch to tell you about Hanukkah.

Confusion About Hanukkah

Quite frankly, Hanukkah (or Chanukah) is commonly misunderstood by Christians. Often, we may imagine it’s sort of the Jewish equivalent of Christmas. It’s easy to understand why, since the two celebrations fall so close to one another.

But, what is Hanukkah really about? How can we help our children understand its story? And why talk about it with them?

hanukkah with kids 103

Why Explore Hanukkah with Kids?

First, religious pluralism is simply a reality of our world. Second, our children can more deeply appreciate others’ faiths and their own when they learn another religion’s traditions.

Since Christmas is celebrated so readily by those who follow and shun Christianity, its festivities can overshadow the beauty of Hanukkah. And many who aren’t Jewish aren’t raised knowing Hanukkah’s meaning or significance.

So, how can we answer children’s questions when we don’t know much of anything about the holiday? Don’t worry, ICM’s got you covered.

Historical Roots of Hanukkah

Around 200 B.C., when the Israelites were living under Egyptian rule, Antiochus of Syria invaded Judea. He demanded the Israelites give up their religion and worship Greek gods. Then, he took over the Temple in Jerusalem and dedicated it to Zeus.

Consequently, Judah Maccabee, one of the Israelites, led an army to fight against Syrian rule. After pushing the Syrians out, they reclaimed the Temple in Jerusalem and began clearing it of their oppressors’ faith symbols.

While doing so, the Israelites found a tiny container of oil that could light the eternal flame they always kept lit in the Temple. They knew the oil they had would only be enough to burn for one night. Instead, to their surprise, it burned for eight nights until they could get more.

Hanukkah is the celebration of these 8 nights, the victory over the Syrian army, and God’s faithful provision to the Israelite people.

hanukkah with kids 104

Fun Facts About Hanukkah

  • The Apocrypha, not the Old Testament, outlines the story of Hanukkah.
  • Hanukkah is eight nights long.
  • A 9-armed menorah (or candelabra), called a hanukkiah, is lit each night of Hanukkah.
  • The hanukkiah has one candle for each of the eight nights and one candle to light all the others.
  • Hanukkah is also known as the Festival of Lights.
  • Fried foods, including latkes and jelly doughnuts, are eaten because they require oil for cooking.
  • Some families give a present to one another each of the eight nights.
  • Children and their families play a game with a wooden top called a dreidel.

Learning from Religious Tradition

Religious tradition is the response to an experience of the Divine that becomes rooted in a faith community’s practice. Consequently, we learn about ourselves and God when we explore religious traditions.

Just beneath the surface of a community’s traditions are treasures that have the potential to form and inform.

As a result, we give children a gift when we teach them about religious tradition. Throughout our human story, we have meandered after, beside and within the Divine. Each era and place give way to different ways of knowing God.

So, when we shed light on a religious tradition, like Hanukkah, we learn how people have known God during our human story. Then, we can bring together our own life experience with the knowledge of another time and place, and find new ways of understanding ourselves and God.

hanukkah with kids 102

Talking About Hanukkah with Children

When we teach children the beauty held within Hanukkah we do several things.

We teach that God is ever-present, across all time and place. Stories of those who have quested after God teach children that in all the yesterdays, God was there. We help them understand that God is and will always be everywhere.

We teach that God protects and provides. Discussing the story of Hanukkah with kids teaches them that God protected the Israelites and gave them even more than they could have imagined. Children learn that this was true then, as well as now.

We teach the power of staying true to what one values. The story of Hanukkah tells of the Israelites risking their lives to protect their community and way of life. Children learn that no one should ever be made to withstand religious oppression and that one’s actions can help others for generations to come.

We teach that we’re all part of a widespread family of God-seekers. Teaching religious traditions, especially practices outside one’s own heritage, points to the way humanity together quests for God. Children learn that no matter their religion they are part of an even bigger faith family than they realized.

We hope you’ve found this helpful in your own learning and in imagining how you might gift your kids with even more depth and beauty this Hanukkah and beyond. Happy celebrating!

Don’t forget to tell us what your favorite holiday tradition is in the comments below!

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