"Choosing sides"
Children's Activity
Object:
Teachers or Parents: The words of Jesus in this Gospel
message seem harsh and out of character for the "Prince of
Peace." Jesus, however, is reminding us that we need to realize
that following him may mean giving up some of our human
relationships. Those who are Christians need to be ready to sever
any relationship that threatens their faith.
*Form two groups and provide a prize of some kind which
everyone will want to win. Explain to the first group, out of the
other group's hearing, that they will win the prize if they can
form a line and hold it for one minute without anyone from the
other group getting into the line. Explain to the other group,
out of the first group's hearing, that they will win if any one
of them can get into the other group's line and stay there for
one minute.
When the game starts, let the pushing and shoving go on for
a time and stop the game when it becomes obvious that nobody is
going to win. Be sure to monitor the game so it doesn't get too
rough. You may want to caution the children not to be too
forceful.
When they are all back together, discuss how we sometimes
need to separate ourselves from others who don't share our belief
in Jesus as our Savior. Just as the second group tried to crowd
into the first group's line, so the unbelievers of the world try
to push their doubts and lack of morality on us. By their
actions, they kept group one from the prize. Just so, the
unbelievers in the world can keep us from the prize of eternal
life if we don't separate ourselves from them.
You may want to award an alternate prize to everyone since
we are all believers and do not really have to remain separate
from each other.
message seem harsh and out of character for the "Prince of
Peace." Jesus, however, is reminding us that we need to realize
that following him may mean giving up some of our human
relationships. Those who are Christians need to be ready to sever
any relationship that threatens their faith.
*Form two groups and provide a prize of some kind which
everyone will want to win. Explain to the first group, out of the
other group's hearing, that they will win the prize if they can
form a line and hold it for one minute without anyone from the
other group getting into the line. Explain to the other group,
out of the first group's hearing, that they will win if any one
of them can get into the other group's line and stay there for
one minute.
When the game starts, let the pushing and shoving go on for
a time and stop the game when it becomes obvious that nobody is
going to win. Be sure to monitor the game so it doesn't get too
rough. You may want to caution the children not to be too
forceful.
When they are all back together, discuss how we sometimes
need to separate ourselves from others who don't share our belief
in Jesus as our Savior. Just as the second group tried to crowd
into the first group's line, so the unbelievers of the world try
to push their doubts and lack of morality on us. By their
actions, they kept group one from the prize. Just so, the
unbelievers in the world can keep us from the prize of eternal
life if we don't separate ourselves from them.
You may want to award an alternate prize to everyone since
we are all believers and do not really have to remain separate
from each other.
