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Object: The players, the
sheep, must use Psalm 23 as clues for finding seven "sheep pens". At each sheep pen
there are instructions for the shepherd to read to his or her sheep. The
first flock to find all the pens in consecutive numerical order (#1-7),
arriving at the seventh pen first, wins.
Set Up: Establish seven sheep pens for the players to find. To
mark the pen areas use flags or tie ribbons to poles. Place small
boxes at each pen. Inside each box place the Pen # and instructions for
each of the shepherds.
Setting Up The "Sheep
Pen" areas:
For the purpose of this game, Psalm
23 is divided into seven parts or "clues". Therefore, you must
set up
the pens to coincide with the Psalm-clue. For example, with Pen #4
you are to make a stepping stone pathway. This coincides with the Psalm-clue,
"He leadeth me in paths of righteousness". The shepherd will
read
the "clue" to his or her team (flock) then they will hunt for a Sheep Pen (marked with a flag) that
looks like, or coincides with, that
part of the Psalm. The pens do not have to be set up near one another.
Spread them out around your church property.
The players must find the numbered
pens in consecutive order (1-7). Players will not know the number of the sheep pen
until they open the box. If the number coincides with the number they
are looking for, they follow the instructions for that pen. If it
doesn't, they continue looking for the correctly numbered pen. When the players
find the correct #, their Shepherd reads the
instructions, and they would obey the shepherd.
Each box should contain instructions
for each of the shepherds. So, if you have three teams, you will have three
shepherds, which means you will have three sets of instructions in each
box. For example, Pen #1 would have a box containing three sets of Pen#1
Instructions.
Pen # 1- Begin in the
classroom with all players. You will need 2" wide masking tape.
Pen # 2- A large grassy area.
Pen # 3- If there's a water fountain area, mark the pen there.
Otherwise, get creative by using blue sheets to make a stream of water
or fill a small kiddy pool with water.
Pen # 4- Create a stepping stone pathway or draw one using
chalk.
Pen # 5- Set up an obstacle course. The players will use
blindfolds (terrycloth headbands work well).
Pen # 6- Cover a table with a tablecloth. Place seats at the
table for only one flock at a time to use. Provide crackers, pitchers of
water for each flock, vegetable oil, cups and napkins.
Pen # 7- The last sheep pen is in the sanctuary. You will
need a red face-paint crayon.
Instructions for the Shepherds (Place instructions marked with the Pen # inside the boxes at each pen.
Do not write the # on the outside of the box):
Pen #1
Instructions: (All
the
sheep begin in the classroom. You do not need a box for the first pen.
The Head Shepherd, the teacher, begins the game; after that the Shepherds
assigned to each flock instruct their own sheep. Instructions for Pens #2-7, are
written below "How To Play". The flock that gets to a pen
first will sometimes have the advantage to perform the required task
ahead of the other flocks.)
How To Play: Tell the players
the object of the game. Divide children into teams (flocks) of
4-6 players each. Assign one shepherd, preferably an adult, to each
flock.
Give each Shepherd a
list of the following Psalm 23
"Clues" and a pencil to check off the clues when they find the
sheep pens:
1) The LORD is my shepherd; I shall
not want.
2) He maketh me to lie down in green
pastures;
3) He leadeth me beside the still
waters. He restoreth my soul;
4) He leadeth me in paths of
righteousness for his name's sake.
5) Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff,
they comfort me.
6) Thou preparest a table before me
in the presence of mine enemies;
thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
7) Surely goodness and mercy shall
follow me all the days of my life;
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
"Today we will play a fun
game to help us remember that Jesus is our Good Shepherd. Players, you
are the sheep. Your shepherd will help you to find seven sheep pens, and find them in consecutive
numerical order (#1-7). To find
the pens you must use Psalm 23 for your clues. At each sheep pen is a
box containing the Pen # and instructions for your shepherds to read to
you. You must begin with Pen #1 and continue in order completing the
instructions at each pen until you finish at Pen #7. The first team to
arrive at Pen #7 wins the game. If you open a box and find that the pen is not the
correct number, you must continue hunting for the correct numbered
pen before going on to the next one. If it is the correct #, the
shepherd will read the instructions for you to listen and obey."
"Now I will read Psalm 23. As I
read it listen closely, because you might discover clues to help you find the
sheep pens (read Psalm 23 using the clues above)."
"You are already at Pen #1.
Shepherds, please read the first
clue out loud to your sheep and have your flocks repeat it (The LORD is my shepherd; I shall
not want)."
"When the Lord is your Shepherd he
wants you to come to him with all your problems and needs. And because
he loves you and is faithful to take care of you, you do not need more
things to make you happy.
To help you remember this, your shepherd will place masking tape over your
mouth
so you won't be able to ask him or her for anything (you may opt to have the players place their hands
over their mouths instead.) Once you find Pen #2 you may remove the tape
or your hands from your mouths. Shepherds, you may place
a check mark next to Clue #1 to indicate it is finished. Do this with
all the clues as you find the pens. Now you may read Psalm- clue #2 and
race to find Sheep Pen #2.
Pen #2 Instructions-
(Shepherds, have your sheep lie down in the grass.) Read: " 'He maketh me to lie down in green
pastures;' A good shepherd takes his sheep to the best places to
graze and eat grass. He finds the best places for them to lie down and
rest because he cares for them. In the same way, our Good Shepherd,
Jesus, takes care of us by leading us to himself. He provides for us and
knows we can find rest and comfort with him. Now lets find sheep pen #3.
First we must read our clue (read Psalm-clue #3)."
(Shepherds check off #2 from the
Psalm-clues,
then race to find Sheep Pen #3.)
Pen #3 Instructions- (Have the sheep sit around the fountain or
kiddy pool. Allow them to place their hands or feet into the water.) Read,
" 'He leadeth me beside the still
waters. He restoreth my soul;' A good shepherd
leads his sheep to the best places to drink water. They
don't let them drink from muddy waters because that could harm them. In
the same way, Jesus, our Good Shepherd, wants us to stay away from
anything that can harm us. He wants to protect us. What are some
things that can harm you physically?; Spiritually?" (disobeying your
parents, teachers; disobeying God's Word. Spend three minutes discussing.)
(Check off #3 from the Psalm-clues.
Read the next clue and race to find Sheep Pen #4.)
Pen #4 Instructions- Read,
" 'He leadeth me in paths of
righteousness for his name's sake.' A good shepherd leads his sheep
along safe trails to find water and green pastures. He is very careful
to make sure his sheep are not injured as they travel. In the same way,
Jesus, our Good Shepherd, wants to lead us in the right way of living.
This is what is meant by, 'He leadeth me in paths of righteousness'. In
order to learn the right way to live we must read and obey God's
Word. Now follow me as I step along our pathway. As we travel thank God for leading us and loving us."
(Walk along the pathway, then check off #4 from the Psalm-clues. Read the next clue and
race to find Sheep Pen #5.)
Pen #5 Instructions- (Only
one flock at a time may proceed through the obstacle course at a time.
The first flock to arrive has the advantage over the next players. Blindfold
your sheep before proceeding.) Read, " 'Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff,
they comfort me.' The Bible tells us that Jesus' sheep know his voice and
his sheep follow
him. No one escapes this planet without passing through the Valley of
the Shadow of Death. This valley might be a troubled time, an illness, the loss
of a loved one or our own death. Eventually all of us die. When this unknown day
comes, known only by God, we need The Good Shepherd to leads us through
the Valley of the Shadow of Death. To remember this, you are to follow me by listening to the sound of my voice
while we go through our obstacle course." (Shepherd have your sheep crawl on hands and knees and call
them through the course by
saying and repeating, "Jesus said, 'Follow Me...I will never
leave you'.")
(Check off #5 from the Psalm-clues,
then read the next clue and race to find Sheep Pen #6.)
Pen #6 Instructions- (The
first flock to arrive has the advantage. Have your flock sit at the table. Before serving the players, dip your
finger into the oil and place a mark on each of the players' foreheads,
then pray and thank God for them and the food. Serve the players two crackers
each. Pour
water into their cups allowing the water to overflow.) Read,
"Thou preparest a table before me
in the presence of mine enemies; thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over." Say, "In
ancient times oil was applied to the head of an honored guest.
This Psalm tells us we are treated like an honored guest by Jesus, our Good
Shepherd. But we are more than a guest in Jesus' house. When we believe
and follow him, we become his child! Jesus promises
to provide all that we need."
(Check off #6 from the Psalm-clues,
then read the next clue and race to find Sheep Pen #7.)
Pen #7 Instructions- (The
Head Shepherd, the teacher, will lead the instructions for Pen #7. When
the first flock arrives draw a cross on one cheek and a heart on the other of
each player on that team. Do not begin until the rest of the players have
arrived at Pen #7 in the Sanctuary. Have the teams sit down.) Read,
"Welcome and congratulations for completing the "Amazing
'Psalm 23' Race"! Our last clue says, 'Surely goodness and mercy shall
follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.' Jesus
died and rose again so that we can have eternal life with him. It is by
God's mercy that we are saved. Do you know what 'mercy' means? Mercy
means that we do not get the punishment we deserve for sinning.
God withholds his anger against us. Why? Because God's anger was taken
out on Jesus. God punished Jesus for our sins! Therefore, because we have been shown mercy, we should show mercy and goodness to
others. I want the flock that arrived first to Pen #7 to come forward
and face the other players. Why do you think there are crosses and
hearts drawn on their faces? The crosses
remind us
that Jesus died in our place, taking the punishment we deserve for
sinning. And the hearts remind us that because God loves us, we should
show love, mercy and goodness to others, even when they don't
deserve it." (Team returns to their seats.)
"Now I'm going to read the
Twenty-Third Psalm to you. As I read it, I want you to close your eyes
and think about the game you just played and the challenges you faced
along the way:
'The LORD is my shepherd; I shall
not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green
pastures;
He leadeth me beside the still
waters. He restoreth my soul;
He leadeth me in paths of
righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff,
they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me
in the presence of mine enemies;
thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall
follow me all the days of my life;
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.' "
Let's Pray: "Dear Jesus, Thank
you for being our Good Shepherd. Help us to follow and obey you all the
days of our lives. Amen."
(Optional: draw crosses and hearts on
all the players' faces before going home.)
For
more "Good Shepherd - Psalm 23" activities, crafts and games, click here.
Copyright
2005 Sarah
A. Keith - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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