The Pharisees and Sadducees, two groups we love to paint as the bad guys, but amongst the bad apples were men seeking God, even if they were misguided. These games don’t play them as the bad guys, but rather as questioners, inquisitive about Jesus, even if their motivation wasn’t in the right place.
Riddles – Tough questions naturally link into riddles, if the kids have any of their own get them to share, if not then try this list https://www.kidspot.com.au/things-to-do/activities/10-easy-riddles-for-kids of 10 easy riddles for children.
Too many rules – For this game you’ll probably need a whiteboard or a big sheet of paper to write the rules. tell the children they can help you make the rules for the game. start with these 3 rules. 1. each child must take it in turns to say a nursery rhyme or equivalent. 2. each child must try and follow as many rules as possible. 3. if the child completes the task they may add another rule.(example, first child recites “Hickory dickory dock” then adds the rule you must hold your thumb to your nose, second child recites “Incey Wincey Spider” then adds that you must use a squeaky voice …etc)
Only 2 – This is a puzzle that’s ambiguity makes it easy. Put the kids into small groups and leave them to discuss these scenario – They need to travel to the south pole but they can only take 2 things with them, what 2 things would they take? let the kids feedback. good answers could be other people, forms of transport, warm clothes… great answers would be infinite money, a teleporter, renaming the next room the south pole etc.
How do I measure up? – there are loads and loads of commandments in the bible, many are linked to the place and times they were written for. As a way of understanding the Pharisee’s obsession with rules it’s good to look at some of the more obscure. This is an activity for the older children only. Developmentally younger children can not be expected to rationalise this activity and may take it as self failure. Have the children stand up and sit down when they hear a rule they have broken.
1. Eating a cheeseburger or anything that mixes meat and dairy (Exodus 23:19).
2. Performing any work on the Sabbath (Exodus 20:10).
3. Ignoring a judge or a priest (Deuteronomy 17:8–13).
4. Wearing clothing woven of more than one kind of cloth (Leviticus 19:19).
5. Touching meat from a pig (Deuteronomy 14:8).
6. Cutting the hair on the sides of your head (Leviticus 19:27).
7. To be merciful and loyal to God (Hosea 6)
8. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind
9. Love your neighbour as you love yourself
Jesus quoted the last 3. Why do you think Jesus considers these more important? Do you think Jesus expects us to not break these rules ever, or just try our best?
Question treasure hunt – This is a lovely simple activity but it does take some time to set up. Children search and find a question whose answer tells them where to find the next piece of treasure, alongside the piece of treasure (a jigsaw piece works well) is another question whose answer is the location of the next piece of treasure and so on. Link to questions leading to truths.