FunFaith™ Moments for FamiliesInspiration and ideas for families of faith
TIRE GAMES!
Use this fun activity to help your family explore the way God uses us. --- Scripture Reference: Numbers 22 Equipment: An old tire (check a junkyard for this), and outdoor area (such as your backyard or a park), and a Bible.
Before you begin:
You'll probably want to read Numbers 22 before this FunFaith experience. This Scripture tells an unusual story about a wayward prophet and a donkey preacher. The prophet Balaam was tempted by Israel's enemies to curse his own people. In order to stop him, God took drastic measures. God sent an angel to Balaam on his way to the enemy camp. But Balaam's donkey saw the angel and refused to move. Balaam was furious until God opened the donkey's mouth and allowed it to tell Balaam the error of his ways. Now, God doesn't normally use donkeys to accomplish his purpose; he uses people. Are your family members available for God to use?
The FunFaith Moment!
Take your family and an old tire to an outdoor area such as a park or even your own backyard. Tell everyone their goal is to invent new games a family can play using a tire--and your family is going to be the "game testers" for those ideas! Have family members spend a few minutes experimenting with the tire and brainstorming. Tell everyone to think of unusual ways to use the tire and to build a game around it. For example, you might play Tree Target Practice, where you stand a certain distance from a tree and try to roll the tire into it. Or you could have Tire Bouncing Races where everyone takes turns sitting on the tire and bouncing it through an obstacle course--best time wins! Or you might lay the tire on the ground and use it as the hoop for a game of basketball. Be creative and encourage your family members to have fun. After you've got some good ideas, have everyone try out a few. Play as many and as along as you like.
Discovery:
After you're all worn out, form a circle around the tire and discuss these questions:
• What did you think when I told you our goal was to invent new games using a tire? • What are other ways people use tires? • In what ways are people similar to tires?
Read or tell the story of Balaam from Numbers 22. Then tell your family that although it's unusual to use a tire for games, it's even more unusual for God to make a donkey talk! Continue your discussion with these questions:
• Which character in this story do you relate to most? Why? • Why do you think God used a donkey to correct Balaam? • How can God use us to accomplish his goals like he used Balaam's donkey, or like we used our tire? • What keeps us from being used by God? How can we overcome those obstacles?
Prayer:
Have family members take turns standing inside the tire as you pray a prayer like this for each person: "Lord, we ask you to use [person's name] in new and creative ways to make a difference for Jesus each day of life! In Jesus' name, amen." ---
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