Samuel

A-Mazing Resources and Ideas for a Bible Skills and Games Workshop

Summary:
The following "Maze" and "Blindfold-follow" game ideas examine the question of "how we listen and hear God's voice" in our lives -- just like Samuel did that night in the Tabernacle (1 Samuel, 3). The games includes some possible discussion questions for you to work with and adjust.

This lesson also includes a printable complex maze with discussion questions for grades 2-6. You can also "make your own maze" or have the kids make their own (suggestion below). As part of this lesson sketch, we created this printable Samuel Maze. PDF attached,

The "maze" is a metaphor for desiring to find/listen to God, to following him. Feel free to expand on that metaphor and tweak it after playing it.

Tip: After playing the maze and discussing it, have students illustrate "barriers" and "things in the way" of someone who is trying to "find their way to God," "listen to God's voice trying to answer God's call."

After playing the PDF maze, invite students to make their OWN maze with illustrations representing their own journey from child to disciple of the Lord.  QUICKLY make copies of these completed mazes on the church copier and pass them around to other students to play in class or at home.

Another a-Mazing option: Hand out copies of the attached SIMPLE  MAZE and follow its directions for a stimulating metaphor-rich discussion about listening to God and following him.

Note: We all fail and fall off the path. God doesn't "wait" for us to get to him. Instead, he is the Good Shepherd who comes looking for us and carries us home!   He is the Prodigal's Father who watches and when he sees his son when he is yet far off, comes running to welcome him home!

Children’s Bible Game: Listening to God

This game is similar to a "maze" but it's more interactive.

Form pairs. Have one person in each pair be blindfolded and lead them across the room at least 20 feet away, then return to the other side of the room.  Place several chairs as obstacles in their path.

Round 1:  Let one person guide their partner by voice. If you bump into a chair your turn is over.

Round 2: Let all pairs simultaneously try to guide their partners, listening carefully for ONLY your partner's voice. If you bump into a chair your turn is over.

Round 3: Secretly tell the guiding partner to give the wrong instructions, but change the rule that if they bump into a chair their can continue to try.

Round 4: Secretly tell the blind folded person to do the opposite of what their partner says to do.

DISCUSSION:

Have some discussion in between rounds.

How easy or difficult was it to listen to your group members’ voices? How did other people’s instructions affect you? What techniques did you use to listen well?

Say: Listen to this story about a little boy who learned to listen well — and heard God’s voice.

Read aloud 1 Samuel 3:1-11.

Ask:

Think of the techniques we used in our game to listen well.
How can we use some of those same techniques to listen well to God?
What will God's "voice" sound like to you?

Add your own insights and life application questions that work for your students!

Lesson ideas inspired by Jaymie Derden and updated by the Rotation.org Content Team