The "Short" Kingdom Parables
mustard seed, leaven, pearl, treasure
A Computer Workshop
Summary of Lesson Activities:
Uses the Galilee Flyer software (Sunday Software).
Note: This program is now free to Supporting Members. Look here!
Leader Preparation:
- Install and preview the software.
- Print the game's printable helps and student handouts.
- Read the scripture ahead of time.
If the Kingdom of God is REAL, WHERE IS IT? WHY CAN'T I SEE IT?
(And if it's here, why is the world still messed up?)
Jesus addressed this conundrum when he described the hidden-ness of the Kingdom. Even though it's hidden or small, it can become great. But you have to plant a seed, kneed the dough, have the courage to buy the pearl, and know what to do with the treasure (and not just sit on it). By the way, you have to know what the treasure IS!
One of the four lesson-games in the Galilee Flyer introduces your children and youth to the Kingdom Parables of seed, leaven, pearl, and treasure. In particular, the pop-up notes that show up during flight describe all sorts of interesting factoids about the meaning of these parables.
Presentation
Opening
Welcome your students and tell them what they'll be learning and doing today.
Open with a prayer.
Fly!
The game is the Bible study. Start up the software, selecting the parables, and then fly to the top of Mt Hippus (straight ahead of the landing island) and have the kids read the pasages aloud. They'll need to in order to be able to match the verses! Now fly into the Galilean skies to look for the verse halves from the parables to match, and answer the floating questions (which explain the parables). (Download the free game guide from Sunday Software's website so that you don't waste time figuring out how to play.)
Remember to have them practice landings ahead of time then restarting the game.
Wait until everyone has landed, then have everyone fly over to the Discussion area in the Galilean landscape for some discussion questions. Look at the Galilee Flyer CD game guide on the website for details on those discussion questions, locations, game shortcuts, and more lesson suggestions.
You will need a minimum of 30 minutes to play the game. Your older students may be able to win the game within 15 minutes, so have them play twice to beat their score.
Closing:
End with a prayer.
This lesson is part of a larger 12 lesson set I wrote about the the Kingdom of God -- parts of which are posted here. I also wrote a more detailed and slightly different version of the above lesson plan for the Writing Team's "Kingdom Parables" lesson set.