These “Field Day Games” were originally organized for Virtual Manitoulin Youth Camp.
In Paul’s time, the victor of the ancient athletic games didn’t receive a trophy or medal, they received a crown – called a “Laurel Wreath Crown” because it was a crown made of leaves. This is the type of crown Paul talks about at the end of his life:
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith; Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8
As you play these games and races, you can think about the spiritual race that Paul ran – and that you are running – and the Victor’s Crown that the righteous Judge will award to you when he returns to earth again.
Make a Laurel Wreath Crown for the Victor
https://www.dltk-kids.com/sports/mleaf-crown.htm
https://www.icanteachmychild.com/olympic-olive-wreath-craft/
Supplies List for Games
- Blindfolds (Game 1)
- Cookies (Game 2)
- Rope for “clothesline” (Game 3)
- Pegs/clothespins (Game 3)
- Purple clothes/material (Game 3)
- Cushions, chairs, any other supplies around the house to create an obstacle course. See this link for ideas: https://playtivities.com/obstacle-courses-for-kids/ (Game 4)
- Bucket of water (Game 5)
- Cup(s) with holes added in the bottom (and a ship drawn on each one) (Game 5)
- An empty bucket (Game 5)
Paul Field Day Game One – Repentance and Change
Item needed: blindfolds
How to play: Choose a starting point and a destination. Time each participant as they go from starting point to the destination back to the starting point again – blindfolded. Others can help direct the blindfolded participant verbally. Talk about how repentance is like a U-turn!
Paul Field Day Game Two – Preach with Determination
What is determination? Determination is “firmness of purpose; resoluteness.” Once Paul knew the right thing to do he was “determined” or “firm” in his purpose. Use this activity to talk about how we should be determined like Paul in being a light to others.
Item needed: cookies
How to play: Give each participant a cookie and tell them to put it on their forehead. In order to eat the cookie, they must get it in their mouth without using hands. If the cookie falls on the floor, try again. Don’t give up until you can get the cookie in your mouth!
Paul Field Day Game Three – Preach without Prejudice
Paul preached God’s Word to ALL – men, women, slave, free, Jew, and gentile.
He later wrote the Galatians, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.”
This game is based on the story of Lydia, a woman that Paul preached the gospel to.
Items needed: rope for a clothesline, pegs/clothespins, purple clothes/material
How to play: Each participant must run to the clothesline and take one item of purple clothing and hang it on the line (adults to use only one hand!). Hang as many items of purple on the clothesline in one minute. One point for every item on the clothesline.
Paul Field Day Game Four – Staying Focused Despite Persecution
Paul encountered MANY obstacles as he preached the gospel. He wrote the Corinthians: “From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.”
Items needed: cushions, chairs, any other supplies around the house to create an obstacle course. See this link for ideas: https://playtivities.com/obstacle-courses-for-kids/
How to play: Each participant must run to the end of the obstacle course. The participant with the fastest timing is the victor.
Paul Field Day Game Five – Keeping Faith in Difficult Times
This shipwreck relay is a reminder of Paul’s shipwreck as a prisoner on the way to Rome.
Items needed: a bucket of water, cup(s) with holes added in the bottom (and a ship drawn on each one), an empty bucket.
How to play: Each participant fills his cup with water, places the leaking cup over his head and runs to the empty bucket and pours the remaining water in. Each participant gets 2 minutes to fill the empty bucket as much as possible.
BONUS
Use these Paul Games for some review fun!
Paul’s Chain Review Game: www.magnifyhimtogether.com/2018/05/24/chain-review-game/
Paul’s Third Journey – Printable Board Game Review: www.magnifyhimtogether.com/2018/05/24/pauls-third-journey-review-game/