The Mercy Game

At our VBS, the last day's topic was the unmerciful servant. Our kids played the following game to help demonstrate the importance of sharing mercy which has been so graciously given to us through our Savior:

Students: ages 5 and up
Number of participants: 2-up, preferably an even number
Time allotment: 6-10 minutes

Guiding Scriptures:

Matthew 18:21-35; the parable of the unforgiving servant

Ephesians 2:4-5

Micah 6:8

(feel free to add more- there are many more in Scripture!)

Objective:

Students will discuss the need for mercy from God, with the coins will demonstrate how mercy from God is first received and then given to others.

Materials Needed:

chocolate coins
tulle bags, small clear boxes, etc.
(place 2-3 chocolate coins in each container, one per student.)
3x5 notecards
pencils/ writing utensils

Instructions:

1. Each student is handed a note card and pencil. Ask an open- ended question about sin's definition, and lead the line of questioning to the discussion of reasons why we need mercy from God. Have students write one action on the note card which requires God's mercy.

2. Give each student a box of chocolate coins, explaining God gives mercy where it's not deserved, and this mercy is a precious gift- more precious than money can buy.

3. Have each student flip over the note card, and ask the students to now think of (and write on the note card) an example of something they've done that required them asking for someone else's mercy and forgiveness, or an example of something they've forgiven of someone else. 

4. Divide the students into two (hopefully equal) groups. Have group 2's members hold up their note cards. 

5. Instruct group 1 to find a student in group 2 who is in need of mercy and give it to him/ her, in the form of the box of chocolates, with each student in group 2 receiving "mercy". Instruct the students to then sit back down when finished and each hold up his/ her card.

6. Instruct the students in group 2 to now, since they have 2 boxes of "mercy", to grant mercy to a student in group 1 by giving each student 1 box. 

Follow-up Discussion Questions:

Group 1: How did you feel, when giving chocolates to members of group 2- who already had a box of chocolate? (Direct the conversation toward a discussion of having faith that the other group would be doing the same activity in kind.)

Group 2: How did you feel, receiving a second box of chocolates- did this gift make it easier to give one box back to a student who now had no box of "mercy"?

All students: Who is the greatest giver of mercy to mankind? If HE has given us such great mercy, what does he then expect of us toward our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ? What are some ways in which we can show mercy to others?