Christian Outdoor Activity Lesson: Rescue

Key Verse

“Don’t be afraid because of them, for I am with you to rescue you,” says Yahweh.” Jeremiah 1:8 WEB

Activity Type:

Initiative


Time:

30 minutes - 1 hour


Goal:

Participants will be in teams of two and one cannot see. The second person guides the first through the obstacle course. Requires communication and trust and helps foster empathy.


Material:

Some basic objects that can be used as part of a short obstacle course. For example a hula hoop, bench, log, rope, tarp, mat, etc. Blindfolds are useful but optional.

Instructions:

Set the obstacle course ahead of time. Then tell the participants they are lost in a snow storm (or sandstorm) and are trying to get to shelter. One person in your pair has been blinded by the snow (or sand) and the other can see. The seeing person must guide the blind through the storm safely. In pairs the participants proceed through a tunnel (hoop), over a log, under an overhang (tarp), over a creek (mat), across a bridge (bench) to safety. Partners can maintain contact through their journey. Once the pair reaches safety they can switch places and try again. As a variation partners cannot touch but only communicate verbally or perhaps by singing or by clapping or humming. Alternatively, have partners communicate with a code.

Possible Lessons:

As lost humans we need rescue by our Savior. He has promised to do so in the verse above. Compare and contrast our spiritual journey to the obstacle course and the guide.

Sometimes we go astray in life and need to be rescued by others. Sometimes friends or family may try to rescue us. Discuss how our recognition of our waywardness impacts our reaction. Sometimes we don't think we are astray or don't want rescue. Or perhaps we see a friend making a bad choice but they do not see it. Discuss how this activity relates to learning how to help guide others who may or may not realize they need help.



Written by David F. Garner

Photo credit: Unsplash via www.pexels.com

Christian Outdoor Activity Lesson: Card Games

Key Verse

“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” James 3:17 WEB

Activity Type:

Amusement

Time:

Hours of fun!

Goal:

Keep participants entertained and in a positive mood anytime. 

Material:

1-2 decks of 52 playing cards, an Uno deck, Authors Card Game deck, your favorite card game.

Instructions:

This is a great activity to always have prepared. Take a deck of cards on every trip. Keep some decks in your supply closet. Keep one in your transport vehicle and even your backpack! Then, when you need to entertain unexpectedly, you can. This is great for long road trips, during unexpected rainy or cold weather, or anytime you need. Be sure to keep instructions to each game along with the cards to avoid disagreements over the rules. Of course it always makes it fun to make up your own rules. Additionally, you can keep track of the winners and see who wins overall out of several games. A pack of 52 playing cards is the most versatile as there are numerous games that can be played with one, including Uno. Click here for instructions and here for a list and rules to other great wholesome games to play with a deck of playing cards. Or go to our Downloads Page.



Possible Lessons:

Use the key verse to have a short discussion about what it means to have good sportsmanship or play fairly. Alternatively, use the key verse and the game to discuss how life is not always fair. You don’t always get the cards you want in the game, neither do we always get what we want in life. Sometimes we are dealt a “bad hand” in life. Does this mean God does not love us? Does it mean he does not answer our prayers? How should we react when this happens? See Philippians 1:27.

Written by David F. Garner

Photo Credit: FreeImages.com/JoshuaDavis

Activity: Buzz

Activity Type:
Amusement.

Time:
10-20 minutes.

Group size:
3-20.

Materials:
None!

Goal:
This activity is meant to amuse and entertain. It is a great game for playing in the car or on the trail.

Instructions:
This is a counting game that can be adjusted to the participants level. Feel free to be creative and adjust the game to keep it fun and interesting. Participants begin by counting in turn. Participants count to a number that is one more than the number of participants (i.e. if there are 10 participants count to 11). When the number seven comes up the participant must say BUZZ or he is "out". For example, the participants are counting one, two, three, four, five, six, BUZZ, eight, nine. The last person left is the winner. Older participants can use the number seven and multiples of seven. The game can be made more challenging by substituting words for other numbers. Say TOOT in place of two. Say HONK in place of five or multiples of five. Additionally, encourage participants to count fast and to speed up if it is too easy.

Potential Lesson:

This would be a great introduction to having a discussion about rushing through life. The faster we go and the more we try to do in a hurry, the more likely we are to stumble. We must keep balance in life and not rush too much or try to hurry God's plan. We ought to be mindful to enjoy where we are in life now and not continually focus on the future or getting older.

Written By David F. Garner