Our Spiritual Gps Group
Group Activities

GPS TRAIL: Divide the children into teams A,B, and C. Send each team on a different GPS trail to see who can run to the end of the trail and back. (Make sure that each trail is the same length.) The children will run one at a time, tagging the next team player when they return to the team. If there is no space large enough for each team to go in different directions, then children can just run a relay line back and forth.

RECALCULATING JUBILEE: Have the children spread out in a designated area and run to whatever side of the area that the teacher points to or calls out. When the teacher shouts... RECALCULATING... the children must stop, then turn and run to the side of the room that the teacher tells them. When the designated time is up, children can shout... JUBILEE which means JOY. The teacher can add other ways of running to each side or area of the room as well, such as hopping, skipping, etc. If this activity is played outside — the children can run around trees and other obstacles, if desired.

GPS HOPSCOTCH: The children will play hopscotch in the usual way, but will read a word from today's lesson in each hopscotch square that they jump on, such as SPIRIT, TRUTH, GUIDE, SPEAK, JOURNEY, FUTURE, TELLING, etc. REMIND children that the GPS stands for GOD'S POSITIONING SPIRIT and these words need to stick in our hearts and minds throughout the week!

MAP IT OUT: Divide the children into groups and give each group a simple map to find a "treasure" which will be a BIBLE at the end of the MAP COURSE. The map can lead to a table, bookcase, or a shelf in the room. There will be various places indicated on the map and the children will have to go to each of these areas where they will get a candy or small treat from that area to show that they actually went to all the places on the map! When they have completed the course and have found the Bible treasure, they will return to their seat in the classroom. Each group can have a different map if the teacher is able to have that large of a space, OR the teacher can send the groups out one at a time while the rest of the class is in another room so they can't watch where the group has gone until it is their team's turn.

BIBLE VERSE HUNT: Let the children search the classroom to find hidden words from today's Bible verse. When a child finds a word, it will be brought to the front of the room and taped onto a poster board that will have GOD'S POSITIONING SPIRIT written at the top. When all words have been found, if the words are not in the correct order, the teacher will let the children rearrange the words in the correct order.

HOLY WORD PATH: Give the children paper and crayons and pencils to write today's Bible verse in a path around their sheet of paper — as in a circle or a squiggly path, etc. Then they will hand the paper to the child on their right and everyone will have their turn at reading the Bible Verse PATH if they can follow the words in order. Tell children the words must be in the right order, but the path can go anywhere on the paper.

BIBLE SWORD DRILL: All the children can "follow the teachings" as they look up one Bible verse after another, as the teacher calls the verses out. Choose all verses that are easy to find if for younger children and ALL verses that have a teaching in them, such as the ten commandments, doing all things without murmurings and disputings (Phil 2:14); obeying parents (Eph 6:-14); reading God's Word (Matt4:4, Ps 119:105, II Tim 3:16-17), etc.

SING A SONG: LEAD ME, LORD

S'MORES SNACK: Split graham cracker into 2 halves. On top of graham cracker squares place mini-marshmallows. Place under broiler for a few seconds until toasty. Remove and place 1/2 of a Hershey bar on top of marshmallow. The heat from the marshmallow will melt the chocolate bar. Place other 1/2 of graham cracker on top. Press lightly to flatten marshmallows. These may be made ahead and wrapped in plastic wrap until ready to heat and eat. (Explain that the three parts of a S'MORE remind us of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit that make up the Trinity.)

Song:  "Lead Me, Lord"