How to Play
Designate a playing area to be the ship.
Identify the bow (front), stern (rear), port (left) and starboard (right) sides of the boat.
Assign one player to be the captain.
The captain will shout out one order at a time. (See table below)
Everyone must obey the order by doing the corresponding action.
Continue doing the same action until the captain gives the next order.
Players who fumble in obeying the command, or the last player to obey the captain’s order, is out of the game.
Play until only 1 player remains. That player becomes the next captain.
Captain’s Order | Players Must Do This |
Captain’s Coming | Stand tall, salute and say, “Aye aye Captain!” |
Scrub the deck | Get down on their hands and knees and scrub the deck. |
Bow | Run to the front of the boat |
Stern | Run to the rear of the boat |
Port | Run to the left of the boat |
Starboard | Run to the right of the boat |
Man overboard | Toss a life buoy into the sea and look for the missing person |
Climb the rigging | Climb a rope ladder |
Hit the deck | Lay facedown on the floor |
Man the lifeboat | Grab a partner, sit down and row the lifeboat together (in the same direction and in sync) |
Bible Lesson 1 – Obedience, Wise and Foolish Builders (Kids/Youth)
Discuss
1. Did you enjoy this game? Why or why not?
2. How did you feel about obeying the captain’s orders? Tell us more.
3. In real life, whose orders do you have to obey? Do you always obey them? Why or why not?
4. Do you know of any Bible stories that talk about obedience? Tell us more.
Read
Matthew 7:24-27
Discuss
5. Who are the main characters in this parable?
6. What did the two main characters do?
7. What happened after the two men finished building their houses?
8. What happened to the two men’s houses?
9. What was the difference between the two houses?
10. What did Jesus say the first builder is like?
11. What did Jesus say the second builder is like?
12. What is the difference between the two builders?
13. What is Jesus teaching us through this parable?
14. Are you more like the first or second builder?
15. How can you become more like the second builder?
Conclude
In this parable, Jesus compared a person who puts Jesus’ words into practice (one who obeys Jesus) with a person who doesn’t. If we are truly followers of Jesus, we must put the Bible into practice. We must obey Jesus.
Related Bible Passage: Luke 6:46-49
Bible Lesson 2 – Obedience, Wise and Foolish Builders (Youth/Adults)
Get Started
1. Do you always obey orders? Tell us more.
2. What was the silliest order you had to obey in real life? Tell us more.
3. Have you ever disobeyed an order? Tell us more.
Get into the Word
Read John 14:15
4. What does Jesus want his followers to do?
5. What are your thoughts about this?
Read Matthew 7:24-27
6. What does the wise man do with the teachings of Jesus?
7. What does the foolish man do with the teachings of Jesus?
8. What happened to the house on the sand when the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against the house? Did this come as a surprise to you? Why or why not?
Read Matthew 7:21-23
9. According to this passage, who will enter the kingdom of heaven?
10. Will the foolish man in this parable enter the kingdom of heaven? Why or why not?
11. What is Jesus teaching in the parable of the wise and foolish builders?
Get the Word into your Life
12. How familiar are you with the teachings of Jesus?
13. What are some of Jesus’ teachings that you have no difficulty obeying?
14. What are some of Jesus’ teachings that you find more difficult to obey? Why? What are some obstacles that stand in the way of your obedience?
15. What do you think the rock in the parable represents?
16. Are you like the wise builder who built the house on the rock? How confident are you that your house is built upon the rock? Why or why not?
17. In light of what we just read, what are some changes that you think you need to make in your life?
Related Bible Passage: Luke 6:46-49
Bible Lesson 3 – Submitting to Authority (Youth/Adults)
Get Started
1. Do you think people your age have difficulty submitting to authority? Why or why not?
Get into the Word
Read Romans 13:1-2; 1 Peter 2:13-17
2. Who are the people with authority in your life?
3. Why do these people have authority in your life? Who gives them this authority?
4. What else do these verses say about authority?
5. How are the authority figures in your life similar to the Captain in our game?
6. How are they different?
Read Ephesians 6:1-2; 2 Timothy 3:2 (For Youth)
7. What do these passages say about respecting our parents?
Get the Word into your Life
8. What are some reasons people give for not submitting to authority?
9. Which of these reasons may be valid?
10. Who are the authority figures in your life that you have most difficulty submitting to?
11. Why is it sometimes difficult to respect these authority figures?
12. How can the Bible passages we have read today help you in submitting to authority?
