Preparation
Scatter the plastic cups all over the room. Place half of them right side up, and the other half upside down.
How to Play
Divide players into two equal teams.
If the playing area is too small to accommodate all the players at once, divide into more teams and take turns to play.
Round 1
Have Team A stand at one end of the room while Team B stands at the opposite end.
When the leader shouts, “Go!”:
– Team A will run around the room and try to flip all the cups right side up.
– Team B will run around the room and try to flip all the cups upside down.
Players must not move the cups. Just turn them over and place them on the same spot.
When the leader shouts, “Stop!”:
Everyone must stop immediately, raise their hands above their heads and remain standing where they are.
Round 2
Repeat Round 1 but with the teams switching sides.
Team A will now flip the cups upside down and Team B, right side up.
Scoring
For each round, award each team 1 point for each cup in their orientation.
For example, in Round 1, Team A gets 1 point for every cup that is right side up and Team B gets 1 point for every cup that is upside down.
Ignore all cups lying on their sides.
The team with the highest score after both rounds wins.
Bible Lesson 1 – The Upside Down Kingdom of God (Kids)
Discuss
1. Did you enjoy this game? Why or why not?
Say
In this game, half of you were trying to do one thing, and the other half were trying to do the exact opposite.
Discuss
2. Have you ever felt like you were doing the opposite of what everyone else were doing? Tell us more.
3. Which is easier? Doing the same as what everyone else is doing? Or doing the opposite? Tell us more.
Read
John 13:1-17 (Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet)
Discuss
4. What did Jesus do?
5. In the days of Jesus, whose job was it to wash the guests’ feet?
6. Was it normal for a teacher to wash his disciples’ feet? Why did Jesus do this?
7. What does verse 15 say? What does Jesus tell his disciples to do?
Say
Jesus is the son of God, but he did something that is usually done by a servant – he washed the dirty feet of his disciples. Jesus told his disciples to follow his example, and he told them that they will be blessed if they do what he says.
When we follow Jesus, we sometimes find ourselves doing the opposite of what other people are doing. But that is ok because Jesus is different from the world. If we truly believe in Jesus and want to be a part of his kingdom, we must keep on obeying him.
Bible Lesson 2 – The Upside Down Kingdom of God (Youth/Adults)
Get Started
1. In this game, how does it feel to be doing the opposite of what some other people are doing?
2. In real life, have you ever felt like you were behaving differently from everyone else? Tell us more.
3. Which is easier? Going with the flow or behaving differently? Tell us more.
Get into the Word
Read Matthew 19:16-30 (The Rich and the Kingdom of God)
4. What did the rich young man want to know?
5. What did Jesus want the rich young man to do? How do you think the rich young man felt?
6. Why did the man walk away sad? What is he giving up by refusing share his wealth with the poor?
7. What do you think Jesus means by “many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first”?
Read John 13:1-17 (Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet)
8. If you were one of the disciples, how would you have felt about what Jesus was doing? How would you have reacted?
9. How did Jesus explain his actions?
10. John 13:15 says, “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”
Would following Jesus’ example feel more like going with the flow or behaving differently? Tell us more.
Read Philippians 2:5-8 (Imitating Christ’s Humility)
11. Philippians 2:5 says, “in your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.” How would our relationships with our family, friends, colleagues, and others look like if we have the same mindset as Jesus?
Get the Word into your Life
12. From the Bible passages that we have read today, what can you tell us about the kingdom of God, its value system, and how God wants us to live our lives?
13. What are some changes you can make in your life that can help you live according to the values of God’s kingdom?
14. What is one thing that Jesus wants you to put into practice this week?
Related Bible Passages: Mark 10:17-31; Luke 18:18-30
