Preparation
Download and print the Stepping Stones Printable.
You will need 1 copy for each player you have.
Cut out the stepping stones.
How to Play
Divide into teams of 4 to 10 players.
Two opposite sides of the room are the river banks and the area in between is the river.
The objective of this game is to be the team to cross the river using the fewest stepping stones.
Round 1
Give each team 1 stepping stone for every member they have.
For example, a team with 4 members should get 4 stepping stones.
Everyone begins by standing on one side of the river.
Players must make their way across the river from one bank to the other by stepping only on the stepping stones provided. They are not allowed to step in the water. Anyone who steps in the water must return to the starting river bank.
The teams that succeed in reaching the opposite river bank moves on to the next round; other teams are eliminated.
How it’s Done
The 1st player places a stepping stone in the “river” and steps onto it.
This 1st player then places a 2nd stone within stepping distance.
He/she then moves onto the 2nd stone while a 2nd team member steps onto the 1st stone.
This carries on until all team members are on the stones.
The team then has to figure out how to “share” stepping stones such that the last stone is freed up.
When the last stepping stone is freed up, it is passed up to the front for the 1st player to move onto.
This continues until all team members are on the opposite “river bank”.
Round 2
Remove one stepping stone from each team and repeat.
Continue removing one stepping stone from each team with each subsequent round.
The team that manages to cross the river with the fewest stepping stones wins.
Bible Lesson – Jesus and Peter Walk on Water
Discuss
1. Did you enjoy this activity? Why or why not?
2. Was it easy to cross the “river” without falling in? How did you prevent yourself and each other from falling into the river?
3. Do you remember a Bible story about someone trying unsuccessfully to walk on water? Tell us more.
Read
Matthew 14:22-33
Discuss
4. Who tried to walk on water but began to sink? What happened?
5. Is it possible for human beings to walk on water without sinking?
6. Who managed to walk on water but did not sink? How is this possible?
Say
It is, by nature, not possible for human beings to walk on water.
But Jesus is special; he is the Son of God. Jesus can control nature, and he can do things that are not humanly possible.
Discuss
7. What did those who were in the boat do after Jesus climbed into the boat?
8. Why do you think they worshipped Jesus?
9. Do you worship Jesus? Why or why not?
Conclude
We can have faith in Jesus, and we worship him because he is the Son of God.
Bible Lesson – God Will Help Us in Times of Trouble
Discuss
1. Did you enjoy this activity? Why or why not?
2. Was it easy to cross the “river” without falling in? How did you prevent yourself and each other from falling into the river?
3. Do you remember any Bible story about God helping his people cross a sea or a river?
Read
Exodus 14:21-22; Joshua 3:14-17
Say
Many of us are familiar with these famous passages in the Bible.
By God’s mighty intervention, Moses led the Israelites across the Red Sea on dry land, and Joshua led the next generation of Israelites across the Jordan River on dry land.
Discuss
4. Do you think these are real stories? Why or why not?
Say
Our God is real.
The Bible is the inerrant Word of God and we can trust that everything recorded in the Bible is true.
Discuss
5. In what ways are these stories relevant to us?
Say
The stories happened very long time ago, and we are not in those same situations as the Israelites back then. But the God whom we worship has not changed; he is still the same powerful and loving God who watches over his people and delivers them from trouble.
Read
John 16:33
Discuss
6. What did Jesus promise that we will have in this world?
7. Did Jesus say this to encourage or discourage us? Tell us more.
Read
1 John 5:4-5; John 14:16; Isaiah 43:2
Discuss
8. Should we be afraid when we encounter problems and difficulties? Why or why not?
9. What can we do when we encounter problems and difficulties?
Conclude
In life, we are bound to encounter difficulties and adversity. But we don’t have to be afraid. When we put our faith in Jesus, God sends the Holy Spirit to come and live in our lives; he will help us deal with the difficulties that come our way.
We will always have troubles here on earth. But we can look forward to the fact that, one day, all the problems of this world will go away, and we will live with God in a perfect world, with no pain, no crying and no death! (Revelation 21:1-5)
2 thoughts on “Stepping Stones”
How do you actually get across the river with the stones? Three adults could not figure this out. Please help!
Hi there,
The 1st player places a stepping stone in the “river” and steps onto it.
This 1st player then places a 2nd stone within stepping distance.
He/she then moves onto the 2nd stone while a 2nd team member steps onto the 1st stone.
This carries on until all team members are on the stones.
The team then has to figure out how to “share” stepping stones such that the last stone is freed up.
When the last stepping stone is freed up, it is passed up to the front for the 1st player to move onto.
This continues until all team members are on the opposite “river bank”.
I really hope this clarifies.
Apologies that the instructions were not clear enough.
We will try to improve it.