Twelve Disciples Blow Wind Blow

Preparation

Set up chairs in a circle, facing the center. Set up as many chairs as there are players minus 1. For example, for 10 players, you will need 9 chairs. Alternatively, you can use anything that can mark the positions of each seat (examples: labels, masking tapes, shoes, books).

For younger children, you may like to write the names of the first 12 disciples on sticker labels or masking tape. One name per label.

How to Play

Write the names of the first 12 disciples on a dry erase board.

Assign each player one of the names of the first twelve disciples.
There must be 2 or more players assigned to each name.
For smaller groups, assign each player 2 or 3 names.

For younger children, stick the prepared labels on the players’ shirts.

Ask one player to stand in the center of the circle and have everyone else sit on the chairs.
There should be just enough chairs for everyone except for the player in the center.

To start the game, the player in the center shouts, “Blow wind blow!”

The other players respond by shouting, “Blow what?”

The player in the center replies, “Blow all the ________.“ (one disciple’s name)

All the players who have been assigned that disciple’s name must quickly get up and move to a seat vacated by another player; the player in the center tries to get a seat. One player will be left without a seat. This player must now stand in the center of the circle and shout, “Blow wind blow!”…

You can end the game anytime.

Bible Lesson – Following Jesus

Discuss
1. Did you enjoy the game?
2. Was it easy for you to remember who you were in the game?
3. Was it easy for you to remember all the other names?

Say
These twelve names are the names of the first disciples of Jesus.

Read
Luke 6:13-16

Say
Some of the 12 disciples are referred to by their other names in other parts of the Bible.
For example, Thaddeus is referred to as Judas son of James in this passage that we just read.
Matthew is sometimes referred to as Matthew the tax collector, or as Levi in other Bible passages. And Bartholomew is sometimes referred to as Nathanael.

Discuss
4. What does “disciple” mean?
5. How does a person become a disciple of Jesus?

Say
A disciple of Jesus is a follower of Jesus. You become a disciple of Jesus when you believe in Jesus by:
(i) Admitting that you have sinned and ask God to forgive you,
(ii) Believing that Jesus died on the cross to be punished instead of you, and
(iii) Inviting Jesus into your life to help you turn away from sin.

Read
John 13:34-35

Discuss
6. According to this passage, what must all disciples of Jesus do?

Conclude
To be a disciple of Jesus simply means that we must believe in Jesus and want to follow him.
John 13:34-35 tells us that, just as Jesus loves us, all his disciples must love one another.
Loving God and loving one another are the two most important commandments that every disciple of Jesus must follow (Matthew 22:36-39 and Mark 12:28-31).

Related Bible Passages
Matthew 10:2-4

Variations

Allow calling for two or more disciples’ names at a time.
Allow calling for all disciples at the same time (“Blow All Disciples!”)

Here are some variations of this game that can help introduce or reinforce other Bible lessons:

• Fruit of the Spirit Blow Wind Blow (for lessons on the fruit of the Spirit)
• Animals Blow Wind Blow (for lessons on the story of creation)
• Blow Around the World (for lessons on evangelism and missions or the Tower of Babel)
• Blow Wind Blow (generic version that serves as a fun icebreaker)