Windy Demolition

Preparation

Decide on the number of teams – each team can have 1 or more players.

At one end of the room, set up one table per team.
Build a “wall” on each table using paper cups.
We recommend arranging 10 cups in a straight line, then stacking 9 cups on top of these (total 19 cups per team).

If you are playing with only a few young children, you may use fewer cups.

How to Play

Divide players into teams of roughly equal number of players. Each team can have 1 or more players.
Give each player a balloon.

Have each team stand in a straight line on the opposite end of the room, away from the paper cup “walls”. (If you are playing with only 1 player per team, the players can stand next to their paper cup ”wall”.)

On “go”, 1 player from each team runs to their table and blows up their balloons. They can blow their balloons as big or as small as they want. Players then release the air from the balloons and try to knock down the wall of paper cups. Once the balloon is deflated, players run back to the starting point and the turn passes to the next team member. (Players can only blow their balloons when they are at the “wall”)

The objective of this game is to be the first team to fully demolish their “walls”, using only air from their balloons. Players are not allowed to touch the tables or the cups.

The “wall” is considered fully demolished when all the cups are either lying on their sides or have fallen off the table.

Variation

If you are playing with younger children, you may need helpers to blow up the balloons for them.
Consider using balloon pumps for this.

Alternatively, have the kids knock down the “walls” using ping pong balls.

Bible Lesson – Joshua and the Battle of Jericho

Discuss
1. Did you enjoy this game? Why or why not?
2. Was it easy to know down the wall?
3. Does this game remind you of any Bible stories?

Say
Today we will look at one of the most famous Bible passages – Joshua and the Battle of Jericho.

God had promised to give the land of Canaan to the Israelites. In today’s story, we read about how God fulfilled the first instalment of this promise at Jericho.

Read
Joshua 6:1-20
(For younger children, read from a children’s Bible.)

Discuss
4. How would you react if I were to tell you that your paper-cup “walls” would collapse if you would simply march around your table and make some noises by bursting your balloons and shouting very loudly? Why would you react in this way?
5. How did the Israelites bring down the walls of Jericho?
6. How do you think this was possible?

Say
When God makes a promise, we can trust him to fulfil it. And when God tells us to do something, we must trust him rather than question his wisdom.

7. Have you ever felt that obeying the Word of God felt strange or counter-cultural? Tell us more.
8. How does the story of Jericho help us deal with this issue?

Conclude
God loves us and wants the best for us. God promises to bless us and be with us if we love and honor him. Sometimes this feels strange or difficult, but we must continue to trust and obey God, even if we do not see God at work or experience his blessings immediately.