10-15 minutes

Materials:  - 4 chairs

                   - A few small items (keys, pens, clips, etc.) to 

                     be placed on one of the chairs 

Scripture:   

       - 1 Peter 4:10

Activity Instructions:

Invite nine participants to volunteer for this activity. They are divided into three teams with three members in each team. Each of the teams stands beside one of the three chairs, each placed about 5 feet away from a center chair. This center chair will contain about 10 items that are common and readily available in the room like keys, pencils, pens, pins etc. Then the teams are given the following instructions together:

1. "Transfer all the items to one chair"

2. "Transfer all the items one at a time"

3. "You may steal from each other's chair"

4. "You cannot stop anyone from stealing from your chair"

Let the game begin. Teams will likely rush to the center chair and attempt to transfer all the items to their respective chairs. After about 30 seconds of play stop the game and ask each team to count the number of items on their respective chair. Stop the game as you see a stalemate. 

Let the game resume. Invariably the same thing will happen for several rounds. If they don't make any progress after three attempts then ask them to listen carefully to the instructions and repeat them once again in the correct order and very slowly. At this time one (or more) persons will get a clue (and may even pass it on to others) that you had asked them to transfer the items to ONE chair. The game is over when all the items are transferred to just one chair - it does not matter which chair! 

Debrief questions:

1. What did we learn from this activity?

2. Which team won the game?

3. Why did it take so long (if it took several attempts) to win?

4. What does the Bible say about some of the things we learned?

Now, let's consider some principles learned that will help us as we consider working together to reach children and build the kingdom. Share answers. 

1. In what ways was the playing of this game similar to the way we work together in building the Kingdom?

2. How can we do things differently so as to ensure that we're building ONE KINGDOM and not several kingdoms?

If the following points of learning are not mentioned by the group you could mention them yourself:

· Initiative - someone got the idea of working together and shared it with others

· Communication - if the idea of partnership was not shared it would have been of no use 

· Individuals sacrificed for the common good

· Trust - trust was required to accept the idea of partnership

· Shared vision - if any person did not accept the main idea of the game, it could not have been completed.

· Unity - this was a prerequisite for working together. 

Why is working together and partnership especially important as we work with children outside the church? Listen to several answers from the group. Remember, the world will know we are Jesus disciples by our love for one another (not our fancy programs, wonderful preaching, great gifts for children, etc.) 

Conclusion 

The 1 for 50 vision is that EVERY child in EVERY community around the world would have someone who can help them know and follow Jesus for a lifetime. It is a God-sized vision for a God-sized task. We must work together.