Elementary Game: How to Produce Fruit of the Spirit

This totally silent, low-energy game will help your kids understand the concept that no branch can bear fruit by itself. Instead, we can only produce the fruit of the Spirit through a friendship with Jesus. While this game works well in large groups, it’s easily adaptable so smaller classes can enjoy playing too!

You’ll Need

• one quarter
• two oranges or other fruit
• two craft sticks

Pass on a Message

Divide kids into two teams. Have them sit down side-by-side in parallel lines facing each other. Place two craft sticks and two pieces of fruit on the floor between the two teams, near the far end of the lines.

Each player must hold hands with the people on either side, and everyone except the leader (the first person in each line) should close his or her eyes.

Flip a coin near the leaders of each team. Explain to the teams that they’ll perform a different action depending on whether the coin lands on heads or tails.

• If the coin lands on heads, the leader should squeeze the next person’s hand The team must pass that signal (the one hand squeeze) along the line without speaking. When the last person in line receives the signal, that person should open his or her eyes and pick up the stick.
• If the coin lands on tails, the leader should squeeze the next person’s hand twice. Again, the team must silently pass that signal (the two hand squeezes) down the line. When the last person in the line receives the signal, that person should open his or her eyes and pick up the fruit.

The object of the game is to pick up the correct object as quickly as possible.

Repeat the game several times, seeing if teams can improve their speed. After each round, have the first people in line go to the end so that you always have a new leader. Remind kids to always keep their eyes and mouths closed, unless they are the first person in line or the last.

Talk About It

After playing this game, have kids sit down in groups of three and discuss:

• Why was it important to be patient in this game?
• Why was it important to pass on the correct signal?

Say: Jesus told his disciples, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

Ask:

• What about vines and branches remind you of the passing game we just played?

Say: According to the Bible, we can only produce the fruit of the Spirit when we have a friendship with Jesus. And Galatians 5:22-23 tells us what kind of fruit Jesus’ Holy Spirit produces in us.

We’re connected to Jesus—like a branch to its vine—when we’re friends with him and then “the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”

Ask:

• What kind of fruit do you want to produce?
• How could the fruit of the Spirit do good for you and other people in your life?

This idea is adapted from The Encyclopedia of Bible Games for Children’s Ministry.

Looking for more ministry games? Check out these ideas!