With many similar parables Jesus spoke to them, as much as they could understand. He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything. Mark 4. 33-34

Why Christian Games?

The expectations of what will engage and interest children have changed. We live in a visual, noisy, multimedia world; a world of interactive education and entertainment through TV, films and the computer. When we teach children about our faith we must do it in a way that will involve and interest them. Children learn best when actively engaged with doing, not just watching and listening. Playing games is one way of taking part in fun activities that teach but are not seen as academic. All children and young people respond to games and are motivated to share in them. Games have value in the church and also in our families.  Jesus taught through parables as a way of engaging His listeners.  With a similar thought in view, we teach through games.

Within the Church
Games provide visual support and stimulate active engagement in learning. They can be used as part of structured lessons that increase children's knowledge of the Bible. Games can also be used effectively in youth groups and holiday clubs where the emphasis is on play, but with a purpose of teaching children something of the Bible and Christian living.

We must also be aware that many children have poor academic skills or Specific Learning Difficulties such as dyslexia. It is important therefore, not to make our church classes seem like a school experience. Playing games linked to a lesson topic, is a great way to make time spent in Sunday school welcoming.

Many church based groups need to cater for an increasing number of those who do not have English as a first language. Some groups need to make provision for Special Needs children, young people and adults. Games are especially suitable for these groups, as they are highly visual, the rules can be explained in the player’s own language and they do not need much English to play them.

The Family That Plays Together

Research has shown that there is a growing trend in families wanting to spend quality time together playing traditional games.

Ask adults to remember some of their happiest childhood memories and they will include those times when the family sat down and played games together. They will remember the closeness of the family sharing a common activity. They will remember the warmth as their family chatted, shared memories and laughed together. They will remember that special feeling of having parents, grandparents or siblings participating in an activity that speaks of closeness.

Today, many adults rarely share such times with their children. Families can lead quite separate lives and often do not even eat together. Parents work long hours so that weekends and evenings become a frenetic whirl of activity. Television is a constant presence, stifling family conversation.

Children isolate themselves from parents to play endless computer games. Many of our current children’s toys and activities are based on TV and films, which often have unsuitable ‘adult’ themes. We live in a world where violence and the threat of danger are ever present. People are growing tired of the constant violence from TV, films and computer games around their children. We long for quieter games and activities with moral themes. We want our children engaged in leisure pursuits that promote Christian values and develop social skills.

Society is becoming increasingly secular and many of today’s values do not reflect Christian teaching. Additionally, many children are growing up in places where Christianity is a minority faith. Many receive no Christian teaching unless it is from the home or church.  How special it would be to return to times when the family comes together to play games. It would be even more special to use this precious family time as an opportunity to teach children about the Christian faith, about what God values in their lives and to bring them into a relationship with a loving Father God.

The aim of playing Mustard Seed Games is:

               ‘That they might know that I am the Lord’.  Exodus 31.13