This arcade like-game that works well for catechism lessons when covering Luke 5:1-11 or Mark 1:16-19. In these Scripture readings, Jesus calls Peter and his other disciples to follow him.
“And Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”
[Mark 1:17]
The goal is to fish and catch one of the 12 disciples using a pole made from a canning ring attached by string to a yardstick. Kids will think right away the challenge is easy, but it is difficult due to the long lever arm of the pole. There is little precise control because a little wiggle of the end of the pole makes the canning ring move a lot!
Supplies of the Fishing of Disciples Game:
- 12 heavy bottles the shape of beer bottles or wine coolers
- Laminated cutouts of the 12 Disciples rubber-banded to the bottles
- enlarge and print the 12 disciples character sheet available from Kristy Mcallister’s blog on cardstock
- laminate each individual photo
- 2 Fishing poles made of a yard stick, a 3 feet piece of string and a wide-mouth canning lid
Setup of the Fishing for Disciples Game:
- Divide the class into 2 teams
- Divide the Disciple bottles between the 2 teams.
To Play Fishing for Disciples Game:
- Line each team in front of their group of 6 bottles
- Give the first person in each line a “canning ring fishing pole”.
- Designate a timer and a point recorder.
- Give each person 1 minute to try to get the ring on as many Disciples bottles as possible. Remove the Disciple bottle from play once caught.
- The next person in line is to try to catch remaining Disciple bottles.
- If a team catches all bottles before the last person is finished with their turn, then reset the bottles and then that team gets bonus for each additional Apostle caught.
Easier Variation:
If it is too difficult, move the bottles close enough to each other so they touch each other.