Blind Follow the Leader

I've been reading through the book of 2nd Kings with the kids at night. It is exciting to see their faces when they hear a Bible story they've never heard before. A couple of nights ago I read the story of the Syrian army that came to capture Elisha. He prayed that God would strike them with blindness and God did. Then Elisha led them on a wild goose chase to find himself. Finally he led them straight to the king of Isreal and prayed that God would open their eyes that they could see and God did it.

Can you imagine the surprise on everyone's faces? The king then asked Elisha if he should kill them and he said no, you should feed them! So instead of killing them, he threw them a great feast! Then the Syrian raiders stopped coming into Israel, at least for a time.

I wanted to help the kids remember the story, so I made a game out of it. I pretended to be Elisha and the kids were the Syrians. I told them that when I said "Strike them with blindness" that they had to close their eyes. I had already turned off all the lights in the house. Then I had them follow me around the house by listening to my voice say, "This way!" or "Over here!" I also said stuff like, "Watch out for that table!" Then whenever I got to the other end of the house I said, "Then Elisha said, 'Open their eyes that they may see, '" and I flicked on a long candle lighter that I had been carrying around with me.

Honestly, I still can't believe how big of a hit this game was! The kids were so giddy when ever the lighter lit up. They laughed and said, "I just love this part!" We played it three times over the last two nights and they still wanted to play it again.

I have been teaching them about God's plans for Syria and how they will be one of three chosen nations in God's bigger plan. During Christ's 1000 year reign there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria that goes straight through Israel. In Chapter 19 of Isaiah it says, "In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian will come into Egypt and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians will serve with the Assyrians. In that day Israel will be one of three with Egypt and Assyria—a blessing in the midst of the land, whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, 'Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance.'"

If you have children then try this game with them and teach them this story. Acting out Bible stories is one of the best ways to learn them. Have fun!


--Johnie