Octopus is a legendary children’s game that I have played with groups of all ages. This game is also known as “Sharks and Minnows.” You set the room up with boundaries with “safe zones” at each end. Your playing area will be set up like a football field.

Choose a person to be the “OCTOPUS.” Have the “OCTOPUS” stand in the middle of the room. The rest of the participants are “FISH.” The “OCTOPUS” says “swim fishy.” The fish come “swimming” towards the octopus to get to the other side of the room. If a “FISH” is tagged they must stop and sit down. They now become “OCTOPUS” and can help tag the other fish by tagging from the sitting position, but they may not move.  The last surviving “FISH” is the “OCTOPUS” in game two. This game goes pretty quickly, so I usually play several rounds.

BIBLICAL APPLICATION:

(The activity above can stand alone and simply be used as a fun activity or you can use the discussion questions and scriptures as a launch pad for dialogue with your group.

1) DIRECTION

What way are you swimming? Proverbs 16:9 In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. (NIV) I was once driving to preach at a youth event. I knew I was on the right road, but I realized I was getting further and further away from my destination. I was on the RIGHT road, but I was going the WRONG way. Are you swimming in the right direction? Are you going to the right places? Hanging with the right people?

2) DEFLECTION

What is tagging you? What are the parasites you are dealing with? Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. (NIV) The object of this game is to NOT be “tagged.” Life is constantly reaching out to “tag” you with materialism, status, relationships, temptations and more. As a Christian, we must “guard our heart” to not be tagged with all the opposition of the world.

3) DISTINCTION

Are you swimming “with or against” the current? Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death. (NIV) Protests are popular again! Everybody is protesting everything now. What would happen if we would begin to “protest” sin? This summer go get a job and protest laziness. Take one day a week and turn your phone off all day and protest the need to be constantly connected and instead read your Bible.