Candies of Sharing

By Barry Mitchell

Object: To discuss and teach the principle of sharing. Alternative messages of hope and faith.

Props: Large bag of loose M & M candies or Smarties and paper plates or bowls.

Game
Place an equal number of candies on four paper plates or bowls.  Place on a long table and put an empty plate behind each plate of candy.  Divide children into four groups.  For larger size groups divide into more teams to have no more than ten children per group.

Ask for a volunteer from each group to play the part of an outcast. Choose four and ask them to stand off to the side.  Explain that each outcast must begin with nothing. They begin as an outcast because everyone else will be eating candy while they watch.  They have no promise of any candy at all.  However, they can have hope that some of the group might share with them.

Explain to the group that they are to run to the respective plates and pick up five candy pieces. (Choose a number based on the number of candies placed on the plate so that everyone has a turn.)  Then they are to decide if they want to eat all five or share some or all of them with the four outcasts.  If they want to share, they can place them in the empty plate.  When all the candies have been eaten or shared, the shared candies are then divided evenly among the outcasts.

Discussion Points
Sharing means we must give up some portion of what we have been given.
The outcasts had to live by faith that their friends would be willing to share.
Jesus said the two greatest commandments are to love God and love your neighbor.  How is this game an example of loving your neighbor?

Additional Observations
I tried a similar version of this game with rubber squeeze balls and found the children were less likely to share the toy balls than the candy.  It is my understanding that children with peanut or chocolate allergies are safe with Smarties, however, check with the parents first.

Scripture References
Galatians 5:22-23 Fruits of the Spirit
I Timothy 6:18-19 Be generous
Proverbs 3:27 Do not withhold good
Matthew 22:34-40 The greatest commandments