• Preschool children can learn about Jesus through reverent church games.Smiling kids image by Marzanna Syncerz from Fotolia.com
  
  Preschool children learn best using several different senses---that's why educational games keep their attention and allow them to master simple skills. In a church classroom setting, playing reverent games can emphasize a point of the lesson, give preschoolers a chance to wiggle and encourage social interaction. Church games should never be rowdy or loud. It's important to maintain the reverent atmosphere of the church and teach preschoolers acceptable behavior while everyone is worshiping.
  
  

Does it Please the Lord?

• "Does it Please the Lord?" is a familiar game to children who have played "Mother May I?" Set up a goal on one side of the room, such as a picture of Jesus or a smiling child. Have the preschool children line up on the other side of the room. Explain to the children they can take certain kinds of steps, for example: an Angel Step (big step while flapping arms), a Goliath Step (one giant step) and a Baby Jesus Step (tiny step). One at a time, mention a child's name and give the child instructions to step. For example, you might say, "Sarah, you may take 2 Baby Jesus Steps and 1 Angel Step." The child replies, "Does it Please the Lord?" You then say, "Yes it does." The child then follows directions. The idea is to have the children progress evenly toward the goal.
  
  

Lost Lambs

• Use cutouts of little lambs, about two per child, for this game of hide and find. Before the children enter the room, hide the lambs throughout the space. When the children arrive, explain the idea that the little lambs are lost and the class must help bring them back to God. Allow the children to search for the lost lambs. When a child discovers a lamb, he can tape it next to the picture of Jesus you are displaying. Once all the lambs have been found, you can continue to discuss the symbolism of the lamb in the New Testament.
  
  

Noah's Animal Ark

• Prepare 12 animal cards that are blank on one side with an animal picture on the other. Make sure there are two matching animal pairs included (6 pairs of animals total). Set up the game so the cards are face down in three rows of 4 cards. Each child gets a chance to turn over two cards at a time to see if it is a match. If not, the cards return face down. If so, the child removes the cards from the rows. Play until the last match has been uncovered.