Supplies Needed –
1) Blank Sheet of Paper 2) Cup/Jar 3) Pencil or Pen
4) Bible &/or YouVersion Bible App 5) Money (step 4)
6) Notebook. 7) Timer
4) Bible &/or YouVersion Bible App 5) Money (step 4)
6) Notebook. 7) Timer
Step 1 – Create game chart on blank sheet of paper. We will be playing 4 games 7 days in length (4 weeks / 28 days total).
Step 2 – Decide which BOOK of the Bible you plan to read. Write the NAME on your chart. (SEE SAMPLE GAME CHART)
Step 3 – Set your weekly goals. How many days per week will you attempt to do this? Then, how long will you read each time? Write it on the chart.
It’s important to remember that you are attempting to develop a positive, spiritual discipline. The goals should be realistic and attainable goals. You want success (to win) and not discouragement (to lose). Start smaller. For the first week I suggest 3-4 days max.
Step 4 – COUNT the COST. Get a cup/jar along with some coins (money). Decide the amount ($$) of investment you will make for each completed task. (Pennies, Nickels, Dimes, Quarters, Dollars) EX: $1.00 placed in the cup for every day completed. This will be used as a VISUAL AID to remind you how much you have offered the Lord and the amount of investment you’ve made in your spiritual habit(s). You are counting the costs. The amount is between you and the Lord.
Mark 12:41-44 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”
Write the amount on the chart
Step 5 – Decide where to put to the chart and cup. Put them in a VISIBLE place that you will see every day (dining room table, bedside, etc). They are reminders and one level of accountability!!
Step 6 – When you finish reading each day, ask yourself two questions and then write down your answers in the notebook.
a. What does this teach me about God?
b. What does this teach me about how I should live?
b. What does this teach me about how I should live?
Then when completed, place a check mark on the Chart and put money in cup EVERY TIME you complete the activity! Don’t wait until the end of the week. Also, if you reach your goal before the game/week is over and want to do additional days – by all means DO IT!
Step 7 – Review the outcome at week’s end (length of each game); Place a W (win) or L (loss) in the last column. If you didn’t reach your goal, take time to reflect on your week. People are good at rationalizing their behaviors so ask God for insight as you explore these questions.
Do I need to move my cup to a better/different place? Is my schedule too busy? Is my heart into this? Be honest with yourself then ask the Lord for help! This game is provided a tool to help you build stronger spiritual habits. It’s not meant to produce guilt (that’s not from God but from the enemy). It could be convicting, however (that’s from the Holy Spirit). Whatever the case, make adjustments where needed. Write the goals for the next game of 7 days on the chart.
This process can be repeated as long as you want to keep playing the game. I encourage you to keep playing after the 28 days are completed. It’s endless - as hopefully your desire to grow spiritually will be too.
Step 8 - Decide what you would like to do with the money at the end of each game or after the 28 days. If you’re not sure what to do, here are three suggestions (Step 9 will give you a fourth).
1) Use the same money at the end of each week and set a goal to exceed the previous game’s total.
2) Pay it forward. In a drive-thru, pay the ticket for the people in the car behind you.
3) Use it as an offering to purchase the item of the month for the Catalyst food pantry.
2) Pay it forward. In a drive-thru, pay the ticket for the people in the car behind you.
3) Use it as an offering to purchase the item of the month for the Catalyst food pantry.
Step 9 – (optional but strongly encouraged)
Building discipline can be tough, so why do it on your own? We all can use encouragement. Throughout the Bible we see instructions to encourage one another. Why? Primarily because encouragement is necessary to our walk of faith.
Building discipline can be tough, so why do it on your own? We all can use encouragement. Throughout the Bible we see instructions to encourage one another. Why? Primarily because encouragement is necessary to our walk of faith.
1) Text the word PLAY to 812-307-4929 and receive text and email encouragement and reminders during the 28 days. Roughly 3 per week.
2) Find a partner who is also playing one of the games and commit to being encouragers of one another.
2) Find a partner who is also playing one of the games and commit to being encouragers of one another.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10. Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!
And finally, here is the 4th suggestion on what to do with the offering money:
4) Go out for coffee & donuts (or a meal) with your game partner and encourage one another. Discuss your game successes and struggles. Build/Strengthen your relationship.
