Play this game to teach the concept that God protects us like an umbrella. While you play your game of tag, have an adult hold a large umbrella that serves as a “home free” base. Runners can only stay under the umbrella for a count of ten. Ideally, arrange to play this game with a larger group of children in a play-date setting or with friends.

Note: A walk in the rain with an umbrella provides an alternative activity that teaches the same concept. When someone chooses to step out from under the umbrella, they are no longer “protected” from the rain.

Use the discussion questions below to help your children understand that God wants to protect us. When we follow His instructions given in the Bible, we are following what is good and right, and we have little to fear. On the other hand, when we are prideful and think we can do things on our own, refusing to follow God’s way, we often end up in trouble.

Questions for discussion

• What would happen to little chicks if they didn’t run under their mother’s wings when a predator came along?
• Have you ever thought that you knew better than your parents and chose not to follow a rule?
• How is that like the chick that refuses to hide under his or her mother’s wings?
• What would happen to a little child who decided to live on their own, taking care of himself/herself?
• Which rules in our home were made to keep you safe?
• If you chose not to follow these safety rules, what could happen to you?
• Have you ever ignored a parent’s warning and ended up in trouble?
• Can you think of any rules God gives us in the Bible?
• How would life be different if we chose not to follow God’s rules?
• What is the main reason why someone would ignore God’s instruction or advice from their parents?
• Read Psalm 5:4-5, 11-12. (See below.) What blessing does God promise for those who are righteous?
• Read Proverbs 16:20. What does God promise for those who listen to advice?

Key concepts

Rules can be a bother to follow and they may even seem to take away some fun at times, but rules exist in our home for a reason. They keep us safe and help us live at peace with God and others. A child may not like the rule at home that says, You must be supervised by a parent when you play outside, but parents make this rule so that children are kept safe from harm.

Similarly, God also gives us rules to protect us. One of God’s safety rules says that people are not to kill each other (Exodus 20:13). That rule makes a lot of sense, because no one would be safe if people walked around killing each other!

The main reason children ignore their parent’s advice or instruction is pride. Refusing to follow a leader’s guidance or God’s rules is called being rebellious or prideful. An attitude of pride says or thinks, “I know better than you do, so I am not going to do as you ask.” The Bible says that fools follow their own way and wise people take advice (Proverbs 12:15). We also read in the Bible that God promises to protect those people who prove they are righteous by following His directions. It says God will “surround them with favour, as with a shield” (Psalm 5:12). When we live our lives following God’s advice, we know God will use His power to shield us from danger, just as the mother hen shields her chicks from harm with her strong wings.

Relevant Scripture

Proverbs 12:15 “The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.”

Proverbs 16:20 “Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.”

Psalm 5:4-5, 11-12 “You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil; with You the wicked cannot dwell. The arrogant cannot stand in Your presence; You hate all who do wrong. …But let all who take refuge in You be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread Your protection over them, that those who love Your name may rejoice in You. For surely, Lord, You bless the righteous; You surround them with Your favor as with a shield.”