The Long Way Home Grace Game
January / Grace movement game
Movement game with an alternate tabletop setup, printable station signs, tokens, object cards, and leader instructions.
Leader Instructions: Do Not Explain The Mechanic First
Children should gradually discover that they receive what they cannot afford. Prepare helpers so every station gives the needed object anyway.
- Nobody can lose.
- Nobody can become stranded.
- Do not shame children for not having enough tokens.
- At Home, say: You can't buy this. You're already welcome.
Journey Structure
Stations
- Far Country: receive limited tokens.
- Road: map costs more than they have.
- River: bridge pass costs more than they have.
- Hill: water costs more than they have.
- Gate: key costs more than they have.
- Home: welcome cannot be purchased.
Objects
- Map
- Bridge pass
- Water
- Key
- Welcome sign
Station Signs, Tokens, Object Cards, Verse Cards, And Sticker Sheet
Print the pieces needed to run the movement or tabletop version.
Long Way Home Game Components
Station signs, game tokens, object cards, verse cards, and sticker-style reminders.
Long Way Home
Start here. Take your limited tokens.
Do not explain the grace mechanic yet.
Long Way Home
Map needed. Cost: more than you have.
Give the map anyway.
Long Way Home
Bridge pass needed. Cost: more than you have.
Give the pass anyway.
Long Way Home
Water needed. Cost: more than you have.
Give the water anyway.
Long Way Home
Key needed. Cost: more than you have.
Give the key anyway.
Long Way Home
You can't buy this. You're already welcome.
Luke 15:20
Small-Group / Tabletop Setup
Use a table, floor mat, or printed path. Children move a small marker instead of walking the room.
- Lay station cards in order.
- Give each child or team a marker.
- Use the same station costs and same grace mechanic.
- Keep the final Home message unchanged.
