Origami Challenge

A fun activity to help group members see how they deal with personal limitations

Materials: Bible, paper, prize for winners (optional)

Preparation: Learn to make a folded shape out of paper (e.g., paper plane, boat, box, animal). Choose a relatively simple design. During this activity, you will demonstrate to the group how to make it.

Activity: Teach your group members to make the shape or object you've chosen. Give group members the chance to perfect the paper figure.

Announce to your group that they will now enter a paper art contest. Now that group members have had a chance to perfect their paper figures, they will create their best one yet. When they're finished, you will decide the winner. There is one catch: group members must make the paper figure using only their right forefingers.

Allow several minutes for group members to try to complete their paper figures. Then offer them some help: tell members to pair up and create the paper figure. Still, group members may use only their right forefingers.

Allow five minutes before determining the winner.

Unpacking Questions

  1. How did you feel when you initially learned how to make the paper figure?
  2. How did you feel when you were told to create the same paper figure using only your forefinger?
  3. When we paired up and you were able to receive help from your teammate, did you welcome the help readily, or did you want to continue to try on your own?
  4. How do you respond to other limitations in your life? How do you feel (e.g., angry, helpless, embarrassed, frustrated)?
  5. Do you readily accept help when you have a limitation? Why or why not?
  6. When have you accepted help from others? When have you struggled to accept help?

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