Bible Alive! Tuesday - BibleOpoly Review

A, received Late For the Sky's BibleOpoly, this week, as an early birthday present from one of her friends. Yesterday, was a blustery, rainy day, perfect for passing the time with a game, so we pulled it out. We, meaning the older children, and I - the game is recommended for 2 to 6 players, ages 8 and up.

At first glance it's very much like Monopoly, except with a biblical theme. The properties have names like Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Rome, and Laodicea (a name I still can't say, without starting to sing the old Steve Camp song), and the cards are labled "Faith and Contigency" and "Abyss".

Instead of the normal Monopoly character pieces, the player tokens are different colored church steeples, which the players move around the board, and ultimately try to place on top of the church, which all players are trying to build, in place of houses, and hotels.

But, as the game moves along, you begin to realize this is Monopoly turned on its head. Acquaring wealth, and property, is not ultimate goal of the game. A player can run completely out of money (which is continually refered to as offering, and not money), and still stay in the game. Players give offerings, and become caretakers of cities, and then additional offerings are used to build a church in those cities, but a church cannot even be started until a player has sacrificed their own good, and helped another player start their church.

Facts about the biblical history of the the cities mentioned on the board, can be found on the property cards, and cards drawn from the deck ask trivia questions about the cities, and for players to recite comonly known Scripture. Instead of spending time in jail, players meditate for a season.

All in all, it's a pretty interesting game. If nothing else it's a good reminder of how our world view as Christians should be different. For instance, I grumbled about having to pay money to the center of the board, to "feed the hungry". G responded, "Mom, shouldn't you be happy to help feed hungry people?" Hmmm...I wonder how often I grumble to myself when presented with real need?

Anyway, as far as a simple review, the BibleOpoly, like Monopoly, can go on for what seems like forever. There's still lots of good opportunity for math, and reading practice, as well as critical thinking. And, there is a short play - 1 hour - set of rules, that I think we'll try out later today.

But right now, I'm clicking over to check out the other Bible themed activities, and ideas for children, at the Bible Alive! Tuesday link-up, hosted by The Fantastic Five.

It's great to be a homeschooler.