Service Dog

Start this activity with a discussion on how a blind person uses a service dog to guide them and to keep them from running into anything. For this activity, one family member will be blindfolded and another family member will act as the service dog. You can decide if you want the ‘dog’ to be down on all fours or walking. Pick either a path through known furniture (this not an obstacle course) or go from one room into another with the ‘dog’ guiding the blindfolded one. Remember, the dog can only nudge, whine or bark to communicate. Do this with as many pairs as you feel will get the point across (or before they lose interest). Compare the warnings from the dog to avoid objects to avoiding sin in your life. It’s important to be alert for those things that can hurt us spiritually as well as physically.

To process the activity, ask these or similar questions:

• How did this compare to the obstacle course of last month?
• How did it feel to be blindfolded and dependent on another?
• How did it feel to be responsible for another person’s safety?
• Why is it important to be alert to your surroundings?
• How are we alert to temptation and sin?
• Is there anything that constantly temps you? Things at which you fail?
• Is there anything in your life that could be “blinding” or “blindfolding” you to those temptations?
• Are there warning signs that you are missing? Is there anything you can do to change course to avoid being tempted in the first place?
• The next time, you are tempted will you think of the Service Dog and come up with a strategy for avoiding the temptation?

How did this activity go when you used it with your group? Did you make any modifications that worked better for you? Share your experience below!