Ask the Wise Man

Gameplay

• 8+ Players 👥

• 8-10 Minutes ⏱️

What You’ll Need

• Pre-written question sheets for each student

• Pens or pencils

• Several volunteers to act as “Wise Men”

• Rooms or separated areas to hide Wise Men

• Costumes or props for Wise Men (optional)

Setup

• Choose your Wise Men. Ask several leaders or volunteers to play the role. The more committed to the bit, the better!

• Spread them out. Place each Wise Man in a separate, closed room or space throughout your facility.

• Give them answers. Assign each Wise Man 1–2 answers from the question list.

• Prep your players. Hand out question sheets and pens to each student.

• Go over the phrases. Teach everyone the correct phrase to request entry:
  “OH GREAT WISE MAN, MAY I ENTER?”
  And the correct way to ask a question:
  “OH GREAT WISE MAN… [insert question]”

How to Play

• Start the search. Youth roam the building looking for Wise Men behind closed doors.

• Ask to enter. They must knock and say “OH GREAT WISE MAN, MAY I ENTER?” If not said exactly, they’re told to come back later.

• Ask with precision. Once inside, they may ask one question—but only if they say, “OH GREAT WISE MAN…” followed by their question.

• Get the answers. If the Wise Man knows that answer, they will respond. If not, they’ll say, “I truly do not know.” The youth must move on and not ask the same Wise Man that question again.

• No repeats. Students cannot visit the same Wise Man twice in a row.

• Win the wisdom. The first youth to gather all correct answers wins the game!

Say Something Like
“Tonight, you're on a quest—not for gold, not for glory, but for WISDOM! Scattered throughout the building are great Wise Men. But be warned—they will only grant you an audience if you speak with perfect respect and accuracy. Think you can earn their knowledge?”

Variations

• Lesson Tie-In: Make every question related to your Bible lesson or theme of the night.

• Wise Women: Switch it up with Wise Women characters too.

• Time Pressure: Add a time limit for even more urgency.

• Puzzle Unlock: Include riddles or mini tasks before they can ask a question.

Discipleship Teaching Points
This game trains students to choose their words wisely, listen carefully, and learn patience in the search for truth. Just like James 1:19 reminds us: “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath”.

Secular Teaching Points
Students learn the value of precise communication and the power of words. It challenges them to listen, follow instructions, and respectfully engage with others in authority roles—great for real-world conversations and leadership settings.

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Keywords: communication, wisdom, indoor game, team challenge, wordplay, mystery game, youth ministry, question game

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