Faith Curriculum Library: Tapestry of Faith: Wisdom from the Hebrew Scriptures: A Multigenerational Program

Alternate Activity 1: The Spies and the Red Chord

Activity time: 25 minutes

Materials for Activity

  • Bulky red yarn, three yards per person
  • Hay, cornstalks, torn fabric, or torn paper to represent flax stalks
  • Pictures of flax growth and processing
  • Length of rope or jump rope
  • Optional: Flax seed
  • Optional: Piece of linen fabric or clothing made from linen

Preparation for Activity

  • Be sure that there are at least two adults or youth to meet with this breakout group.
  • Cut the yarn into one yard lengths.
  • Find a resource with good pictures of flax growing in the field and being processed for linen. One good source is the website of the Irish Linen Mills.
  • Optional: Purchase some flax seed (a health food store is a good source).

Description of Activity

Invite participants to retell the story of Rahab and the spies, a story within the larger narrative. Explain that the spies were hidden under a pile of flax. Show pictures of flax growing and explain that the seeds of the plant can be eaten, while the stalks are used to make roofs or to weave into clothing. Indicate which materials you will use as pretend flax.

Give each participant three pieces of red yard and invite them to tie the three together and braid them to make a chord. Teach those who do not know how to braid.

Once the chords are made, take turns acting out Rahab hiding the spies, letting them out her window and over the wall using rope, and placing the red chord in her window so that Joshua's troops would spare her family.