Game Rationale

When developing the concept for the game Amen� and the way the game is to be played, the thought came to mind, �What better way is there to develop a Christian card game than to simulate the Christian life?� So, the rules are designed to reflect, as much as possible within the framework of a game, the Christian walk. The object of the game is to be the first player to get rid of all his/her own cards. The following explains the Christian view behind each of the various cards:

Devil Card: In our Christian walk, who is our biggest enemy, always ready to spoil what we attempt to do? The Devil! Correspondingly, we have a Devil card. When this card is played, like the Devil, the player is hitting you with the largest dose possible to hinder your progress. Four cards from the deck must be drawn.

The rationale for not being able to end a round with a Devil card is that the Devil, with all his devices, will never be the victor in the end! And, when God�s kingdom is manifested in its fullness, all the Devil�s attempts to destroy us will be over.

Sin Card: The result of the Devil�s work is sin. Sin hinders the walk of a Christian. In the game Amen�, when the Sin card is played, the next player draws three cards from the deck. This shows how sin keeps us from accomplishing our goals.

The rationale for not being able to end a round with a Sin card is that the Devil, with all his devices, will never be the victor in the end!

Temptation Card
: Temptation initially can bring us to sin. We will always have temptations in our Christian walk, but as we put on the whole armor of God, we become equipped to deal with them. The Temptation card, when played, causes the next player to draw two cards from the deck.

The rationale for not being able to end a round with a Temptation card is that the Devil, with all his devices, will never be the victor in the end! And, when God�s kingdom is manifested in its fullness, all our temptations will be over.

Trial Card: Trials can strengthen us in our relationships with God as we develop perseverance. We often lump trials and temptations into the same category even though they are very different. For this game, the Trial card, like the Temptation card, causes the next player to draw two cards from the deck.

The rationale for not being able to end a round with a Trial card is that the Devil, with all his devices, will never be the victor in the end! And, when God�s kingdom is manifested in its fullness, all our trials will be over.

Grace Card: God�s gift of grace to us is both free and undeserved. He provided Jesus as a sacrifice for us to redeem us from the penalty of our many sins. Therefore, when the Devil, sin, or temptation comes into our lives, we can be redeemed through the grace of God. In this way, the playing of the grace card frees us from the penalties of evil by eliminating the requirements to draw cards. Being that God, by His bountiful grace, has given us the free gift of salvation, the player of the Grace card also receives a free extra turn.

Trials, however, are different than the evils mentioned above. Trials can strengthen us in our relationships with God as we develop perseverance. For that reason, when a Grace card is played on a Trial card, that player must still draw 1 card.

Prayer Card: Prayer changes things. So, when the Devil, temptation, or sin confronts us, we need to pray! When we pray we nullify the works of darkness. In the same way, the Prayer card nullifies the Devil, Sin, and Temptation card. Prayer truly does change things, and to see our prayers answered is a reversal of what the Devil is trying to accomplish. Likewise, the Prayer card reverses the direction of play.

Again, trials are different, and we need to go through trials to be strengthened. When we pray through our trials we receive aid from God through the Holy Spirit and through others who help us make it through. The Prayer card, like the Grace card, changes the draw two of the Trial card into a draw one.

Amen Card: Just as �Amen� is the closing word of a Prayer, the Amen card can be played after the Prayer card. We vocalize our �Amens� to show approval or confirmation. When we see prayer work in a situation where the enemy is trying to destroy, we ought to be able to loudly shout �Amen� to the glory of God!

Blessing Card
: Thank God for His blessings! Through His blessings we are able to enjoy abundant life. Therefore, we should view His blessings as an extra encouragement towards our Christian goal.

Ask Card: When we, as God�s children, ask Him for things in line with His will and His word He gladly gives them to us, and we can expect them. Likewise, when the Ask card is played, we can expect to receive Grace or Prayer or Blessing or an Amen. Since God loves us, we ought to love one another. We should be able to ask for prayer or grace from our family in Christ. We should be able to receive blessings and �Amens� from our family in Christ. If these things are denied to other family members then it is a sin. It is a sin to omit doing something we know is right. Therefore, if an Ask card is played and the next player cannot respond to the request, then that player must draw one card from the deck.

We realize that, in the playing of this game, a player may not have the card being asked for at a given time. The concept we are trying to reinforce, however, is that, as Christians, we should always be in a position to bless someone in some way: to be gracious to someone, to pray for someone, or to simply render a supportive �Amen� when asked to do so.

Numeric Cards: What would a card game be without numbers? Even though all the fun, all the excitement, and all the meat is in the word cards, we have added in numbered cards just because. Each numbered card has a scripture verse on it. As you look at the cards in your hand, contemplating your turn, think on the scripture. Absorb it into your spirit.

Seven cards are dealt initially because 7 is the number of completion--the number of God.

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Hebrews 13:20-21