US20090085294A1

US20090085294A1 - Religiously themed educational game

Info

Publication number: US20090085294A1
Application number: US11/972,593
Authority: US
Inventors: Michael Lowe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-10-01
Filing date: 2008-01-10
Publication date: 2009-04-02

Abstract

An apparatus for a religiously themed educational game is presented. The apparatus includes a plurality of game cards each of the game cards including indicia indicating a religious term and a list of off-limit terms. The game cards are used during playing the game where an objective of the game is for a player to choose one of the game cards and describe to fellow team players the religious term without using the off-limit terms where the fellow team players attempt to guess the religious term. A buzzer can be activated when it determined that the player has used one of the off-limit terms in describing the religious term thus preventing the player's team from advancing in the game. A timer provides time limits during the playing the game where the playing the game promotes fellowship with friends and family and education of religious items.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present Utility patent application claims priority benefit of the U.S. provisional application for patent Ser. No. 60/976,473 filed on Oct. 1, 2007 under 35 U.S.C. 119(e). The contents of this related provisional application are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER LISTING APPENDIX

Not applicable.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office, patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to games. More particularly, the invention relates to a religiously themed game.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Games have been used over the years for recreational and educational purposes. Often games have a theme, for example without limitation, popular culture, geography, history, mathematics, etc. A game with a religious theme would not only be able be able to entertain and educate; it would also be able to promote fellowship with friends and family sharing the same religious beliefs.
In view of the foregoing, there is a need for providing a religiously themed game to promote fellowship and education.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates exemplary components of a biblically themed game, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary game card for a biblically themed game, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary process for playing a biblically themed game, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To achieve the forgoing and other objects and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, religiously themed educational game is presented.
In one embodiment, an apparatus for a religiously themed educational game is presented. The apparatus includes a plurality of game cards each of the game cards including indicia indicating a religious term and a list of off-limit terms. The game cards are used during playing the game where an objective of the game is for a player to choose one of the game cards and describe to fellow team players the religious term without using the off-limit terms where the fellow team players attempt to guess the religious term. A cardholder holds the plurality of game cards during the playing the game. A buzzer can be activated when it determined that the player has used one of the off-limit terms in describing the religious term thus preventing the player's team from advancing in the game. A timer provides time limits during the playing the game where the playing the game promotes fellowship with friends and family and education of religious items. In other embodiments, the indicia include printed religious words recognizable by the players and the religious term and off-limit terms are biblical in nature and the game is intended for use by individuals of Christian faith.
In another embodiment, an apparatus for a religiously themed educational game is presented. The apparatus includes means for providing indicia indicating a religious term and a list of off-limit terms, where an objective of the game is for a player to describe to fellow team players the religious term without using the off-limit terms where the fellow team players attempt to guess the religious term, means for holding the indicia providing means during the playing the game, means for indicating when it determined that the player has used one of the off-limit terms in describing the religious term thus preventing the player's team from advancing in the game, and means for providing time limits during the playing the game where the playing the game promotes fellowship with friends and family and education of religious items.
In another embodiment, a method for playing a religiously themed educational game is presented. The method includes the steps of a plurality of players dividing into teams for team competition during playing the game. A first player of a first team chooses a game card from a plurality of game cards in a cardholders The first player reads indicia on the game card indicating a religious term and off-limit terms where the religious term is to be guessed by other members of the first team from descriptions provided by the first player without the first player using the off-limit terms. A timer is started having a fixed duration of time in which the first player can give the descriptions and the members of the first team can respond with guesses to the religious term. If one of the other members of the first team correctly guesses the religious term before the duration of time expires, the first team is allowed to advance in playing the game and a next player chooses a next game card from the plurality of game cards in the cardholders If no other members of the first team correctly guess the religious term before the duration of time expires, the first team is prevented from advancing in playing the game and a next player chooses a next game card from the plurality of game cards in the cardholders If the first player uses one of the off-limit terms in the descriptions, the first team is prevented from advancing in playing the game and a next player chooses a next game card from the plurality of game cards in the cardholders The play of the game continues where the plurality of players takes turns in choosing game cards and the plurality of teams takes turns guessing the religious terms until a winning team is determined and the playing the game promotes fellowship with friends and family and education of religious items. In another embodiment, the religious term and off-limit terms are biblical in nature and the game is intended for use by individuals of Christian faith.
Other features, advantages, and object of the present invention will become more apparent and be more readily understood from the following detailed description, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is best understood by reference to the detailed figures and description set forth herein.
Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to the Figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. For example, it should be appreciated that those skilled in the art will, in light of the teachings of the present invention, recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches, depending upon the needs of the particular application, to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond the particular implementation choices in the following embodiments described and shown. That is, there are numerous modifications and variations of the invention that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit within the scope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read as plural and vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, where appropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily imply that the two are mutually exclusive.
The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Embodiments of the present invention provide biblically themed games to promote fellowship with friends and family and education of religious items, ideas and entities. The preferred embodiment is a word game employing cards.
FIG. 1 illustrates exemplary components of a biblically themed game, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The present embodiment comprises cards 100 with biblical references in a cardholder 105, a game timer 110, and a buzzer 115. In the present embodiment cardholder 105 holds two hundred and fifty cards; however, in alternate embodiments the biblically themed game may come with more or less cards. Usually, a biblically themed game according to the present embodiment is used by families or individuals of Christian faith; however, the present embodiment is not exclusive to Christians.
FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary game card 200 for a biblically themed game, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment card 200 comprises a biblical term 205 near the top of card 200 and “off-limit” words 210 listed under biblical term 205. Those skilled in the art, in light of the present teachings, will recognize that the terms and words listed on card 200 in FIG. 2 are meant as examples, and any number of biblical terms, words, names, places, etc. may be listed on game cards for a biblically themed game in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention may include artwork on the card, for example, without limitation, a picture of the biblical term to be described or a generic design or pattern on the back of the card.
In typical use of the biblically themed game, players split up into two or more teams. Then, a player draws a card from cardholder 105, and the player describes the biblical term on the card to the other players on his team in an attempt to get the other players to guess the biblical term, for example, without limitation, biblical term 205 shown by way of example in FIG. 2. While describing the biblical term, the player is prohibited from using any “off-limit” words, for example, without limitation, “off-limit” words 210 shown by way of example in FIG. 2. If a teammate of the player guesses the correct biblical term, the team earns points. If the team does not guess the correct biblical term within the time limit allowed or the player uses an “off-limit” word, the team does not earn any points. Players from different teams take turns describing biblical terms on the game cards until the game ends. There are various ways that the end of the game may be reached. For example, without limitation, some games may have an overall time limit. Other games may have a predetermined number of rounds or a predetermined score that the teams are trying to reach.
In the present embodiment while a player is describing a biblical term, an opposing team can use buzzer 110 to stop the game if an “off-limit” word has been used. In alternate embodiments various other means may be used to indicate that a player has used an “off-limit” word such as, but not limited to, a bell or a predetermined word or phrase. The players may also use timer 115 in order to pace the game. The team that ends the game with the most points wins the game.
FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary process for playing a biblically themed game, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the game begins when the players split up into teams in step 300. Then in step 303 the team places cards in the cardholder, and then step 305 a player from one team chooses a card from the cardholders In step 307, the player removes a card and places it on a reading side. The then player reads the biblical term at the top of the card on the reading side, in step 310. Then in step 315 the timer is started, and in step 320 the player begins to describe the biblical term on the card without using any of the “off-limit” words, also on the card. The rest of the player's team then attempts to guess the biblical term that the player is describing in step 325. In step 330 it is determined if the player has used any of the “off-limit” words on the card. This is usually done by a player of an opposing team; however, in some implementations there may be a predetermined moderator who performs this task as well as timing the rounds of play. If the player does use an off limit word, the opposing player or moderator indicates this and the correct biblical term is guessed at, for example, without limitation, by sounding a buzzer or ringing a bell. Then, the guessing team losses their turn, earning no points. The game then returns to step 305 where the next team selects a card.
In step 330 if the player has not used an “off limit” word, it is then determined in step 335 if there is time remaining on the timer. If the timer has run out, the team loses their turn and earns no points. If there is still time remaining on the timer at step 335, the team may continue to guess until they guess the correct biblical term. If the team guesses the correct biblical term, the game continues to step 340 where the team is awarded points. The game then returns to step 305 where the next team selects a card. This process continues until the game ends, and the team with the most points wins.
Those skilled in the art, in light of the present teachings, will recognize that the above steps are for illustration only, and the steps of an actual game may vary greatly depending on various factors such as, but not limited to, the particular rules of the game, the preferences of the players, etc. For example, without limitation, in one implementation a team may continue to choose cards and guess terms as long as they are correctly guessing without using any of the “off-limit” words. In another implementation the teams may take turns choosing only one card at a time. In yet other implementations a timer may not be used.
In an alternate embodiment a game board may be used along with the game. Instead of earning points with correct guesses, teams move game pieces a certain number of spaces on the game board when they guess the correct biblical term. In this embodiment the first team to reach the goal at the end of the game board wins the game.
Having fully described at least one embodiment of the present invention, other equivalent or alternative methods of providing a religiously themed game according to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The invention has been described above by way of illustration, and the specific embodiments disclosed are not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. For example, the particular implementation of the game may vary depending upon the particular type of religious theme used. The games described in the foregoing were directed to Christian and biblical implementations; however, similar games may be directed to other religions such as, but not limited to, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, etc. Other religious implementations of the present invention are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention. The invention is thus to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for a religiously themed educational game, the apparatus comprising:

a plurality of game cards each of said game cards comprising indicia indicating a religious term and a list of off-limit terms, said game cards being used during playing the game where an objective of the game is for a player to choose one of said game cards and describe to fellow team players said religious term without using said off-limit terms where said fellow team players attempt to guess said religious term;

a cardholder for holding said plurality of game cards during said playing the game;

a buzzer that can be activated when it determined that said player has used one of said off-limit terms in describing said religious term thus preventing said player's team from advancing in the game; and

a timer for providing time limits during said playing the game where said playing the game promotes fellowship with friends and family and education of religious items.

2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said indicia comprise printed religious words recognizable by said players.

3. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said religious term and off-limit terms are biblical in nature and the game is intended for use by individuals of Christian faith.

4. An apparatus for a religiously themed educational game, the apparatus comprising:

means for providing indicia indicating a religious term and a list of off-limit terms, where an objective of the game is for a player to describe to fellow team players said religious term without using said off-limit terms where said fellow team players attempt to guess said religious term;

means for holding said indicia providing means during said playing the game;

means for indicating when it determined that said player has used one of said off-limit terms in describing said religious term thus preventing said player's team from advancing in the game; and

means for providing time limits during said playing the game where said playing the game promotes fellowship with friends and family and education of religious items.

5. The apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein said religious term and off-limit terms are biblical in nature and the game is intended for use by individuals of Christian faith.

6. A method for playing a religiously themed educational game, the method comprising the steps of:

a plurality of players dividing into teams for team competition during playing the game;

a first player of a first team choosing a game card from a plurality of game cards in a cardholder;

said first player reading indicia on said game card indicating a religious term and off-limit terms where said religious term is to be guessed by other members of said first team from descriptions provided by said first player without said first player using said off-limit terms;

starting a timer comprising a fixed duration of time in which said first player can give said descriptions and said members of said first team can respond with guesses to said religious term;

if one of said other members of said first team correctly guesses said religious term before said duration of time expires, said first team is allowed to advance in playing the game and a next player chooses a next game card from said plurality of game cards in said cardholder;

if no other members of said first team correctly guesses said religious term before said duration of time expires, said first team is prevented from advancing in playing the game and a next player chooses a next game card from said plurality of game cards in said cardholder;

if said first player uses one of said off-limit terms in said descriptions, said first team is prevented from advancing in playing the game and a next player chooses a next game card from said plurality of game cards in said cardholder;

continuing to play the game where said plurality of players takes turns in choosing game cards and said plurality of teams takes turns guessing said religious terms until a winning team is determined and said playing the game promotes fellowship with friends and family and education of religious items.

7. The apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein said religious term and off-limit terms are biblical in nature and the game is intended for use by individuals of Christian faith.