full game instructions

​

CUT YOUR HEART

Discern the Heart.

Wield the Word.

​

Inspired by Hebrews 4:12

"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword,

piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

​

 

Purpose of the Game

Cut Your Heart is designed to encourage biblical self-examination, discernment, fellowship, and engagement with God's Word. Players use Scripture to overcome revealed darkness while growing in wisdom and understanding through the Word of God.

While players compete for tally points, the ultimate goal is to reflect on the heart and grow through Scripture.

​

Objective

Use Sword Cards (Scripture) to spiritually overcome the Heart Cards revealed throughout the game.

Players earn tally points by correctly applying Scripture against darkness through discernment, wisdom, and understanding of the Word.

The player with the highest tally score at the end of the game wins.

​

Players

3–7 total players (including The Counsel)

One player serves as The Counsel and does not compete.

​

​

​

​

Choose Your Play Style

Discussion Mode

Learn Together. Grow Together.

Discussion Mode encourages fellowship, teaching, and biblical discussion.

Discussion Mode Rules

• Players may openly discuss Scripture and strategy.

• Players may show Sword Cards to one another.

• Players may ask fellow players why they believe a Scripture applies to a Heart Card.

• Players may seek help discerning whether a Scripture applies before playing it.

• Players are encouraged to help one another identify applicable Scriptures.

• After The Counsel's ruling, players may discuss why Scriptures were accepted or rejected.

Best For: Bible studies, families, youth groups, discipleship groups, and new believers.

​

​

​

Competition Mode

Discern Independently. Wield the Word.

Competition Mode challenges players to rely on their own discernment and knowledge of Scripture.

Competition Mode Rules

• Players may not reveal Sword Cards before playing them.

• Players may not discuss possible plays during a round.

• Players may not ask for help determining whether a Scripture applies.

• Players must decide independently which Sword Cards to play.

• Players may pass for any reason.

• After The Counsel has ruled and the Heart Card has been resolved, players may discuss their choices and reasoning.

Best For: Competitive game nights and experienced players.

​

​

The Counsel

One player must serve as The Counsel.

The Counsel:

• Does not participate as a normal player.

• Does not receive Sword Cards.

• Does not earn tally points.

• Oversees gameplay.

• Uses the Counsel Guide Cards to determine whether Sword Cards apply to Heart Cards.

• Awards tally points.

• Distributes Gold Cards when necessary.

• Distributes Tie-Breaker Cards when needed.

The Counsel's rulings are final.

The Counsel Guide Cards may only be viewed by The Counsel during gameplay.

 

​

Game Setup

Separate the cards into the following decks:

• Heart Deck

• Sword Deck

• Gold Deck

• Tie-Breaker Deck

Place all decks face down.

Deal 7 Sword Cards to each player.

Players must always maintain 7 Sword Cards in their hand.

The player seated immediately to the right of The Counsel goes first.

Play proceeds clockwise.

​

​

Beginning the Game

The Counsel reveals the top card from the Heart Deck and places it face up in the center of the table.

The revealed Heart Card becomes the challenge players must overcome using Scripture.

 

Player Turns

On their turn, a player may:

• Play one or more Sword Cards against the revealed Heart Card.

• Discard one Sword Card and immediately draw a replacement before deciding whether to play.

• Pass.

After playing or discarding Sword Cards, the player immediately draws from the Sword Deck until they return to 7 Sword Cards.

Play then moves to the next player.

​

Playing Sword Cards

Players may play multiple Sword Cards against the same Heart Card. Players put their played sword cards face up in front of them, and then it's the next player's turn to respond to the heart card.

The Counsel determines whether each Sword Card applies to the revealed Heart Card according to the Counsel Guide Cards and awards tally points after all players have a had a chance to respond to the heart card. (NOTE: Some Sword Cards may defeat several different heart cards)

Applicable Sword Cards

• Earn 1 tally point each.

​

Inapplicable Sword Cards

• Earn no tally points.

• Remain discarded.

​

Multiple players may earn tally points from the same Heart Card.

A single player may earn multiple tally points from the same Heart Card if multiple applicable Sword Cards are played, so players are allowed to play 

​

​

Defeating a Heart Card

After every player has had one opportunity to respond to the revealed Heart Card, the Heart Card is considered defeated and removed from play.

This is true regardless of how many applicable Sword Cards were played.

The Counsel then reveals the next Heart Card.

​

​

​

Gold Cards

Gold Cards are only awarded when all players pass because they do not believe they have an applicable Sword Card for the revealed Heart Card.

If any player successfully plays an applicable Sword Card against a Heart Card, Gold Card procedures are not used for that round.

​

Awarding a Gold Card

1. The Counsel distributes one Tie-Breaker Card to each player.

2. The player who receives the Sun Card receives a Gold Card.

3. The Gold Card must be played immediately.​

Gold Card Rules

• Gold Cards automatically defeat the revealed Heart Card.

• Gold Cards cannot be rejected by The Counsel.

• Gold Cards must be played immediately.

• Gold Cards cannot be saved for future rounds.

• A played Gold Card is worth 5 tally points.

After the Gold Card is played, the Heart Card is defeated and removed from play.

The Counsel then reveals the next Heart Card.

​

​

​

Running Out of Sword Cards

If the Sword Deck is depleted, shuffle the discarded Sword Cards to create a new Sword Deck.

​

​

​

Ending the Game

The game ends after all Heart Cards have been revealed and resolved.

The Counsel totals all tally points.

Scoring

• Applicable Sword Card = 1 tally point

• Played Gold Card = 5 tally points

The player with the highest tally score wins.

​

​

​

Tie-Breaker

If two or more players are tied for the highest tally score:

1. The Counsel removes any extra Moon Cards so that only one Sun Card remains among the Tie-Breaker Cards.

2. The Counsel shuffles the Tie-Breaker Cards without viewing them.

3. One card is dealt face down to each tied player.

4. Tied players reveal their cards simultaneously.

The player who reveals the Sun Card wins Cut Your Heart.