Insight

Choices - a youth group discussion starter

A discussion starter looking at the choices we make and how God can help us make the best choices for our lives. Good for younger teenagers but can be adapted to a wider age group.

ROCK, SCISSORS, PAPER

This is a simple game involving random choices. Ask 4 volunteers to play the game of rock, scissors, paper. They pair off and face their partners with their left palm open flat and their right hand made into a fist. As you give the signal 1, 2, 3, everyone acts together. On the 1 and 2 each person hits his palm with his first. On 3 he either keeps his hand as a fist (symbolising a rock), points out his index and middle fingers (scissors) or opens it flat (paper). Depending on the symbols his partner forms, a person wins, loses or ties.

The rules are as follows. Rock smashes scissors (scissors lose), scissors cut paper (paper loses), paper covers rock (rock loses). Start as a best of three competition and then the winners of each pair play each other.

We make lots of simple choices every day. Ask the young people to list the kind of choices they made today. Write the answers on a whiteboard or flipchart. For example, what clothes to wear, what TV programmes to watch, what food to eat, what music to listen, what sport or games to play etc.

Sometimes we have to make more important choices. Ask the group to give examples. Write the answers on the whiteboard or flipchart. Will I lie or tell the truth? Will I be hurtful or kind? How will I treat this person? What career will I pursue?

Make the point that some choices are small, others are much bigger and can shape the way we live for the rest of our lives.

The future of youth ministry - youth pastor or event manager?

In one of my first blog posts 'What is Christian youth work?' I asked, What are we trying to achieve in youth ministry? What is our goal as a youth pastor or Christian youth worker, whether we're paid or a volunteer? I suggested four insights which have helped me in charting my own course in youth ministry. You can read them here. I'm firmly convinced that the main goal of Christian youth ministry is making disciples.

'So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ. That's why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ's mighty power that works within me.' Colossians 1: 28-29

However, it's easy to fall into the 'numbers' trap. Wishing my youth group was bigger. Designing programmes to attract more young people. Dreaming of what it would be like to have a 'mega' group and the accompanying status from our church and peers. Haven't we all thought like that from time to time? I know I have. I purposely use the word 'trap' because following the numbers agenda can so easily distract us from our primary purpose of disciple making.

Discipling young people is time intensive and a huge investment. It takes time nurturing young people to bring 'each one into God’s presence as a mature individual in union with Christ.' Now I'm not saying there's no space for fun stuff and crazy games, young people aren't just 'souls on legs', they have physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs (just like you and me), but we need to stay laser-focused on our goal.

What do we think of when we think about discipleship? A programme? A curriculum? A confirmation course? Finding a process which is helpful to the spiritual growth of your young people is important, but I want to suggest we also reflect on the outcomes. What do we want to see? If our goal is spiritual maturity how do we measure it? What does a spiritual mature person look like?

Belief into faith - a youth group discussion starter

A discussion starter investigating the difference between belief and faith.

 

TRUST ME I'M A YOUTH WORKER!

Ask for two volunteers from your group. Pick people who are smaller than you. Ask one to leave the room for a few minutes. Ask the other to stand upright, facing a wall, with feet touching the wall.

Ask your volunteer, 'Do you BELIEVE that I have the strength to catch you if you fell backwards from the wall?'

If the volunteer answers with a 'Yes' (and encourage this response) then follow with this second question, 'Would you TRUST me to catch you if you fell?'

After encouraging a positive response, ask your volunteer to fall back, keeping completely straight (stiff) as they fall. Ask the group to count slowly to seven, telling your volunteer to fall on the count of seven. Naturally you must be ready to catch them, but do not do this until they are at least 45 degrees from the vertical.

By then most young people will have started to bend their knees and put out their hands to cushion their fall, rather than keeping straight as you requested. Call in the other person and repeat the activity.

Using this activity as an illustration, explain to your group about how 'faith' works. Faith has three ingredients:

The future of youth ministry - 5 reasons for mission.

In two previous 'future' posts, 'consumers or servants' and 'learning to serve', I suggested that guiding our young people away from a consumer mentality into one of discipleship, engagement and mission is one of the biggest challenges youth leaders, certainly in the west, face today. I'm confident that our teaching would bear more fruit, our prayer be more vibrant if witness, mission and social action were an integral part of youth ministry.

Here are my 5 reasons to help answer the question, 'Why should I be involved in mission?' Use this as a personal reflection, as part of a presentation or perhaps an outline for a youth group study.

Living by the rules - a youth group discussion starter

The first in a new series of discussion starters for your youth group. Use this discussion starter to introduce a study evening on the Ten Commandments and take as little or as much as you need.

We encounter directions, instructions and rules every day. Do they help us? If we had the power, what rules would we make? Does God have instructions for our lives? What are they? Why are they important?

 

CAN YOU FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS?

Ask for four or five volunteers and direct them to sit behind a table in front of the rest of the group. Explain they have volunteered to do a short exam! They need to take it seriously and normal examination conditions will apply i.e. no talking and leave the test papers face down until the start. Stress that they have only five minutes to complete the test. Ask the rest of the group for complete silence to help them concentrate, as time is short. Tell the candidates that when they finish, they must not talk or seek to communicate to any other person in the room, until the five minutes are over. Distribute the papers (see below) and in a solemn voice instruct them to begin.

Most, if not all the young people, faced with the time pressure will plough right through the test ignoring the first instruction and not become aware of question 20 until they have completed 1-19.

Fantastic Food Night - a themed night of icebreakers, games and talk ideas!

What can you do with some liquorice, spaghetti, flour, chocolate, jam doughnuts, sweets, coke, crackers and marshmallows?

A fun evening which is excellent for 11-14's and works well with a small group. Remember, always be enthusiastic and join in yourself.

Read the 10 icebreakers and games carefully before you use them. Select the ones which will work best for your youth group. Many are based on common party games and adapted through generations of youth leaders.

It's probably impossible to say who first thought up any of these games, but whoever you are, thanks!

FOOD ALPHABET

A simple introductory game to play as everyone arrives. Give each young person a sheet of paper with the alphabet written down one side. They have to add the name of a food to each letter of the alphabet i.e. a=apple, b=bread. There is one point for each answer. Select a few letters for a triple point score. I suggest, Q, U, V, X, Y, Z. The highest score wins an item of food of your choice!

For those who are thinking it can't be done, Q is for quiche, quail, quince; U is for uglifruit, unpasteurised milk (OK, I'm stretching); V is for venison, veal, vermicelli, vinegar, vol-au-vent, vomit fruit (honestly, Google it!); X is for xigua (OK, really struggling here, but this is a Chinese watermelon!); Y is for yam, yogurt, Yorkshire pudding; Z is for zucchini, zabaglione sauce.

SPAGHETTI STUFF

Invite three or four volunteers to sit at a table facing the rest of the group. Then bring out a large plate of spaghetti for each person. Explain that the first person to finish the spaghetti wins. However, they must eat it without the use of a knife, fork or spoon and their hands must be behind their back! A great spectator sport. Have your camera ready for a picture spread in the church newsletter! The winners prize - a packet of spaghetti.

Serving others - more food for thought

You have not lived until you have done something for someone who can never repay you. John Bunyan

Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can. John Wesley

If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one. Mother Teresa

Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?' Martin Luther King, Jr.

God has given us two hands - one to receive with and the other to give with. We are not cisterns made for hoarding, we are channels made for sharing. Billy Graham

The future of youth ministry - learning to serve!

In a previous post 'The future of youth ministry-consumers or servants', I asked if one of the major changes we face as youth leaders today is to orientate our young people away from a consumer mentality (which some argue has gripped the western church) to an attitude of service. Moving from spectators only, to participants in demonstrating Christ's compassion for the world, bringing Good News to those who have never heard it and engaging in sacrificial service because that's what the Lord Jesus would want from us.

Isn't one of the marks of a deepening faith, a servant heart? A desire to do good in the name of Jesus? A passion to reach others with a life transforming Gospel?

'For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.' Ephesians 2:10

The Body of Christ - a themed youth night of icebreakers, games and talk!

Exploring what it means to be part of the church and to play our part in the 'body of Christ.' To complete the icebreakers and games the young people need to co-operate with each other and work as a team.

BODY WALK

Draw two chalk lines on the floor about 10 metres apart. Divide the young people into teams of four. The object of the game is for each team to cross from one line to the other with only the correct number of limbs or body parts touching the floor. Begin with easy combinations, gradually becoming more complicated: 6 feet only, 5 feet and 2 elbows, 5 feet and 1 hand, 4 feet and 3 hands, 2 feet and 4 hands, 3 feet and 1 nose etc. You can make it as easy or difficult as you like. Have 6-10 different combinations. This game is about working together as a team. You might like to have a camera ready - you have to see this to believe it! Remember to ask the girls to wear jeans for the evening.

The future of youth ministry - consumers or servants?

After a break from blogging over the Christmas and New Year, I'm back with weekly thoughts and reflections on youth ministry and youth resource ideas.

I've been reading a number of comments and observations recently about the future of youth ministry. At least as it applies to the western nations of Europe and the USA. That distinction is important, for I believe if we took the time to look, we could learn a lot from the vitality, mission and discipleship experiences of our brothers and sisters in Latin America, Africa, Central Asia and elsewhere.

I came across a challenging post from Joe recently and it has prompted me to make a small and hesitant contribution to the discussion. I like Joe's honesty. He says, 'I know God has called me here for a purpose and a reason. That reason is to love kids and point them towards the Kingdom. (But) I am tired of doing the same old stuff. Why? IT ISN'T WORKING!!'

Some commentators question if current youth ministry practices have reached a dead-end. Others say youth ministry is terminally 'broken' and a few wonder if churches even need a youth group any longer. Brian has posted a thoughtful reflection on this here.

So is youth ministry really 'broken'? Are our youth programmes redundant? Is it what we do that's wrong? Or is it that our focus is wrong?

Christmas giving

I've been encouraged in the last few weeks with youth workers writing about how they are helping young people to express and think of giving to others over this Christmas season. Of course we all love receiving, but our giving to others can make a huge difference to their experience of Christmas and their understanding of the real Christmas message. The wise men came to worship the new-born King and they expressed that by giving gifts. May God help me to express my worship to him this Christmas time through giving to others.

In this article I asked what we might do. My thoughts included a visit to a children's ward in the local hospital, giving to a Christmas appeal, visiting a homeless shelter bearing gifts or helping with meals, making Christmas cards for folks who will be alone this Christmas to let them know someone is thinking of them.

I enjoy reading Brian’s blog, and in recent weeks his Advent thoughts. He lists some of his own thoughts here which include,

Christmas - more food for thought

Aren't we forgetting the true meaning of Christmas? You know… the birth of Santa. Bart Simpson

This is Christmas: not the tinsel, not the giving and receiving, not even the carols, but the humble heart that receives anew the wondrous gift, the Christ. Frank McKibben

Love came down at Christmas; love all lovely, love divine; love was born at Christmas, stars and angels gave the sign. Christina G. Rossetti

Christmas began in the heart of God. It is complete only when it reaches the heart of man. Anon

Let us remember that the Christmas heart is a giving heart, a wide open heart that thinks of others first. George Matthew Adams

There has been only one Christmas - the rest are anniversaries. W.J. Cameron

The First Christmas

'The First Christmas' takes another look at the historical account of the birth of Jesus. The thoughts and feelings of the main characters are brought to life through the group discussion, role play and interviews.

Read the story in a modern version of the bible.

The texts are Luke 1:26-38, Luke 2:1-20, Matthew 1:18-25 and Matthew 2:1-18.

If necessary, explain any unusual words in the story. Engage the young people with an interactive reading including narrator(s), angel(s), wise men, King Herod, King Herod's advisors and shepherds. Have Bibles available for the group activities or print the passages on a worksheet.

Divide the young people into small groups of 4 to discuss the reactions of one of the main characters in the story. Give a character or character group i.e. wise men to each small group.

• Mary - when first told she was to be Jesus' mother.
• Joseph - when he learned his fiancé was pregnant.
• Mary and Joseph - when told they would have to journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem for the census.
• Shepherds - when they heard the message from the angels and went to see the baby.
• Wise men-their compelling desire to visit the new king in spite of the long journey to get there.
• Herod - when he discovered there was a new king whom he thought would challenge his own position.

Giving to others at Christmas

 We all like to think about what we might receive at Christmas, but Christmas is also a time of giving.

We look forward to what people will give us, but our giving to others can make a big difference to their Christmas and their understanding about the birth of Jesus.

This resource can be used as part of a youth night, youth club or Christmas presentation. It works well with 11-14's but please adapt according to the knowledge and age of your group.

GIVE A GIFT

 Bring in some colour magazines or catalogues which contain lots of ideas for gift items. Divide your group into teams of 4 or 5 and give each a magazine, a large piece of paper, scissors, paste and pen. Tell them they need to make a collage of gifts they would send to the following people,

• Dad
• Mother
• A baby
• The queen, (or president, prime minister)
• Your best friend
• Your wonderful youth leader!
• Yourself

For older groups you can also add the extra factor of working to a budget £500 ($1000).

Christmas around the world

'Christmas around the World' helps young people discover more about Christmas traditions, think about the worldwide church and encourage prayer for believers who live in places where this Christmas they will continue to be persecuted for their Christian faith.

These Christmas resources can be used as part of a youth night, youth club or Christmas presentation.

FINISH THE PHRASE

 The opening icebreaker begins the session by asking the group about their own experiences of Christmas and their expectations for this year. Write the ten unfinished phrases onto cards and place a number (1-10) on the other side. Explain to the group that the cards contain a phrase about Christmas which they need to finish i.e. the best present I ever had was... Ask a young person to select a number and finish the phrase. The same number can be selected more than once. Play until as many as want to have had a go, get involved yourself and encourage your helpers to participate.
 

• The most exciting thing about Christmas is...
• The happiest Christmas I ever had was...
• My favourite food at Christmas is...
• The best party I have ever been to was...
• The worst thing about Christmas is...
• The best present I ever had was...
• I like Christmas because...
• I think Christmas is important because...
• The present I most want for Christmas is...
• My most embarrassing moment at Christmas was...