Paper Airplane Competition

Materials
1. Rubber bands, paper clips, paper, masking tape, a measuring tape, Bibles
2. A large open area, preferable indoors to avoid issues with wind.

Preparation
1. Divide the class into groups of 2 to 3 persons and place the materials in a central location accessible to all
2. Using the masking tape, mark off a starting position for youth to stand behind when launching their planes. Create a small cross (or X) some distance from the starting line as a target.
3. The objective is the create a paper airplane for the Flying Challenge

4. Announce that there will be several award categories:
• Plane that flies the farthest
• Longest time in the air
• Most accurate Flyer
• Most Creative

Activity
1. Give youth 10-15 minutes to create the planes.
2. Farthest: Have youth line up behind the line to launch their planes, on group at a time. You may wish to allow two throws or best of three, depending on time constraints
3. Longest time in the air: use the stopwatch to measure the time each plane is aloft
4. Accuracy: Have youth take turns trying to launch their planes so that they land inside the target area.
5. Creative: Most creative design

Discussion
1. Were you focused on trying to achieve a specific award or did you just create a general purpose plane? Why?
2. What were the key characteristics of your design? Why?
3. What were the keys to success for each award category?
4. In what ways are the paper airplanes similar to people? Similar to Christians? Different? Which one is most like you?
5. What are your goals in life? As a Christian?
6. Do you have just one goal or many goals? Why? Which goal is most important to you? Why?
7. What purpose do goals serve in life?
8. What goals did Paul have in life? What were Christ’s goals?
9. How are you similar / different in your goals as compared to Paul / Christ?
10. What factors / keys to success make you a winner in the Christian life?
11. What things can we people to be more successful? What do you need to change to be more successful as a Christian?
12. What things have you spiritually grounded / prevent you from soaring as high as you can as a Christian? What things are weighing you down spiritually? How can you lighten your load?

Applications
1. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; 2 Timothy 2:3-10
2. Soaring as eagles
3. Laying down our burdens

This Creative Teaching Idea for children or youth combines an object lesson with a learning activity to stimulate discussion of our goals in the Christian life

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