Tension in Relationships

Introduction
Relationships often have tense moments. Use this youth object lesson / creative teaching idea to discuss the topic of relationships.

Description
Rubber bands will be used as an object lesson for youth on relationships, stress in relationships, closeness in relationships and the hurt we can experience in broken relationships.

Materials
A thin rubber band for each participant. Additional rubber bands and a few larger, thicker ones.

Preparation
None

What to do

1. Gather everyone in a circle
2. Pass around the rubber bands and have each person get one.
3. Have participants hook a finger inside the rubber band and link them together with the person on the right and left so that they are linked in one big circle by a rubber band on the left and right.
4. Have group members gradually step back stretching the rubber bands between them as far as possible without breaking them
5. Observe the responses of the participants as the rubber bands are being stretched.

Discussion

• What will happen if you continue to step apart?
• Who will likely be hurt when the rubber bands break?
• How is the tension like that in relationships with God, parents, family members, friends and others?
• What are the things that connect us in relationships?
• Make a list of some of the more significant relationships in your life. Who's on your list? How are the significant to you?
• What are the things that draw us closer?
• What are the things that move us apart?
• What are the consequences when we move away from God? Parents? Family members? Friends? Others?
• Throughout life relationships are always changing. At times we draw closer to God and others while at other times we may drift apart or even break the relationships. At times there will be tension and sometimes there will even be hurt. How can we more effectively manage relationships with others? Is it possible to end a relationship without causing hurt? What are some ways we can minimize the pain in relationships? How can we handle things gently?
• The closer to a person we are, the stronger the bonds that develop and more connections are established. This is similar to adding more rubber bands between a person and thicker rubber bands. How does this increase the risks for hurt if the relationship is broken?
• What are some of the biblical instructions regarding relationships with other Christians? With God? With family members? With our parents? With the lost? In general?

Closing Application
What are some ways you can manage your relationships better? With God? With your parents? Friends? Various family members? The lost? Significant people in your lives?

A few of the many Scripture References on relationships
James 4:8
Galatians 6:2
Exodus 20:12
Ephesians 4:26
Philippians 2:3-4
Philippians 2:14
Proverbs 4:1-17
Proverbs 6:20-23
Ephesians 6:1-4
1 Timothy 5:1-3
Matthew 7:12