God does not waste suffering, nor does He discipline out of caprice. If He ploughs, it is because He purposes a crop.
— J. Oswald Sanders
Monthly Archives: May 2006
Scruples Shuffle
Materials
None
Icebreaker Description
Youth will answer questions of scruples in this group icebreaker.
Preparation
Create a list of questions that test the integrity of a person but do not have easy black and white answers?
- A fellow student offers to sell you the answers to last years test for $20. You know the test is different each year. Do you buy them?
- Is it OK for a Christian man to wear earrings?
- Is it OK to have devotions in the evening instead of the morning?
- Is it OK to hunt for sport?
- Is it OK to screen my telephone calls and not answer, even though I’m really home?
- You e-mail your picture to a gorgeous person you met on the Internet. Do you mention you gained 30 pounds since the picture was taken?
- You know your best friend and fellow employee is stealing from the cash drawer. After a year the owner makes you a manager. Do you fire your friend?
- You made personal Christmas Cards on the company copier. Do you pay for the copies even though no one knows?
- You work in a store and catch a fifteen-year-old shoplifter. He says it’s his first time. Do you give him a chance or prosecute?
- You work in a video store. You’re out of stock on a particular item. Do you send your customer to your competitor?
- Someone drops a $20 bill on the floor. Do you try to find the owner or do you keep the $20?
- Your friend helped get you a job at a music store. After three months you find out that he’s been stealing CDs. Do you report him?
- You’re a waiter in a restaurant. You see the cook drop a steak on the floor. He cooked it well over a fire. Do you serve it to the customer?
Click on the word “comments” in the box below this idea to share your own great questions!
Icebreaker Activity
- Have youth form two circles, one within the other. The students should be facing one another.
- The inner circle of students move counter-clockwise while the outer circle moves clockwise.
- When you call “Stop!” each youth should face a new partner.
- Ask a question and the youth should discuss the answer with the partner they face.
- Go from easy questions like “What’s the best ice cream” to hard ones that involve scruples.
- Keep rotating and asking new questions for discussion.
Optional Debrief
What was the most interesting answer you heard during the icebreaker?
Conclusion
Scruples are personal principles about practices that are essentially neutral in themselves, and are not shown to be morally wrong or black-and-white in Scripture. Sometimes there may be conflicting principles at work. For example, “smuggling Bibles” into a country where Bibles are illegal is seen as wrong by some believers, based on the clear Scriptures that deal with deception and lying. Other Christians see Bible-smuggling as morally right, fulfilling the Great Commission, and obeying the clear teaching of Scripture that “we must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). Romans 14 gives us some principles for dealing with such situations.
Application
A morally neutral practice can become morally wrong for us if we disregard the teachings of Romans 14 and fail to “act in love” towards others! So let’s show love and patience with each other as we seek to sort out lifestyle and behavior matters in the light of Scripture. Let’s make sure we apply the principles of Romans 14 when it comes to scruples!
Scripture
Romans 14:1-3
Icebreakers Ahead: Take It To the Next Level
This 170 page resource not only provides 52 of the world’s most popular group icebreaker activities and games, but also includes lesson ideas and discussion questions to smoothly transition into conversations about the issues common to most groups.
Click here to find out how to get your hands on this incredible resource!
Orchestra
Materials
None
Icebreaker Description
In the icebreaker, youth will mime particular instruments and learn a little about the musical tastes of others.
Preparation
No preparation is needed for this icebreaker. You may need to suggest some instruments for those that need help:
Common Instruments: Accordion, Bagpipes, Banjo, Bass drum, Bass guitar, Bassoon, Bell, Bongo drum, Bugle, Castanets, Cello, Chimes, Clarinets, Cornet, Cowbell, Cymbals, Didgeridoo, Fiddle, Flute, Gong, Guitars, Handbells, Harmonica, Harp, Harpsichord, Lyre, Mandolin, Maracas, Marimba, Oboe, Organ, Pan pipes, Piano, Piccolo, Recorder, Saxophone, Snare, Synthesizer, Tambourine, Timpani, Triangle, Trombone, Trumpet, Tuba, Ukulele, Viola, Violin, Xylophone, Zither
Icebreaker Activity
- Everyone is part of the orchestra.
- Each youth must choose an instrument with the exception of a violin. They should announce their instrument and the demonstrate the action of playing the instrument to the group.
- Choose one person to be “It”. Whoever is “it” plays the violin.
- They must mime playing their instruments while roaming about the room.
- At any time, the person playing the violin may change from playing the violin to that of another instrument in the orchestra. When he/she does, the one playing that instrument must immediately change to playing the violin.
- If the person does not change to the violin before the leader counts to 5, then that person becomes “it” and now plays the violin. The one who was previously “it” takes over the instrument and joins the orchestra. Whenever a person becomes it they should give their name and a favorite song and who sings it.
Optional Debrief
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- What are some of your favorite instruments?
- What are some of your favorite bands?
- How often do you listen to music?
- How is the body of Christ, like instruments in an orchestra?
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Conclusion
Just as there are many instruments in an orchestra, there are many gifts in the body of Christ. When we are united and work together we can make a beautiful sound. When this is discord and lack of harmony we can be an unpleasant noise to the world. Different instruments make different contributions to the melody. No one is more important than another. In fact, at times, one instruments may carry the melody while others support. At other times another instrument will carry the melody. Its the variety that makes it pleasant to the ears. In the same way the Body of Christ is made up of many members, united in harmony, to bring God’s love and grace to the world.
Application
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- What are some of your uniques contributions to the harmony of the church?
- What can you do this week to be more in harmony and unity this week?
- How can you use your gifts to create harmony rather than discord?
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Scripture
I Corinthians 12:4-28
Icebreakers Ahead: Take It To the Next Level
This 170 page resource not only provides 52 of the world’s most popular group icebreaker activities and games, but also includes lesson ideas and discussion questions to smoothly transition into conversations about the issues common to most groups.
Click here to find out how to get your hands on this incredible resource!
I Love You, Honey
They have been married for a long time. As usual they have their ups and downs. One day they had a big fight over his long working hours and things are falling apart. He was disappointed and she was angry.
After one week of silence treatment from her wife, he approached her with papers and pencils. He suggested that both of them sit down on the dining table and write down on paper what they are not happy about each other. They will then exchange the papers and discuss.
So the wife started to write without looking up because she has a lot to write about her frustration. The husband took a long look at the wife and he too started to write. After fifteen minutes of writing, they look at each other and exchange the papers.
The husband looked at the paper full of complaints. She was angry. When the wife looked at his paper, she was embarrassed and quickly tears away her own paper. On his paper, he wrote for two full pages:
“I love you, honey”
Author: Unknown
Source: Unknown
MORE IDEAS? See “Creative Object Lessons”
200 page e-book that explains everything you need to know when planning your very own object lessons. It contains 90 fully developed object lesson ideas and another 200 object lesson starter ideas based on Biblical idioms and Names / Descriptions of God.
Love Your Neighbor
Materials
Get enough chairs to have one for each participant then remove one chair.
Icebreaker Description
In this icebreaker / crowdbreaker, youth will discover some common characteristics of others in the group.
Preparation
Arrange the chairs in a circle.
Icebreaker Activity
- Sit the group in a circle.
- Stand in the center of the circle, and ask one person in the group “Do you love your neighbor.”
- The person you ask can give either of two possible responses: 1) “Yes” and then the youth on his/her right and left must switch seats. OR 2) They can say “no but I love everyone who…” has brown hair, is wearing blue, has been water skiing, name starts with K…
- Everyone who meets the characteristic has to get up and change seats to a new seat.
- While people are changing seats the person in the center of the circle tries to grab one of the empty chairs.
- Whoever is left without a seat get to repeat the process of asking someone in the circle “Do You Love Your Neighbor?”
Optional Debrief
- What types of people do you find it easy to love? Difficult to love?
- What are some ways that people show their love toward others?
Conclusion
Scriptures tell us that others will know that we are Christians by our love. We are told to love not only those people we can get along with, but to also love our enemies.
Application
Commit to one way to show love for your neighbor this week.
Scripture
Matthew 5:43-46
Icebreakers Ahead: Take It To the Next Level
This 170 page resource not only provides 52 of the world’s most popular group icebreaker activities and games, but also includes lesson ideas and discussion questions to smoothly transition into conversations about the issues common to most groups.
Click here to find out how to get your hands on this incredible resource!
How Does One Become a Spiritual Leader?
The Lord seeks out men for spiritual leadership. When God finds a man who fits His spiritual requirements, and is willing to pay the full price of discipleship, He uses him to the limit despite his patent shortcomings.(18) “Service to which God calls must not be refused because of a sense of unworthiness or inadequacy.” (65)
“God is always at work, unpercieved by men, preparing those of his choice for leadership.” (211)
“No theological training or leadership course will automatically confer spiritual leadership…”You did not chose me, but I chose you and appointed you” (John 15:16)” (25)
“If a man possessing great gifts will not place them at the disposal of God…He will take a man of lesser gifts that are fully available to Him and suppliment them with His own mighty power.” (214)
The road to spiritual leadership. Samuel Logan Brendle stated:
- “It is not won by promotion, but by many prayers and tears. It is attained by confessions of sin, and much heartsearching and humbling before God; by self-surrender, a courageous sacrifice of every idol, a bold, deathless, uncompromising and uncomplaining embracing of the cross, and by an eternal, unfaltering looking unto Jesus crucified. It is not gained by seeking great things for ourselves, but…by counting those things that are gain to us as loss for Christ. This is a great price, but it must be unflinchingly paid by him who would not be merely a nominal but a real spiritual leader of men, a leader whose power is both recognized and felt in heaven, on earth and in hell”(21)
Dr. A W. Tozer stated:
- “A true and safe leader is likely to be one who has no desire to lead, but is forced into a position of leadership by the inward pressure of the Holy Spirit and the press of external situation. …I believe it might be accepted as a fairly reliable rule of thumb that the man who is ambitious to lead is disqualified as a leader. The true leader will have no desire to lord it over God’s heritage, but will be humble, gentle, self-sacrificing and altogether ready to follow as to lead, when the Spirit makes it clear that a wiser and more gifted man than himself has appeared.”(36)
Source: J. Oswald Sanders “Spiritual Leadership”
MORE IDEAS? See “Creative Object Lessons”
200 page e-book that explains everything you need to know when planning your very own object lessons. It contains 90 fully developed object lesson ideas and another 200 object lesson starter ideas based on Biblical idioms and Names / Descriptions of God.
Find the Leader
Materials
Optional: Chairs for each participant arranged in a circle. (Participants may also simply sit on the ground.)
Icebreaker Description
Participants try to discover the leader who is initiating actions for the group.
Preparation
No preparation is needed.
Icebreaker Activity
- Have the youth sit in a circle.
- Chose someone to be “It” who must identify “the leader” who is initiating actions for the group.
- Send the person you have chosen out of the room or have the person closes his eyes.
- Silently point to the leader so that everyone else knows who the leader is.
- The leader will initiate actions and change body positions.
- Everyone must copy the body position and actions of the leader.
- The person you have chosen as “it” stands in the center of the circle and tries to discover the identity of the leader.
- When the leader is identified, choose a new leader and someone new to be “it” and repeat the game.
Optional Debrief
- How do you recognise a leader in real life?
- Name some of the leaders you know?
- What leaders do you admire? Why?
- What are the qualities of a good leader?
Alternative: Have you ever done anything in secret and hoped you would not get caught?
Conclusion
One of the most important qualities of an effective leader is that he sets an example for others to follow. A true leader doesn’t just tell others what to do, but also leads the way. A leader is only a leader to the extent that he/she inspires others to follow him/her.
Application
What are some of the areas of your life where you need to set an example for others to follow?
Scripture
1 Corinthians 11:1
Icebreakers Ahead: Take It To the Next Level
This 170 page resource not only provides 52 of the world’s most popular group icebreaker activities and games, but also includes lesson ideas and discussion questions to smoothly transition into conversations about the issues common to most groups.
Click here to find out how to get your hands on this incredible resource!
Waldorf Astor
One stormy night an elderly couple entered the lobby of a small hotel and asked for a room. The clerk said they were filled, as were all the hotels in town. “But I can’t send a fine couple like you out in the rain,” he said. “Would you be willing to sleep in my room?” The couple hesitated, but the clerk insisted.
The next morning when the man paid his bill, he said, “You’re the kind of man who should be managing the best hotel in the United States. Someday I’ll build you one.” The clerk smiled politely.
A few years later the clerk received a letter from the elderly man, recalling that stormy night and asking him to come to New York. A round-trip ticket was enclosed. When the clerk arrived, his host took him to the corner of 5th Avenue and 34th Street, where stood a magnificent new building. “That,” explained the man, “is the hotel I have built for you to manage.”
The man was William Waldorf Astor, and the hotel was the original Waldorf-Astoria. The young clerk, George C. Boldt, became its first manager.
MORE IDEAS? See “Creative Object Lessons”
200 page e-book that explains everything you need to know when planning your very own object lessons. It contains 90 fully developed object lesson ideas and another 200 object lesson starter ideas based on Biblical idioms and Names / Descriptions of God.
Elements of Youth Ministry
- Youth ministry is not a separate program, but works through and is channeled through church program organizations such as Christian education, worship, discipleship training, music, etc.
- Youth Ministry is educational and evangelistic (teaching and reaching).
- Youth ministry doesn’t put program areas against each other. As such it does not conflict with or replace other church activities.
- Youth Ministry is concerned with every aspect of a youth’s life
Get Help on Your Youth Sermons
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Opossum
Materials
None
Icebreaker Description
In this icebreaker, team members must run around a person who is playing dead on the floor then join them playing opossum.
Preparation
No preparation is needed, but a clean floor or carpet helps. This can also be played outside in a grassy field.
Introduction
Opossum’s like to “play dead” when threatened. In this game you are to do your best imitation of a dead opossum.
Icebreaker Activity
- Form two teams of equal number and line them up single file in a line.
- The 1st person in line runs into the middle of your playing area and lies down and does his/her best imitation of a opossum playing dead.
- The next person must then run into the middle of the area…run around the person who is already lying down 2 times and then lies down next to previous person and plays opossum.
- This continues for each person in the team, each running around the opossums two times and then lying next to them.
- The first team to have everyone lying down wins!
Variation
When the last person runs around the team, the entire team jumps up and runs back across a predefined goal line. The first team across the final goal line wins.
Optional Debrief
- What is your usual response when you feel threatened? Is it to run away, get help, freeze, or play dead to the situation?
- When was the last time you felt threatened? Why?
Conclusion
“Playing Opossum.” In scripture we are told to consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to Christ. Of course this doesn’t mean we are really dead but we act as if we are dead. Dead men don’t need to steal. Dead men don’t lust. Dead men do no wrong. Dead men are not attracted by the desires of the world. To be dead to sin is to consider ourselves unaffected by the desires of the flesh. But there is more. We must be alive to Christ! We must live the things of Christ. We must live for Christ. Christ must be our life, our breath, our reason for living. Everything we do must be actions of life and the words we speak must be words of life. We must reckon ourselves dead to sin and a live to Christ!
What are some of the areas of your life where you need to play opossum?
What are some areas of your live where you need to be more christlike?
Other Potential Application Points
- Opossums like to play dead, but they are only faking it to avoid danger. Jesus did NOT play opossum. He was in fact dead in a tomb for three days. But he was resurrected!
- Christians will face an afterlife. That life can be one of joy in the presence of God or a second death.
Scripture
Romans 6:1-11
Icebreakers Ahead: Take It To the Next Level
This 170 page resource not only provides 52 of the world’s most popular group icebreaker activities and games, but also includes lesson ideas and discussion questions to smoothly transition into conversations about the issues common to most groups.
Click here to find out how to get your hands on this incredible resource!