I took a piece of plastic clay
And idly fashioned it one day,
And as my fingers pressed it still,
It moved and yielded to my will.
I came again when days were past–
The bit of clay was hard at last;
The form I gave it, it still bore,
But I could change that form no more.
I took …
When a group of 10-year-olds in a church Sunday School class expressed their views of “What’s wrong with grownups?” they came up with these complaints:
Jesus said that we must give up our family to follow him, but scripture also tells us that unless a person can manage his house well he cannot be a spiritual leader. For many people these two opposing instructions are difficult to reconcile.
We all know the “Greatest Commandment” is to love the Lord our God with all our heart …
When parents around the world describe the qualities that make their family strong, these are some of the things they talk about.
APPRECIATION AND AFFECTION
ABILITY TO COPE WITH STRESS AND CRISIS
COMMITMENT
I gave you life,
but I cannot live it for you.
I can teach you things
but I cannot make you learn.
I can give you directions
but I cannot always be there to lead you.
I can allow you freedom
but I cannot account for it.
I can take you to church
but I cannot make you believe.
I …
Strayed
(Song and Lyrics by Church of Rhythm)
When I was young I grew up in a Christian family
I wanted to please my parents
I wanted them to be so proud of me
So I took their faith and I learned their religion
And I went to a church where everyone was a Christian
I strayed far, but I …
Simple Icebreaker Ideas
People introduce themselves with their first pet’s name (or doll’s name if they didn’t have a pet) as their first name and the street they lived on as their second. If your first pet was a dog named “Lucky” and you lived on Cross Street, you would be Lucky Cross.
Icebreakers Ahead: Take It To the Next Icebreaker Description
A fast-paced icebreaker game for youth where partners quickly share answers to a question from the facilitator. Partners and questions are changing all the time.
Icebreaker Materials
(Optional) “Chatter Bugs” handouts containing a list of questions for youth that are somehow connected to your session theme or topic.
Optimal Youth Group Size for this Icebreaker Game
15-30 youth …
Here are some suggestions to help parents and youth workers to effectively teach young people how to handle disappointments that occur in their daily lives: