Tag Archives: Heavenly Father

Lessons from “Father May I?”

Father May I?

This is a paternal variation of the classic children’s game: Mother, May I?  Use it for Father’s Day or simply to talk about our relationship with the Heavenly Father.

What to do

If you have played the classic game you know that everyone starts out across the room, at an equal distance from mother.  Whoever is mother calls out a person’s name and asks them to take X number of steps forward. If the person steps forward without saying “Mother May I?” he or she is penalised or sent back to the start. However if he or she remembers to say the magic words, mother will reply with directions to take X number of baby steps, ballerina steps, giant steps, scissor steps, spinning steps, crab steps, etc. The first youth to reach mother wins.

Play a variation of the game, where the children or youth don’t ask mother, but instead ask “Father May I?”

Discussion

  • Who make the decisions in your house? Father or mother?
  • On what basis do parents make their decisions?
  • What are the possible consequences of making decisions on our own with guidance from parents?

Take it to the Next Level

Make it Spiritual

How is this game similar to walking with God? In the Bible, the word “walk” is often used to describe our relationship with the Heavenly Father. We don’t stand still nor does God intend for us to go backwards. Sometimes God may ask us to take baby steps, and other times we may need to take a leap of faith. Just like the game, the outcome is a result of our paying attention to God’s instructions and seeking permission before we move.

Make it Practical
In our relationship with the Heavenly Father, if we move without asking first, we may misstep, go in the wrong directions, or experience other unwanted consequences which take us away from the Father. Instead of moving nearer we end up farther away. We draw closer to God when we learn to listen to Him and seek his permission before we move.  Then the actions we take will bring us closer to Him!

Make it Personal

  • What step is God asking you to take today?
  • Does it feel like a baby or giant step?
  • Are you seeking God’s voice, in the direction you are taking in life?
  • How can you become more attentive to his voice and his guidance?
  • What is an area of your life you need to seek God’s permission and guidance in?

Scripture
My sheep recognize my voice; I know them, and they follow me. – John 10:27 (NIV)

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Whose Father?

Description

In this crowdbreaker game, youth are given a list of statements and must find another youth whose dad fits each statement.

Materials

You can print this as a simple list or make a grid of squares and include one statement in each square. If possible think about the father’s of youth in your group and use that as a guideline for characteristics.

Preparation

Be sure to prepare the list in advance.

What to do

  1. Youth mingle about the room trying to must find someone whose dad fulfills each characteristic and have them sign next to the characteristic. Each person can only sign your list once.
  2. First person to get all their squares signed wins.

Some possibilities for characteristics are:

  • Hair color isn’t black
  • Wears specs
  • Travels on business
  • Works as (name a job)
  • Drives a car
  • Wears tennis shoes
  • Favorite hobby is (Name of a hobby)
  • Likes (a specific food)
  • Is tall/short
  • Is on the church council
  • Wears a ring
  • Is between 30-40 yrs old
  • Wears (name an item)
  • Has a brother
  • Has a sister
  • Lives (location)
  • Has been to (place)
  • Wears a gold colored watch
  • Watches soccer on TV
  • Exercizes
  • Drinks Coffee
  • Plays an instrument
  • Plays a sport
  • Likes to fish
  • Has a pet
  • Has a mustache or beard
  • Is bald

Take it to the Next Level

Make it Spiritual
We each know our Father best. We know what he likes, what he does, and common characteristics about him. But we should also know our heavenly Father.

  • What are the things God likes?
  • What are the things that God does?
  • What are some characteristics of God?

Here are some Scriptures that Describe God as a Father. What can you learn about God as Father from each verse?

God as Father
“But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. – Galatians 4:4-7

“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” – John 1:12

Protector
“Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.” – Psalm 10:14
“When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.” – Psalm 27:10

Loving
“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” – 1 John 3:1

Compassionate
“As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.” – Psalm 103:13
“The Father of compassion and the God of all comfort” – 2 Corinthians 1:3

Cares for us
“The LORD your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.” – Deuteronomy 1:31

Gives us gifts
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father, who does not change like shifting shadows.” – James 1:17

“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” – Matthew 7:11

Disciplines us
“Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good.” Hebrews 12:7,10

Make it Personal

  • What characteristics of God is most meaningful to you? Why?
  • What is the first step in becoming a child of the Father?
  • If you become a child of the Father, then how should you live your life?

 


Get Creative Youth Ideas: "Holiday Collection" ebook Holiday Collection
Games and Activities in Celebration of common Holidays.

Creative Holiday Ideas has over 300 pages of ideas to help you plan not only your next Father’s Day event, but also other common holidays. If you’ve ever wondered what you’re going to do for the holidays and how you’re going to do it, this resource is for you.

=> Tell me more about the Holiday Collection