- For his years of ministry, our departing pastor, the Reverend Johnson was presented with a plague. (plaque)
- Plan not (now) to attend the Easter Musical, April 14th.”
Aggie Inventions
- Inflatable Dart Board
- Waterproof teabags
- Helicopter Ejection seat
- Screen door on a submarine
- Transparent Blackout drapes
- Recycled Toilet Paper
- Non reflecting mirror
- Solar Powered Flashlight
Others?
God’s Will Scripture Passage ideas
In Gethsemane Jesus Prayed, “Not my will, but thine.” He was determined to do the Father’s will.
- God’s will and the witness of your life – Matthew 5:1-16
- God’s will and the garden of your life – Matthew 13:1-23
- God’s will and your talents – Matthew 25:14-30
- God’s will and your prayer life – Luke 11:1-13
- God’s will and your salvation – John 3:1-22
- God’s will and His provision for your needs – 1 Kings 17:1-16
- God’s will and your experience of forgiveness – 2 Samuel 11:1 and 12:13 (Psalm 32)
- God’s will and your willingness to forgive – Matthew 18:21-35
- God’s will and your attitude – 1 Corinthians 13
- God’s will and you family life – Ephesians 5:24 and 6:4
- God’s will and your tongue – James 3:6-12
- God’s will and your spiritual life – Galatians 5:16-26
- God’s will and your faithfulness – Psalm 100
- God’s will and your attitude toward the Bible – Psalm 110:97-104
- God’s will and your spiritual life – Isaiah 1:1-20
- God’s will and your worship – Isaiah 6:1-8, Revelation 4:1-11, 2 Corinthians 6:16-18, Revelation 20:11-15
- God’s will and your pride – Matthew 18:1-6
- God’s will and self denial – Luke 9:18-26
- God’s will and your relationship to Christ – John 15:1-11
- God’s will and your lifestyle – Romans 12:1-21
- God’s will and your future – 2 Corinthians 12:1-10
- God’s will and your goal in life – Philippians 3:1-16
- God’s will and your church life – Hebrews 10:19-25
- God’s will and your responsibility to others – 1 John 1:5 and 2:6
- God’s will and your sin – I John 1:5 and 2:6
- God’s will and your life in Christ – Colossians 3:1-17
- God’s will in the life of Jesus – Matthew 16:13-23, 26:36-46
- God’s will in the life of Jesus – John 6:1-5, John 7:1-9, John 20:1-10, 11-31
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.
Self-Esteem
“Self-esteem is never self-made. It grows from the esteem of others given in response to all our lives produce”
Maurice Wagner in “The Sensation of Being Somebody” (Zondervan 1975)
Have you helped build the self-esteem of your youth?
A Different World
100 years from now, it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove…
But the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.
Anonymous
Water-fall
Game Description
In this outdoor water game, youth must perform a task while precariously balancing a bucket of water over their heads.
Game Materials
One bucket of water for each team of youth. You also might want to have a tarp or beach towels upon which youth can lie down.
Optimal Group Size for Game
This game can be played with only two youth on a team. The larger the team the easier the game becomes.
Game Venue
Best played outdoors.
CAUTION
You will want to exclude girls in skirts or dresses from this game as well as those wearing clothes that might become semi-transparent when wet. Youth should be prepared to get wet. If in normal clothes, before playing have youth remove anything that could be damaged by water from their pockets.
Game Preparation
None
Game Play
- Split the group into teams.
- Instruct each team to form a circle and then lie on their backs with their legs raised together in the center of the circle.
- With everyone in place, balance a bucket of water on the feet of each team of youth, stabilizing it until they can keep it stable on their own.
- Once the bucket is stable, inform the teams that they have 3 minutes to take their shoes off without spilling the water or dropping the bucket.
- Start the clock and the first team to successfully take all their shoes off without spilling the water or dropping the bucket wins.
Take it to the Next Level
- What strategies did you have for stabilizing the bucket of water?
- How were you able to free team members up to perform the necessary tasks while still supporting the bucket of water?
- In what ways is the bucket like the objectives or goals of an organization or group?
- What are some of the objectives and goals that you must support in a church, youth group, or organization?
- How can working as a team support the goals and objectives yet also free people up to perform necessary individual tasks and responsibilities?
- What are the potential consequences when there is too little manpower to support the goals and objectives of an organization?
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!
Freeze Frame
BOB: Hey Becky, How ya doin?
BECKY: Great (freeze)
BOB: (To audience) This girl’s got an ego the size of a choir loft.
BECKY: How is School?
BOB: (Proudly) Pretty Good (freezes)
BECKY This is Mr. Athlete. I couldn’t care less, but in a minute he’ll rattle on and on about football, wrestling and baseball
BOB: Thought I’d try out for football, wrestling and come spring some baseball.
BECKY Well, Uh… How’s the Lord been treating you (freeze)
BOB: Oh fine. (To audience) Now what business is it of hers how things are going spiritually for me? I’ve got problems, but a man’s gotta have some privacy.
BECKY Oh Good. Boy it’s warm in here! Isn’t there any air conditioning in the church?
BOB: Nope. We make fans out of the bulletins (BECKY laughs. BOB freezes)
BECKY (Stop Laughing) What a sick joke. Did you notice how he dodged my question about the Lord… typical!
BOB: You know I haven’t seen you at church much lately… Is everything OK?
BECKY: Oh yeah! Just fine (freeze)
BOB: What nerve! She comes on like Joan of Arc, hot off the ashes and won’t even open up. She’s obviously bugged about something. Her whole spiritual act just went to lunch.
BECKY: (Ashamed) Actually… I haven’t been going to church because… uh.. I’ve…
BOB: been sick?
BECKY No. Kinda bored
BOB: (Smiles) Yeah, I know what you mean (freeze)
BECKY Look at the smirk on his face… All this boy does is sleep in church. He doesn’t care about my needs or anybody else’s.
BOB: Have you tried gum?
BECKY A little chew in the pew? (freeze)
BOB: (Laugh) I think I’m gonna be sick. You know. I can’t believe it but everybody used to say how strong Becky was spiritually… She sang in the choir, taught Sunday School…Now look at her. I kinda feel sorry for her.
BECKY (embarrassed) That was a bad joke. I know.
BOB: Oh heck! I crack’em all the time.
BECKY (Nervous) I guess I’m in good company.
BOB: Yeah. Well, you’ve got good taste (laughs and freezes)
BECKY Here I am trying to open up and look what he does. I Can’t believe it. Everyone says how friendly Bob is… when you’ve got a problem, go to Bob… All the Jr High boys look up to him – Cold, aloof, a real meathead. But you know, I sorta feel sorry for him.
BOB: Where were you headed?
BECKY Well. Seeing how this is the back of the church on a Sunday morning….
BOB: Church. That’s right, how stupid of me. Maybe you would like to sit with me?
BECKY Well.. I don’t think I should this week.
BOB: Oh well, it’s been nice talking with you (freeze)
BECKY Well, maybe it’s best that he didn’t try and help me. All I’ve got to do is share a few of my problems with him and end up being laughed at in some locker room with half a dozen football players.
BOB: Maybe next week
BECKY We’ll see (freeze)
BOB: You can’t communicate problems to girls–they couldn’t care less besides, the junior high boys look up to me. That’s enough.
BECKY: You can’t communicate problems to guys. They couldn’t care less. Besides, my old Sunday School Students look up to me. That’s enough.
BOB: Goodbye Becky!
BECKY: Goodbye Bob!
BOTH: God Bless
Questions for youth discussion
- What stereotypes of youth are shown in this skit? Are they accurate?
- What girls – guys stereotypes are shown?
- In this skit, when one youth freezes, you hear the thoughts of the other young person. Do you often think certain thoughts but keep them to yourself instead of saying them out loud? why?
- If you could, would you want to hear the true thoughts of others? Why or why not?
- Is honesty always the best policy? Explain.
- What suggestions would you make to Bob and Becky regarding their thoughts, communication, and relationship?
- What issues and areas for growth can you find in the two youth in this skit?
- If you were to write a similar skit about youth in your school, what are some of the issues that would be realistic that you could write about?
- What are some spiritual principles that apply to such issues?
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.
Who Do You Say that I Am?
WHO DO YOU SAY THAT I AM?

Jesus first asked the disciples, “Who do others say that I am?” It was easy for them to answer because it required no conviction, no commitment, and no risk. But then he follows that question with another, “Who do YOU say that I am?”
It was a simple but profound question and one that each of us must still answer today. Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.” Then Jesus responded, “Blessed are you… For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven.” It was a defining moment for Peter and he would spend the rest of his life figuring out what that answer meant for who he was and how he lived.
It is God, in His grace that reveals the truth of Himself to us. And when, though His grace, we can come to accept His revelation of truth, then our perspective, in fact our entire life will change. Like Peter, we will spend the rest of our lives figuring out what Jesus means to who we are and how we live.
I am please to announce
a new Bible Study / Youth Camp series entitled
“Who Do You Say that I Am?“
MY OBJECTIVE
In the lessons and activities for this new Bible Study series / youth camp curriculum, my objective is to bring each participant, teacher and student, into a functional personal relationship with Jesus Christ so that each person KNOWS who Christ is to him or her.
This is an update of one of my most successful Bible Studies that I prepared for a large international church a number of years ago. While written a few years ago, the truth of who Jesus is, has never changed. God used this series to bring many youth to salvation and a closer walk with Christ and I know God wants to do the same with your youth.
These lessons are designed to help each participant get to know Jesus Christ in a more intimate fashion by looking at who He was, not only by His own statements, but also through the eyes of several Biblical characters.
And it is my prayer that God might reveal the truth of himself to each student and teacher so that they not only come into a close relationship with Christ, but also live to become a reflection of Him in the way they live their lives.
THE LESSONS
There are 7 Primary Bible study Sessions in the series, but you can pick and choose from these for a shorter youth camp or series:
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- Jesus the Life Saver
Matthew tells the story of Peter and Jesus walking on water. Peter, like us, has gotten “in over his head”, beyond his ability to handle the situation, and in his moment of desperation is crying, “Jesus! Save me!” Just like Peter, we’ve all been in “hot water”, crying out for God to save us. Through Christ’s response, a power change takes place not only Peter, but also in the rest of the disciples.
- Jesus the Life Saver
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- Jesus, My Friend
Imagine the thought of being friends with the Son of God! Awesome! But entirely and utterly possible and real to everyday life. John, the writer of the book of John, had a very special friendship relationship with Jesus Christ. Five times in the book of John, he refers to himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” He obviously was absolutely sure of Jesus’ love for him. In a Gallup pole of teens in the USA, “meaningful relationships” was one of the top five items that youth listed as needs. What could be more meaningful than to have a relationship with the Creator of the universe!
- Jesus, My Friend
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- Jesus, Fear Slayer
God is well aware that we all experience fear. There are 365 “Fear Nots” in the Bible – one for every day of the year. Fear is not uncommon to any of us. We’ve all been there. Done that. But if there are 365 “Fear Nots” in the Bible, should fear rule our lives? No! But how do we deal with the reality of fear in our lives? We can look at the disciples in the boat as a model for dealing with fears.
- Jesus, Fear Slayer
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- Jesus, the Healer
Christ’s cleansing is immediate and lasting, but the healing may take a long time… the scars may be with us, not because we haven’t been healed, but because we are not at peace with ourselves. Christ cleanses and heals us instantaneously, but our response is often like that after we have twisted an ankle… we may be healed, but we are afraid to use it… afraid to put our weight on it, not able to trust ourselves.. So often our wounds are also self inflicted. We keep wearing that sandal that causes blisters… eating that food that causes heartburn… grabbing that thistle, but afraid to let go… crying out for the thorns, but desiring to have that rose… A relationship that is abusive seems better than no relationship… negative attention is better than no attention… and hurt is better then dealing with the problem face to face… In this lesson we want to remove the thorns so that festered wounds can begin to heal…but also realize that if the wound has festered a lot of ugly stuff may need to come out…
- Jesus, the Healer
-
- Jesus, The Obedient
Jesus has been teaching the people through parables and illustrations. He has taught of love for enemies, self-evaluation before we judge others, of how actions reveal the heart of person, and of putting our faith into practice. After these teachings he went to Capernaum. There a Centurion, with a sick servant, sends some Jewish elders to seek Christ’s help! And through that encounter we learn much about what it means to be obedient. Christ would later be tested with the ultimate in obedience as he was obedient even to death on a cross.
- Jesus, The Obedient
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- Jesus, The Spirit-Powered Man
Jesus returns to Nazareth after having been tempted in the desert. News has spread about him to the entire countryside. Through Him, people discover that the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives will make a visible difference. What a difference a Spirit controlled life will make to our witness to the world!
- Jesus, The Spirit-Powered Man
- Jesus, The Cleanser
We begin immediately before the Passover feast, the time when Jews celebrate their deliverance from slavery to the Egyptians, the time when the blood of a lamb, is slaughtered as a symbol of God’s covering over of sin, of God’s forgiveness. Christ will soon be that lamb, his life poured out in suffering, his death upon the cross as the Lamb of God, taking away the sins of the world. Christ has just predicted his death, He is about to predict his betrayal by one of these men whose feet he is to now wash.
Twelve Tips to Understanding Your Youth
- When your youth comes home from school today, smile when he or she walks through the door. Do that several days in a row and your youth will actually look forward to coming home!
- Next time your youth tries to be funny…laugh.
- Make a list of all the things your youth does that makes you mad. Now, go through the list and cross off all the stuff that doesn’t really matter. Save your anger only for those things which have lasting moral consequences.
- Take your youth out for breakfast or lunch once a week. Promise yourself that you won’t use that time to lecture or nag. Just listen and talk about good stuff.
- Invite your youth’s friends to your house for pizza, soft drinks and a movie rental. Extra points if you can secure a big screen TV or video projector.
- Ask your youth to play his/her favorite music on your stereo. Listen and discuss the music with him or her. Find out why he/she likes it so much. Try to avoid criticism.
- Think of something positive you can say to your youth today…and say it.
- Put a love note (from you) in your youth’s backpack or lunch sack where it will be found privately.
- Before you criticize your youth’s behavior, try remembering your own teenage years. Chances are it will help you communicate better.
- Respect your youth’s privacy. Snooping without a legitimate reason is a no-no.
- Communicate your plans to your youth frequently. Let him/her know where you are, when you’ll be home, what you’re doing. This sets a good example that will encourage them to do the same thing for you.
- Pray daily for your youth. Remember, God loves them even more than you do!
Adapted from “Understanding Your Teenager” at Gospel.com
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Train up a Child
Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it. (Prov. 22:6 KJV)
