Rabbit on the Swim Team

December 26, 2008 kensapp Leave a comment

Once upon a time, the animals decided they should do something meaningful to meet the problems of the new world. So they organized a school. They adopted an activity curriculum of running, climbing, swimming and flying. To make it easier to administer the curriculum, all the animals took all the subjects.

The duck was excellent in swimming; in fact, better than his instructor. But he made only passing grades in flying, and was very poor in running. Since he was slow in running, he had to drop swimming and stay after school to practice running. This caused his web feet to be badly worn, so that he was only average in swimming. But average was quite acceptable, so nobody worried about that – except the duck.

The rabbit started at the top of his class in running, but developed a nervous twitch in his leg muscles because of so much make-up work in swimming.

The squirrel was excellent in climbing, but he encountered constant frustration in flying class because his teacher made him start from the ground up instead of from the treetop down. He developed “charlie horses” from overexertion, and so only got a C in climbing and a D in running.

The eagle was a problem child and was severely disciplined for being a non-conformist. In climbing classes he beat all the others to the top of the tree, but insisted on using his own way to get there…”

The obvious moral of that story is a simple one – each creature has its own set of capabilities in which it will naturally excel -unless it is expected or forced to fill a mold that doesn’t fit. When that happens, frustration, discouragement, and even guilt bring overall mediocrity or complete defeat. A duck is a duck – and only a duck. It is built to swim, not to run or fly and certainly not to climb. A squirrel is a squirrel – and only that. To move it out of its forte, climbing, and then expect it to swim or fly will drive a squirrel nuts. Eagles are beautiful creatures in the air but not in a foot race. The rabbit will win every time unless, of course, the eagle gets hungry.

Source: Unknown

Destined to Win
Need a Youth Camp/ Bible Study Series on “Running the Christian Race”?

Our “Destined to Win” series is a great follow up for youth who are new Christians or to emphasize the basics of our spiritual Journey in the Faith. This Bible Study / Camp Curriculum / Small Group Study has a sports theme and is great for athletes and works well as a tie in to what’s going on in the NBA and the current Linsanity.
->Tell me about “Destined to Win”

Announcements

Blessed Christmas

December 25, 2008 kensapp Leave a comment

Here’s wishing everyone a blessed Christmas!

May Christ shine in your hearts the whole year through!

In appreciation for your support of the Creative Youth Ideas website I want to give you a very practical Christmas gift.

It’s a Youth Christmas Party Planning Checklist that I know you will appreciate. It is several pages long and quite comprehensive. There are so many little details to consider when planning any Christmas Party, and if you are like me, you will usually forget something.

That’s why I love checklists. They keep me from making the same mistakes year after year, and best of all, I don’t have to stress over trying to remember all the necessary details and can spend my time enjoying the Holidays with the youth.

Just use the link below to download it.
It is in a PDF format that you can print and use right away!

Christmas Party Checklist

Don’t forget to save it somewhere on your computer once it loads.

Have a Blessed Christmas and thanks for making Creative Youth
Ideas the #1 “Youth Ideas” website on the internet!

God Bless
With YOUth on my heart,
Ken

Humor

Top 20 things overheard on the Wise men’s journey

December 24, 2008 kensapp Leave a comment

20. You’ve heard the old saying about the Camel being the ship of the desert? WELLLLL, I’m getting seasick.
19. OK, we got gold. We got the frankincense. We got the Myrrh. Think we should get something more practical, like diapers maybe?
18. I thought this was SUPPOSED to be a WEEKEND road trip. Boy, is my wife ever gonna be ticked when I get home.
17. All this gazing at a star while riding a camel is making me woozy.
16. Wise men. They call us wise men. What’s so WISE about wandering around the the desert for three years?
15. I still say it wouldn’t hurt to drop by Balthazar’s place for another visit on the way back. That was SOME buffet!
14. 16 hours a day on a camel. Are you sure this beats walking?
13. All in all, I’d rather be a shepherd. All they ever do is stand around and WATCH the stars. We have to FOLLOW one.
12. Time to check the map again, I think we took a wrong turn at Amal’s house.
11. Why should I always have to be in the rear? It’s somebody else’s turn to get sand in his face.
10. I need to stop at the Bazaar in the next town and pick up one more gift.
9. C’mon, we gotta stop and ask for directions, if we don’t this trip could take years.
8. You guys have any idea how to treat saddle sores?
7. Man, I’m starting to get a rush from this frankincense!
6. You guys ever eat camel meat? I hear it tastes like chicken.
5. You know, I used to go to school with a girl name Beth Lehem.
4. What kind of name is Balthazar anyhow? Phoenician?
3. Hey, do you either of you know why “MYRRH” is spelled with a “Y” instead of a “U”?
2. Okay, who forgot to give their camel a bath before we left?
1. Whaddya mean we’ll be part of history? A year from now, nobody will have a clue why we did this.

Christmas Collection
Games and Activities helping youth discover the Reason for the Season.

Get more than 200 creative ideas for planning a Youth Christmas celebration or Christmas Party party. You can immediately download my best Christmas Icebreakers, games, illustrations, Christmas activity ideas AND MUCH MORE in a useful ebook!

=> Tell me more about the Christmas Collection

Teaching Illustrations

Christmas Old, Christmas New

December 17, 2008 kensapp Leave a comment

Like the beautiful Christmas wreath
Whose circle knows no end,
So becomes the life of us
When the Savior enters in.

Like the brilliant shining star
That guided shepherds of old –
So may Christ shine in us,
As His likeness we unfold.

Like the joyous carols we sing
To cheer our special friends –
Christ’s presence fills us with joy,
A joy that never ends.

Like the lowly stable manger
That held our infant King,
So now the arms of Jesus
Cradle us and comfort bring.

Like the fragrant, twinkling tree
Whose sights and smells delight
The life we choose with Jesus
Delights us in doing right.

Like the crowded sleepy town
In which the babe was born,
His gentle spirit fills us
As in Him we are reborn.

Like the special gifts we choose
And to our loved ones bring,
He gave His life a gift to us –
O’let His praises ring!

Like the peaceful nativity child
Whose power wrote history’s pages,
Even now that peace and power
Saves men sin and its wages!

Like that first Christmas long ago
That bridged men back to God,
No Christmas now can e’er exist
Without His Holy nod.

So Christ embodies Christmas
As much now as He did then –
It’s only men who’ve been misled
O’ give Him first place again!

Julie Winton, Christmas 1980
Thanks Julie for being such a friend when I was a University student

Christmas Collection
Games and Activities helping youth discover the Reason for the Season.Get more than 200 creative ideas for planning a Youth Christmas celebration or Christmas Party party. You can immediately download my best Christmas Icebreakers, games, illustrations, Christmas activity ideas AND MUCH MORE in a useful ebook!
=> Tell me more about the Christmas Collection

Evangelism Ideas

Christmas Shoebox

December 16, 2008 kensapp Leave a comment

With the current economic situation there are many families in need. Why not provide a Christmas shoebox and donate it to someone in need and to tell people about Jesus. Local shelters and relief agencies might have suggestions as well. Your local church may also have a family you can adopt to help as well.

When you fill your box, please wrap the outside of the box in wrapping paper before you fill it. This means that you should wrap the top and the box separately. Please use a strong rubber band to secure the box top and bottom.

Here are some of suggested items to fufill a person’s basic needs:

Adult Shoeboxes

Soap
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Combs/brushes
Shaving cream
Neosporin
Alcohol wipes
Band-Aids
Gauze
First aid tape
Hand sanitizer
Qtips
Lotion
Mouthwash
Dental floss
Wash cloths
Shampoo
Deodorant
Rain poncho

Children’s Boxes

Soap
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Small toys
Stuffed Animals
Coloring books
Crayons
Stickers
Shampoo
Hard Candy (nothing that melts)

Youth Boxes

Soap
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Shampoo
Deodorant
Hard Candy
Hacky Sacks
Playing Cards
Travel Games
Dental floss

If you can, also add a tract and a Gospel of John in each shoebox.

Teaching Illustrations

The Glory of the Manger

December 15, 2008 kensapp Leave a comment

Night had come, their rest at hand
The shepherds laid down on the sand

With heavy lids they closed their eyes
In hopes no cause would bid them rise

When suddenly they heard a noise!
They feared to hear the radiant voice:

“Good news! Go now and see this sight
A baby shivers in the night

Your Savior has at long last come
To do what none before has done

The King of Kings is laid in straw
And even we are filled with awe

Make haste, go now behold your king
And see the reason why we sing,

The King of Heaven has come down
And in His blood your sins will drown

And never more you’ll be afraid
For God is in a manger laid!”

Used by Permission. Copyright 12-14-00 by Cindy Blackamore

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.

Learn More…

Game Ideas

Christmas Gift Exchange with a twist

December 14, 2008 kensapp Leave a comment

Introduction
Use this Christmas Gift Exchange Game with more mature youth as a serious time of affirmation and thanks for the various members of the youth group. Include the adult sponsors as well.

Game Description
In this Christmas Gift exchange, it is affirmations that are exchanged and not actual physical gifts. It’s a very powerful way to bring your teens closer together and remind them that everyone in the group is a gift and that the greatest present you can give all year round, is to give of yourself as a blessing to others.

Game Materials

Nicely wrap an empty box with paper, bow, and the works. (You might want to add some newspaper to the box to give it a little weight.)
Chairs for everyone, arranged in a circle facing inward.

Game Preparation
Wrap an empty box with paper, bow, and the works.

Game Play

Start the game by holding up your beautifully wrapped gift. Explain that the box is filled not with a physical gift but with affirmations, encouragement, and a heart of thanks. “Tonight we are going to have a gift exchange. But as this wrapped gift is passed around, I want you to imagine it is filled with with appreciation, thankfulness and encouragement for each other. The greatest gift is not giving something from a store, but the giving of yourself. God gave himself to the world that we all might be part of His family. And We want to appreciate each person here who has given of himself as part of our own family of God. So with that said, I will begin. I would like to give this gift to John, because of his dedication and spirit of servanthood for others. Whenever there is one of us in need, John will always be there to serve us. Thanks for your gift to all of us, all year around. John, this gift is for you. Who do you want to pass this gift to and why?”
John accepts the gift and then names another youth that he wishes to present the gift to, along with his reasons. That person, in turn, names another youth, and so on.
In advance, let some of your student leaders and adult youth workers know what you have planned. They should be prepared to have some affirmations for some of the youth which may not be in the spotlight so often to make sure that everyone is included and NO ONE is left out. Youth can also thank the adult youth workers as well. It is OK if some teens get more than one affirmation, but encourage the youth to be thankful for EVERYONE in the group. For everyone is a gift to us from God!

Christmas Collection
Games and Activities helping youth discover the Reason for the Season.

=> Tell me more about the Christmas Collection

Game Ideas

Christmas Snowball Tag

December 13, 2008 kensapp Leave a comment

Introduction
In this Christmas variation of a game of dodge-ball, you can still play even if you have been eliminated.

Game Description
In typical dodge-ball fashion, players try to eliminate others by hitting them with a dodge-ball.

Game Materials
Depending on the size of the group you may want to use one snowball or several. The larger the group the more snowballs you will need. For the snowballs you can use soft white kick-balls, wadded up newspapers, or even toilet paper rolls (remove the cardboard tube). “WHITE” soccer balls also work, but can be a little painful if fully inflated. (Let out some of the air first.)

Game Preparation
Find some balls which won’t hurt you too much if you get hit in the head with them.

Game Play

Let the youth scatter about a large open area with clearly defined boundaries. If you are inside, use a room as your play area.
To start a game of Christmas Snowball tag, just throw one of the snowballs against any old wall or roll it to the center of the play area.
The first person to get the snowball must plant a foot and pivot around on that foot (like in basketball) looking for someone to hit. They may not walk or run around once they have possession of the snowball. The thrower, once he tosses the snowball at someone can move freely again since he or she is no longer in possession of the snowball.
If a person has been hit with the snowball, that person sits down on the ground at the spot where they were hit. The person that has been hit is not out of the game completely though. As long as they remain seated in their spot, they may grab any snowball that is rolling by and hit someone who is still in the game.
If any person catches a snoqball that has been tossed, the thrower of the snowball is eliminated and must sit down. If an attempt to catch the snowball is unsuccessful, but the snowball is touched, it is considered a hit so the person who touched the snowball in an attempt to catch it is eliminated and must sit down at that spot.
Dead players may roll the snowball to other active or eliminated players.
The ground will eventually be covered with sitting youth.
The winner is the last person standing.
This is a typical dodgeball game with a twist: instead of being completely eliminated from the game and unable to participate, you can still eliminate others.

Variations

If a sitting person successfully eliminates someone in play, they may stand up and get back into the game.
When the person that got you out gets hit then you are able to get back up again.
Play with partners, but holding hands. Partners are out if they break their grip. Both partners must be hit before they are frozen and must sit down together. Yet while there is still one of the pair unfrozen, the frozen partner can act as a shield, deflecting the ball.

Christmas Collection
Games and Activities helping youth discover the Reason for the Season.

=> Tell me more about the Christmas Collection

Game Ideas

Progressive Santa

December 12, 2008 kensapp Leave a comment

Introduction
Everyone knows how Santa Claus looks right? The red hat, the black belt, rosy cheeks… But how well can you draw him?

Game Description
The objective of this Christmas Party game is to draw the BEST Santa Claus. The catch is that you draw it together with the rest of the team and cannot see what they have already drawn.

Game Materials
Paper and pencil for each team. Add a little color by giving each team a basic box of crayons as well. It is best to use thick opaque paper so that when folded over, you cannot see any of the drawing underneath.

Game Preparation
None

Game Play

The objective of this Christmas Party game is to draw Santa Claus, one stage at a time.
Divide the group into teams and place them in a straight line so that people are facing AWAY from the person at the front of the line. This is to prevent them from looking over their shoulder and seeing what someone else is drawing.
Give each team a piece of paper and drawing supplies.
Ask the person at the front of the line to draw Santa’s Hat. Give them 2 minutes to drawing Santa’s hat with all the details, then ask them to fold the paper down so that only the bottom edge of his hat can be seen.
The paper is then passed to the next person on the team. Ask this person to draw Santa’s face. Give them 2 minutes to draw Santa’s face with all the details, then ask them to fold the paper down so that only the bottom edge of his face with the beard can be seen.
The paper is then passed to the next person on the team. Ask this person to draw Santa down to his waist. Give them 2 minutes to draw, then ask them to fold the paper down so that only the bottom edge can be seen.
The paper is then passed to the next person on the team. Ask this person to draw Santa’s down to his ankles. Give them 2 minutes to draw, then ask them to fold the paper down so that only the bottom edge can be seen.
The paper is then passed to the next person on the team. Ask this person to draw Santa’s feet. Give them 2 minutes to drawing Santa’s feet.
Unfold the papers for the rest of the team to see and then award a prize to the team with the best Santa. The results can be quite hilarious.

Variation
Add points based on the following criteria:

red suit with White trim
Red cap with white trim,
thick black belt
sooty black boots
rosy cheeks
twinkling eyes
brighter-than-white teeth
whiskers
merry dimples
nose like a cherry;
droll little mouth, drawn up like a bow
beard on his chin was as white as the snow
he had a broad face
a little round belly
He was chubby and plump
a right jolly elf
A sack full of toys

The group with the most points wins!

Holiday Collection
Games and Activities in Celebration of common Holidays.

Creative Holiday Ideas has over 300 pages of ideas to help you plan your next New Year’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Halloween or Fall Festival, and Thanksgiving event. If you’ve ever wondered what you’re going to do for all these holidays and how you’re going to do it, this resource is for you.

=> Tell me more about the Holiday Collection

Humor

Christmas Humor

December 11, 2008 kensapp Leave a comment

“Christmas is the season when people run out of money before they run out of friends.”
– Larry Wilde

“I once bought my kids a set of batteries for Christmas with a note on it saying, toys not included.”
– Bernard Manning

“What do you call people who are afraid of Santa Claus? Claustrophobic.”
– Unknown

“There are some people who want to throw their arms round you simply because it is Christmas; there are other people who want to strangle you simply because it is Christmas.”
– Robert Lynd

“Santa Claus has the right idea. Visit people once a year.”
– Victor Borge

“Christmas begins about the first of December with an office party and ends when you finally realize what you spent, around April fifteenth of the next year.”
– P. J. O’Rourke

“Oh look, yet another Christmas TV special! How touching to have the meaning of Christmas brought to us by cola, fast food, and beer… Who’d have ever guessed that product consumption, popular entertainment, and spirituality would mix so harmoniously?”
– Bill Watterson, Calvin & Hobbes

“A Christmas shopper’s complaint is one of long-standing.”
– Jay Leno

“Dear Lord, I’ve been asked, nay commanded, to thank Thee for the Christmas turkey before us… a turkey which was no doubt a lively, intelligent bird… a social being… capable of actual affection… nuzzling its young with almost human- like compassion. Anyway, it’s dead and we’re gonna eat it. Please give our respects to its family… ”
– Berke Breathed

“Christmas is a race to see which gives out first – your money or your feet.”
– Unknown

“Once again we find ourselves enmeshed in the Holiday Season, that very special time of year when we join with our loved ones in sharing centuries-old traditions such as trying to find a parking space at the mall. We traditionally do this in my family by driving around the parking lot until we see a shopper emerge from the mall, then we follow her, in very much the same spirit as the Three Wise Men, who 2,000 years ago followed a star, week after week, until it led them to a parking space.”
– Dave Barry

Christmas Collection
Games and Activities helping youth discover the Reason for the Season.

=> Tell me more about the Christmas Collection

Creative Youth ideas: 1700+ Resources for youth leaders, pastors, ministers to help plan camps, retreats, and meetings using games, illustrations, Children's Worship, Bible Studies, object lessons, sermons, creative ideas,creative activities