Overcoming Death

There is something about a living testimony that gives us courage. Once we see someone else emerging from life’s dark tunnels we realize that we, too, can overcome.

Could this be why Jesus is called our pioneer? Is this one of the reasons that he consented to enter the horrid chambers of death? It must be. His words, though persuasive, were not enough. His promises, though true, didn’t quite allay the fear of the people. His actions, even the act of calling Lazarus from the tomb, didn’t convince the crowds that death was nothing to fear. No. In the eyes of humanity, death was still the black veil that separated them from joy. There was no victory over this hooded foe. Its putrid odor invaded the nostrils of every human, convincing them that life was only meant to end abruptly and senselessly.

It was left to the Son of God to disclose the true nature of this force. It was on the cross that the showdown occurred. Christ called for Satan’s cards. Weary of seeing humanity fooled by a cover-up, he entered the tunnel death to prove that there was indeed an exit. And, as the world darkened, creation held her breath.

Satan threw his best punch, but it wasn’t enough. Even the darkness of hell’s tunnel was no match for God’s Son.
Even the chambers of Hades couldn’t stop this raider. Legions of screaming demons held nothing over the Lion
of Judah.

Christ emerged from death’s tunnel, lifted a triumphant fist toward the sky, and freed all from the fear of death. ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory!’

Source: Max Lucado in “On the Anvil” (1985 Tyndale House)


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Finishing Well

“Not enough is said today about *finishing* well. Lots and lots of material is available on motivation to get started and creative ways to spark initiative…Let’s extol the virtues of sticking with something until it’s *done.* Of hanging tough when the excitement and fun fade into discipline and guts. You know–being just as determined eight minutes into the fourth quarter as at the kickoff…

I fear our generation has come dangerously near the ‘I’m-getting-tired-so-let’s-just-quit’ mentality…

Do I write today to a few weary pilgrims? Is the road getting long and hope wearing a little thin? Or to a few parents who are beginning to wonder if it’s worth it all–this exacting business of rearing children, which includes cleaning up daily messes and living with all that responsibility? Or to you who have a dream, but seeing it accomplished seems too long to wait?…

So many start the Christian life like a lightning flash–hot, fast, and dazzling. But how many people…can you name who are finishing the course with sustained enthusiasm and vigor? Oh, there are some, I realize, but why so few? What happens along the way that swells the ranks of quitters? ”

Source: Charles R. Swindoll in “Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life”


MORE IDEAS? See “Creative Object Lessons”

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The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveller, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth.

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same.

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I –
I took the one less travelled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Robert Frost

Which road do you walk?
What eternal difference is it making?


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.

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Questions Making the Rounds

Description
Using this active activity to discuss questions with random partners before a group discussion. It works best with issues that will have a variety of perspectives or where everyone might have a different answer.

Materials
None

Setup

  1. Divide the participants into two groups.
  2. The first group lines up in a circle facing outward.
  3. The second group then forms a circle facing inward, matching up with someone on the inside circle. (In the case of an uneven number of participants, one person may be without a partner.)

 

What to do

  1. Call out a question for discussion among the pairs.
  2. After a few minutes, call out “rotate” for the outer circle to rotate one person to the right.
  3. After getting a few perspectives, change the question.
  4. Then discuss the questions as a group.

 

Variation
Use icebreaker questions like those found in Favourites

Looking for something for Father’s Day?

Father’s Day Games

Searching for Dad
Use this as a Father’s Day game or for a father child event

Who’s father?
Creative game idea for Father’s Day or a Father-Child event.

Father’s Day Relay
A Father’s Day Relay Game Idea

Father May I?
In this Father’s Day variation of “Mother May I?” Youth ask Father rather than mother for permission

Father’s Business Trip
In this Father’s Day game, Youth must remember the business trips of father’s going through the alphabet.

Searching for Dad
In this Father’s Day game, Youth must describe their Father to others to retrieve a photo of their father.

Find Father’s Tie
In this Father’s day game, Youth must find the tie that has been hidden in the room.

Family Dress-up
Youth will play a game to remind them that family is important. It works for Father’s Day too!

Old Testament Men Trivia
Trivia questions of men in the Bible.
 

Teaching Illustrations for Father’s Day
My Father
Food for thought for Father’s Day

Most Valuable Asset
Do we recognise the true value of fathers?

The Origin of Father’s Day
The origin of Father’s Day

Father’s Are Wonderful People
A poem for fathers on Father’s day.

The Right Thing
Ethics are simple matters of right and wrong.

Dream Car
How many times did we miss God’s blessings because we can’t see past our own desires?

The Father’s Eyes
This story about an earthly father illustrates that Life is meaningful if lived for the Father!

A Father’s Words of Wisdom
Traditional wisdom often heard from Fathers.

Involved Dads
Effect of Fathers on Children

When God Created Fathers
Poem about God’s creation of Fathers by Erma Bombeck

Father’s Day: A Tribute
Max Lucado reflects of Father’s Day

A Father’s Support
Children need the support of their fathers

What are Fathers Made Of?
Paul Harvey’s definitions of a father

Wooden Bowl
The wise parent realizes that every day building blocks are being laid for the child’s future.

A Father’s Hugs
Youth need the love of their fathers. But many times fathers are afraid to show it.

Your Father
God is the blessed and loving Father of all of us! Regardless of the good or the bad of your earthly father, God loves you more and gives you a greater inheritance!

Christian home or religious home?
There are some principles and truths that are critical principles for parents who want to nurture spiritual development in teens.

Father’s Influence
A father’s influence makes a difference!

A Father’s Influence
The influence of a father in the life of a child cannot be neglected.

Dad’s Blessings
How many times do we miss Spirit’s blessings and answers to our prayers because they do not arrive exactly as we have expected?

The Price of Children
What the cost and returns on being a parent?

12 Practical Ways for Men to Impact Fatherless Kids
How you can help fatherless kids
 

Father’s Day Devotionals
A Successful Life
Whenever God wants to give us a gift, he wraps it in struggles and difficulties.

Father’s Day Humor
Poem for Moms and Dads
Humorus look at raising kids

Father’s Day Humor
A little humor related to Fathers

Outhouse Confession
Sometimes our actions unexpectantly affect others.

Student Excuses
Actual excuses given by students to schools

Top ten things you’ll never hear a dad say
A little humor related to Fathers

Top 10 Things a Teen Daughter Doesn’t Want to Hear from her Dad
A little Father- Daughter humor for Father’s Day

The Fatherhood Cycle
This father’s Day humor, reminds us of the funny stages we go through when thinking of the Wisdom of Fathers

Don’t Eat the Forbidden Fruit
Funny look at God as the father of Ada and Eve. Great for Father’s Day!

We thought you said Daddy!
A little Father’s day humor to give you a chuckle

 

Father’s Day Teaching Ideas
Father’s Day Discussion
Possible discussion starters for father’s day

God is my father
Youth will explore Fatherly qualities in God. The goal is to help youth learn that God is a father who will never leave and who will always treat them with kindness and love.

What Makes a Dad

 

God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle’s flight,
The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,
Then God combined these qualities,
When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so,
He called it … Dad

Author Unknown

 

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 your next Father’s Day celebration or activity in honor of fathers as well as games, activities, and meaningful discussions for a variety of other common holidays. 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.

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Father’s Day Humor

I figured out why they call our language the “Mother Tongue.” Fathers never get a chance to use much of it.

Say what you will about healthy eating and all, but I’ve always found it awfully difficult to explain to my son (who’s 6’4″ to my 6′ in height), why junk food is bad for you.

One time my kids wanted to surprise me with a good breakfast in bed on Father’s Day. They put a cot in the kitchen.

If you think about it, Adam had more trouble than any of the rest of us buying his Father a gift for Father’s Day. I mean, what do you get somebody who’s Everything?

I started early teaching my kids the value of a dollar. From then on, they demanded their allowances in gold.

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 your next Father’s Day event or activities in honor of fathers as well as a variety of other common holidays. If you’ve ever wondered what you’re going to do for the various holidays and how you’re going to do it, this resource is for you.

=> Tell me more about the Holiday Collection

What are Fathers Made Of?

A father is a thing that is forced to endure childbirth without an anesthetic.

A father is a thing that growls when it feels good–and laughs very loud when it’s scared half to death.

A father never feels entirely worthy of the worship in a child’s eyes. He’s never quite the hero his daughter thinks, never quite the man his son believes him to be–and this worries him, sometimes. So he works too hard to try and smooth the rough places in the road for those of his own who will follow him.

A father is a thing that gets very angry when the first school grades aren’t as good as he thinks they should be. He scolds his son though he knows it’s the teacher’s fault. Fathers are what give daughters away to other men who aren’t nearly good enough so they can have grandchildren who are smarter than anybody’s .

Fathers grow old faster than other people.

And while mothers can cry where it shows, fathers stand there and beam outside–and die inside. Fathers have very stout hearts, so they have to be broken sometimes or no one would know what is inside. Fathers give daughters away to other men who aren’t nearly good enough so they can have grandchildren who are smarter than anybody’s. Fathers fight dragons almost daily. They hurry away from the breakfast table, off to the arena which is sometimes called an office or a workshop… where they tackle the dragon with three heads: Weariness, Work and Monotony.

Knights in shining armor.

Fathers make bets with insurance companies about who’ll live the longest. Though they know the odds, they keep right on betting. Even as the odds get higher and higher, they keep right on betting more and more. And one day they lose.

But fathers enjoy an earthly immortality and the bet is paid off to the part of him he leaves behind.

I don’t know where fathers go when they die. But I’ve an idea that after a good rest, wherever it is, he won’t be happy unless there’s work to do. He won’t just sit on a cloud and wait for the girl he’s loved and the children she bore. He’ll be busy there, too, repairing the stairs, oiling the gates, improving the streets, smoothing the way.

[SOURCE: Paul Harvey]

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 your next Father’s Day event or activities in honor of fathers, as well as games, activities and meaningful discussions for a variety of the familiar holidays. 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

A Father’s Support

In the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona Derek Redmond of Great Britain was on the way to fulfilling his lifetime dream of winning a gold medal in the Olympics.

He had earned a spot in the semifinals of the 400 meter race, and as the gun sounded to start the race, Derek got off to a great start. He was running the race of his life, and the finish line was in sight, when suddenly he felt a stab of pain in his right leg. He fell face first onto the track with a torn hamstring.

The race was over for Derek. He struggled to his feet before the medical team could reach him. Though every runner had passed him, he began hopping forward, tears of pain and disappointment streaking his face, determined to finish the race.

Suddenly, a man plowed through the security guards on the sidelines and ran onto the track. He raced up to Derek and hugged him, “You don’t have to do this,” Jim Redmond told his weeping son. “Yes I do,” Derek answered. “Well, then,” his father said, “we’re going to finish the race together.”

Derek’s father gripped his son around the shoulders, and they faced the finish line, resolutely waving off the security men who hovered around them. They limped and hopped together, Derek’s head sometimes buried in his father’s shoulder, and stayed in Derek’s lane all the way to the end.

The watching crowd gaped at first at the unusual scene. Then one by one, they rose to their feet, and began cheering and crying at the son’s determination and the father’s support.

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Go for the Gold

Need an evangelistic Youth Camp/ Bible Study Series with an Olympic Theme?

What is salvation all about? What does it mean to be saved? This sports themed Bible Study / Camp Curriculum uses the Olympic Flag to introduce the concepts of sin (black circle), forgiveness (red circle), purity (white background), spiritual growth (green circle), heaven (Yellow Circle) and (Baptism) blue circle.
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Get "Destined to Win" Youth Bible Study Series
Destined to Win

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

The race as a metaphor for the Christian life is used in several places in the Bible. This series is a great follow up for new Christians or to re-emphasize the basics of our spiritual Journey in the Faith. This Bible Study / Camp Curriculum has a sports theme and is great for athletes as well as a tie in to the youth Olympic Games.
->Tell me about “Destined to Win”

A Father’s Hugs

A cartoon strip reveals a father coming into the room where his teenage daughter was sitting on the couch watching television and eating popcorn. He decides to sit down next to her and help himself to some of the popcorn.

As he was sitting there, a little thought balloon appears over his head. He’s thinking, “I remember when she was so young. I held her in my arms & loved her, and it was wonderful. Now look at her. She’s all grown up, and such a beautiful girl, too. I wonder what she would think if I held her like I used to and told her again that I love her?” He finally concludes that she would be uncomfortable if he did that.

While he’s thinking that, his daughter is thinking, “I wonder why Dad never hugs me anymore?”

Source: From the comic strip “For Better or for Worse”


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