Photo Freeze Frames!

May 3, 2007 kensapp Leave a comment

Can you imitate the people in the photo and be the first to complete all the images?

Description
Participants will try to copy the poses of people as contained in photos.

Resources
You need a variety of magazines, shopping catalogs, newspaper clippings, photographs or other images that show groups of people in action. For some great photo opportunities have a few cameras available!

Preparation

Since participants will be posing in the same positions as those in the selected images, you will need images that the participants can imitate. You will also need to consider the size of the teams you will use (i.e. couples, groups of three, four, or more).
Cut out the images and mount them on colored pieces of construction paper or notecards.
The crazier the images, the better. To make it more fun, you can have images from specific sports (basketball, football, baseball, golf, swimming, acrobatics, etc), from various professions (chefs, lumberjacks, firemen, construction workers, etc), or from the arts (orchestra musicians, ballet dancers, circus acts, etc). The possibilities and variations are endless.

What to Do
Divide the group into teams. You can play with this in a variety of ways:

Randomly draw from the images. Have all groups imitate the same image. The first group to get in the same pose as the chosen image gets a point. To make it more difficult, allow only one participant from each group to see the image and then they must go back and form their group into the correct pose.
Randomly deal the images to the groups face down so they cannot see them. Provide a judge for each group that will decide if the group is close enough to the original image before moving on to the next. The first group to complete all the images first wins.
Make it a relay race, where group members must run to the other side of the room, grab an image and then emulate it before the next person from the group can go. The first group to have all persons go wins!
Give each group a camera and make it a photo scavenger hunt. Give each group a collection of photos involving props, positions, and even locations that they must duplicate with the group. The first group to complete the assignment and return with the most correct photos wins!

Variations
Choose images containing props and make those the props available (i.e. baseball bat, ballerina skirt, fireman hat, etc). Teams must also include the props.

Taking it to the Next Level
For good and for bad, we often imitate others in life. Sometimes this can be a positive thing when others have qualities or traits that we wish to develop in our own lives. At other times it can be stifling as we try to fit into roles and expectations instead of being the person we were created to be.

- Are there people in your life you would like to imitate? Name some of your role models.
- Who are the people you aspire to be like?
- Is it important to have role models? Why or why not?
- How do you draw a balance between being the unique person you were created to be and expectations that society expects us to conform to?
- What are some of the qualities you would like to imitate from a role model? How can you develop these qualities?
- If you don’t have a mentor or role model, who is someone that has the qualities, skills or experience to help you in your personal development?
- Is there an area of your life where you have simply been conforming to what is expected rather then expressing your unique self? If you were not concerned about other people’s expectations and what other people think, what is something you would change about yourself?

Application

Choose a trait or quality you want to develop and find a role model or mentor to help you develop that in your own life.
Choose a trait or quality that you have stifled because of expectations that you can begin to develop and learn to express in a positive way.

Possible Scripture References
Psalm 139:14ff, Ephesians 2:10; Deuteronomy 18:9; 1 Corinthians 4:16-17; Hebrews 6:12; Hebrews 13:7; 3 John 1:11, 1 Corinthians 11:1-2; 2 Kings 14:3; John 13:15; Philippians 3:17; 2 Thessalonians 3:7; 1 Timothy 4:12; Titus 2:7; 1 Peter 2:22-24

Icebreakers Ahead: Take It To the Next Level

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Humor

Quotes From Famous Mothers

May 2, 2007 kensapp Leave a comment

PAUL REVERE’S MOTHER: “I don’t care where you think you have to go, young man. Midnight is past your curfew!”

MARY, MARY, QUITE CONTRARY’S MOTHER: “I don’t mind you having a garden, Mary, but does it have to be growing under your bed?”

MONA LISA’S MOTHER: “After all that money your father and I spent on braces, Mona, that’s the biggest smile you can give us?”

HUMPTY DUMPTY’S MOTHER: “Humpty, If I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a hundred times not to sit on that wall. But would you listen to me? Noooo!”

COLUMBUS’ MOTHER: “I don’t care what you’ve discovered, Christopher. You still could have written!”

BABE RUTH’S MOTHER: “Babe, how many times have I told you — quit playing ball in the house! That’s the third broken window this week!”

MICHELANGELO’S MOTHER: “Mike, can’t you paint on walls like other children? Do you have any idea how hard it is to get that stuff off the ceiling?”

NAPOLEON’S MOTHER: “All right, Napoleon. If you aren’t hiding your report card inside your jacket, then take your hand out of there and prove it!”

CUSTER’S MOTHER: “Now, George, remember what I told you — don’t go biting off more than you can chew!”

ABRAHAM LINCOLN’S MOTHER: “Again with the stovepipe hat, Abe? Can’t you just wear a baseball cap like the other kids?”

BARNEY’S MOTHER: “I realize strained plums are your favorite, Barney, but you’re starting to look a little purple.”

MARY’S MOTHER: “I’m not upset that your lamb followed you to school, Mary, but I would like to know how he got a better grade than you.”

BATMAN’S MOTHER: “It’s a nice car, Bruce, but do you realize how much the insurance is going to be?”

GOLDILOCKS’ MOTHER: “I’ve got a bill here for a busted chair from the Bear family. You know anything about this, Goldie?”

LITTLE MISS MUFFET’S MOTHER: “Well, all I’ve got to say is if you don’t get off your tuffet and start cleaning your room, there’ll be a lot more spiders around here!”

ALBERT EINSTEIN’S MOTHER: “But, Albert, it’s your senior picture. Can’t you do something about your hair? Styling gel, mousse, something…?”

GEORGE WASHINGTON’S MOTHER: “The next time I catch you throwing money across the Potomac, you can kiss your allowance good-bye!”

JONAH’S MOTHER: “That’s a nice story, but now tell me where you’ve really been for the last three days.”

SUPERMAN’S MOTHER: “Clark, your father and I have discussed it, and we’ve decided you can have your own telephone line. Now will you quit spending so much time in all those phone booths?”

THOMAS EDISON’S MOTHER: “Of course I’m proud that you invented the electric light bulb, Thomas. Now turn off that light and get to bed!”

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

Teaching Illustrations

Winners in Life

April 25, 2007 kensapp Leave a comment

“One of our family’s all-time favorite pets was a dog named Scampy. He was a black-and-tan, rag-eared mutt, part cocker, part Schnauzer, part whatcha-ma-call-it. When he was six months old, he was hit by a car and suffered a broken hind leg, which was put in a splint. Gangrene developed, and the veterinarian recommended euthanasia. My children, however, full of love and affection for Scampy, lobbied for amputation, and their tearful motion, put to a vote in a family council, was carried.

To my pleasant surprise, Scampy adjusted beautifully. Like a tricycle with the wheels reversed, he developed excellent balance, and although running in unorthodox motion, he moved amazingly fast. Squirrels scattered when he flew off the back porch as though propelled by a pogo stick.

Friends of the children called him Hopalong or Tripod or Crip, among other names, but Scampy had a couple of advantages over people: He didn’t understand their jibes, and he didn’t know that he had a disability. He lived on courageously for many years, doing the best with what he had. People who can do the same are, I am convinced, the winners in life.”

Fred Bauer “Dog Tales – Lessons in Love” from Guideposts

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.
-> Tell me about “Go for the Gold”

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”

Teaching Illustrations

Dog Tales – Lessons in Love

April 23, 2007 kensapp Leave a comment

“Ashley–a pre-owned Yorkie from the Humane Society–came into my home with his head hung low. The neighbors were all waiting for me at home to meet the newest member of my family. That was when we learned that this little dog was terrified of men.

In their presence, Ashley would shake like a leaf. All my men friends are gentle, but their imposing sizes and booming voices seemed to terrorize him. I had to find a way for Ashley to be healed of his fear!

Whenever a male visitor came to the door, I would pick up Ashley and hold him in my arms. I would ask my friend to pet the dog gently and talk to him in a soothing voice. When the little guy relaxed, I would hand him over to my friend to hold and continue petting for a few more minutes.

After some weeks, Ashley seemed to remember each man he met in this way, and he stopped cowering and shaking in their presence. In fact, after meeting my next door neighbor, Bob, Ashley stole into his house, then reappeared a few minutes later to drop one of Bob’s dirty socks at his feet. Bob, he seemed to be saying, was not only safe, he was accepted!

Since coming into my family, Ashley has been healed of his fear and to this day lives at peace with all men. It’s the love he’s been getting that’s healed his fear–I’m sure of it.

And not only is Ashley a beloved family member now, but he also reminds me how to approach all the abused and fearful people I meet. The best way is to start with love.

Diane Komp – “Dog Tales Lessons in Love” from Guideposts Magazine

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Food for Thought

Little Tasks

April 22, 2007 kensapp Leave a comment

Always keep your eyes open for the little task, because it is the little task that is important to Jesus Christ. The future of the Kingdom of God does not depend on the enthusiasm of this or that powerful person; those great ones are necessary, too, but it is equally necessary to have a great number of little people who will do a little thing in the service of Christ.

The great flowing rivers represent only a small part of all the water that is necessary to nourish and sustain the earth. Besides the flowing river there is the water in the earth–the subterranean water–and there are the little streams which continually enter the river and feed it and prevent it from sinking into the earth. Without these other waters–the silent hidden subterranean waters and the trickling streams–the great river could no longer flow. Thus it is with the little tasks to be fulfilled by us all.”

Albert Schweitzer

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Improving Your Teaching

Asking the Right Questions

April 22, 2007 kensapp Leave a comment

Jesus was the Master Teacher. Not only was He an excellent communicator, but he also had the ability to ask questions that probed both the heart and the mind. The disciples were challenged to answer His questions with more than superficial, fact-based answers. The questions Jesus asked caused listeners to think and evaluate before responding.

Asking good questions is both an art and a skill. Teachers today can learn to ask questions that cause people to reflect and evaluate as well as give fact-based answers. Here’s some guidelines to improve your questions.

Ask open-ended questions – Questions should be asked in such a way that students will be able to provide a variety of responses. For example, if you have a lesson on the vine and the branches. Don’t ask the obvious question – What does Jesus compare us to? Your only answer is “A vine” Instead ask, “What are some of the possible reasons Jesus used a vine to represent us as Christians?”
Ask one question at a time. Focus everyone’s thoughts on a single question and you will get much better answers and lively discussion.
Address everyone with the questions. Don’t allow one person to answer all the questions. Spread them around, call students by name, invite more people to answer. Some of your most quiet kids might have some of the deepest insights.
Provide positive feedback based on member responses. When you tell a student he is wrong, you will quickly have a silent room when you try discussions in the future. Affirm everyone for giving an answer, then artfully ask questions and pose alternative to guide students to the correct answers.
Follow some questions with another question. The purpose is to generate discussion, not to test a student’s knowledge. Students need to be engaged in conversation.
After asking questions, wait for a response. If no response comes quickly, ask the question again and tell learners you will wait for them to think about their answers. People need time to think. Silence may seem uncomfortable but don’t rush too quickly to end the silence.
Challenge people to answer their own questions sometimes. Occasionally a question can best be answered by the questioner because that person really does know the answer. They just need a little help to think through it and sift it out from their thoughts.
Affirm all responses. Even incorrect answers reflect an effort to learn. When necessary, comment on incorrect ideas or answers, but be careful not to discourage people from answering questions in the future.
Admit you don’t have all the answers. When necessary, promise to provide answers to questions you cannot answer in the session. Follow up individually or with the entire class to make sure correct answers are given.

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Resource Reviews

Deeper Worship

April 21, 2007 kensapp Leave a comment

Excerpt from Ronald F. Bridges “Rediscovering Your First Love” (Here’s Life Publishers, Inc.)

A good friend of mine was aggressively pursuing a deeper worship experience with the Lord. His love for God was growing stronger and his desire to draw nearer to Him was sincere. After a couple of months of trying various activities to aid his worship, Rick came to me in frustration, saying that he was unable to feel a genuine sense of worship.

There just seemed to be something lacking, and he couldn’t put his finger on it. He was also finding it difficult to concentrate and felt restless during his quiet times…

All of us, at times, carry within us a certain amount of unresolved conflict that can affect us emotionally but not
necessarily hinder our worship. But in Rick’s case, he had been totally unwilling to forgive his father even after his
father asked his son’s forgiveness. When all of this surfaced, Rick finally realized his sin of unforgiveness toward his father was probably affecting his worship…

After several weeks of prayer and resolution, Rick was able to finally go to his father and tell him that he forgave him, as well as to ask his father’s forgiveness for carrying the grudge. As soon as he did this, not only did he renew a strong relationship with his father, but he also began to experience a deeper intimacy in worship with his heavenly Father.

It’s not surprising that in a growing love relationship with God, the closer we draw to Him, the more accepting we are when He reveals things we need to deal with…

In terms of our worship, there are at least four different kinds of hindrances that not only hinder worship but could also very easily hinder our progress in a love relationship with God.

Unconfessed Sin
…In order to clear our worship, we must cleanse our lives from sin (1 John 1:9), thus restoring our fellowship with God.

Unforgiveness
…unforgiveness must be humbly confessed to God and honestly resolved before our fellow man, in order to allow our worship to be acceptable to the Lord.

A Self-Centered or Prideful Spirit…
From a worldly perspective, it would be very easy to view the worship of God as a ‘what’s in it for me’ experience…we could also enter into worship with feelings of discontentment or impatience. But such negative feelings would indicate that we are not satisfied with God’s design for our lives…

Impurity
…we are not necessarily impure if we experience a sudden reaction to an initial display or suggestion of something impure. The impurity comes in if our second reaction is not to reject the temptation and flee from it…the psalmist provided the solution: ‘How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Thy word’ (Psalm 119:9)

The worship of God is an awesome and powerful experience. We must never enter into it with a flippant attitude or an insincere heart. Therefore, our aids to worship must be activities that cause us to focus totally on God…

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Teaching Illustrations

The Color Yellow

April 21, 2007 kensapp Leave a comment

Noted artist Vincent Van Gogh turned away from the faith which had been imparted to him in his Christian home and sank into depression and self-destruction. But later in his life by the grace of God, as he began to embrace that faith again, his life took on new hope, and he gave to that hope color, specifically the color yellow, which evoked for him hope and warmth in then truth of God’s love.

In his depression period, seen in his The Starry Night, there is a yellow sun and yellow swirling stars because Van Gogh thought that truth was only present in nature. The church, which stands tall in the painting and should be the house of truth, is the only item with no traces of yellow.

But later, when his life was on the mend, he painted The Raising of Lazarus, and the entire picture is bathed in yellow. He even put his own face on Lazarus to express his hope in the Resurrection.

Yellow tells the whole story. Like Van Gogh, we can start over.

Source: Unknown

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Creative Teaching Ideas

Heart Rate

April 20, 2007 kensapp Leave a comment

Introduction
Use this activity as an introduction to a study on taking care of your heart.
“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” – Proverbs 4:23

Activity

As the youth arrive at the meeting, ask them to calculate their heart rate. (Each youth must find his/her pulse on a wrist and count the number of heartbeats in a 60-second time period.)
Next, instruct youth to walk quickly around the room for about two minutes.
When two minutes have passed, the youth must take their pulse again and compare the difference between the two heart rates.

Discussion

What do you think is a healthy heart rate?
Why is it important to have a healthy heart?
How do you know if a heart is healthy or not?
What are some of the signs that something is wrong with your heart?
How should we respond to heart problems?
What would you do if you had heart problems?
How do you take care of your heart?

Spiritual Lessons

Why is it important for your spiritual heart to be healthy?
How do you know if you have a healthy spiritual heart?
What are some of the characteristics of a healthy spiritual heart?
What are some of the signs that something is wrong?
What are some of the things we can do if we discover something is wrong with our heart spiritually?
How can we take care of our spiritual heart?

Application

How would you rate your spiritual heart rate?
What is something you can start doing today to improve your spiritual heart condition?

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Creative Teaching Ideas, Improving Your Teaching

Daffynitions

April 19, 2007 kensapp Leave a comment

Introduction
Next time you have a lesson on a difficult theological concept, distribute a list of words for which kids are unlikely to know the exact definitions:

Examples
atheism, atonement, beatitude, covenant, eschatology, Eucharist, predestination, gnosticism, grace, justification, meek, propitiation, repentance, sanctification, supplication, transfiguration, etc.

Activity

Have each student define the words, one word at time on a small piece of paper. They must write their name, the word, and then the definition. Participants can write phony definitions when they don’t know the real definitions, but the phony ones should sound as realistic as possible to score points.
Collect all the definitions. Also have one prepared for each with the correct definition for comparison.
Read the various definitions out loud.
After you read the definitions, let students vote for what they think is the closest to the real definition-one vote per student.
Add up the votes, reveal the real definition, and then award points as follows:
- Kids who write correct definitions earn five points for each one.
- Kids whose phony definitions receive the most votes earn five points per vote.

You can also allow the students to discuss the various definitions and which one is the closes to the true definition and why. Its a great activity to promote discussion.

NOTE
If your group is so large that it is hard to keep track of definitions, create smaller groups.

Variation
Instead of using a definition of a word, do the same thing with Bible teachings. Just ask students to write: “What the Bible teaches about: ” Use any Biblical concept. Play it the same way.

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