Free Youth Group Games — games for small church youth groups

YOUTH GROUP GAME ON SALVATION

Bible: John 14:6 (NLT)

Bottom Line: God has provided the only solution to sin and separation from Himself - Jesus.

SUPPLIES

• Painter’s tape

GAME PREP

Use painter’s tape to create a line across the floor.

Also, use the tape to create an “F” on one side of the tape, and a “T” on the other side of the tape, on the floor.

Students will play this game as individuals. 

HOW TO PLAY THE GAME

Say: Laws are created to establish standards and maintain order in our society.

In the history of the United States, there have been some fascinating laws. 

In the game we are about to play, I will read a law, or something that is similar to an actual law.

You will have to decide if what I’m reading is true or false.

On the floor, I have created a “T” for True and an “F” for False. 

When I read the law, you will have five seconds to choose whether you believe the statement is true or false, and then, stand on that side of the room.

When I reveal the answer, whichever side is incorrect, is out of the game.

The players who have chosen the correct answer will remain in the game.

We will play until there is only one player left, or until I run out of True or False statements.

Whenever there are less than five students left, only three or fewer people can be on each side – you will have to choose your answer quickly before there are too many people on your side.

Are you ready? Let’s play!

TRUE OR FALSE STATEMENTS

• You cannot use silly string in Southington, Connecticut unless it’s in the privacy of your home. TRUE

• In Illinois, you cannot fall asleep in a cheese shop. TRUE

• In Kansas, you cannot swim in a public fountain unless you are wearing a swimming suit. FALSE 

• If you disturb a church service in Missouri, you can be arrested. TRUE

• In some counties in New Hampshire, you can have a picnic in a cemetery. FALSE

• In New York, you cannot take a selfie with a tiger. TRUE

• In Oklahoma, it’s against the law to make glue from a dead skunk. TRUE

• In Tennessee, it’s against the law to use someone else’s Netflix account. TRUE

• In Vermont, it’s against the law to put up a clothesline. FALSE

• In Kansas, you can use a mule to go duck hunting. FALSE

• In Texas, it is against the law to sell your eyeball. TRUE

• In Ohio, you can legally fish for whales on Sundays. FALSE

TEACH

Say: Today, our topic is “salvation” – the deliverance from sin and its consequences.

In our game, we learned about some rare, and funny laws that might not make sense to us, but were somehow created out of necessity.

There might be a good reason why you can’t take a selfie with a tiger, or sell your eyeball.

And whether or not you agree with the law, you will suffer consequences if you choose not to obey it.

Like I mentioned before, laws are formed when there is a need to maintain order.

For example, the practice of staking claim to a piece of property began with the first gold rush in the 1800s.

A mining claim would give you the ability to extract minerals from a piece of public land.

During the gold rush, it was a race to be the first to claim a piece of land, with the hope of finding gold.

Ask: What do you think it would have been like to live during the California gold rush?

Allow a few responses from students.

Although it was an exciting time in American history, men, women, and children sacrificed everything for the opportunity to “strike it rich!”

There’s a story about a man who left his wife and son in New England and headed to San Francisco to mine for gold.

His plan was when he became successful, he would send for his family, but it took longer than he had expected.

Finally, he had enough money, so he sent for them.

His wife and son boarded a boat and sailed away.

Not long after the boat set sail, people started yelling, "Fire! Fire!" as the ship became engulfed in flames.

Not only was there the danger of fire, but the boat was carrying a shipment of gun powder.

Once the fire hit the gun powder, destruction was inevitable.

The crew hustled to get out the lifeboats but there weren't enough, and they were too small to handle the passengers.

Just as the last boat was pushing away, this mother begged the crew to take her and her son.

But, there was no room – the boats were filled.

She cried and pleaded until they agreed to take one more person.

Do you think this mother jumped into the boat and left her son to die?

Of course not.

As she hugged and kissed her boy before dropping him into the lifeboat, she said, "My boy, if you live to see your father, tell him that I died in your place."

This story is parallel to the sacrifice that God made in sending Jesus to die for us – He died in our place.

Read John 14:6.

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.

This scripture reminds us that there is no other way to God than through Jesus.

Ask: What does that mean? How do we “come to the Father”?

Allow a few responses from students.

In the Old Testament, we read how the Jewish people tried to obey the Law, and they couldn't do it.

So, they gave sacrifices to God, to gain His approval and cover their sin.

Then, God sent Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice for our sin.

Because of His sacrifice, not only will we not suffer the eternal consequences of our sin, but we will receive an eternal reward for following God.

All He asks of us is that we believe and confess Jesus as Lord and Savior.

We can’t earn salvation – it’s impossible.

We can’t be good enough or do enough good things – sin still separates us from God.

God has provided the only solution to sin and separation from Himself, and that is Jesus.

You have the opportunity to come to the Father, God, and accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior.

Salvation is free – freely accept it.

YOUTH GROUP GAME ON IDENTITY

Bible: Colossians 3:1-3 (NLT)

Bottom Line: You discover your true identity by understanding who God is and by becoming who He made you to be.

Supplies:

• Stack of blank looseleaf paper
• Marker

GAME PREP

Come up with your own list of celebrities or famous people. 

You can even include fictional characters from popular movies or TV shows.

Write the name of each person in big bold letters on one sheet of looseleaf paper. 

HOW TO PLAY THE GAME

Break up students into groups of 6-8.

Say: Today, we’re talking about identity—who we really are.

We're going to play reverse charades. 

Instead of one person in each group acting out the person for everyone to guess, it's reverse.

Each round one person from your team has to guess the famous person, celebrity or fictional character from a movie or TV show.

Everyone else in their group acts out the person. No words can be spoken.

Before we start each round, I will show the name of the person to all the groups, while the guessers look the other way.

All the teams have the same person for each round.

The team that guesses correctly first, wins.

The team with the most points at the end of the game wins!

TEACH

Ask: 

Was it easy or hard to guess the correct answer for each round?

Which one was the hardest? Which was the easiest?

Allow a few responses from students.

It was interesting to see how you described others without using words.

In the game, someone from your team had to guess the identity of a famous person. 

Today we are going to talk about your identity, who you really are, and what it means to become who God designed you to be.

I’m going to tell you something today that you might already realize—You’re at the age that people are starting to ask, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

And they expect a real answer.

Ask: How do you feel when people ask about your plans for the future?

Do you have something to say, or do you just give them a blank stare?

Allow a few responses from students. Share your personal experiences of how you felt during that time in your life—did you know what you wanted to “be”?

Here’s the thing, people are going to ask you questions about your future plans for the rest of your life:

• Are you dating anyone?
• When are you getting married?
• Are you going to have kids? And then, when are you going to have more kids?
• When will you retire from your job?

It never ends!

But, there’s something important you need to remember throughout every stage of life - who you are has nothing to do with what your career is, who you are married to, or how many kids you have.

Your identity, or how you view who you really are, is wrapped up in who you are in Christ.

Read Colossians 3:1-3. (NLT)

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.

Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.

Ask: Have you ever known someone who has gone through an “identity crisis?”

That typically means at some point, they took a look at their life and thought, “I have no idea who I am anymore.”

Even at your age, you might already feel like that.

Maybe you’ve gone through some changes in your personal life, your family, at school, or in your friendships that have made you question what you’re all about.

It’s okay!

Everyone works through some form of those feelings in their lifetime.

It’s actually very normal.

That might be why Paul (and possibly Timothy) addresses this topic to the Church in Colossae.

He’s reminding these believers that they have died to this life and now, their real life is hidden with Christ in God.

Ask: So, what do you think this verse means by, “hidden with Christ in God”?

Allow a few responses from students. Share how your own life changed when you made a commitment to Christ.

Our identity, our very own life, is no longer ours, but is found in who Christ is and what He has done—it’s an amazing gift to us.

No longer should we struggle to discover who we are, because our character and whole self is wrapped up in who Jesus is.

That is, unless you want to struggle—and some people choose to do so.

Ask: Why do you think someone would continue to struggle with identity, even after they have given their life to the Lord? How is that possible?

Allow a few responses from students. Share your own personal struggle with allowing God to help you with your identity in Him.

Answer: Because we are human, and throughout our lives we will continually have to make the choice to be who God wants us to be, and not just follow our own path.

The whole world is telling you who you should be.

We hear it on social media, and at times, it can seem to bombard us every time we turn around.

Your friends and loved ones have opinions about what decisions you should make, what career path you should take, and on and on.

And while we need their godly guidance, it really comes down to a choice you will make for your own life.

So, take some of the pressure off of yourself by remembering the only way to figure out who you really are is by understanding who God is and by becoming who He made you to be.

YOUTH GROUP GAME ON LOVING OTHERS

Bible: Romans 13:8
 
Bottom Line: When we love others, God’s love is shown through us.
 
SUPPLIES

• Paper (one per person)
• Pen (one per person)
• 4 containers (one per team) 

GAME PREP
 
Divide students into four teams of equal size.
 
Choose a leader from each team to stand at the front of his or her team.
 
Before beginning the game, have each student (not a team leader) write down one of his or her favorite things (food, activity, place, or movie).
 
Collect all the papers and place them into the corresponding team’s container.
 
HOW TO PLAY THE GAME

Say: Let’s talk about some things that you love.
 
Each person on your team has been given a piece of paper and asked to write down one favorite thing.
 
It can be a food, or movie, place, or activity.
 
Next, collect the from each student and put into their team’s container (bowl, hat, bucket, etc.)
 
For each round, without looking, I will draw one piece of paper from each of the team’s containers.
 
I will read each of the four objects, one from each team.
 
Then, I will ask each team leader, which of those four objects he/she LOVES more than the other three items.
 
If the team leader chooses an answer that came from his or her own team, then that team receives three points.
 
If one of the other three team leaders chooses the correct answer from another team, his or her team will receive one point.
 
If the team leader chooses an answer from the incorrect team, that team receives no points.
 
The team with the most points at the end of the game wins.
 
The key to winning is for students to write down things that their team leader would like, so that their team leader will choose their answers.
 
For instance, if the team leader loves Star Wars, the team member might write down “Darth Vader.”

TEACH
 
Say: Let’s admit it right now. It’s a lot easier to love “things” than it is to love people.
 
Loving other people can be hard.
 
It’s pretty easy to love our family, our friends, and people at church.
 
But what about loving people that we don’t know?
 
First of all, why would we even want to do that?
 
And second, why does it even matter?
 
Believe it or not, people had a hard time loving other people even back in the Apostle Paul’s day.
 
Let’s read what the Apostle Paul wrote about to the church in Rome:
 
Read Romans 13:8.
 
Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law.
 
Ask: How many of you have ever borrowed something from one of the people in here?
 
Did you return it or pay it back?
 
Allow a few responses from students after each question.
 
Paul says here that we are obligated, as Christians, to love one another.
 
He didn’t say we should love one another or that it would be a good idea to love one another.
 
He said we are obligated to love one another.
 
And he didn’t say to just tolerate one another.
 
Loving others is a different story.
 
In Luke chapter 10, Jesus tells a religious lawyer that he should not only love God with all his heart, soul, strength, and mind, but also that he should love his neighbor.
 
The man, being a lawyer, wanted clarification.
 
He asked Jesus directly, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied by relating the story of The Good Samaritan.
 
Samaritans were considered outcasts in Jewish society, and to associate with them, much less “love” them, would have been unheard of.
 
According to Jesus, loving other people is one of the most important things that sets Jesus’ followers apart from those that don’t know Him.
 
Think about that student you know who is always picked on and made fun of because they act differently or maybe don’t like the things that you do.
 
Just like the church in Rome that Paul was writing to, it is our obligation to love others in the same way that Jesus Christ loved us.
 
Paul also famously said, “…while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
 
What greater love is there than that?
 
When we love others, the love that God showed us in sending Jesus to Earth is shown through our lives.

YOUTH GROUP GAME ON MATERIALISM

Bible: 1 John 2:16 (NLT)

Bottom Line: We should crave the things of God more than material possessions.

SUPPLIES

• Timer

GAME PREP

Students will play this elimination game as individuals.

There are no needed supplies for the game besides a timer that the leader will use throughout the game.

HOW TO PLAY THE GAME

Say: I think we’re a pretty observant group of people, but we’re about to test ourselves to see if that’s true or not!

You will play this game as individuals; there are no teams.

When the game begins, I will put 20 seconds on this timer, which is not a very long amount of time.

I have a list of things that you will have to look for, find, and place your hand on before time is up.  For example, I might say, “a red shoelace.”

Only one person can touch each item, so you will want to be the first person to get to that item. 

For example, there might only be two red shoelaces in this room.

You want to be the first person to put your hand on it. 

If you are touching the item I called out at the end of the 20 seconds, you stay in the game.

I will need to take a look at each thing you’re touching, so stand still until I can verify that you are touching a legitimate item.

If you are still running around, trying to find something, or are the second person to reach for an item, then you are out of the game.

The last person left in the game is the winner!

LIST OF ITEMS

• Something shiny
• Something that can be tied
• Something with the letter “E”
• Something that makes noise (other than people)
• Something you can eat
• Something you can stand on
• Something expensive
• Something that costs less than a dollar
• Something you can carry
• Something you can plug into the wall
• Something blue
• Something made of metal

TEACH

Say: Until we started playing that game, some of us might not have realized how many “things” are in this room. 

But, when we started to look around, it became evident that there is a lot in here!

Say: Raise your hand if you have ever heard of the tv show, “Hoarders.”

There have been over 100 episodes of this reality show that features people who have accumulated so many things that they are no longer able to function in their own homes.

Typically, each episode begins with an intervention from a family member or friend who is concerned for the “hoarder’s” well-being. 

Unfortunately, as the show follows-up with people a few months or years down the road, many times, these people have fallen back into the same life patterns.

Hoarding is a disorder in which someone cannot control the desire to collect “things.”

The problem of “hoarding” is relatively new as we have become a society where even those who are not financially wealthy can still collect so much stuff that their lives are negatively impacted. 

Studies have shown that 6% of the American population can be considered hoarders.

That is over 19 million people!

If we are honest, most of us own more than we will ever need and use—even people your age.

Think about how many clothes you own or how many toys your siblings have.

The truth is that we have a lot of stuff!

So, how did we get to this point, and how does it become a problem for so many people?

Ask: Are you able to decide the difference between things that are a necessity and things that aren't? How do you choose?

Allow a few responses from students. 

Share how we can prioritize what we need and want in our own lives.

Let’s see what the Bible has to say about our possessions…

Read 1 John 2:16.

For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions.

These are not from the Father but are from this world.

It takes a lot of self-control to say, “I have enough” of anything.

To “crave” something means that we have a strong desire that consumes our mind until we obtain whatever it is.

Ask: What are some things that people “crave”? 

Allow a few responses from students.

Those were great answers!

So, things like money, food, relationships… none of those are wrong until you crave them more than anything else, including God.

You might be thinking, “I would never want a new pair of jeans more than my relationship with God.” 

And maybe you won’t, but when obtaining something or being with someone becomes the most important thing in our lives, then we have allowed whatever it is to become greater than our desire for the things of God.

That’s why the Bible verse we read is so important.

John writes this letter to Christians because it was a real issue in 100 AD. It is still an issue today.

Why? Because we were born with a need to fill a void in our hearts and lives. 

What we don’t understand is that this void can only be filled by having a relationship with God.

Many people try to fill the void with anything they can get their hands on—money, cars, clothes—but God wants us to turn to Him to fulfill our earthly and spiritual desires.

Then, He will give us what we need.

When we have what we need, and we realize that those things have come from God, we can’t take the credit for what we possess. 

Everything belongs to God.  

When we realize that, it’s easier to give things away (give them back to God) or share them with others.

Materialism will consume our thoughts and actions if not kept in check.

Don’t misunderstand.

Things themselves aren’t bad, but when your life is focused on getting, loving, or buying things that are temporary, rather than gaining more wisdom or growing your walk with God, then you are focused on material things.

It is the focus that causes problems.

Challenge yourself to consider why you want things.

What's your motive?

What will having that thing do for you?

What void in your life are you trying to fill?

The more you seek after the things of God, the less you care about how much money you have or how many clothes, shoes, or cars you own.

Instead, your focus becomes, “What can I give to others?

How can I help other people?

What do I have to offer the world through my relationship with God?”

So… what is your focus?

YOUTH GROUP GAME FOR ST. PATRICK’S DAY 

*CLICK HERE FOR A YOUTH GROUP LESSON ON ST. PATRICK'S DAY*

Bible: 1 Peter 1:18-19 (NLT)

Bottom Line: The price God paid for our sins is more valuable than anything on earth.

SUPPLIES

• 4 Pieces of paper

• 4 Pens

• 4 Clipboards

• 4 Bags of 13 pennies

• 4 Rolls of transparent tape

GAME PREP

Divide students into four teams of equal size. 

Write the letters to the words “St. Patrick’s Day” vertically down the left side of each piece of paper.

Place each piece of paper and a pen on a clipboard and give one to each team.

Also, give each team a bag of pennies and a roll of transparent tape.

HOW TO PLAY THE GAME

Say: Since St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner, I thought we could play a game that’s all about the holiday.

Each of your teams has been given a clipboard with a pen and a piece of paper that says "St. Patrick's Day" written down one side of the paper.

When I say, GO, your teams will begin to search our room to locate items that start with one of the letters from “St. Patrick’s Day.”  

You can choose any item in the entire room.

You have also been given a bag of pennies and a roll of tape. 

Now, it's not a pot of gold, but in our game, pennies are very valuable.

When you locate an item that begins with one of the letters in “St. Patrick’s Day,” you will tape a penny to it, and write the item down on your paper.

Each item in the room can only be used once.

You cannot choose an item that already has a penny taped to it.

Your teams can score bonus points for each green item that you write down.

You will have 3 minutes to find all the items, tape a penny to each item, and write the name of the item on your team’s paper.

You will receive one point for each item and an extra point for any item that is green.

The team with the most points at the end of the game wins!

TEACH

Ask: When you think of St. Patrick’s Day, what types of things come to mind?

Allow a few responses from students.

Undoubtedly, you think of shamrocks, leprechauns, and a giant pot of gold.

I want to share some quick facts about the origins of St. Patrick’s Day with you:

• Patrick is referred to as a Christian missionary and the Apostle of Ireland – although He was originally from Britain.

• He was brought to Ireland as a slave, but escaped six years later and became a priest.

• St. Patrick’s Day was first celebrated in the U.S. in 1737.

• Shamrocks are the national flower/emblem of Ireland.

• Patrick used the shamrock to explain the three persons of the Holy Trinity.

Although St. Patrick was originally associated with the color blue (He wore a blue robe), when wearing green clovers on your lapel to support Ireland became popular in the 1700s.

Soon after green became the national color.

As far as leprechauns and their pots of gold go, there is no connection to the faith or story of St. Patrick, but because both represent Ireland, they have become recognized together in popular culture.

I think it would be awesome if we could find a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, but that will probably never happen to any of us.

Did you know that gold is mentioned over 400 times in the Bible? 

Sometimes on extraordinary occasions—including one of the gifts that were brought by the wise men to Jesus.   

Gold is also referred to when speaking about idols and in warnings about the dangers of greed.

Let's read what the Bible has to say about the real value of gold.

Read 1 Peter 1:18-19.

For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors.

And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value.  It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.

Gold, silver, and any precious metal or jewel that is found on this earth can lose its value.

Gold doesn't corrode like other metals, and it has a unique and beautiful color, but it fluctuates in its value.

• In 2011 an ounce of gold was valued at $1,900.

• By 2015, the price of gold had dropped to $1,100.

The Bible verses we read refer to the “ransom” that God paid to save us.

Most of us have seen movie scenes where someone is held captive, and a ransom is required to set them free. 

Usually, the ransom has a high value and the person that is being required to pay it can come up with the money, plane, or getaway car being demanded.

Ask: When this scripture talks about the “ransom” that God paid, what do you think it means?

Allow a few responses from students.

When sin entered the world, it became our captor.

There is no way to escape sin’s grasp on our own. 

Sin in our lives can keep us from having a restored relationship with God and living and functioning with His peace in our lives.

That was never God’s plan for us.

He desires that we would be free from the effects of sin in our lives. 

To do this, a ransom was required to set us free.

That ransom was paid when Jesus died on the cross and was raised from the dead.

Only God could pay such a high ransom.  

He’s the only one who could do it.

When someone is held captive, he or she may try to escape, but the captor has carefully planned to make sure that there is no way out.

There was no way for us to escape sin in our lives until God paid the ransom for us.

Ask: Can you name some things people do to try to escape from sin in their lives?

Allow a few responses from students.

Sometimes people try to do good deeds or give a lot of money to the church to make things right with God.

They might attempt to quit sinning on their own or try to forget about the sin in their lives by drinking or doing drugs.

But the only way to be saved from an empty life is by accepting the ransom that has already been paid for you.

Today, I encourage you to accept the gift of God in your life.

You can’t earn it or come up with your own plan.

God has already given the most precious thing He has: His Son Jesus.

The next time you see a pot of gold or think about St. Patrick's Day, let it be a reminder of the significant value of the sacrifice Jesus made for each of us.

Here's a free youth ministry game that includes a quick lesson on "Appreciation" based on Philippians 1:4-5 (NLT).

The main point of this lesson is: Appreciate all of the blessings in your life and everything God has done for you.

YOUTH GROUP GAME ON APPRECIATION

Bible: Philippians 1:4-5 (NLT)

SUPPLIES

• 4 brooms (two per team)
• 1 rubber ball per team (racquetball-sized is good)

GAME PREP

For this game you will divide students into two even teams.
 
Next, have teams form single file lines, with an arms-length distance between each person in front of them.
 
The last two people in each team’s line will step off, one to each side.
 
Each will be given a broom and one person on each team will be given a ball, to be placed on the ground.
 
HOW TO PLAY THE GAME
 
Say: This will be a game of skill and concentration.
 
The teammates with a broom will have a ball in front of one of them.
 
When I say GO, the teammate with the ball will use the broom to sweep the ball across the floor to the teammate on the other side in a zig-zag pattern between the legs of their teammates in line.
 
They will continue that pattern, moving the ball across the floor and down the line of people until they reach the end.
 
Once they get to the end they must return the same way until they reach the beginning of the line, where they will pass off the brooms and replace the next two in line.
 
The next two will continue the same sweeping pattern until all the people in the line have had a chance and have completed the line.
 
The first team to complete the game wins.

TEACH

Say: That game was a great combination of teamwork and a little skill, wasn’t it?
 
It also gave each of you a chance to appreciate some of the effort that others gave on behalf of the team.
 
At home, many of us do chores around the house to help out.
 
Some of you may even sweep the floor, right?
 
When we go to school or church or somewhere else, we would notice if the floor was dirty or there was trash all over the place, wouldn’t we?
 
But we often don’t appreciate the work and chores that have been done until someone is not doing it.
 
Parents often do chores too, although sometimes we don’t always see them or even know about them.
 
They just get done.
 
Even though we may not always say it to them—and we should—we do appreciate their hard work.
 
Appreciation and gratitude go right alongside each other.
 
Remember the first time you bought something at the store with your own money that you had earned?
 
Maybe it didn’t cost a lot, but to you it was important because you earned it.
 
But sometimes, children go to their parents wanting something. The child says “…and it’s only $_____”
 
Parents can have a hard time with is when their child comes to them and wants them to buy some particular thing, especially when it doesn’t appear that the child appreciates them.
 
Ask: What are some ways that you show appreciation to others?
 
Allow for a few responses from students.
 
Preaching the Gospel may not seem like a very difficult job, but for the Apostle Paul, it was both rewarding and challenging.
 
Because of those challenges, he appreciated the support and prayers of the churches he had helped to start.
 
Read Philippians 1:4-5.
 
Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now.
 
When we show appreciation to others, it demonstrates that we not only value their time and friendship, but we also show them that we would do the same for them.
 
Paul appreciated the Philippian church because the people partnered with him from the beginning.
 
Appreciation is recognizing and enjoying the good qualities of someone or something, and Paul certainly was appreciative.
 
I asked you a couple of minutes ago about some ways that you show appreciation to others, but I want you to take a moment and think about who you appreciate most and why.
 
Many of you will think of your parents or other family members.
 
We appreciate them because we know they care for us and want the best for us.
 
One of the best ways to show others we appreciate them is to pray for them as Paul prayed for the churches he ministered to.
 
He prayed for their needs and for the future.
 
Another great way to show someone that you appreciate them is to tell them.
 
Not just a generic “I appreciate you,” but to let them know what it is specifically that you appreciate about them.
 
Last, but not least, God.
 
Tell God how much you appreciate all of the blessings in your life and everything He has done for you.
 
Always remember to show appreciation.

End lesson.

YOUTH GROUP GAME ON WISDOM

Bible: Proverbs 15:14 NLT

Bottom Line: Seek the things of God and you will become wise.

SUPPLIES

      • Long table

      • Two chairs

      • Timer

      • Paper and a pen (to keep score)

GAME PREP

Set up a long table at the front of your space.

Place a chair at each end of the table.

Divide students into two teams of equal size.

Have a person on hand that will keep score and use the timer throughout the game – it might be easier to have one person keep score and another keep time.

HOW TO PLAY THE GAME

Say: Today, we are going to test your knowledge on a variety of things.

We have divided you into two teams.

Next, I would like you to form a single file line with your team and choose one person to be the first to play our game.

Assign an end of the table to each team and have the nominated person from each team sit in that chair at the table.

Our game is simple… I will read a category and then say “GO.”

The answers for each category will have two words.

For example, the category might be “Names of people in this room.”

The first person would say “Mark Smith.”

Then, the next person would use the first letter of the second word to begin their answer.

So, the second person would say, “Sam Jones.”

Then, the first person would say, “John Parker.”

And so on.

Make sure that the students understand the pattern for the game.

We will put 45 seconds on the clock and you will take turns giving as many answers as you can.

For each correct answer your team gives, you will earn a point for your team.

If you get stumped and can’t think of another answer, you can say PASS, the timer will be paused, and another person from your team can take your place.

However, if you PASS, then your team will lose one point.

The team with the most points at the end of the game – wins!

CATEGORIES FOR THE GAME

• FAMOUS PEOPLE (first and last name)
• CITY AND STATE
• MOVIE TITLES (These answers can be more than 2 words. Students will use the last word of the movie title to start the next answer.)
• TYPES OF FOOD (For example: Hot Chili, Candy Bar, Bacon Burger....)
• ANIMAL DESCRIPTIONS (Fat Cat, Mean Dog, Fuzzy Bear....)
• FAVORITE THINGS (Answers can be anything as long as it's 2 words. (For example: Long Naps, No Homework, Best Friend....)

After the game, tally the points announce the winner, and have students return to their seats.

TEACH

Ask: Do you think that game really tested your “knowledge”? Why or why not?

Allow a few responses from students.

The definition of “knowledge” is facts, information, and skills acquired by a person through experience or education.

Everything that you learn, whether on intentionally or just by observing and soaking up everything around you, becomes part of what you know and can affect who you are.

“You are what you eat.”

Most of us have heard that and understand that what we put into our bodies impacts our health.

Healthy food enables your body to perform to its best capability.

If you eat whatever you want, then you will also feel the effects of those choices.

But what about this… “You are what you think.”

Ask: Do you agree with that statement? What do you think it means?

Allow a few responses from students.

Read Proverbs 15:14.

A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash.

We can actually have an appetite for knowledge, but not just learning whatever we can get our hands on.

The kind of knowledge that this verse is referring to comes from seeking God and the effect is that you become “wise.”

You see, a person can have a ton of knowledge, and still not be wise.

This verse in Proverbs has something to say about the choices we make as far as what we “feed on.”

Ask: How do we “feed on” things?

What types of things do we “consume” that affects how wise we become?

Allow a few responses from students.

I think we can all agree that wisdom is something that we strive for – we want to be wise.

People who are wise make good decisions, have the ability to positively influence others, and refrain from reaping the consequences of bad choices.

But true wisdom only comes from God.

Proverbs 16:25 says, “There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.”

If we do what seems right in our eyes, by using our own wisdom, then we might find ourselves doing the wrong things.

We gain real wisdom by following God’s ways, reading His Word, listening to His voice, spending time with others who are wise, and asking for God’s direction.

It means that we humble ourselves and realize that even if we know a lot, we really don’t know anything if we only rely only our own knowledge – we need God’s help.

Today, I want to encourage you to seek God in everything you do.

Instead of trusting what you know, which is limited, turn to God who has unlimited wisdom and desires to give you everything you need to live a fulfilled life in Him.

YOUTH GROUP GAME ON CHARACTER 

Bible: Philippians 1:11 (NLT) 

Bottom Line: Your actions demonstrate your true character.

SUPPLIES

●      2 Handheld mirrors

●      List of expressions (listed below)

●      Paper and pencil 

GAME PREP 

Divide students into two teams of equal size and have them form straight lines. 

Have a leader stand up front with the list of expressions.

Choose someone to keep score throughout the game.

LIST OF EXPRESSIONS

• Sad turtle
• Angry baby
• Surprised cat
• Embarrassed rabbit
• Exhausted cow
• Confused frog
• Bored fish
• Confident chicken
• Happy grandma
• Frightened monkey
• Guilty teenager
• Suspicious bear

HOW TO PLAY THE GAME

Say: We’re about to play a fun game that’s all about expressions.

As we start our game, I’m going to ask one person from each team to come forward.

I will give each person a mirror to hold in front of their face.

Next, I will read an expression for you to display. 

For example, I might say, “funny bird.”

You will look into your mirror and practice making a “funny bird” face.

Then, I will count "3-2-1," and you will pull your mirror down from in front of your face and look directly at each other.

The goal is to be the last person to break from your expression and earn a point from your team.

If you laugh or change your expression, then the other team will earn a point.

After everyone has taken a turn, we will tally the points and find out which team has the most points.

After the game, have the students return to their seats.

TEACH 

Say: You definitely demonstrated your ability to show expression… some of you are real characters!

Being a character is different than having character.

Ask: What does it mean when someone has “bad” character?

What does “good” character look like?

Allow a few responses from students.

Your “character” is who you are on the inside - your morals, and the qualities that guide the decisions you make and your behaviors.

It’s easy to observe each other’s facial expressions, but it’s also easy to recognize someone’s character.

Ask: So, how would you describe your character?

Here are some words to get you started: honest, loyal, brave, stubborn, humble, responsible, compassionate…

Would others describe you the same way?

Allow a few responses from students after each question.

Abraham Lincoln once said, “Character is like a tree and reputation like its shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.” 

Say: Tell me what you think Abraham Lincoln was trying to say about a person’s character.

Allow a few responses from students.

Here’s what the Bible has to say about our character…

Read Philippians 1:11.

May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation – the righteous character produces in your life by Jesus Christ – for this will bring much glory and praise to God.

Ask: Do you think someone can have good character if they don’t follow Jesus?

Why or why not?

Allow a few responses from students.

If you don’t follow God, you could still have good, even great character, but it wouldn’t be righteous – meaning that it brings glory to God.

Most people have a “public face” and a “private face.”

Think about the game we played… that was an example of your public face - it was what you wanted everyone to see.

Hopefully, that face was different than what you were trying to keep under control and hidden, which represents your private face.

Each of us have things we have done, or thoughts we have had, that would cause us to be embarrassed or ashamed if they were on display for everyone to see.

When we seek after God, those things should become less, and He should become more evident in our actions.

So, what can we do to help our “private face” match our “public face”?

We can start with being aware of the things that are influencing us and think about these questions:

• Do those around me have the kind of character I want to possess in my life?
• Am I negatively influenced by other people or do I demonstrate strong character that influences others?
• What actions am I taking to allow God to affect my character? Do I spend time study the Bible and learning from others who have good character traits?

While you can’t always control who the people are in your life, you can decide how you will let their character impact yours.

It’s important to desire “righteous character.”

Ask: What does it mean to have “righteous character”?

Allow a few responses from students.

To have righteous character means that you are becoming more like God - in your words, thoughts and actions.

The righteousness of God is created in you as you grow in your relationship with Him.

In the Bible, we read about men and women who made good and bad choices based on their character.

In the New Testament, we read that Judas, one of Jesus’ disciples betrayed Him for a bag of silver coins.

Judas lied, he was sneaky and conniving, and his poor choices lead to Jesus’ death, and his own death as well.

We also read about Peter – a man who often reacted irrationally and then had to repent for his actions.

But as he followed after God, he became more like Him and less like himself.

Peter allowed God to help his character become more righteous.

Your character is a representation of the individual choices and decisions you make every day.

You will make mistakes, and at some point, even demonstrate bad character qualities.

Don’t become discouraged by your poor choices, but realize that God is working in your life and He will never give up on you.

And as you seek God, your actions will become more like His and less like your old ways.

Then, your actions will demonstrate the character of someone who desires to bring glory to God through the way they live.

YOUTH GROUP GAME ON TEMPTATION

Bible: Hebrews 3:12 (The Passion Translation) 

Bottom Line: We can encourage each other in the faith as we fight against temptation.

SUPPLIES

• Pool noodle
• Vegetable oil
• Pack of baby wipes
• Bandana
• Painter’s tape
• 3 orange cones

GAME PREP

This game uses vegetable oil, which can leave stains on the carpet.

You can either place a tarp on the floor before the game beings, play the game outdoors, or risk it and clean up after the game is over.

Use two orange cones to mark a starting point for each team.

Use the painter’s tape to create a long line on the floor about 10-feet in front of the cones.

Place the remaining orange cone in the middle of the tape line.

Tie the bandana around the middle of the pool noodle – leave it dangling from the pool noodle.

Cover the entire pool noodle with vegetable oil – this will make it slippery to hold.

Divide students into two teams of equal size and have them form lines behind their team’s cone.

HOW TO PLAY THE GAME

Say: This game is a fun twist on the traditional game, “tug-of-war.”

You have played it before, but I promise you have never played it this way.

Our “rope” will be this pool noodle – it’s a little bit easier on your hands than a rope, but we don’t want to make it too easy for our game.

So, we have covered the pool noodle in vegetable oil to make it a little difficult to handle.

Our group has been divided into two teams.

When I say GO, the first person in each team’s line will run down to the cone and grab one end of the pool noodle.

If you reach the pool noodle before the other team, you can grab it, pull it to your team's side, and that round is over.

The winner of that round will run back to their team and get in line again.

The person from the other team who didn’t reach the pool noodle in time is out of the game and they will go sit down.

If both players run down and grab the pool noodle at the same time, then tug-of-war will begin.

The first person to pull the bandana on the pool noodle over the cone and to their team’s side – wins that round.

The winning team member will go back to their team, and the losing team member will go sit down.

The game is over when there are no players left on one team.

The team with remaining players wins the game.

For each round, I will say GO, so both teams have the same gameplay advantage. 

After the game, allow students a minute to clean their oily hands with baby wipes.

TEACH

Say: Tug-of-war is a game that’s been around for hundreds of years.

From 1900-1920, tug-of-war was part of the Olympic Games.

Believe it or not, it was at the center of controversy at the 1908 Olympics.

Great Britain found a way to give their team an advantage – their team wore enormous, heavy shoes.

In fact, their shoes weighed so much that they could hardly lift their feet from the ground.

In this particular match, they were competing against the United States who protested the unfair advantage.

When the Olympic Committee allowed Great Britain’s team to compete anyway, the United States team withdrew from the competition.

They recognized that it would have been too difficult to win, so they didn’t even try.

The game of tug-of-war is an excellent example of what temptation looks like in our lives.

This struggle exists for every person that has ever walked on planet earth.

Temptation is the desire to do something, especially something that is wrong.

As a follower of Jesus, you have the desire to do what God wants you to do, but the desire to do wrong never entirely goes away.

So, that’s what produces the tug-of-war in our hearts.

Read Hebrews 3:12.

So search your hearts every day, my brothers and sisters, and make sure that none of you has evil or unbelief hiding within you.

For it will lead you astray, and make you unresponsive to the living God.

This verse encourages us to be aware of the tug-of-war that happens in our soul.

And not only to be aware that it's there but to ask God to reveal these struggles to you.

If not dealt with, your sinful nature will lead you away from God.

Ask: So, how are you aware of what is happening in your heart?

How do you know if you are close to God or close to giving in to temptation?

Allow a few responses from students.

One of the keys to being aware of what’s going on in your heart is to know what to do when you are tempted, and even what to do when you give into temptation.

That’s when one of the greatest gifts God has given to help us in our faith comes into play – each other.

Not only do we need others, but we need others to encourage us every day.

Why? Because temptation is tough and it’s even tougher if you try to face it alone – without God’s help and without each other.

The Christian life is not a quick walk in the park.

It is a long-distance marathon, and we need each other to go the distance.

So, we are called to encourage one another daily so that when we are tempted to sin, we aren’t struggling alone.

Think back to the story of Great Britain… in their game of tug-of-war, they came up with a plan that gave them an advantage – heavy shoes.

In the tug-of-war in your soul, your “heavy shoes” are God and the encouragement of others.

With this advantage, when you are tempted, you will be able to overcome and win.

Temptation will never go away, but it is awesome to know that when we are tempted, God will never leave you and neither should those who love and encourage you in the faith.

YOUTH GROUP GAME ON CHOICES

Bible: Proverbs 2:11

Bottom Line: God can give you discretion, wisdom, and understanding to make the right choices.

SUPPLIES

• List of “Would You Rather?” Questions
• Index cards (one per student)
• Sharpie
• 2 Pieces of poster board

GAME PREP

Use the Sharpie to write the word “SAFE” in large letters on each index card.
 
Give each student an index card to use during the game.
 
On one poster board, write the letter “A.”
 
On the other poster board, write the letter “B.”
 
Choose a space where all of the students can stand throughout the game.
 
Make sure there is also enough space for students to sit down when they are out of the game.
 
Place the “A” poster board on the left side and the “B” on the right side of the room.
 
HOW TO PLAY THE GAME

Say: Today, we’re going to play our own version of the game “Would You Rather?”
 
Each of you have received an index card with the word “SAFE” written on it.
 
I want you to hold onto that card, and I will tell you what to do with it in a minute.
 
I have a list of Would You Rather? Questions.
 
Every time I read a question, I will give you an "A" answer and a "B" answer.
 
When I finish, you will choose your answer and stand near the poster board of the answer you have chosen.
 
Next, I will let you know the predetermined correct answer.
 
Now, you might not agree that the answer is correct, but that’s what has been decided before you arrived here today.
 
If you answered incorrectly, you are out, and you will sit down unless you decide to use your "SAFE" card.
 
If you want to stay in the game, you will bring your SAFE card to me and remain in the game.
 
You should consider how many people are left in the game before you use your card and decide if it’s worth using it.
 
The last person standing is the winner.
 
You can play multiple rounds based on how many questions you have left at the end of each round.
 
The correct answer will be underlined for each question.
 
WOULD YOU RATHER? QUESTIONS

1. Would you rather (A) have super sensitive hearing or (B) super sensitive taste?
2. Would you rather (A) be too hot or (B) too cold?
3. Would you rather (A) be a deep-sea diver or (B) an astronaut?
4. Would you rather (A) be able to fly or (B) be invisible?
5. Would you rather (A) live in a giant desert or (B) in a giant dessert?
6. Would you rather (A) have no eyebrows or (B) only have one eyebrow?
7. Would you rather (A) have a dog that could hum or (B) a cat who could whistle?
8. Would you rather (A) spend the rest of your life being itchy or (B) being tickled?
9. Would you rather (A) be able to change the past or (B) see into the future?
10. Would you rather (A) live without music or (B) without tv?
11. Would you rather (A) eat tacos or (B) pizza?
12. Would you rather (A) get up early or (B) stay up late?
13. Would you rather (A) be able to jump incredibly high or (B) run incredibly fast?
14. Would you rather (A) have many good friends or (B) one very best friend?
15. Would you rather (A) have adventure or (B) relaxation?
16. Would you rather (A) have fame or (B) wisdom?
17. Would you rather (A) be without your phone for a week or (B) without internet?
18. Would you rather (A) be Batman or (B) Superman?
19. Would you rather (A) be the youngest or (B) the oldest sibling?
20. Would you rather (A) be too busy or (B) be bored?
21. Would you rather (A) read a good book or (B) watch a good movie?
22. Would you rather (A) be a kid your whole life or (B) be an adult your whole life?
23. Would you rather (A) be 4’5’ or (B) 7’8”?
24. Would you rather (A) be a villain or (B) a hero in a movie?
25. Would you rather (A) play the piano or (B) the trombone?
26. Would you rather (A) be born with a giraffe neck or (B) a unicorn horn?
27. Would you rather (A) live in the country or (B) live in the city?
28. Would you rather (A) be a huge mouse or (B) a tiny elephant?
29. Would you rather (A) live on Mars or (B) live on the moon?
30. Would you rather (A) spend a day at the beach or (B) a day in the mountains?

TEACH

Say: There were so many choices in the game we just played.

You might not have agreed with what I considered the correct answer, but the point of our game was to demonstrate how the choices you make affect your life.
 
You make over 35,000 choices every day… that’s insane!
 
Researchers at Cornell University have discovered that you make about 226 decisions each day on food alone.
 
Choices always result in consequences… whether good or bad.
 
Some of the choices we make daily affect whether or not we are safe.
 
Think about this…
 
You wear a seat belt when you ride in a car.
 
You put on a helmet when you ride a bike to protect your head.
 
At school, you practice fire drills to ensure you and your classmates know what to do… just in case.
 
Fast-food workers wear gloves and continuously wash their hands to keep from spreading food diseases… well, at least we hope they do those things.
 
When you stop and think about it, safety measures are all around us.
 
Over time, we have learned that wearing a bike helmet reduces your chance of a head injury by 50%.
 
People not wearing a seat belt are 30 times more likely to be ejected from a vehicle during a crash.
 
And washing your hands alone doesn’t keep food safe.
 
Wearing gloves when handling food drastically reduces the chance of spreading germs – it makes a difference.
 
But here’s the thing, you don’t have to do the things I just mentioned.
 
Some of them, you’re supposed to do them, but the choices you make are always up to you.
 
You see, having knowledge and understanding isn’t enough; you have to use the knowledge you have to make the right choices.
 
Read Proverbs 2:11-12.
 
Wise choices will watch over you.
 
Understanding will keep you safe.
 
In some translations of that verse, instead of “wise choices,” they use the word “discretion.”
 
Discretion is having good judgment that causes you to think about the choices you are making… and then, choose the right thing to do.
 
Discretion knows what to do, when to do it, and how to do it when situations come your way.
 
Here’s an example of how “wise choices” or “discretion” will watch over you.
 
Your math teacher hands you a test she has just graded.
 
You realize that you scored 5 points higher than what is written on your test.
 
So, you get up, walk to the front of the classroom and tell the teacher that they don’t know what they’re doing.
 
That would be an example of the wrong choice.
 
Using discretion would encourage you to try a different way.
 
Your teacher hands you the test, you realize the mistake, and decide to talk to her privately after class.
 
Your teacher apologizes, and you express that you are happy that your score was a little better.
 
The first choice would get you in trouble… in fact, it could go badly for you.
The second choice demonstrates that you know how to think about a situation instead of just reacting.
 
And because you have chosen the right response, you are saved from detention, suspension, getting in trouble with your parents, and embarrassing yourself.
 
Discretion has protected you from a negative outcome and harmful consequences.
 
We need discretion to help us make the right choices every day.
 
Think about how many times you have the opportunity to make the right or wrong choices.
 
Someone says something on social media that makes you mad – how do you respond?
 
You can either lie to your parents about something or tell the truth and get in trouble – which choice honors God?
 
Your siblings bother you constantly – do you let it bother you or just ignore them?
 
You can buy something insignificant and use all of your money or save it and get what you really want later – is it worth it to sacrifice now for what you can have later?
 
It isn’t easy to make the right choices.
 
Otherwise, the Scripture we read wouldn’t be in the Bible.
 
God wants us to choose the things He would choose.
 
So, if we ask for His wisdom and understanding and then trust what He tells us to do, we will make the right choices and be protected from the consequences of making bad choices.
 
Begin each day by praying that God will give you discretion, wisdom, and understanding to make the right choices.

YOUTH GROUP GAME FOR BACK-TO-SCHOOL

Bible: Psalm 121:8 (NLT)

Bottom Line: God is with you wherever you go.

SUPPLIES
 
·     Backpacks (one per team)
·     Juice boxes (one per student)
·     Orange cones
·     Garbage can
 
GAME PREP
 
This game requires a large amount of space and can be played in or outdoors.
 
Divide students into two teams of equal size.
 
If you have more than twenty students, create teams of ten or less, and make as many as you can.
 
Give each team an empty backpack.
 
After determining the number of students on each team, place one juice box for each person on the team inside each backpack.
 
Use cones to designate a start and finish line.
 
From the start to the finish line should be twice the length of a team if they were laying on the floor, side-by-side, in plank position.
 
Place a garbage can at the finish line.
 
HOW TO PLAY THE GAME
 
Say: It’s time to go back to school… not right now, but we’re going to play a game to get us ready.
 
A backpack is vital to your daily school life.
 
Without it, you become that person stumbling down the hallway dropping their books everywhere.
 
So, in this game, your team's backpack is essential.
When I say, GO, everyone on your team will lay down in plank position, side by side, except for the person at the end of your team’s line.
 
The first person in line on each team should be laying on the start line.
 
There should be no space in between each person on your team – you have to squeeze next to each other.
 
The person at the end of your team’s line will grab your team’s backpack, run to the front of their team’s line, open the backpack, and pull out a juice box.
 
They will drink the juice box as fast as they can, put their backpack on again, and dump the empty juice box in the garbage can at the finish line.
 
Then, they will run back to their team, lay down in plank position, take off the backpack and pass it from one person to the next down the line (while everyone remains in plank position).
 
When the last person in line receives the backpack, they will run to the front of the line and the relay race.
 
The first team to cross the finish line with their team’s backpack – wins!
 
If a team finishes all of their juice boxes and still hasn’t reached the finish line, have them continue the relay race with just the backpack.
 
TEACH
 
Say: During a typical school day, your backpack goes with you wherever you go.
 
If you lay it down and can’t find it for even just a few minutes, it’s instant panic – there goes your phone, books, homework, lunch… everything.
 
When you find it again – instant relief!
 
Maybe you have never thought about how important your backpack is, but it is the carrier of everything you need to be successful in school.
 
Your relationship with God and His presence in your life is a million times more vital to your daily life than your backpack, but sometimes we forget that God is with us… all the time, everywhere we go.
 
Read Psalm 121:8.
 
The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.
 
This chapter in the Book of Psalms is known as "the traveler's psalm."

In your Bible, there might be a title above this chapter that says “a song of ascents” which means “a song for a journey to a higher place.”
 
Most travel in Bible times was on foot, and people would often walk up to 20 miles a day while on a journey.
 
The roads were dangerous - you could have been robbed, beaten, or even killed while traveling alone or with your family.
 
How comforting it would be during those times to know that God is watching over you now and forever.
 
Life is a journey.
 
From the time you enter Kindergarten until you graduate, you will spend at least 2,340 days in school.
 
So, right now, a large part of your "journey" is happening at school, but you are not on the journey alone because God is with you.
 
God isn't up in Heaven, withdrawn from your life. He is right there with you.
 
So, knowing God is with you should take away your fears and give you faith to be strong and courageous in how you represent God to those around you.
 
You might lose your backpack throughout the day, but you never have to wonder where God is because He is with you.
 
As you walk through your school’s doors every day, remember that you’re never alone.
 
When you pick up your backpack, let that remind you that you carry God with you everywhere you go.
 
And as you journey throughout your school day, you can be bold and have faith because God is watching out for you.
 
God is with you wherever you go.

YOUTH GROUP GAME ON RESPECT

Bible: 1 John 4:20

Bottom Line: When we respect each other, we honor the One who created us.

SUPPLIES

·     Pack of gum

·     A few pieces of paper

·     Clipboard with paper and pen

GAME PREP

This game requires few supplies and no prep.

Divide students into two teams of equal size and have each team form a huddle.

Give a leader a clipboard with paper and pen to keep score throughout the game.

HOW TO PLAY THE GAME

Say: Raise your hand if you are the best!

Best at what? We are about to find out!

In my hand, I have a list of categories.

When I read one, you will choose one person from your team that you believe would be the best or someone who could win that category.

For example - The tallest person.

You would choose the tallest person on your team to come forward and be measured against the tallest person from the other team.

At the end of the game, the team that has earned the most points wins!

So, let’s get started.

LIST OF CATEGORIES 

·     The smallest shoe size

·     The fastest runner

·     The highest jumper

·     The largest chewing gum bubble

·     The tallest pinky finger

·     The farthest length to throw a paper airplane

·     The longest stare in a staring contest

·     The shortest hair

·     Wearing the most colors

·     The most pictures on their cell phone

·     The fastest talker (have them say their name three times)

Tally the points and declare one team as the winner.

TEACH

Say: When you know someone is really good at something, do you automatically show them respect based on what they can do?

For example, do people respect Lebron James because he’s a great basketball player or because of his admirable character?

Allow a few responses.

Do you respect the person in our game who had the longest pinky finger? Why or why not?

Allow a few more responses.

If I asked you to name people in our community who deserve respect, you most likely would mention those in authority, like: police officers, firefighters, politicians, teachers, a boss, and pastors.

We also know that it’s expected that you should respect parents and elders (people who are older than you.)

Some might say, “I show respect to people who show me respect.”

Raise your hand if you have ever said that before.

But when we take a look at what God says about treating others with respect, we learn that God wants everyone to treat each other with respect… no matter who they are.

None of us are perfect.

If respect is based on whether or not we deserve it, that might change from day to day or even from hour to hour based on the decisions we make.

Some of our actions might be respectable, and some of them are not.

So, what if we respect each other simply based on the fact that we were all created by the same Creator, who made us in His own image?

When we respect each other, we honor God.

Read: 1 John 4:20.

If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see?

Ask: How are “love” and “respect” similar in meaning?

Allow a few responses from students.

So, now the question is… can you love someone without respecting them?

Or can you respect someone that you don’t love?

Dave Willis said, “Show respect even to people who don’t deserve it; not as a reflection of their character, but as a reflection of yours.”

The way we treat others is an outward reflection of what is in our heart.

When God’s love fills your life, you can’t help but love others and put their needs above your own, even if they don’t deserve it.

If you are filled with pride and selfishness, you might believe that people have to prove themselves for you to respect them.

That would mean you are the judge of whether or not someone has demonstrated the qualities of a person who should be respected.

I want to wrap this up by asking you to look around the room.

Do you see someone who has hurt you?

Are you sitting beside your best friend?

Is it possible for you to treat both of those people like God treats each of us?

Yes. You can love others the way God loves us.

He sees us as His creation, and He cares about us.

Ask God to help you see others the same way He sees them.

He can give you unconditional love and respect for others that flows out of your life, and honors Him.