Last summer my family visited Yosemite. We were absolutely blown away by the magnitude and scope of the beauty around us. Pictures couldn't even come close to capturing the sense of awe and wonder we all felt everywhere we went. 

Yosemite helped me see the bigness of God. I could sense that God was way bigger than any problems I faced. I could feel his great love and compassion. 

That's the big idea we want to help you get across to students with this game..

In every moment, God's existence, power, wisdom, and goodness, are being declared by creation.

It's also a very fun summer game that your students will really enjoy.

- Nick Diliberto, Youth Group Games 

SUMMER YOUTH GROUP GAME - THE BIGNESS OF GOD

Bible: Psalm 19:1-2, 6

Bottom Line: In every moment, God's existence, power, wisdom, and goodness, are being declared by creation.
 
SUPPLIES

• 2 Round plastic tablecloths
• 2 Large buckets
• 2 Large, black garbage bags (at least 50-gallon bags
• Scissors
• Clipboard, paper, and pen
• 50-75 water balloons
• Optional: Purchase a portable water ballon filling station like this one on Amazon.

GAME PREP

This is an outdoor water game, played best in a field or parking lot.
 
Before students arrive, cut two holes in the bottoms of the large garbage bags.
 
Make the holes large enough for a student to put their legs through so they can pull up and “wear” their team’s garbage bag – making sure to hold it up, so it doesn't fall down.
 
Fill 50-75 water balloons, divide in half, and place in two large buckets.
 
In this game, two students will get very wet – everyone else will get splashed.
 
Divide students into two teams of equal size.
 
Have each team stand at one end of your gameplay space.
 
Next, each team will choose a student that will "wear" a garbage bag for their team.
 
Have those two students stand at the opposite end of where the teams are standing.
 
They will need to be at least 15-20 feet from their teams.
 
Give each team a round, plastic tablecloth and a bucket of balloons.
Also, give a leader the clipboard with paper and pen to keep score of each team’s points throughout the game.
 
HOW TO PLAY THE GAME
 
Say: The game we are about to play will require teamwork and communication with your teammates.
 
It won’t be easy, but I’m sure you will all do a great job!
 
I have given each team a bucket of water balloons and a plastic tablecloth.
 
Spread out your tablecloth and have your team gather around so that everyone is holding the edge, all the way around.
 
Each team will chose a person to represent their team by wearing a garbage bag.
 
When I say GO, your team will toss a water balloon onto your team’s tablecloth.
 
You will work together and use the tablecloth to catapult the water balloon into the air and into the garbage bag your teammate is wearing.
 
That person can move around freely to catch the water balloon.
 
You will get 1 point for landing a balloon in your team’s garbage bag and 2 additional points if the balloon stays intact and doesn’t break after your teammate catches it in their garbage bag.
 
The game is over when the teams are out of water balloons.
 
The team, with the most points, wins the game!
 
TEACH
 
Say: You discovered very quickly that the only way to play that game well was to communicate and work together.
 
I had previously mentioned that you would need to work together, but you had to figure that out on your own.

In life, communication is important. And it's particularly hard when you want to say something to someone...but for whatever reason they just don't get it.
 
I want to take a quick survey…
 
Raise your hand if you have ever experienced “pareidolia.”
 
You might have no idea what that word means, but most, if not all of us, have participated in this activity before.

An example of pareidolia is looking at the clouds in the sky and seeing shapes and objects that aren't there.
 
Who knew there was a name for that?
 
Most of us have had experienced this when we’re lying on the beach, or staring out the window in a car, looking at the clouds, and suddenly you can see the shape of an elephant, or Mickey Mouse, or a dinosaur.
 
You might have even tried to convince someone else that it’s really there in the clouds so that they can see it too.
 
And it can be frustrating when they can’t see it!
 
The thing is – you can’t make someone else see something that hasn’t been revealed to them.
 
They have to see it for themselves.
 
Read Psalm 19:1-2 & 6
 
The heavens proclaim the glory of God.

The skies display his craftsmanship.
 
Day after day they continue to speak, night after night they make him known.
 
(6) The sun rises at one end of the heavens and follows its course to the other end.
 
Nothing can hide from its heat.

In this scripture passage, King David is looking at the sky, and he is observing the beauty of God's creation.
 
What we see in nature is meant to continually show us that God exists and tell us how amazing of a Creator He truly is.
 
The more we know about the world around us, the more glory (or fame) we should give to God. 
 
In every moment, God's existence, power, wisdom, and goodness, are being declared by creation.
 
Verse 2 says, “Day after day… night after night they make him known.”
 
It’s like a continuous story of God’s greatness that is being told by all of his creation.

Verse 6 talks about the movement of the sun and how the Heavens follow its course from sunrise to sunset every day.
 
During the summer months, we break out the SPF 100+ and try our best to get bronzed, but not burnt.
 
It's hot, sweaty, and often, miserable.
 
The sun’s ultraviolet rays provide Vitamin D, which keeps our bones healthy, but exposure to the sun can also be dangerous.
 
Staring at the sun can cause blindness.
 
If you are out in the sun and lose too much salt and water in your body, you can suffer from heat exhaustion or even heat stroke.
 
And probably most of us have had a sunburn at some point in our lives.
 
So, why am I telling you about the dangers of the sun?
 
Because just knowing about worst case sun scenarios isn’t enough – you have to understand, acknowledge, and react to their existence.
 
Raise your hand if you know that you can get a sunburn if you’re out in the sun all day.
 
That’s all of us.
 
Now, raise your hand if you have ever had a sunburn.
 
Again, that’s all of us.
 
(If it isn’t everyone, just comment on how many people raised their hands.)
 
When we look at the sun and other aspects of nature, we see the handiwork of God.
 
It's not just a bunch of random stuff that has appeared all over the earth, but a designed plan for creation.
 
But seeing it isn’t enough.
 
The entire world can see the sky, sun, and moon, but that doesn’t mean they acknowledge its creator.
 
From the beginning of time, God has been reaching out to man through nature, His Word, prophets, and Jesus, but there are still those who choose not to worship Him.
 
There is a danger of not recognizing God in our lives, and that starts with the lost opportunity to have a relationship with Him.
 
Ask: How does having a relationship with God affect your life?
 
Allow a few responses from students.
 
Knowing God changes everything about your life – the way you think, interact with others, how you manage your time, and how you will spend eternity.
 
When you follow Jesus, God directs and guides you to make good decisions.

And as you study His Word and pray, you start to think and act like God.
 
Sin separates us, but God's grace and mercy allow us to come close to Him.
 
So, when you don’t have a relationship with God, your life is very different.
 
Instead of being guided by God, you are led by your own wisdom and knowledge, and in case you didn’t know, you don’t know as much as God.
 
A life without a relationship with God is empty because the part of you that was created only to be filled by Him is never fulfilled.
 
God has desired to reconcile our relationship with Him since it was broken, to the extent that even creation is calling us back to God.
 
This summer, when you're enjoying the warmth of a hot, summer’s day, think about how God placed the sun in the sky to remind you how amazing He is and how much He loves you.

End lesson.

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YOUTH GROUP GAME ON FATHER’S DAY

DOWNLOAD THE PDF OF THIS GAME

Bible: Proverbs 3:12 (NLT)

Bottom Line: Fathers will guide, and sometimes correct you, in an effort to lead you in the right way.

SUPPLIES

• Balloons

• List of “Dad Jokes”

• Slips of paper and a pen

GAME PREP

Write or print the “Dad Jokes” on slips of paper.

Each joke has two parts (as indicated on the list of jokes).

Inflate balloons and place one slip of paper inside each balloon.

Spread balloons all over your youth space.

Divide students into two teams of equal size.

For each of the following jokes write each half on a separate slip of paper.

The second half of the joke is marked as bold and italicized.

“DAD JOKES”

MOM: "How do I look?" "DAD: "With your eyes."

Don't trust atoms. They make up everything!

KID: "Dad, make me a sandwich!" "DAD: "Poof, you’re a sandwich!”

Why couldn't the bike stand up by itself? It was two tired.

What time did the man go to the dentist? Tooth hurt-y.

When you ask a dad if he's alright: "No, I’m half left.”

Can February March? No, but April May!

Why did the crab never share? Because he's shellfish.

You know what the loudest pet you can get is? A trumpet.

Did you hear about the circus fire? It was in tents!

WAITRESS: "Soup or salad?" DAD: "I don't want a SUPER salad. I want a regular salad."

How does a penguin build its house? Igloos it together.

Why did the coffee file a police report? It got mugged.

Want to hear a joke about a piece of paper? Never mind... it's tearable.

What do you call a lonely cheese? Provolone.

What do you call a fish with two knees? A “two-knee” fish.

What do you call a fake noodle? An Impasta.

How many apples grow on a tree? All of them.

What do you call cheese that isn't yours? Nacho Cheese.

Dad, can you put my shoes on? No, I don't think they'll fit me.

HOW TO PLAY THE GAME

Say: We're going to play a quick game called "Dad Jokes."

Raise your hand if you know someone who tells “dad jokes.”

Dads are infamous for corny jokes and puns that they expect others to laugh at…whether they are funny or not.

So, in this game, you will have the job of matching up all of the knee slappers that are contained inside of these balloons.

In each balloon, is one half of a “dad joke.”

When I say GO, each person will pop one or more balloons until all of the balloons are gone.

Read the slip of paper that was inside of the balloon – it will be half of the dad joke.

You will gather together with your team and see if you can match your half with the slips of paper that your teammates have.

After you have matched as many as possible, there will be halves that don’t match up.

That means that the other half is held by someone on the other team – who will have also realized which halves also don’t match.

Everyone who is holding a leftover piece will then step forward so everyone can seen who remains.

At this point, I will choose a team to start this next portion of the game.

One person from the designated team will walk to someone on the other side, which is holding a leftover piece.

If they choose the person who is holding the other half of their joke, they can take their piece of paper.

If they choose the wrong person, they will give their piece of paper to someone on the opposing team, and their turn is over.

Then, the other team will take their turn.

This will continue until all of the dad jokes are accounted for.

The team with the highest number of matched dad jokes – wins!

TEACH

Say: In the United States, we have been celebrating Father’s Day since around 1910.

A woman named Sonora Smart Dodd, suggested a holiday to honor men like her dad.

William Jackson Smart was a Civil War Veteran and a single dad who raised six children.

His daughter considered him to be a man worthy of honor.

In fact, the holiday is recognized on the first Sunday in June because Sonora suggested that it should be celebrated on her dad's birthday, June 5th.

“Father’s Day” was created as a complimentary holiday to Mother’s Day, which had become a recognized holiday a few years prior.

Moms are pretty great – think of all they do for you and contribute to in your life.

So, it’s no wonder that they were given a special day first.

But dads play a very vital role in our lives too.

Throughout history, men have provided, protected, cared for, and raised families.

Not every dad has done a great job and if you are fortunate enough to have one that has, be sure to show him love and respect for all he’s done.

One of the roles of a father, or parent, is to discipline his children.

The word “discipline” comes from the word disciple, meaning that parents are teaching their children how to act by leading with their own actions.

That’s not always true in every family, but let’s see what the Bible has to say.

Read Proverbs 3:12.

For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.

In this verse, King Solomon, the author of Proverbs, likens our Heavenly Father to our earthly father in how they “correct” their children.

Let's face it; it's not fun to be corrected.

No one likes to have their faults or what they are doing wrong exposed to others, but often that’s how we experience the most growth in our lives.

Ask: Can someone share a time that one of your parents gave you “correction”?

How did you react? Did it help you?

Allow a few responses from students.

Share a personal experience with students about a time when one of your parents corrected or disciplined you in a certain area, and what you learned from it.

Believe it or not, but when you receive correction, it’s because your parent is trying to keep you from making some of the same mistakes they may have made.

If your dad is tough on you about finishing things that you start, it might be because that was an area he struggled with at your age.

If your parents warn you about certain relationships, it could be that they have experienced hurt from others that they don’t want you to experience.

The beginning of the verse, we read said that "the Lord corrects those he loves." 

God knows the beginning, middle, and end of your life, and He loves you.

He desires to guide, and sometimes correct you, in an effort to lead you in the right way.

The second part of the verse says, “just as a father corrects a child in whom He delights.”

That means that the basis of correction from your dad also comes from his love for you.

When you understand that the people in your life generally correct you because they love you, you might be more willing to accept and grow from it.

If you don’t have a great relationship with your dad, you need to know that you will always have unconditional love from God.

And you can pray that God will send people into your life that can show you the same kind of love that God has for you. 

YOUTH GROUP GAME ON SERVING OTHERS

DOWNLOAD THE PDF OF THIS GAME

Bible: 1 Peter 4:10

Bottom Line: Serve others because of what you have been given, and not what you can get.

SUPPLIES

• Table

• 2 Serving trays (similar to what a waiter would use)

• 5 of each of the following items:

• Plastic forks
• Plastic spoons
• Plastic knives
• Styrofoam cups
• Styrofoam bowls
• Styrofoam plates
• Napkins

•  2 sets of salt and pepper shakers

• Clipboard with paper and pen

GAME PREP

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

Add the items listed above to the table at the front – spread them out.

Divide students into two teams of equal size and have them form two straight lines at the opposite end of where the table has been placed.

Give each team a serving tray.

Hand the clipboard to a leader who will keep score throughout the game.

Have the person with the “Order Up! List” stand in the middle between the teams and the table.

HOW TO PLAY THE GAME

Say: Today, we’re talking about serving others.

One of the things that immediately comes to mind when I think of serving is – servers.

Waiters and waitresses make a living by serving others and sometimes their job can be difficult depending on how great their customers are acting.

I’m always impressed by those that can remember an entire table’s worth of orders without writing anything down – that’s definitely a skill.

So, that is the inspiration for our game.

When the game begins, one person from each team will grab their team’s serving tray, run to me (if you are the person holding the “Order Up! List.”), and I will give you an “order” that you have to fulfill.

Then, I will quickly read a list of items that you will fetch from the items on the table and then say “Order Up!”

You can’t write the order down and I won’t read it again – you will just have to do your best to remember what I said.

You want to be the first person to return to me with the correct items in order to win a point for your team.

Now, if you see the other team make it back before you finish getting the items, still try!

If the other team is incorrect, you will still have the opportunity to win a point.

But once a team is correct, that round is over.

You will return the items to the table and go back to your team with your tray.

Then, the next round will begin.

When everyone has taken a turn, we will tally the points and see which team is the winner.

You can repeat the list of items as much as needed until everyone has had a turn in the game.

ORDER UP! LIST

       • 2 forks, 1 napkin, a salt shaker, and a spoon – ORDER UP!

       • 1 plate, a bowl, a knife, and 2 cups – ORDER UP!

       • 2 spoons, a pepper shaker, 2 forks, 1 plate, and a napkin - ORDER UP!

       • 2 knives, a plate, a salt shaker, a pepper shaker, and a cup - ORDER UP!

       • A cup, a plate, a bowl, a spoon, a napkin, and a fork - ORDER UP!

       • 2 napkins, a plate, a knife, and a cup - ORDER UP!

       • 2 plates, 2 cups, 2 spoons, a salt shaker, and a knife - ORDER UP!

       • A pepper shaker, a spoon, a bowl, and a cup - ORDER UP!

       • 2 bowls, 2 napkins, 2 forks, 2 napkins - ORDER UP!

       • A fork, a spoon, a knife, a napkin, a bowl, a cup, a plate, and a salt and

         pepper shaker - ORDER UP!       

TEACH

Say: Wow! That was awesome.

You are able to remember things really well.

Let me ask you this…

Ask: Do you remember the last time someone went out of their way to do something for you? 

I’m talking about something that was over and above what they had to do – and they did it just to be nice.

Allow a few responses from students.

Follow-up question: What do you think was the motive behind what they did?

Allow a few more responses from students.

In our world, it’s often uncommon for people to be kind or do something for someone else.

But in the Bible, we see a standard of serving others that goes beyond just being “nice” and instead, reflects the heart of God.

Read 1 Peter 4:10.

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.

Here are three quick reasons why you should serve others:

• 1. Jesus served others and so should we.

Read John 13:15.

I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.

This Bible verse follows the story of Jesus washing His disciples’ feet – an act of ultimate service.

Jesus wasn’t necessarily telling us to wash each other’s feet.

He was giving us the perfect example of what it means to have a servant’s heart… to care for the needs of others above your own, even if it’s uncomfortable.

Jesus, the Savior of the world, repeatedly humbled himself to show us that to be the greatest of all you must become the servant of all.

• 2. Serving others keeps you humble.

If you have ever worked in a soup kitchen, given clothes to the homeless, or helped anyone in need, it makes you aware of how much you have.

When you see those who own little and are happy and content, it can cause you to take a hard look at what you might take for granted in your life.

Do you appreciate your home, clothes, food, education, family?

Maybe you have a little more gratitude when you look at your own situation in life in comparison to those who are struggling.

Not only that, but serving others means humbling yourself.

You take the focus off of yourself and put it on someone else, even for just a little while.

• 3. Everyone has something to give.

One thing that often keeps people from serving others is they think they don’t have anything to offer.

But everyone has something to give to others because God has given to you.

You can give your time to listen and care for others.

You can use the talents you’ve been given to bless someone else… sing at an assisted living residence, crochet a blanket for a pregnancy center, or volunteer to tutor at an after-school program for younger students.

Or even just have an awareness of the needs around you.

You can pick up garbage, rake your neighbor’s yard, offer to babysit, help around the house without being asked…

Believe it or not, serving is a privilege and opportunity that we should be joyful and ready to experience.

Today, I want you to remember to serve others because of what you have been given, and not what you can get.

It will change your perspective and help you understand the example that Jesus gave for us to follow. 

YOUTH GROUP GAME ON WISDOM

DOWNLOAD THE PDF OF THIS LESSON

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 JOY

DOWNLOAD THE PDF OF THIS GAME

Bible: John 15:11

Bottom Line: God’s joy dwells in you as you dwell in Him.

SUPPLIES

• Index cards
• Timer (optional)

GAME PREP

Before students arrive, write down a variety of items on index cards.

Be sure to choose things that can be easily described.

Some words you might consider using are: candy, kitten, tornado, cheeseburger, elephant, etc.

Divide students into two teams of equal size.

Choose one person from each team to be the “contestant.”

Both people will stand facing each other at the front of the room.

Have a leader stand at the front and hold a timer/stopwatch.

HOW TO PLAY THE GAME

In this game, students will race against the clock to come up with as many descriptive words as they can to describe an animal, food, object, etc. 

When the game begins, the leader will put 10 seconds on the clock and then call out the word on a card.

Each contestant will take turns saying one word that describes the word on the card until one contestant can no longer describe the word or time’s up.

For example, if you call out "trash" one contestant would say, "smelly" and the other would say "gross," etc.

The winner of each round will be the contestant that can call out the most words to describe the word on the card before time’s up.

Descriptive words must not be duplicated for the same card.

The winning contestant will add one point to his or her team.

Then, two more contestants will be chosen, and the next round will begin.

The team with the most points at the end of the game will win!

TEACH

Say: As we played that game, some of you sounded like you would explode as you were coming up with answers - you wanted your team to win!

Ask: Have you ever been so happy that you felt like you would burst?

What occasion or event caused you to feel that way?

Allow a few responses from students. 

Wouldn’t it be great if we could continuously feel that kind of happiness?

Ask: Have you ever experienced a disappointment that left you feeling like all happiness was sucked out of your life?

What caused that feeling?

Allow a few responses from students.

Did you notice that everyone’s answers were different?

Why? Because our experiences and lives are all different from each other.

One thing all of us have in common is a desire to be happy.

In 2017, Time Magazine conducted a survey that found only 33% of the American population says they are happy.

So, that means that if I look around this room about 3 out of every 10 people would say they feel happy.

Ask: If you don’t feel happy, then how you do feel?

What do you think people would say who don’t feel happy?

Allow a few responses from students.

Unfortunately, happiness is a fleeting feeling – it doesn’t last forever because it’s a feeling.

The Bible makes a significant distinction between joy and happiness.

When the word “happy” or “happiness” is mentioned, it’s referring to a feeling, like we just mentioned.

Romans 12:15 (NLT) says… “Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.”

2 Corinthians 7:16 (NLT) says “I am very happy now because I have complete confidence in you.”

But joy is not a feeling or emotion; it goes much deeper than that.

Read John 15:11. (NLT)

These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

Do you think of God/Jesus as being joyful?

Because in this scripture we read that God desires that His joy will dwell in you and become part of who you are.

It’s actually an extension of God’s joy that lives in you.

Joy can overcome anything and everything in this world if it's allowed.

If it's chosen.

With joy, there is hope.

With joy, hardship offers growth and opportunity.

Joy is a state of being, a state of peace and content.

Let’s also think about this… God always does everything to the fullest.

He doesn’t partially save and redeem you – He completely redeems your life.

He doesn't give you partial peace; He gives you total peace in your heart, soul, and mind.

So, of course, God wants your joy to be “full.”

Raise your hand if you’ve ever thought this before – “I could be happy if _______.”

Maybe the “blank” in your life is….

If I had a best friend or someone to talk to…

If my parents didn’t fight…

If my family had more money…

If I made better grades in school…

The difference between happiness and joy is that you can have empty blanks in your life and still feel peace, hope, and joy.

How? Because God doesn't leave you with empty blanks – He fills them and makes you complete.

Even if everything in your life isn’t perfect, God’s joy can dwell in you as you dwell in Him.

YOUTH GROUP GAME ON GENEROSITY

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Bible: 1 Timothy 6:18

Bottom Line: You are truly rich when you share with others.

SUPPLIES

• Painter’s or masking tape
• 2, Two-liter bottles of soda
• 100, 8-oz Styrofoam cups

GAME PREP

Create two circles out of painter’s/masking tape – one at each end of your youth space. 

The circle should be about the size of a large hula hoop.

Use the tape to make two small X’s in the middle of each circle.

Place a two-liter bottle on one of the Xs in each circle.

Divide your students into two teams of equal size.

Assign each team to a circle and have the team stand near their circle.

Give each team 50 Styrofoam cups and have them distribute them equally among their teammates.

Have each team choose one person from their team that will stand on the other X in the middle of their team’s circle.

HOW TO PLAY THE GAME

Say: In life, sometimes you give and sometimes you receive.

In this game, your goal is to give more than you receive.

Each of your teams has been assigned a circle.

You have chosen one person from your team to stand in the middle of your team’s circle.

During the entire game, that person must keep one foot on the X in the middle of the circle - otherwise, they can move around as needed.

Your teams have been given 50 Styrofoam cups.

When I say, GO, your goal is to begin placing your team’s Styrofoam cups inside of the other team’s circle without being tagged by the person standing inside of the circle.

If you can place a cup in the other team's circle, you must run back to your team's circle and back again before you can try to add another cup.

The person inside the circle will try to tag the people that are placing cups in the circle.

If you are tagged, you have to run back to your team’s circle, sit down (outside of the circle) and wait for someone on your team to successfully place a cup in the other team’s circle.

Then, that person can come back and tag one person from the team (who is sitting down) to go back into the game.

Also, in each team’s circle is a 2-liter bottle.

If at any point, a team can "steal" the 2-liter bottle out of the other team's circle, here's what will happen.

You will bring the 2-liter back to your team’s circle, remove all of the cups that the other team has placed in your circle, and then put the 2-liter back in the other team’s circle.

That means that the other team is essentially starting over with no cups in the other circle.

Here are a couple of other things to note…

When you are placing cups in the other team’s circle, feel free to stack them… but remember that one person can only add one cup at a time.

The person inside the circle can’t remove cups that have been placed in their circle – they can only tag people.

There is no pushing or shoving allowed.

It is to your advantage to try and distract the person in the middle of the circle so one of your teammates can try to grab their 2-liter bottle.

You cannot have people from your team guard your team’s circle.

Instead, they should try to place cups in the other team’s circle.

At the end of the game, the team with the most cups in the other team's circle wins the game.

Play the game as long as time allows.

TEACH 

Say: Sometimes people spend money on really crazy things.

Tell me something you have purchased that someone else might consider a waste of money or really extravagant.

Allow a few responses from students.

Share a personal story of an instance when you spent money on something “extravagant.”

I did a little research and found a couple of examples of extravagant spending…

Beyonce spent $100,000 on a pair of gold Balenciaga leggings – she wore them one time.

A British man grew tired of his imaginary friend, so he sold him on eBay… for $3,000.

An Australian man paid $1.3 million to have a roll of gold toilet paper made for him.

I think we can probably agree that none of those things would be considered a “necessity.”

It’s very difficult to live in our world without money.

Ask: What types of necessities do we use money for? What do we need to buy in order to survive?

Allow a few responses from students.

Practically everything requires money – it's essential in our society.

So, God has something to say in the Bible about how we use our money.

Read 1 Timothy 6:18.

Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others.

The apostle Paul wrote the Book of 1 Timothy as a letter to a young preacher named, Timothy.

He is encouraging Timothy to instruct the people in his church in what it means to be genuinely generous.

The first thing we read in this scripture is that if God is telling us to “do good” with our money, then there must be the potential to do bad, as well.

Whether you have a lot or a little, there is always the possibility that you can become stingy, greedy, hoard what you have, or even be tempted to steal from others.

So, Paul tells Timothy one of the keys to making sure that we use our money to do good – be generous.

A generous person gives more than anyone would expect… and it isn’t just limited to money.

Generous people share their time, possessions, and even their knowledge and wisdom, with others.

Raise your hand if you are good at “sharing with others.”

If you have any younger siblings or have ever had a babysitting job, you might know that toddlers aren't very good at sharing.

In fact, toddlers think like this…

If I want it, IT'S MINE!

If I give it to you and change my mind later, IT'S MINE!

If I can take it away from you, IT'S MINE!

If it's mine, it will never belong to anybody else, No matter what.

If we are building something together, All the pieces are mine!

If it looks just like mine, IT'S MINE!

If it breaks or needs putting away, IT'S YOURS!

(Poem by Dr. Burton L. White)

Ask: None of you are toddlers, but is there anything you own that would be difficult for you to share with someone else? Why?

Allow responses from students. Be careful to encourage conversation, rather than make them feel guilty for their honesty.

We tend to love the things we own because they have meaning to us.

Maybe you own something you worked really hard for, or someone you really love gives you something priceless to you.

So, imagine how much sharing and being generous with those things that have significant meaning to you reflects the heart of God.

God gave us Jesus, His Son, who was very valuable to Him – but He held nothing back because of His love for us.

Giving and sharing with others teaches us to trust God to continue to provide for us.

If you give something away, you have to trust that God will also give and take care of you.

Ask: Can you think of a time someone was generous towards you? What did they give to you?

Allow a few responses from students.

Some of the things you mentioned were valuable, and some were not as valuable, but very sentimental.

It's not about how much you can give because even when we can't give much, God can do much with it.

When you think about what you have, it might not seem like you have a lot, but whatever you have, God can use it.

It’s more about the heart behind giving – whether it's giving to God or others.

And God wants you to be generous.

To see other’s needs and ask, “how can I help?”

To think about your needs last, and those around you first.

And to be ready to serve others generously with your time and resources.

Because of what God has done for us we know that we are truly rich when we share with others.

YOUTH GROUP GAME ON CHARACTER 

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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 MATERIALISM

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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 ON CREATION

DOWNLOAD THE PDF OF THIS GAME

Bible: Colossians1:15-16; Romans 8:20-21; 2 Peter 3:13

Bottom Line: Everything was created by God and finds its purpose in Him.

SUPPLIES 

• Balloons (one per person)
• 16 Solo Cups
• 2 Tables
• 16 Slips of paper and a pen

GAME PREP

Divide students into two teams of equal size and give each person a balloon.

Set up two tables at the front of your youth space and place 8 Solo cups on each table.

Divide the slips of paper into two stacks of eight. 

Write the individual letters of the word CREATION on each slip of paper in the stack (one stack for each team). 

Fold the slips of paper in half and place one piece in each team’s cups.

Now, each team has one letter to the word CREATION on individual slips of paper in each cup.

Make sure the letters are mixed up and not in order of the spelling of the word.

Have teams form single file lines, with the first person in line standing directly in front of his team’s table.

Note: Don’t share the subject of today’s lesson before the game, or you will give away the word the teams will be unscrambling. 

HOW TO PLAY THE GAME 

Say: As we jump into this game, I need each of you to blow up your balloon, but don’t tie it. Just hold the end tightly in your hands.

This game will be played as a relay. You will take your turn after the person in front of you takes his turn. 

When I say GO, the first person in the front of each line will use the air in his or her balloon to try to shoot down or knock over a Solo cup. 

When the air in your balloon is gone, you will run to the back of your line and the next person in line will take his turn.

While you are waiting in line to take another turn, you will re-inflate your balloon and hold it in your hand. 

At no point throughout the game can you touch your Solo cups or attempt to knock them over in any way other than with the air in your balloon. 

There will be a 10 second penalty for your team if a team member touches a cup. 

In each Solo cup is a piece of paper with a letter on it. 

Once all of your team’s cups are knocked over or knocked off of your table, your team will quickly grab all of the pieces of paper and unscramble the letters to reveal the topic of today’s lesson. 

The first team to knock down all their cups and unscramble the words WINS! 

TEACH

Say: We really went through a lot to discover the topic for today’s lesson, but you got it right! We’re talking about CREATION.

By this time in your life, you have probably heard the story of how God created the heavens and the earth dozens of times, if not more.

Today, I want us to talk about something you may have never thought of before now. 

Read Colossians1:15-16. 

Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. 

He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. 

Raise your hand if you already knew that Jesus was present with God at the time the world was created. 

Ask: Okay. If you didn’t raise your hand, where do you think Jesus was when the world was created?

Allow a few responses from students.

If you didn’t raise your hand, maybe it’s because you’ve never thought about it or you have never read this portion of scripture in the Bible.

Maybe some of you thought that Jesus didn’t exist until He was born on the earth.

But throughout the Bible, we read repeatedly that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit have always existed. 

That’s one of those things that, no matter how long you sit and think about it, your mind simply cannot grasp: that God has always been and will always be.

Everything in our lives has a beginning and an end—a time when it was created and when it will no longer exist.

Ask: List some things that have been around forever that we can’t imagine living life without.

Allow a few responses from students. Share a couple of things you couldn’t live without.

Every single thing you mentioned was created, either by God Himself, or by the wisdom He has given man.

We know that because we just read it: “…God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth.”

Each of us have a beginning and an end. We were born and someday our bodies will die.

But, listen to this:

Read Romans 8:20-21.

Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay.  

Did you know that it was never God’s plan for any of His creation to die?

When sin entered the world through man’s disobedience to God, not only did we become subject to the effects of sin, but all of creation was now under its curse. 

Jesus was present when the world was created, He was there when mankind sinned against God, and He came to the earth to redeem it all back to God.

In these verses in Romans we read that “with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom…”

In the Bible we read that all of creation (trees, rocks, flowers, animals, mountains, oceans, etc.) worships God. Right now, it suffers the effects of sin: death.

But there is hope.

Read 2 Peter 3:13. 

But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth He has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness.

One day, God will restore all of creation back to the way He intended it to be.

Everything was created by God and finds its purpose in Him.

Right now, we have the opportunity, as part of His creation, to willingly love God and fulfill the purposes He has for our lives. 

Not everyone responds to this opportunity; it’s a choice that God gives to us.

Without God as the center of who you are and what you do, you will never live the life He has for you… and it’s a pretty amazing life. 

The next time you look at your phone and think, I could never live without this, I want you to remember the great lengths that God went to in sending Jesus because He doesn’t want you to live without Him.

You’re a really important part of His creation.

YOUTH GROUP GAME ON HUMILITY

DOWNLOAD THE PDF OF THIS GAME

Bible: James 3:13

Bottom Line: Live well, live wisely, live humbly.

SUPPLIES 

• Timer
• Ball 

GAME PREP

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

Have a copy of this on hand: Z Y X W V U T S R Q P O N M L K J I H G F E D C B A

You will need a timer or stopwatch to use throughout the game.

HOW TO PLAY THE GAME

Say: Raise your hand if you have learned your alphabet.

Great! You should have no problem playing this game.

This is one of those games that sounds much easier to play than it actually is. 

I will choose one of your teams to go first and give the first person in line a ball.

The goal of this game is to say the alphabet as fast as you can while passing the ball to the person standing behind you. 

So, you will say a letter, pass the ball backwards, then the next person will say a letter, and pass the ball backwards, and on and on.

When the person at the end of the line receives the ball, he or she will turn around and so will everyone else on their team. 

Now, the last person is the first person, the ball will begin to be passed backwards again, and the alphabet will continue.

Your teams will play one-at-a-time because we are going to time each team to see who is able to complete the alphabet the fastest.

If, at any point, someone on your team drops the ball, you will return the ball to the beginning of your line and start over—while the timer is still going. 

When you have explained the rules, you will choose a team to start, and the game will begin.

After both teams have taken a turn, announce which team was the fastest and who won the game. 

Great job!

I know you’re wondering why I thought that was going to be a difficult game because it was pretty easy. 

I forgot to mention… that was just the practice round.

Now, we will play the actual game.

We’re going to do the same thing we just did, but here’s the twist: you’re going to say the alphabet backwards! 

Trust me. It’s much harder than it sounds.

The first person in line will start with “Z,” the next person will say “Y,” and so on.

Do you think it will take your team the same amount of time to complete the alphabet this time?

We will see!

You can play the game best two out of three, or as many times as you would like as long as the students are interested. 

You can also mix the students up in their lines so that their letter changes for every round of the game you play.

TEACH

Say: You guys and gals are really smart, but that doesn’t mean it was easy.

This was probably something you have never done before, unless you have actually practiced saying the alphabet backwards.

Some of you were the weakest link because you weren’t ready when it was your turn or couldn’t think fast enough on your feet—and that’s okay because it was just a game. 

Ask: Have you ever known someone who wasn’t good at something but wanted everyone to think that he was? No names, please.

Allow a few responses from students.

Be careful that they don’t use each other as examples.

It can be tough to admit when we aren’t good at something.

In fact, it can require humility on our part, and that isn’t part of our human nature.

Read James 3:13.

If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.

This verse points out that there is a humility that comes from wisdom.

Ask: Think about the people you would consider to be “wise.” Are they also humble?

Allow a few responses from students.

Jesus was all-knowing when He was on the earth, but He didn’t act like a know-it-all.

He was humble.

Truly wise people are always humble because they realize their wisdom isn’t their own but comes from God.

When we live with love and respect for each other, following God’s commands and living for him, humility will be part of our character.

It is impossible to be boastful, full of pride, or rude when you are living with wisdom that comes from God.

Ask: What are some reasons that people would act like know-it-alls or try to present themselves as wise, when they really aren’t?

Allow a few responses from students.

Any time we try to live in our own strength, we end up failing, but we don’t want to look like we are failing. No one does! 

So, we try to come across like we have it all together when we’re really falling apart.

Ask: How can God help us realize that we are trying to live in our own strength?

Allow a few responses from students.  

Share a personal experience of when you tried to do something in your own strength and failed.

Many times, we believe that, in order for God to help us, we must be perfect and have it all together.

But that’s a lie we believe that can keep us from turning to God in the times when we are weakest. 

God is always willing to help us when we come to Him in humility, admitting our weaknesses and our desire for Him.

It takes courage to admit your faults and the areas where you need God’s help.

But the truth is that all of us have faults and we all need God, even when it seems like things are going really well.

Watch out for those areas in your life where you think you don’t need God’s help.

At the root of that attitude is pride, which is the opposite of humility.

You will find that the less you think you need God, the more you actually do.

God’s wisdom is always available. If you ask, He will give it to you.

The only way to learn wisdom is by going through situations requiring that you rely on God and not yourself.

I want to leave you with these closing words: Live well, live wisely, live humbly.

YOUTH GROUP GAME ON BETRAYAL

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Bible: Psalm 41:9-10; Matthew 26:16, 20

Bottom Line: When you feel betrayed, choose to take your hurt to God, instead of getting revenge. 

SUPPLIES

• Large bag of M & M’s—enough for each student to have 2 pieces of candy
• Small bag of M & M’s—to give as a prize

GAME PREP

Students will play this game individually.

 Give each student two M & M’s.

 HOW TO PLAY THE GAME

Say: Each of you have been given two M & M’s—don’t eat them, and you won’t want to by the time we have finished this game!

Go ahead and put your M & M’s inside of your hands and make a fist.

You can put one in each hand, or both in one hand—it’s totally up to you.

When I say, “Go,” you will walk around this room, holding your hands in front of you.

You will walk up to someone, decide which hand you think they are holding an M & M in, and say, “Show me your right hand” or “Show me your left hand.”

You only get to ask them to show you one hand. 

If that hand is holding an M & M, then they have to give it to you, and they don’t get to challenge you back.

 If it is not, then you don’t get anything and that person can challenge you by saying “Show me your ____ hand.”

 If you run out of M & M’s, then you’re out of the game.

It will become more challenging with the more M & M’s you get!

The goal is to be the person at the end of the game who has the most M & M’s.

Hopefully, the candy will melt in their hands, making for a fun twist!

Award the bag of M & M’s to the person with the most at the end of the game.

TEACH

Say: Some of you were really good at convincing other people which hand you did or didn’t have your M & M’s in!

I’m sure it’s not because any of you have practiced your skills of betrayal.

Ask: What would you consider to be the ultimate betrayal?

For some people, an example would be if your best friend cheered for your favorite football team’s rival; or, if you broke up with your boyfriend/girlfriend and one of your friends started dating them.

So, tell me, what does a betrayal feel like to you?

Allow a few responses from students.

Share a story of your own, but keep it light-hearted because this is a pretty heavy subject.

Read Psalm 41:9.

“Even my best friend, the one I trusted completely, the one who shared my food, has turned against me." 

This is from a Psalm, a sacred song or poem, written by King David.

In the Book of Psalms, we read stories about David’s greatest triumphs and his personal times of weakness.

David just lays his heart and emotions out there for all of humanity to see—times of great joy, sadness (even depression), love, trust in God, and loss of faith in what God can do.

David experienced it all and shared it with all of us! 

So, in this verse, we read that David’s best friend, someone that he has shared his life with, has turned against him, and he’s hurting.

In a moment of complete honesty, in verse 10, David asks God to “Make me well again, so I can pay them back!”

Wow! Most of us have probably felt like that at one time or another, but maybe we haven’t said it out loud. 

And I think most of us realize that’s not a plan that God could agree with. 

After all, if anyone experienced betrayal and had the opportunity to get revenge, it was Jesus.

He was betrayed by one of His disciples—someone He spent an enormous amount of time with during His final years on earth. 

After traveling with Jesus, watching Him perform miracles, and hearing it proclaimed that He was the Messiah, Judas went to the chief priests (who did not believe Jesus was the Messiah) and asked them what they would give him if he handed Jesus over to them. 

The priests agreed to give him 30 pieces of silver.

Matthew 26:16 says, “From that time on, Judas began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus.”

It didn’t just happen, it was methodically planned and executed.

Ask: How would you feel if you knew one of your friends was plotting to betray you?

Allow a few responses from students. 

The Bible says that Jesus knew Judas was going to betray Him.

Matthew 26:20 says, “When it was evening, Jesus sat down at the table with the Twelve. While they were eating, he said, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me.”

And when Judas asked Jesus if he was the one, Jesus replied, “You have said it.”

When I read this story, I wonder why Judas asked if he was the one who would betray Jesus when he knew it was him!

He knew the plans in his own heart, why did he ask Jesus if he was the one who would betray Him?

We don’t know, but maybe he wondered if Jesus knew.

Maybe he thought that somehow, Jesus didn’t know.

But, Judas’ betrayal led to the death of Jesus.

So, Jesus knew about Judas’ betrayal, did not stop him, and set the ultimate example for us to follow.

In the next few verses, we see Jesus praying and spending time with God.

God can remove our pain and replace it with love and forgiveness; that’s not human nature—it’s something only He can do.

When people you love turn their backs on you, realize that many times it doesn’t have anything to do with you, but rather a personal battle they are fighting within themselves. 

Each of us will work through personal struggles at some point in our lives, and sometimes those around us suffer as a result of the situations we are working through.

Knowing this enables you to look at those who hurt you with compassion because they need God’s help as much as you do.

So, when you are betrayed, choose to take your hurt to God, instead of getting revenge.

God will help you, even when you can't see a path to healing, and will teach you how to help others when they feel betrayed.

YOUTH GROUP GAME ON IDENTITY

DOWNLOAD THE PDF OF THIS GAME

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:

• Index cards
• Pen
• Bucket

GAME PREP

Write each students’ name down on an index card—one name per card.

Place all of the cards in a bucket.

HOW TO PLAY THE GAME

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

This game is going to give us the opportunity to get to know each other a little better,  and see how well we already know each other.

In this bucket, I have each person’s name written down on an index card.

I am going to pull out two index cards with names on them.

Next, I will turn my back to all of you and ask that each of you come up to me, one at a time, so I can show you the name on a card.

I will show some of you one name, and some of you the other name.

Do not tell anyone whose name you saw written down, or you will be out of the game.

When I say, “Go,” you will have 3 minutes to ask each other questions about the name they were shown.

The goal of this game is to separate yourselves into two groups—one group for each name.

Oh, and throughout this game, you cannot talk.

If you talk, then you are out of the game.

That means if the person you are trying to figure out wears glasses, then you will hold your hands up to your eyes to demonstrate that they wear glasses.

If they sing, then maybe you would pretend to hold a microphone—anything you can think of to identify the person whose name you saw without pointing to them.

Just do your best to impersonate the person whose name was on the card and form a group with the people who had the same person.

You will have 3 minutes to form your groups.

If you have not joined a group by the end of the 3 minutes, you are out.

I will then count to 3 and ask everyone in your group to say the name of the person whose name was on the card.

I will do this for both groups.

If you were not in the correct group, you are out—you need to be honest.

After we have eliminated the people who are out, I will draw 2 more cards and we will continue to play.

Continue to play as long as you would like, or until there are only a few people left, then declare a winning team.

You are assuming that the majority of people in one group will have seen the same name.

If you have a round where you can’t tell which group was which, then just do that round over again.

If many people are not being eliminated in each round, then lower the time allowance to 2 minutes per round, or one minute per round, etc.…

TEACH

Ask: Was it easy or hard to guess who everyone was trying to impersonate in each round?

Allow a few responses from students.

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

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.

At your age, you can no longer say you want to be a “butterfly/cheerleader/doctor.”

When you were younger, that was cute—but now, your grandparents and teachers want to hear something more profound that lets them know you don’t plan on laying on a couch in your parent’s basement forever.

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 arehas 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, should be 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.