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.