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 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

DOWNLOAD THE PDF OF THIS GAME

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 EASTER

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Bible: John 11:25-26 (NLT)

Bottom Line: Easter is an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifice Jesus made and to celebrate His resurrection.

SUPPLIES 

• Two stopwatches
• Peeps marshmallow bunnies or chicks (one per student)
• Bowl
• Small table
• A piece of paper and pen

GAME PREP

Have two leaders with stopwatches stand at the front of the room.

Divide students into two teams of equal size.

Have each team form a straight line and sit down, facing the front of the room.

Open the packs of Peeps and place them in a bowl, on a small table, at the front of the room.

Have the pen and paper on hand to record each team’s scores throughout the game.

HOW TO PLAY THE GAME

Say: The game we are about to play is all about time.

I’m going to ask the first person in each team’s line to come and stand in front of this table.

I've asked two leaders (one for each team) to hold stopwatches throughout the game.  They have a super important job.

After each team has sent a representative to the front, I will call out a specific amount of time and say GO!   For example, I will say “15 seconds!”

The leaders will begin timing on the stopwatches, and you will wait until you think that 15 seconds have passed, stick a Peep in your mouth, and say, "STOP!"

Your team’s stopwatch will be stopped immediately.

After each person has made their time guess, we will see which team is the closest and award a point to that team.

Then, everyone on each team will take a turn, we will tally the scores, and declare a winner!

Note: You can choose any amount of time that you wish but try to keep it under a minute for each round, so the game is not too long.

TEACH

Say: You all have a great sense of time – that was awesome!

During this season, of every year, we recognize a specific holiday – Easter. 

All around the world, Easter is celebrated with candy, hiding, and hunting eggs, and of course, the Easter bunny. 

It is celebrated by Christians and non-believers alike. 

But at its core, Easter is a Christian holiday that celebrates the belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 

It’s a Day of Remembrance for the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross and a celebration of His resurrection from the dead. 

Days of remembrance are important.  

We remember birthdays because we are grateful for someone’s life. 

We celebrate graduations to recognize the academic accomplishments and achievements that someone has made. 

Remembering a day or event helps us appreciate what has happened and take time to reflect on what it means to us.

That is the purpose of Easter – to reflect on the sacrifice Jesus made and the benefits we enjoy because of His resurrection.

Read John 11:25-26.

Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. 

Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?”

Let’s talk about this story…

Martha’s encounter with Jesus took place after her brother, Lazarus, died. 

Mary and Martha had sent for Jesus when Lazarus was ill. 

They had asked Jesus to come and heal their brother, but He didn’t. 

Instead, Lazarus died.

Now, Jesus has arrived four days after Lazarus’ death to visit Mary and Martha.

In our scripture passage, Jesus asked Martha if she believes that anyone who believes in Him will never die.  

Martha responded and told Jesus that she does believe. 

Several verses later, we read that Jesus had the stone of the tomb rolled away, He called to Lazarus who was dead inside of the tomb, and Lazarus was raised back to life.

This was an incredible miracle and word of what Jesus had done traveled quickly.

Ask: If someone you knew was raised from the dead, who would you tell?

Allow a few responses from students.

The story of Lazarus is important for several different reasons.

First, Lazarus and those who loved him experienced an incredible miracle. 

But as the news of this miracle traveled throughout the land, a series of events came into play that resulted in Jesus’ death on the cross.

The Pharisees and Jewish leaders were not thrilled when they heard what had happened.

John 11:53 says, ^“So from that time on, the Jewish leaders began to plot Jesus’ death.” 

At this point, Jesus stopped his public ministry and went into the wilderness with His disciples to pray, followed by His triumphant entry into Jerusalem on a donkey when the crowds waved palm branches and celebrated Him as the “King.”

If Jesus had healed Lazarus from his sickness the way He had healed many others that had called upon Him, the Jewish leaders would have most likely remained simply annoyed with Jesus for the time being. 

But this miracle was different, and it had a significant impact on the community.

We also know from Jesus’ encounter with Martha that He was predicting His death.

How could Jesus be the “Resurrection” if He was never resurrected?

Not only did Jesus ask Martha if she believed, but Martha's sister Mary was one of the women who saw Jesus first when He rose from the dead.

If Jesus had not come back to life, we would not have the assurance that He would also be able to bring us back to life. 

Jesus’ resurrection confirms everything He ever said about life in and through Him.

More than just eggs, candy, and the Easter bunny, Easter provides the opportunity for each of us to reflect on what we believe about Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Do you believe?

Do you have assurance and peace in your life that Jesus is who He said He was and that includes giving you eternal life?

Take a moment this Easter to reflect on your relationship with God and to examine the areas of life where perhaps you don’t believe.

Ask God to strengthen your faith and help you trust in Him like never before.

YOUTH GROUP GAME ON CREATION

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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

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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 GOD’S LOVE

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Bible: Ephesians 3:16-17

Bottom Line: As you are rooted in your faith, you will experience the fullness of God’s love.

SUPPLIES

• 2 Packs of 10-inch flour tortillas
• 2 Bags of whole carrots
• 2 Large plates
• Painter’s tape

GAME PREP

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

Use painter’s tape to create a line for each team to line up behind. This will be the “start line." 

Then, use the painter’s tape to make a line about 5 feet in front of the line you already created. This will be the “goal line.”

Give each team a pack of tortillas, a bag of carrots, and a large plate.

HOW TO PLAY THE GAME

Say: How many of you enjoy a good ol’ carrot burrito every once in a while?

Okay, I know it’s not really a thing, but it is for the game we’re about to play.

Each of your teams have been given a bag of tortillas, a bag of carrots, and a large plate. 

Go ahead and place your team’s plate on the start line in front of your team. 

The goal of this game is to create five “carrot burritos.”

Here’s how you will do that:

The first person in line will toss a tortilla, like a frisbee, past the goal line.

If you don’t make it that far, then you will fetch it and bring it back to the next teammate who will try to throw it past the goal line. 

Once your team has landed a tortilla over the goal line, the next person will grab a carrot and either toss, roll, or toss it and hope it rolls on top of your team’s tortilla.

If you are successful in landing your team’s carrot somewhere onto your team’s tortilla, you will run down, create a carrot burrito, and place it on your team’s plate.

You will take turns in line tossing tortillas and carrots. 

The first team to successfully create 5 carrot burritos wins!

TEACH

Say: I don’t know about you, but I really love a good burrito.

Ask: Does anyone have a favorite kind of burrito or Mexican food that you really love? 

Allow a few responses from students.

The “World’s Largest Burrito” was created in 2010 and is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records.

It was made of one single tortilla and was filled with fish, onions, chile peppers, and refried beans. 

And it took over 3,000 volunteers to make it.

Ask: Does anyone want to guess how much it weighed?

Allow a few guesses from students. 

Believe it or not, it weighed 12,785 pounds!

When I hear interesting things that people have achieved, I always think, why would anyone take the time to do that?

Why would someone set out to create the world’s largest burrito?

Maybe it comes down to how much they really love whatever that thing is and are willing to go to great lengths to show the world.

That’s what we’re talking about today—love.

Specifically, God’s love. 

Throughout time, people have written songs, poems, books, and stories proclaiming God’s love for us and trying to express their own love for God.

As humans, it’s difficult to understand the great and unending love that God has for us, which He has gone to great lengths to show.

But, let’s take a look at what the Bible has to say about experiencing this love.

Read Ephesians 3:16-17.

I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.  

Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 

These verses tell us that, as we are rooted in our faith, we will experience the fullness of God’s love. 

So, let’s break these verses down a little bit. 

At the beginning of verse 16, we read that God has unlimited resources that can provide us with His strength and power. 

He’s never going to run out or get tired of giving us His strength.

Next, the apostle Paul, author of Ephesians, writes that “Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in Him.”

Ask: What does that mean that “Christ will make His home” in our hearts?

Allow a few responses from students.

Well, think about this: what makes being at home so much different than being any other place?

At home, we are comfortable, we feel welcomed and like people want us there, and we can be ourselves, with people who understand us and love us.

Christ can only make Himself at home in a heart that truly wants Him there.

Ask: How do we demonstrate that we want Christ to dwell in our hearts?

Allow a few responses from students. 

We invite Him in and welcome Him in the form of asking Him to be the center of what we say and do.

If we don’t ask Him in, He won’t be there.

Then, we talk to Him, include Him in everything, and ask Him to help us live the way He desires us to live. 

The verse says He will make His home in our hearts as we “trust in Him.”

Ask: How do we learn to trust in Jesus?

Allow a few responses from students. Share how you have come to trust God in your own life.

Have you ever told your parents you would do something and then you either forget or just choose not do to it? 

Like your homework or cleaning your room?

God never does that. Ever.

When we read God’s promises in the Bible, we can know that He will do exactly what He said He will do.

So, as we live our lives for God and see His faithfulness to us, we can trust Him more because He will never let us down.

When God answers prayer, gives us strength, or comforts us during tough times, we know He’s with us. 

Next, the verse says, “Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.”

Ask: How can you become rooted in God’s love?

Allow a few responses from students.

We become rooted in God’s love by talking with and praying to God, reading the Bible, and asking God to lead you so you do what He wants and not just what you want to do.

Then, we can fully experience God’s love.

Have you ever tried to love someone who won’t love you back?

Or maybe someone tried to show love to you, but you rejected them?

People experience genuine love in neither of those situations because it must come from both people. 

God loves us no matter what. He loves everyone, even when we don’t love Him.

But when we welcome God’s love into our lives because He dwells in our heart and we are living according to His will and not our own, then we can experience the fullness of His love.

I want to encourage you to take a look at your heart and see if you are welcoming God’s love in your life.

God’s love is always there.

Accept it and welcome Him into your life today.

YOUTH GROUP GAME ON ARMOR OF GOD

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Bible: Ephesians 6:11

Bottom Line: Get dressed. Stand Firm. Fight!

SUPPLIES

• Cell Phones
• List of challenges (see below) 

GAME PREP

Divide students into groups of 2-3 students.

Each group will need a cell phone for the game.

Have a copy of this list of challenges on hand:

• Text a family member, "I love you." The first team to get a reply and read it out loud will get a point. 

• Take a picture of your entire group pretending to fly. The first person to take the photo, run up front and show it to me will get a point. 

• Create a slow-motion video of your group that isn't actually in slow motion. The first team to create the video, run up front and show it to me will get a point.

• Take a picture of your group and upload it to social media. The first team to get a “like” from someone who isn’t on their team will win a point.

• Look up this verse in the Bible in the New Living Translation. The first team to find it and read it out loud will win a point: Ephesians 6:11 (Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.)

• Take a picture of your youth pastor and edit it to make it the "perfect pic." The first person to show me their "perfect pic" (and I like it) will win a point.

• Who has the most unread emails in their inbox? Find it on your phone and tell me the number. The team who has the highest number will get a point.

• Who has the lowest battery percentage on their phone? Run up here and show me. The team with the lowest percentage will get a point. 

HOW TO PLAY THE GAME

Say: You’re going to really like this game. 

How do I know? Because most of you really like your phones.

You have been divided into teams and each team has a phone they are using for the game.

I’m going to read a “challenge” and give your team the opportunity to win a point.

At the end of our game, the team with the most points will win the game.

Begin the game by reading the list of challenges.

If the game goes by too quickly, feel free to add extra challenges.

At the end of the game, declare the winning team.
TEACH

Say: I’m so glad all of you got dressed before you came today.

Most of us could never imagine leaving our homes without being fully clothed. 

Imagine someone showing up to school half-dressed—do you think anyone would notice?

I’m pretty sure someone would stop them before they even got on the bus or entered the school. 

Ask: I’m going to ask a silly question: Why do we wear clothing? I’m expecting your answers to be appropriate for our group.

Allow a few responses from students

Clothes protect us from the effects of weather—hot and cold temperatures.

We wear clothes to look good; it’s part of how our culture expresses themselves.

And mostly, we don’t want to walk around naked—I know I don’t!

As followers of Jesus, we clothe ourselves with other things besides jeans and t-shirts.

And even though we're talking about wearing spiritual clothing we physically can't see, it's pretty evident to those around us whether or not we are clothed.

Read Ephesians 6:11.

Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 

Let’s take a look at what this Scripture is talking about.

In this verse, Paul tells us to “put on all of God’s armor.”

We understand that battle armor is meant to protect someone when they are in combat or fighting in a war. 

Throughout history, armor has traditionally been made of metal, iron, leather, or some other type of weapon-resistant material. 

If a soldier went into battle only wearing parts of their armor, it would be ineffective because the enemy would see the vulnerable parts that weren’t protected and target those areas.

Just like your friends would tell you if you were half-dressed, a fellow soldier would most likely say, “Hey! You forgot to put on your helmet.” Or, “Where is your shield?” 

Why? Because they wouldn’t want another soldier to get hurt. 

Ask: So, what is the “armor of God?”

Obviously, it’s not something we physically wear, so what is it?

Allow a few responses from students.

In the verses that come before the one we read, the Apostle Paul talks about the Sword of the Spirit, Helmet of Salvation, Shield of Faith, Breastplate of Righteousness, Belt of Truth, and more.

These are the pieces of spiritual armor we wear as Christians. 

We wear them by reading the Bible, praying, allowing our faith in God to grow, living God-honoring lives, etc.

Every piece of the armor is essential.

The Belt of Truth stands for God’s truth, and knowing God’s truth protects us from the lies of the world and the devil.

As you study each piece of the “armor of God” you understand that each one plays a vital part and without one, you are vulnerable to the enemy.

The scripture says that the armor helps us to stand firm and not waver or be shaken in our faith, no matter what type of battle we face.

Ask: It also says that it helps us to stand firm against the “strategies of the devil.”

What are the strategies of the devil?

Allow a few responses from students. 

Share a personal story that sheds light on a time when you could have given in to one of those strategies, but God gave you the strength to overcome. 

God does not want you to be defeated in your walk with Him, but it’s your choice of whether or not you go “to battle” in His strength and protection, or try to do it on your own. 

Without God’s protection, you will lose every time because we were never meant to live in our own strength.

When you put on the armor of God, you are completely covered with everything God knows you need to fight against the devil. 

And when you see a fellow “soldier” without some of their armor, you should remind them to put it on. 

If you go to school tomorrow and see someone telling lies or listening to gossip about someone, you can say, “Hey! You’re not wearing your armor.” 

When we participate in lying or even listening to lies, we have just made ourselves vulnerable to attacks from the devil. 

How?

Because those actions do not demonstrate a desire to stand firm in God’s Truth. 

Instead, you are willing to settle for the lies of the enemy.

So, today, I want you to choose to wear the armor of God—and don’t just put part of it on and walk around half-dressed, but ask God to give you everything you need to stand firm in who He has called you to be.

Get dressed. Stand firm. Fight! 

YOUTH GROUP GAME ON DISCIPLINE

DOWNLOAD THE PDF OF THIS GAME

Bible: Matthew 6:34; Hebrews 5:8 

Bottom Line: Discipline helps us grow in our relationship with God and others.

SUPPLIES

• Chairs (one per student)
• Slips of paper
• Bucket
• Marker

GAME PREP

Arrange chairs in a large circle, except for one chair that will be placed in the middle of the circle.

On each slip of paper, use a marker to write one of the following phrases:

• Name starts with “M”
• Birthday in June
• Has blue eyes
• Wearing a black shirt
• 15 years old
• Is a girl
• Has a sibling in this group
• Goes to ­­­_______ School (you fill it in)
• Brought their Bible
• Owns a pet cat
• Has flown in a plane
• Can speak two languages
• Made their bed today
• Is a boy
• Wearing socks

Next, fold each slip of paper in half, put the paper in the bucket, and put the bucket beside the chair in the middle.

HOW TO PLAY THE GAME

Ask: How many of you have played the game, Musical Chairs?

This game is very similar, except there is no music and we aren’t walking around the chairs.

Okay. It's entirely different, except we are using chairs.

I will choose one person to sit in the chair in the middle.

They will choose a slip of paper out of the bucket and read what is written out loud.

It will say something like, “Has brown hair.”

If that phrase applies to you, then you will stand up and switch places with someone else who stood up.

The goal is for the person in the middle to take one of your seats before everyone else has found a different chair.

If you are left without a chair, you have to take a chair in the middle, pick a piece of paper from the bucket, and read it out loud.

The winners of the game are the people who never have to sit in a chair in the middle.

You can award a prize if you want to, but they will have so much fun playing the game, they probably won’t be expecting a prize.

TEACH

Some of you really had to move around a lot in that game!

As players, you had no control over what would be called out; next, you just had to do what you were told to do.

Raise your hand if you like being told what to do.

Ask: How many of you enjoy being disciplined by your parents or teachers? Tell me what you think “being disciplined” means?

Allow a few responses from students.

Share a personal story of a time when you were punished as a child for doing something you should not have done.

None of us enjoy punishment for our actions.

Some of you may have even been punished unfairly when you didn’t deserve it. 

But when the Bible talks about God's discipline, it's always fair and is meant to help us grow in our relationship with God and into a better person.

Let’s see what the Bible has to say about discipline.

Read Matthew 6:34.

People who accept discipline are on the pathway to life, but those who ignore correction will go astray.

Raise your hand if you have ever ridden a horse.

Have you ever ridden a horse wearing a bridle or a bit in its mouth?

A bridle helps direct a horse,

It includes both the headstall that holds a bit that goes in the mouth of a horse, and the reins that are attached to the bit.

Would you ever jump on a wild horse that isn’t wearing a bridle and has never been ridden before? 

That would be a little insane—you would have no control over the horse’s actions and who knows what could happen.

The purpose of a rein is to control the direction the horse is going, and a bit puts enough pressure on the tongue so the horse will respond to what the rider is wanting them to do. 

They are both essential when it comes to successfully riding a horse, and without them, it's more dangerous and unpredictable.

Ask: What are the “bits and reins” in your life that help control your actions? Why are they important? 

Allow a few responses from students.

There will be times that you receive discipline from parents, and those in authority, and others when God is trying to teach you something. 

Ask: How does being disciplined help you grow as a person and in your relationship with God? Is it necessary? 

Allow a few responses from students.

If you've ever interacted with a toddler, you know discipline is necessary—they do whatever they want!

They destroy things, make messes, bite people, and if never told that it’s wrong, they will continue in their destructive behavior.

We know that’s true, because they grow into adults who don’t clean up after themselves or take care of what they own.

Sometimes, people are left to teach themselves right and wrong because they don’t have godly influences in their lives.

But if you ask Him, God will show you the right things to do, and when He does, don’t fight it.

God’s discipline comes in the form of letting us suffer the consequences of our bad choices, but He’s with us through it all.

God also disciplines us when He wants to teach us something because He loves us.

Jesus was disciplined, and He never sinned, so it's not always a result of something we have done.

Hebrews 5:8 says, “[Jesus] learned obedience through what he suffered.”

We learn obedience when we do what God wants us to do, even though we’re experiencing a difficult time.

He will allow us to suffer to make us closer to Him.

Ask: Do you think you can learn to trust God if you are never put in situations that test your faith?

Do you think it’s fair for God to allow suffering to draw us closer to Him? Why or why not?

Allow a few responses from students.

There have been times that your parents have let you suffer a little because they loved you and knew that’s how you would learn. 

How many times have they reminded you to do your homework and you still don't do it?

So, they stop reminding you so that you will learn from your own choices. 

Maybe you want to date someone who is not right for you, and they let you learn that on your own instead of telling you not to date them. 

As a teenager, if you can learn the value of discipline and living a disciplined life, then you will save yourself some heartache and pain as you grow older. 

It takes some people an entire lifetime to learn that there are consequences to their actions. 

You can make the choice today to allow the people God has placed in your life to discipline you and teach you how to live for God. 

And when God disciplines you, know that He loves you and is helping you become the person He wants you to be—the best version of you.

YOUTH GROUP GAME ON WORRY

DOWNLOAD THE PDF OF THIS GAME

Bible: Matthew 6:34

Bottom Line: Instead of worrying about tomorrow, trust God today. 

SUPPLIES

• Cell phone
• Potato
• Music playlist

GAME PREP

Have your entire group form a circle and sit down.

As the leader, allow the group to use your cell phone for the game—make sure you have a good case and screen protector on the phone that is used. 

Give both the potato and the cell phone to one person in the group.

HOW TO PLAY THE GAME

Say: Now that we have everything we need, let’s talk about how to play the game.

We will call this game, “Cell Phone Selfie Hot Potato.”

Now, you had probably played hot potato when you were a child, so you know how to do that part of the game.

While the music is being played, we’re going to pass a potato around the circle.

But, there's a twist…because that would be too easy and you're too old just to play a game of hot potato.

At the same time the potato is going around our circle, we will also pass a cell phone from person to person. 

When the game starts, the person holding the cell phone and the potato will pass the cell phone to their left and the potato to the person on their right.

At the beginning of each round, the person holding the phone will set the 10-second timer on the camera.

Make sure the camera is set in selfie mode so you can see your face on the screen. 

You will pass the phone from person to person with your arms extended away from you, like you’re taking a selfie.

If the timer goes off and you’re holding the phone, remember to smile, because you’re going to see that picture again in the future.

But, unfortunately, if you’re holding the phone when the timer goes off, you’re also out of the game. 

If you’re just holding the potato when the timer goes off, nothing happens. 

Then, start the next round.

The potato and cell phone will continue to be passed around the circle, beginning with the last person that was holding each item.

There’s another twist.

If you happen to be holding the potato AND the cell phone when it takes the picture, then you are saved by the potato, and you can stay in the game.

Option: You can do a double elimination where people are out if they are holding the potato or the cell phone for each round. 

For extra fun, upload all of the funny photos that are taken to your youth group’s social media page—it could be hilarious.
TEACH

Say: Who would have thought you could have so much fun with a potato and a cell phone?

Some of you looked a little panicked when the phone was passed to you or even when you thought one of your friends would be out. 

It’s okay to feel panicked in a game, but if you’ve ever felt that way in real life, it’s not so fun. 

Panic and worry are often a part of our everyday lives.

In fact, a recent study found that 38 percent of us struggle with worry every single day.

Ask: What are some common things we worry about? What do you worry about?

Allow a few responses from students.

Share what you worried about when you were the age of the students.

We could write a very, very, long list about what people worry about because it’s different for each person. 

Some of you might struggle with your grades in school and worry if you will even pass your classes. 

Our families can provide a source of worry—maybe your parents don’t get along, or a relative is sick, and you're nervous about what could happen. 

Many of us have had the experience of going to bed, and suddenly our minds are racing with worst case scenarios.

If you’ve had any of those experiences, then you might be struggling with worry.

There's an anxiety disorder called the "what-if disease."

That’s when you really let your mind think about all of those things that could happen.

There was a study conducted where they had people write down everything they were worried about for two weeks, and asked them to try and guess what might happen with the things they were worried about.

Here’s what they found: Instead of the things the people worried about being bad or negative, 85% of the things they worried about were positive!

The things they worried about not only didn’t happen, but in the end, they turned out okay. (According to the book, The Worry Cure by Robert L. Leahy, Ph.D.)

So, let’s take a look at what the Bible has to say about how we should handle worry.

Read Matthew 6:34.

“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” 

This Bible verse is part of the “Sermon on the Mount.”

At this point in Jesus’ ministry, crowds gathered wherever He went.

One day, when Jesus saw the people coming, He went up to a mountainside, sat down, and started talking.

Right before the verse we just read, Jesus talks about having a healthy view of money (don’t love it), he talks about our possessions (realize that God has given us everything), and that we should store up treasures in Heaven (the things we do for the glory of God). 

Ask: Do you think there’s a connection between the things I just read and the verse we read earlier about worry?

Allow a few responses from students.

Worry can stem from putting our eyes on other things (such as money, the stuff we have, our problems, etc.) instead of focusing on God.

God wants us to focus on Him.

While Jesus was on earth, He had plenty of things He could have worried about: people didn’t like Him, they called Him names and talked about Him, and eventually killed Him.

Jesus never lost focus of His mission or took His eyes off of God, His Father—but that wasn’t easy.

Jesus was still human, so when He says, “Today’s trouble is enough for today,” He knew what He was talking about because He had trouble in His life.

So, here are three things you can do when you start to worry: 

1. Think about something else.

 When you find yourself thinking about the same things over and over, find something else to dwell on.

You can pray or write down prayers to God.

Make a list of the things that are bothering you and then ask God to help you put your eyes on Him and not the things you have written down.

As long as you dwell on the things you’re worried about, you will continue to worry.

2. Read the Bible.

Of course, you should read your Bible, but there are several reasons why it will help you when you are filled with worry. 

Although the people that are mentioned in the Bible lived a long time ago, you might be surprised to know that they struggled with the same areas you do, just a little differently.

The Bible is relevant, and because we believe it's the Word of God, it still speaks to us today. 

Find a scripture passage you can study that will remind you of God’s faithfulness and let it soak into your heart and mind.

3. Talk about what you worry about. 

Worry can eat you up inside if you let it.

Talk to a friend, parent, sibling, or pastor and ask them to pray for you.

We were never meant to live our lives by ourselves. 

You might find they have worried about similar situations and God has helped them in their situations. 

Today, I want you to remember that worrying is a choice.

A better choice to make would be to focus on God and learn to depend on Him.

So, instead of worrying about tomorrow, trust God today.