Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Youth Illustrations: Give Thanks to the Lord
Verses dealing with giving God thanks and discussion questions to go along.
Youth Ideas: Top Ten Signs You’ve Eaten Too Much Thanksgiving Dinner
Is it the turkey that is stuffed?
Youth Ideas: Songs of Thanksgiving - Worthy Is the Lamb
Another Song of Thanksgiving to God for Christ - The Lamb of God
Youth Ideas: Songs of Thanksgiving - Thank You for the Cross
This Song, Thank You for the Cross is a song of Thanksgiving for what God did at the Cross
Youth Ideas: Songs of Thanksgiving: I Will Stand
I Will Stand is a Song of Thanksgiving to God for His Goodness
Youth Ideas: Songs of Thanksgiving - Give Thanks
Give Thanks is a very well known Song that expresses Thanks to God for what he has done for us
Youth Ideas: Songs of Thanksgiving - Thank You for the Cross
Once again is a song of thanks to God for the Cross and Christ's Sacrifice.
Youth Ideas: Songs of Thanksgiving - For All You’ve Done
For All You've Done expresses Thanks to God for His sacrifice on the cross that makes it possible for us to have eternal life.
Youth Ideas: High Energy Thanksgiving Party Games for Youth, Children, and Adults
A collection of party games for the Thanksgiving Holiday that can be used for family gatherings, youth groups, and other Thanksgiving celebrations
Youth Icebreakers: Kernel Cornucopia
The cornucopia, also known in English as the Horn of Plenty, is a symbol of prosperity and affluence, dating back to the 5th century BC. It was often filled with the fruits of the harvest which included corn, fruits, and other vegetables. Corn itself was one of the staple foods of the early settlers. Here are a variety of games using corn kernels and a concluding lesson on being thankful! The games make an effective object lesson or Children's Sermon on the topic of gratitude and thanksgiving.
Object Lesson: Thanksgiving – Ten Lepers
Use this Thanksgiving Children’s sermon / Thanksgiving Object lesson to create a situation in the Sunday school classroom or Worship service to illustrate the story in Luke 17 of the healing of ten lepers and the ONE that return to Jesus and thanked him for what he had done.
Object Lesson : Thanksgiving - Pumpkin Seed Toss
Use this game as a discussion about the power of our words, or about how we choose goals in life.
Icebreakers: Thanksgiving - Pumpkin Puzzles
Youth will cut up pumpkins and then try to put a cut up pumpkin back together again. (This game can get a little messy with the slimy pumpkin innards.)
Icebreakers: Fruit Basket Turnover – Thanksgiving Version
This is the classic fruit basket turnover game modified for a Thanksgiving theme
Icebreakers: In Everything Give Thanks
Thanksgiving to God changes our perspectives on circumstances in life.
Monday, November 19, 2012
Christian Icebreakers: Turkey Toss
How much corn can you feed the turkey and fatten it up for Thanksgiving.
Youth Icebreakers: Turkey Feather Relay
Youth will try to blow a turkey tail feather across the finish line in this active Thanksgiving Game.
Youth Icebreakers: Thanksgiving Boggle
Can you make the most words using the letters in the word Thanksgiving?
Youth Icebreakers: Cluck, Cluck, Gobble
This Thanksgiving party game is played similar to the classic children’s game “Duck, Duck, Goose” but with some variations to make it a little more sophisticated for youth and adapt it to the Thanksgiving theme.
Icebreakers: Thanksgiving Memory Game
This Thanksgiving Party game can be used with small or large groups. The key objective is to remember a long and growing list of Thanksgiving related items.
Youth Icebreakers: Thanksgiving Twister
Play a classic game of twister replacing the colored dots with Thanksgiving symbols.
Icebreakers: Can You Pin the Missing Tail Feather on the Turkey?
Can you pin the missing tailfeather on the turkey?
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Youth Illustrations: The Mask I Wear
This Halloween mask related study encourages youth to take a look at the masks we wear everyday, not just on Halloween and to expose what is underneath to God so that he can transform us so that we reveal his glory!
Youth Illustrations: A Halloween Message
A possible salvation message for a fall festival or event to replace Halloween.
Youth Ideas: The Mummy
Use this game about a mummy as part of Halloween Alternative or as an introduction to the story of Lazarus.
Youth Ideas: Pumpkin Patch Relay
In this relay, participants will try to replace the missing pieces that have been removed from their team’s pumpkin. It can be used as party game for your October 31st Halloween alternative, for a harvest festival, or a Halloween carnival.
Youth Ideas: Children’s Carnival as an Alternative to Halloween Trick or Treat
As the holiday of Halloween rolls around, many schools, churches and children's organizations start planning their SAFE alternative options to the traditional trick or treating activity. A common activity is a Carnival.
Youth Ideas: Bobbing for Apples
Halloween Party Game: Bobbing for apples is a common Halloween tradition in which youth try to take a bite out of an apple floating in a tub of water.
Youth Icebreakers: Candy Toss
Toss the candy into a Halloween Jack-o-lantern pumpkin and if it lands inside, you get to keep it!
Youth Icebreaker: Noah’s Ark Party
Redeem Halloween with a Noah's Ark Party and discuss the promises of God.
Icebreakers: Skeleton Race
Even if you don’t want to be involved with Halloween, you’ll want to grab at least one of those plastic or paper Halloween skeletons for this object lesson / game.
Icebreakers: Pumpkin Picasso
How well can you draw the Halloween Jack-o-Lantern? Here is a great youth game idea for the Halloween season. You can use it to bring a fresh spiritual meaning to the holiday and allow your youth to apply it to seeking God’s plan and direction for their lives. You could even relate it to a talk about not conforming to the patterns of the world. Be creative and have a great week! And for those completely adverse to anything associated with Halloween, see the alternative variation under the “preparation” section.
Object Lesson For Kids: Pumpkin Seed Toss
Use this game as a discussion about the power of our words, or about how we choose goals in life.
Object Lesson: Fear Factors
Object Lesson - Fear Factors
Discuss dealing with fears as a Halloween alternative.More PowerPoint presentations from Ken Sapp
Friday, July 27, 2012
Youth Icebreakers - Bible Lessons from the Olympics: Victorious in the Challenges of Life
When you think about the Olympics, you can't help but think about the challenges the athletes face in pursuit of the gold, bronze, and silver medals. Many of the athletes have faced tremendous personal challenges simple to be at the Olympic games. They will be challenged by the best athletes in the world. They will be challenged by world records. They will be challenged by their own limitations. As Dorothy Stuart Hamill, an American figure skater and the 1976 Olympic champion once said, "I wouldn't say that there's ever been an Olympic champion that didn't deserve to win an Olympic Gold Medal."
Wacky Challenges
- Bubble blowing contest - who can blow the biggest soap bubbleCoin toss - toss the coin closest to the wall
- Thumb wrestling
- Finger wrap - Give youth a length of string and have them race to wrap the strong around their finger.
- Toilet Paper Roll - They must race to roll a roll of toilet paper along the ground until all the toilet paper is off the roll.
- Marshmallow balance: see who can balance the highest number of marshmallows or candy pieces on his/her nose.
- Porcupine Relay
- Balloon Popping - Whose the fastest at blowing up a balloon until it pops
- Peel an orange - Who can peel an orange the fastes
Make up your own wacky challengesAlso check out Tiny Olympics
Take It to the Next Level
- Have the youth make a list of challenges that today's teens face. What are the struggles, the difficulties, the tests that today's teens face?
- After youth have listed their challenges on a large sheet of paper, ask:
* What makes these things challenging?
* How have you been able to overcome such challenges in the past?
* How does experience with God change the way a person faces challenges from day to day?
* How could your relationship with God help you deal with the challenges you listed?
Scriptures Verses for Youth Bible Study
Isaiah 40:29-31
"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
Philippians 3:12-14
"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
Applying Scripture to Life
What promises do these verses hold for us when we face life's challenges?
Ask volunteers to share personal testimonies of how God has given them strength along the way to get to this point in their lives. As a group, discuss how God can help youth face challenges during the year ahead. Close with a time of personal prayer and recommitment for youth to follow God as they begin a new phase in their lives.
For More Youth Icebreakers, Visit us on Christian Icebreakers
What is salvation all about? What does it mean to be saved? This sports themed Bible Study / Camp Curriculum uses the Olympic Flag to introduce the concepts of sin (black circle), forgiveness (red circle), purity (white background), spiritual growth (green circle), heaven (Yellow Circle) and (Baptism) blue circle.
-> Tell me about "Go for the Gold"
-> Tell me about "Go for the Gold"
The race as a metaphor for the Christian life is used in several places in the Bible. This series is a great follow up for new Christians or to re-emphasize the basics of our spiritual Journey in the Faith. This Bible Study / Camp Curriculum has a sports theme and is great for athletes as well as a tie in to the youth Olympic Games.
->Tell me about "Destined to Win"
->Tell me about "Destined to Win"
Christian Illustration - Bible Lessons from the Olympics: Go for the Gold, Go for God
"...I run to win that which Jesus Christ has already won for me. Brothers and sisters, I can't consider myself a winner yet. This is what I do: I don't look back, I lengthen my stride, and I run straight toward the goal to win the prize that God's heavenly call offers in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 3:12-14Going for the Gold!
That is the aim and aspiration of the vast company of athletes who assemble every four years from all over the world to take part in the Olympic Games. For them, to stand on the winner's podium, be hailed as a hero, with the strains of their home country's national anthem ringing in their ears, emotion etched on their tear stained faces, would make all the sacrifice and strenuous effort worthwhile.
You know, the Christian life is no different. Paul sees it as a race! It is not a 100 yard dash. It is a marathon cross-country. Of necessity, we are to abandon our own selfish ambitions so that we may wholeheartedly pursue the goal that is set before us. Nothing must hinder or hamper our steady progress. It is not a spectator sport but one of active participation by all. Down the straight, round the bend, over the hurdle, in the final analysis, consistency is what really matters.
There will be frustration as we strive to attain spiritual fitness. Many tears may be shed as we county the cost of getting rid of the excess baggage. The pain barrier must be broken if we are to keep on going. But, even though we may not all be winners by nature, with the spiritual instincts of the new man reigning within, we can conquer all and cross the finishing line in triumph.
Awaiting us is Christ, the One who has gone on before. No greater incentive can be given; no other motivation should be required. That's why we pull out all the stops, with every fibre of our being, stretching all the sinews, as we keep the end in view. What an exhilarating prospect.
Let's go for the gold...and go for God!
This was Paul's thinking. It was his game plan. And, he stuck rigidly to it. Like him, we want to be there at the end. Paul shows us how to do it in Philippians 3:12-16. He leaves us a few tips that are designed to enhance our performance in the race ahead:
Be realistic - know where you are at
Be single minded - learn the art of concentration
Be forward looking - resist the temptation to look back
Be a plodder - don't be a dropout on the last lap
Be sensible - know the rules and stick to them
Be single minded - learn the art of concentration
Be forward looking - resist the temptation to look back
Be a plodder - don't be a dropout on the last lap
Be sensible - know the rules and stick to them
Winning moves. Yes! Absorb them and get yourself down to the track!
Author: Sam Gordon
For More Youth Ministry Illustrations , Visit Us On Christian Youth Illustrations
What is salvation all about? What does it mean to be saved? This sports themed Bible Study / Camp Curriculum uses the Olympic Flag to introduce the concepts of sin (black circle), forgiveness (red circle), purity (white background), spiritual growth (green circle), heaven (Yellow Circle) and (Baptism) blue circle.
-> Tell me about "Go for the Gold"
-> Tell me about "Go for the Gold"
The race as a metaphor for the Christian life is used in several places in the Bible. This series is a great follow up for new Christians or to re-emphasize the basics of our spiritual Journey in the Faith. This Bible Study / Camp Curriculum has a sports theme and is great for athletes as well as a tie in to the youth Olympic Games.
->Tell me about "Destined to Win"
->Tell me about "Destined to Win"
Kids Devotions - Bible Lessons from the Olympics: Running by Faith
Olympic Marathon Runner Ryan Hall
I read an article today in the New York Times about an exceptional runner. His name is Ryan Hall. You've got to read it to believe it.
At the 2011 Boston Marathon, Ryan Hall ran a personal best of 2 hours 4 minutes 58 seconds. No other American has run faster. What's more surprising is the fact that he coaches himself, running alone instead of with an elite training group in Northern California. Well, he's not necessarily alone.
You see, after finishing second at the 2011 United States half-marathon championships, Hall went to drug testing, a standard procedure. Asked on a form to list his coach, he wrote: God.
"You have to list the name of a real person," a doping official said. "He is a real person," Hall responded.
2008 Beijing Olympics
Just a couple years earlier on August 24, 2008, Hall reached the starting line of the Olympic marathon in Beijing. Hall was considered a medal candidate. But he felt sluggish and when the gun sounded, his race plan crumbled. Dejected, Hall finished 10th in 2:12:33. He was unable to watch a replay of the race for three years. Emotionally scarring, he called it.
Eventually, that defeat in Beijing changed from deflating to liberating for Hall. He embraced risk and lost his fear of failure.
"I don't see failure as a negative thing at all anymore, which is a huge shift for me," he said. "I just see that as part of my training, my process, learning, experimenting, getting it wrong so that I can get it right."
"Sometimes, you have to fail your way to the top," Hall said in his open, easy manner in March. "Thomas Edison found a thousand ways not to make a light bulb before he got it right."
2012 London Olympics
And he's well on his way. Of the 29 fastest marathon performances in 2011, Hall's was the only one by a runner from a country other than Kenya or Ethiopia. His next marathon will come August 12th at the London Olympics. Hall firmly believes he could challenge the East Africans for a gold medal.
"It's going to take a special day," Hall said of his gold medal chances. "But I feel like I went for it, regardless of how the race goes. I'll always look back on this as a season of joy. Sometimes it works out, and sometimes it doesn't. That's part of the fun of life, taking some chances and seeing what happens."
Faith Based Training
Some elite runners seem taken aback by Hall's faith-based training.
"So he really thinks God is saying, 'Run 10 times 1,200 meters today,' or 'Take tomorrow off'?' " said Dathan Ritzenhein, who finished ninth in the marathon at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, one spot ahead of his countryman Hall. "Wow."
Take It to the Next Level
It's uncanny that Ryan chose the marathon as his sport of choice. It's very much like our walk with Christ. We're not meant to be fireworks, putting on a big show, burning bright in a blaze of glory then fizzling out. We're meant to be lamps, being consistent, burning slowly so that we can light the world for generations to see. Are we burning out in our zeal for God? Or are we pacing ourselves for the spiritual journey ahead? In this race, we'll experience disappointments, failure, uneven roads, missed opportunities and losses. God is not asking us to be perfect right away. It's part of the journey. It's only when we're authentic Christians that we can be great witnesses for God. When we can be real with God in our struggles and real with the people around us that we can be true witnesses for Christ.
Failure
What we don't often realize is that failure is part of our Christian walk. In stumbling and failing we do grow strong. We become the kind of person God wants us to be. That's where true victory lies. Not in winning, but in the building of our character. That's what God is more concerned about. When we fall, we get tired, and feel like giving up because we failed or felt we failed God through our own weakness, that's when we need to come to Him even more. Rather than blame God for "failing us" or when things don't always go our way, we need to pause and look at the bigger picture from God's perspective. Instead of asking, "Why God?" We need to ask, "What do you want me to learn through this?" It's okay to not understand what God wants to show us. We don't need to have it all figured out. All we need to do is trust Him. That in his divine, big picture plan for us, failure is necessary. It's okay to be disappointed, to be real with God. But let's not stay in that place and wallow forever. We have a God we can draw strength from. To hope in. To wait upon. And he's always willing to renew us and give us what we need to push on to the next leg of our spiritual race.
"Why do you complain, Jacob? Why do you say, Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God”? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:27-31 (NIV)
Witnesses
People see the power of our God working through us, in our character, in our speech, conduct, integrity, wisdom, perseverance, kindness, and faithfulness. How can we be a great witness for God is we behave no differently from the standards of the world? We need to set ourselves apart. To be in the world, but not of it - participating in the affairs of the world, but not sticking to what the world believes is "right". We need to hold ourselves to a higher standard - the standard of the cross. We have to be Christians "where we live", in our offices, schools, bands, sports, squads, homes, and community. It doesn't matter what we're doing, whether we're running, playing football, studying, working. Our lives have to reflect God's character in this world. That's really what's going to make people who don't have a personal relationship with God sit up and go, "Wow. I want me some of that!"
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)
Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)
Scripture Verses for Bible Study
- Isaiah 40:27-31
- Matthew 5:14-16
Discussion
- Think about a time when you failed. How did you feel?
- Looking back at that failure, did you come out of the situation bitter or better?
- What are some of the lessons you have learned from failures in your own life?
- What are some important Biblical lessons to remember when you face future failures?
- What words might come to mind if people were to describe you?
- How would others describe the role of God in your life?
- How can you reflects Christ's character in your family, among your friends, in your school, to the world?
- How can you be a more authentic Christian among those around you?
What is salvation all about? What does it mean to be saved? This sports themed Bible Study / Camp Curriculum uses the Olympic Flag to introduce the concepts of sin (black circle), forgiveness (red circle), purity (white background), spiritual growth (green circle), heaven (Yellow Circle) and (Baptism) blue circle.
-> Tell me about "Go for the Gold"
-> Tell me about "Go for the Gold"
The race as a metaphor for the Christian life is used in several places in the Bible. This series is a great follow up for new Christians or to re-emphasize the basics of our spiritual Journey in the Faith. This Bible Study / Camp Curriculum has a sports theme and is great for athletes as well as a tie in to the youth Olympic Games.
->Tell me about "Destined to Win"
->Tell me about "Destined to Win"
Youth Ministry Lesson: Bible Lessons from the Olympics: Determination
Johnny Fulton was run over by a car at the age of three. He suffered crushed hips, broken ribs, a fractured skull, and compound fractures in his legs. It did not look as if he would live. But he would not give up. In fact, he later ran the half- mile in less than two minutes.
Walt Davis was totally paralyzed by polio when he was nine years old, but he did not give up. He became the Olympic high jump champion in 1952.
Shelly Mann was paralyzed by polio when she was five years old, but she would not give up. She eventually claimed eight different swimming records for the U.S. and won a gold medal at the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, Australia.
In 1938, Karoly Takacs, a member of Hungary's world-champion pistol shooting team and sergeant in the army, lost his right hand when a grenade he was holding exploded. But Takacs did not give. up. He learned to shoot left-handed and won gold medals in the 1948 and 1952 Olympics.
Source: SermonIllustrations.com, February 2000
God has called each of us to fulfill a purpose in life. Whatever tragedy you have gone through, whatever trial you have faced, whatever obstacles have stood in your way, the key to moving ahead is to never give up. God has not called you to something he will not equip you to accomplish. God has not called us to fail, but to trust in Him for victory. You cannot fail if you are fulfilling God's will for your life. God doesn't call us to results, but to obedience to the tasks he has set before us.
“One thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:1-21)
For More Bible Lessons for Youth, Visit us on Youth Ministry
What is salvation all about? What does it mean to be saved? This sports themed Bible Study / Camp Curriculum uses the Olympic Flag to introduce the concepts of sin (black circle), forgiveness (red circle), purity (white background), spiritual growth (green circle), heaven (Yellow Circle) and (Baptism) blue circle.
-> Tell me about "Go for the Gold"
-> Tell me about "Go for the Gold"
The race as a metaphor for the Christian life is used in several places in the Bible. This series is a great follow up for new Christians or to re-emphasize the basics of our spiritual Journey in the Faith. This Bible Study / Camp Curriculum has a sports theme and is great for athletes as well as a tie in to the youth Olympic Games.
->Tell me about "Destined to Win"
->Tell me about "Destined to Win"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
