Openers | TheSource4YM

Sin Inside

June 11, 2011

Purpose: To illustrate the reality of our sinful nature by using an example from mother nature.Supplies: An appleGet in...

By Jonathan McKee 3 Comments

Proverbial Balderdash

April 24, 2010 0 Comments

This is a fun…and funny…little exercise. On top of that, your students may learn something. Let me explain.Depending on...

Napoleon Dynamite

April 6, 2010 0 Comments

This is a short clip from the movie Napoleon Dynamite. It's a fun way to introduce a talk or...

Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

March 5, 2010 0 Comments

This activity can be used as a simple GAME that has absolutely no point, or as an OPENER that...

Tissues

January 30, 2010 3 Comments

Supplies Needed:A full box of tissues (in the box)I’m one of those people who suffer from allergies. Sometimes it...

Shepherd's Voice, The

July 27, 2009 1 Comments

Want a cool way to teach about the meaning of John 10:1-15? This OPENER is the perfect way to...

When I See God Mural

May 9, 2009 1 Comments

Supplies:Wall (to hang butcher paper on)Butcher paper (or lots of poster board)Paints and brushesPens/Pencils/MarkersCandles (optional)Set Up:This idea doesn’t require...

Maze, The

March 4, 2009 1 Comments

Supplies:1 Blindfold per student 150-200ft of rope (depending on group size)Chairs or Posts or Poles or ConesHave all participants...

Poetry Corner

November 7, 2008 0 Comments

Here’s a way you can really help students get past the music to see the message they are allowing...

A Lesson From Toothpaste

August 28, 2008 12 Comments

Most youth ministries struggle with one thing more than any other: sins of the mouth. Be it gossip, or...

Release Your Sin

July 23, 2008 0 Comments

This is a fantastic aid if you want to teach on the forgiveness that God offers, or if you...

Texas Bar Sues Church

July 15, 2008 1 Comments

This OPENER uses a short story about a church in Texas. In a small Texas town, (Mt. Vernon) Drummond's...

Text-A-Friend

May 29, 2008 0 Comments

Here’s what’s great about this opener: it works with WHATEVER your chosen topic is for your program! Unless you...

What's Your Focus?

February 1, 2008 2 Comments

In today’s world, there are thousands of things to distract our students from focusing on Bible Study, Prayer, God,...

New or Used…Which Do You Want?

January 16, 2008 1 Comments

This is a very easy way to SHOW your students the difference that exists between people who wait until...

Fast Challenge

January 11, 2008 2 Comments

A challenge for students to make the most out of their fast.Supplies:Dry erase board or big paged flip chartMarkersAsk...

Everything That Makes Me Beautiful

September 17, 2007 0 Comments

This is an opener for a discussion/Bible study with girls regarding sexual purity. Supplies: Shoe box/container (Fill the box...

Fresh or Used?

September 17, 2007 0 Comments

This is an excellent short skit to be used as an opener for a discussion on sexual purity.We classify...

Clever Stories

June 4, 2007 0 Comments

Here’s an excellent and versatile activity to open up any size group meeting. You can use it for...

Soda Can

May 8, 2007 0 Comments

"Things Aren't Always What They Seem"Purpose:This quick opener is and excellent demonstration of “things not always being what they...

Just Let God Have It

February 19, 2007 0 Comments

Purpose:To teach students that worry is a waste of time and a lack of faith in God; to help...

Kool-Aid in 3 Parts

December 18, 2006 1 Comments

Main Idea: In the body of Christ different people are given different gifts and in order to best apply...

Thanks Lord, But No Thanks

September 1, 2006 1 Comments

This skit can be used as a great opener for the topic of “Why God allows bad things to...

Target

April 12, 2006 0 Comments

As kids walk into the room, have a large target already pinned to the wall. (Or cork board--something...

Uncrushable

March 27, 2006 2 Comments

Preparation: Get two identical 12 oz. cans of soda (i.e. Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Mountain Dew, etc.), open one...

Gross Domestic Product

November 3, 2005 0 Comments

This takes quite a bit of setup and some baking skills. Create six desserts: one real, five gross. The...

Anybody Thirsty?

April 19, 2005 4 Comments

Purpose:To demonstrate that there can be pleasure in sin for a season, but that the reality of sin is...

Dumb Like Flies

April 19, 2005 1 Comments

Purpose:To demonstrate the foolishness of falling into the same sins that we have seen ruin the lives of friends,...

It’s Not Fair!!!

April 6, 2005 0 Comments

It’s Not Fair!!! "Somebody call the Waaahmbulance!!!"Main Point: Life’s not fair. We know this, but how do we...

What I Wish the Opposite Sex Knew About Me

February 21, 2005 1 Comments

This is a discussion opener that can be used during a “Split-Nite” or preceding a talk on dating, purity,...

Top 10 List

February 21, 2005 1 Comments

Top 10 lists are sometimes fun ways to open a topic. These are best done “David Letterman” style,...

Reaching Out To Visitors

February 21, 2005 0 Comments

Read or have a student act out:Dear Average Youth Group,I was a visitor in your youth group a while...

The Big Mystery

December 17, 2004 0 Comments

Main Point: God’s love is for everyone . . . it’s not secret. Opener: Who likes a...

You Gotta Try This

August 31, 2004 2 Comments

This Skit Can be Used as a Prelude for a Discussion Starter:A family is sitting around the table getting...

Innocence Theft

August 30, 2004 0 Comments

(Identity Theft Commercial “take off”)If you’ve seen those funny Citibank Identity Theft commercials, you’ll understand this idea – that...

Gollum Opener

August 30, 2004 0 Comments

Discussion: This is an opener that can be used for any subject (examples: loyalty to God, self-esteem, making choices,...

15 Excuses For Not Praying (or having a quiet time)

June 21, 2004 0 Comments

Good to read one at a time by several students on stage, like a goofy skit.What? I can't...

Remote Control

June 15, 2004 0 Comments

Main Point: Understanding that in good times or bad God is in controlTitle: Remote Control!Information: This discussion...

Sock’m with the Word

June 15, 2004 0 Comments

Understanding the Purposes of God’s Armorby Andy Matzke Title: Sock’m with the Word!Information:This discussion is designed to help...

Feeling God’s Presence

June 15, 2004 0 Comments

Know that God is there with you every dayTitle: Feeling God's PresenceInformation: This discussion is designed to...

Taking the Step of Faith!

June 15, 2004 3 Comments

Information: This discussion is designed to help students understand what it means to take a "real step of...

Guess What’s Inside?

June 15, 2004 1 Comments

Contact a meat processing plant (or local butcher or even grocery store) ahead of time and have them save...

Matthew 5:6 Discussion Opener

June 15, 2004 0 Comments

Information: This discussion opener helps to grab students’ attention and help them think about what Christ meant in...

A Real Stoning!

June 3, 2004 1 Comments

What does the Bible say about judging others?Information: This discussion opener helps grab student’s attention and see that...

All That Matters

May 31, 2004 1 Comments

Our theme for the evening was “Real Christianity." We introduces the topic of “what it takes to be a...