Jonathan,
I have been given the exciting task of doing one Scripture Based game at our youth group meetings on Friday nights got any fun ideas?
Meghan, Sudbury,ON
Answer
Meghan,
Thanks for the email.
This is a little hard to answer because I'm not entirely sure what your purpose is on Friday nights. My guess would be that this would be a time of outreach. Although, I have seen some groups running a Friday night program with the intended purpose of just building up their Christian students. If this is the purpose (spiritual growth for your believers) then maybe I could see some Bible quizzing, memorization, etc. But if this is a typical mid week youth group that students can bring their friends to- I personally would not use games to prove a point. Games for me are just an ice-breaker or opener- just like if I served pizza to get students there. If someone asked me for an idea for a “scripture-based” food or a “scripture-based” swimming pool we could use for an event . . . I wouldn't have one of those either. I'm all out of John 3:16 diving boards.
I use games so kids will have fun and want to come back. But when I say games- I don't mean standing up in front of a room of rowdy outreach kids and announcing, “Ahem . . . can I have everyone's attention. It's time to play a game. Who wants to pin the tail on the donkey?” A lot of today's students would head for the door if I said that. So, I avoid my seven deadly sins of game-leading:CLICK HERE, the first of which I just broke in that example.
Then I use discussion starters (video clips, openers, etc.) to introduce a topic and share God's Word. I've seen a handful of games that can open discussion- but I definitely don't look for only games that do that.
If you want plain ol' games- I got plenty on my GAME PAGE on the web site.
You could also check out my OPENERS on my CURRICULUM & JUMPSTARTERS page. They are “tricks” or “attention getters” that introduce a topic.
Hope that helps.
God Bless,
Jonathan McKee
The Source for Youth Ministry
www.TheSource4YM.com
