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 | Jonathan’s Resource Ezine |
Weekly Resources, Ideas and Articles from The Source for Youth Ministry
Tuesday, May 23, 2000
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| Pie in the Face? Great Program Material |
May 23, 2000
I had about 1400 jr. high students and staff crowded into a sanctuary and we had to keep them entertained before the speaker. What would you do?
Everybody loves to see someone else get messy- so I went for the ol’ pie in the face scenario in a game I call “COMMIT.”
COMMIT:
Commit is a simple game where I explain that I will be asking some questions to the audience. I instruct that if someone knows the answer to the question, they simply raise their hand . . . IF they are willing to COMMIT to the consequences of answering that question. I then display the prizes that I will offer that evening. I usually choose a Walkman, a bucket of Red Vines (licorice for those of you who are deprived of these because you’re not from the West), a popular basketball jersey . . . whatever prizes kids actually want! I then let them know that if they do not answer the question correct they get held by one of my staff members while I stick a pie in their face.
I immediately start the game by asking a simple question: “Question number one. Remember, if you want a chance at the prize just raise your hand- but if you raise your hand, you commit to the consequences of that answer. Question number one . . . a white liquid that we drink and put on our breakfast cereal that comes from cows is called . . . ?” Hands will shoot up all over the room. Bring a kid up and have one of your staff members hold them (with their arms behind their back)- ask his or her name, what school they go to, etc., etc. Then repeat the simple question. The student will most likely get it right. Give him or her the prize and let them on their way.
NOW every kid in the place can taste the next prize. “Question two. In the movie Titanic, the lead male role, Jack Dawson, went to a popular young actor named . . .” Pause here and hands will shoot up everywhere if they aren’t already up. At this point bring up the person and ask their name, school, etc.. Remind them that they are committed to answer the question correctly or they get a pie in their face. Then say, “Now let me finish the question. In the movie Titanic, the lead male role, Jack Dawson, went to a popular young actor named Leonardo DiCaprio. Name at least 8 theatrical release films that he was in prior to this movie.” As you can see, this kid will get a pie.
Continue the game in this fashion. I usually throw in easy questions then a hard one, in no particular order. Great fun and worth a lot of laughs!
Check out more great up-front games on Jonathan’s “Games for Large Crowds” Page:
| Sharpening the Saw: Seven Sins of Game Leading |
May 23, 2000
Many of you who have browsed my site have looked at my “Seven Sins of Game Leading.” Last week I watched an event where #7 was broken, and it cost the leader big time:
7. Make sure the crowd can’t see those playing the game. (Remember- this is how not to do it!)
“Of course” you say. But how many times have I seen some cool crowd breaker where a kid is getting dowsed with syrup or a girl is about to suck a jelly bean out of some jell o and . . . I couldn’t see cause some stupid game leader was standing right in the way! If you’re leading a game . . . STEP ASIDE! If you’re in a level room and you have a visual game . . . elevate it somehow! Show it on video on a big screen! You get the point.
Don’t forget the basics in game leading. Take a peak at the SEVEN SINS!
Jonathan McKee
Jonathan McKee is the author of over twenty books including the brand new The Guy's Guide to FOUR BATTLES Every Young Man Must Face; The Teen’s Guide to Social Media & Mobile Devices; If I Had a Parenting Do Over; and the Amazon Best Seller - The Guy's Guide to God, Girls and the Phone in Your Pocket. He speaks to parents and leaders worldwide, all while providing free resources for youth workers on TheSource4YM.com. Jonathan, his wife Lori, and their three kids live in California.