Christmas Letters to Santa

December 1, 2011 kensapp Leave a comment

Letters from kids to Santa:

Dear Santa,

Please when you come to my house would you bring me a doll that eats and cries, and my little pony and video games. I don’t want you to bring me another brother, but my mom says that you are going to be bringing one around Christmas, but I already have one and he just gets in my stuff and breaks it. You can bring my dad a new job ’cause the mill he works at is not working right now…

Thank you so much and mom says we will leave cookies for you by the door that’s because we don’t have a chimney.

Love, Sarah

Dear Santa,

I want a skateboard for Christmas and my mom said I can’t have a skate board unless I wear a helmet and pads – so I guess you’d better bring those too.

Tommy

Dear Santa,

This is my Christmas list: a bike and a wii and a basketball hoop the kind that you sit in the driveway and I want surprise stuff too. Santa – I have been very good this year. If my sister says anything about me breaking her talking doll, I just want you to know that it just stopped talking – I had nothing to do with it even if I was holding it.

Jason
PS And I’m really very sorry about Blackie, her hamster

Unfortunately, it seems that the children writing letters to Santa this Christmas won’t be getting a response. According to an Associated Press article on the 18th of November, 2009, this is because the US Postal service says it will no longer deliver the letters to North Pole, Alaska as it has done since 1954.

But wouldn’t it be great if, instead of writing letters to Santa, kids wrote letters to God?

Ask youth to think back to when they were young and wrote letters to Santa.

What did they ask for?
What things did they tell him?
Did they believe he would respond?

If we can put so much faith in a fictional man in red, why can’t we put even more faith in the Baby in the Manger? Do we talk to Christ in the same innocent way, sharing our hopes and dreams and with faith that he will answer?

Ask youth to write a personal letter to God, sharing their hopes, their wishes, their fears, their joys and their sorrows. What would they ask from God this Christmas?

Set up a cross and ask the youth to place the letters as a Christmas gift under a different tree – a cross – the tree upon which the Savior died to bring us life. The fact is we have all been bad. None of us have done good. But God in His great LOVE for us sent us the Greatest Christmas gift of all – He sent His son to the earth – born to die that we might live!

The greatest gift we can give him in response is our heart, our life – to bring everything to Him and place it at the foot of the cross.

So this Christmas, instead of a letter to Santa, let’s write a letter to God!

Christmas Collection
Games and Activities helping youth discover the Reason for the Season.

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Creative Teaching Ideas

Christmas Gifts Alphabet

December 1, 2011 kensapp Leave a comment

Game Description
Gifts are a big part of Christmas. The greatest gift was God sending his Son. The wisemen brought gifts. In this game, youth go through the alphabet thanking God for the gifts he has given us either on a personal or corporate level. You could use this for a youth group, or for family activity.

Game Materials
None needed

Game Preparation
None

What to Do

Starting with the letter “A” youth progress through the letters of the alphabet naming gifts of God which begin with each letter. (e.g. I thank God for sending Angels to watch over us.)
The next person thanks God for “Angel” and then adds something that begins with the letter “B”
The game continues until the end of the alphabet or until the group gets stuck.

Variation
Instead of naming gifts youth are thankful for, youth can list things that are somehow related to Christmas.

Variation
Use this for Thanksgiving instead of Christmas.

Christmas Collection
Games and Activities helping youth discover the Reason for the Season.

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Icebreakers

Draw the Names of God

November 29, 2011 kensapp Leave a comment

Game Description
This icebreaker activity makes a great creative learning activity to help introduce youth to some of the many names of God. If you use the names of God and Christ related to the Christmas Story it also serves as a great icebreaker or Bible Study discussion starter for Christmas.

Game Materials
Whiteboard, chalkboard, or simply paper

Game Preparation
None

Game Play
Youth attempt to get their partner or team to guess a name of God using only drawings. This can be done one at a time before the group or in pairs. For simple names like “The Door” this may be easily done by drawing a door. But for more difficult names it make require several words in the form of a rebus. Numbers and letters are not allowed to be used.

Variation
Place the names of God on a peice of paper and tape them on to the back of youth as they arrive. Give each youth sheet of paper and a pencil and have them help each other to discover the names on their backs by merely drawing them. Numbers and letters are not allowed to be used. Also, to keep the youth mingling, have them write down all the names of God they see on other people’s backs.

Optional Discussion

Which name do you think was most difficult to communicate? Why?
Would you prefer to see a photograph or hear the story?
Do you find it easier to express yourself in words or through images?
Have you ever felt handicapped in trying to communicate God to others?
In what ways is this activity similar to sharing your faith?
What concepts in sharing your faith are most difficult to communicate?
How does God communicate himself to us in a way we can understand.
How is Christmas a means by which God communicates to us?

Here are a few of the many names of God

Abba – Romans 8:15
Advocate – Job 16:19; I John 2:1
Alpha – Revelation 1:8; 21:6; Revelation 22:13
Ancient of Days, Ancient One – Daniel 7:9, 22; 13:21-22
Author of life – Acts 3:15
Author of our Faith – Hebrews 12:2
Banner – Exodus 17:15, Isaiah 11:10
Branch – Jeremiah 33:15, Isaiah 4:2
Bread of Life – John 6:33-35
Bridegroom – Isaiah 62:56; Matthew 9:15
Chosen One – Isaiah 42:1; Luke 23:35
Comforter, Consolation of Israel – II Corinthians 1:4; John 14:26, Luke 2:25
Cornerstone – Isaiah 28:16
Counselor – Isaiah 9:6
Creator – Genesis 14:19 -22; Dt 32:6; Eccl 12:1; Isaiah 27:11; 40:28; 43:15; 45:18; 1 Peter 4:19
Defender – Psalm 68:5
Deliverer – II Samuel 22:2; Psalm 18:2; Romans 11:26
Door – John 10:7
Father – Matthew 6:9; Matthew 11:25
Gardner – John 15:1
God of all Comfort – II Corinthians 1:3
God of Heaven and Earth – Deuteronomy 4:39; Ezra 5:11
God of Peace – Romans 16:20; I Thessalonians 5:23
God With Us – Isaiah 7:14; 8:8
Good Shepherd – John 10:11
Great High Priest – Hebrews 4:14; Hebrews 3:1; Hebrews 6:20; 2:17; Hebrews 5:6
Guide – Psalm 48:14
Healer – Exodus 15:26; Psalm 103:3; Isaiah 30:26; 61:1; Jeremiah 3:22; 30:17
Hiding place – Psalm 32:7
High Tower – 2 Samuel 22:3; Psalm 18:2; Psalm 59
Immanuel, God with Us – Matthew 1:23
Intercessor – Job 16:20; Isaiah 53:12; Romans 8:26
Judge – Genesis 18:25; Psalm 7:18; 96:13; Isaiah 33:22; Acts 10:42; Acts 10:42; Psalm 94:12; II Lawgiver – Isaiah 33:22; James 4:12
Lily of the Valley – Song of Songs 2:1
Name above all names – Philippians 2:9&10
Omega – Revelation 1:8; Revelation 22:13
Physician – Luke 4:23
Redeemer – Genesis 48:16; Job 19:25; Psalm 19:14; 78:35; Proverbs 23:11; Isaiah 41:14; 43:14; 44:6; 24; 47:4; 48:17; 49:7; 26; Isaiah 54:5; 8; 59:20; 60:16; 63:16; Jeremiah 50:34; Job 19:25;Psalm 19:14
Refuge; Refuge from the storm – Psalm 14:6; 46:1; 62:7-8; 71:7; 91:2,9; 9:9 94:22; 142:5; Proverbs 14:26; Isaiah 25:4
Rock – Deuteronomy 32:18; Psalm 18:2; 42:9; 144:1; Isaiah 30:29; 1 Cor.10:4; I Peter 2:8
Salvation, Savior – Psalm 62:1; Isaiah 12:2; Psalm 38:22; Exodus 15:2; Psalm 27:1; John 4:42; Acts 13:23; I Timothy 4:14; Luke 2:11; Isaiah 43:3; 49:26
Shepherd – Genesis 48:15; 49:24; Psalm 23:1; 79:13; 80:1; 95:7; 100:3; Isaiah 40:11; I Peter 2:25; John 10:11; Hebrews 13:20
Stronghold – II Samuel 22:3; Psalm 9:9; 27:1; 84:11; Psalm 43:2
Sustainer – Psalm 55:22; Isaiah 46:4
Vine – John 15:5
Way – John 14:6

Christmas Variation
Use the names and titles of God related to Christmas and this becomes a nice icebreaker for your Christmas Party or introduction to a Christmas related Bible Study.

Christmas Collection
Games and Activities helping youth discover the Reason for the Season.

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Food for Thought

Missing the Thrill of Appreciation?

November 23, 2011 kensapp Leave a comment

“The absence of thankfulness does not mean that we are merely ungrateful. It means that we are missing the thrill of appreciation and pleasure.”

Shannon Pollack

Announcements

I am Thankful for YOUth!

November 22, 2011 kensapp Leave a comment

We’re truly thankful for a great year. God certainly has a way of blowing our minds when we yield ourselves to Him!

There’s so much to be thankful for. God has indeed been good to us – we never imagined how large our ministry could have grown – over 30,000 youth leaders in over 200 countries. We’ve reached places where we couldn’t have gone on our own. Touched lives in places we barely know about (some of them we didn’t even know existed). We’ve truly been blessed to have you as part of the Creative Youth Ideas community! And it’s all thanks to God’s grace.

Perhaps, this song sums up how we feel best:

Food for Thought

Materialism?

November 16, 2011 kensapp Leave a comment

What is it in your life that you don’t really need?

1 John 2:15-17 ESV
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

Luke 12:15 ESV
“And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.””

Matthew 6:19-21 ESV
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

1 Timothy 6:6-10 ESV
“Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”

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Online Activities

Thanksgiving Trivia Quiz

November 10, 2011 kensapp Leave a comment

How much do you know about the history of Thanksgiving, the pilgrims, The foods we eat at Thanksgiving Dinner, and other things related to the Thanksgiving Holiday Celebration?

There are 66 Questions… can you get them all correct?
Click here to take the quiz

Holiday Collection
Games and Activities in Celebration of common Holidays.

Creative Holiday Ideas has over 300 pages of ideas to help you plan not only your next Thanksgiving party or event, but also for other special occasions and holidays. If you’ve ever wondered what you’re going to do for an upcoming holiday and how you’re going to do it, this resource is for you.

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Parents Ministry

Family Hunting Trip

November 9, 2011 kensapp Leave a comment

A Father, Mother, and Teenager went hunting together. When a prize buck ran past them, the parents and the youth all fired at the exact same moment and the buck dropped.

However, there was only one bullet hole and they didn’t know which of them shot it. So they took it to the registration center, not knowing who should tag it.

The agent said, “Let me look at the deer. Sometimes I can figure it out.”

He asked a few questions, examined the deer carefully, and declared, “The teenager shot this buck!”

Amazed, they all asked how he knew. Stooping down he pointed out the wound, “See here. It went in one ear and out the other.”

Holiday Collection
Games and Activities in Celebration of common Holidays.

Creative Holiday Ideas has over 300 pages of ideas to help you plan your next Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and a variety of other holiday events. If you’ve ever wondered what you’re going to do for the holidays and how you’re going to do it, this resource is for you.

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Humor

Not Everything Is What It Seems

November 1, 2011 kensapp Leave a comment

Two nuns were taking a long drive down a isolated country road to visit a friend when they ran out of gas. Since they were a long way from the nearest city, they decided to walk across a field to a nearby farmhouse to get some help. The farmer gratiously agreed to give them some gasoline but he couldn’t find a container to put it in. After turning the barn upside down he finally found an old bedpan that was a little but could be used to hold some gasoline. The desperate nuns were willing to take the gasoline in the bedpan and walked back across the field to their car.

As they were pouring the gasoline into the car from the bedpan, a farmer drove by on his tractor and stopped. “Excuse me sisters,” he said. “I am not a very religious man, but I can’t help admiring your faith.”

While humorous, the story also reminds me of a few spiritual truths:

Don’t judge the contents by the container.
- “But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)
- “Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment.”(John 7:24)
Our actions can be interpreted in different ways by observers but God will rightly judge our actions.
- God “will give to each person according to what he has done.” (Romans 2:6)
- “Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load. Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor. Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Galatians 6:4-10)
Observations are not always accurate.
- “Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.” (1 Corinthians 4:5)

Icebreakers Ahead: Take It To the Next Level

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Object Lessons

Take It Away

October 31, 2011 kensapp Leave a comment

Description
This Object Lesson for children and youth uses static electricity as a metaphor for Christ’s work of Salvation in the lives of Believers. Christ not only takes our sins upon himself, but also wants us to cast all our burdens upon him.

Resources
Salt, Pepper, and a nail + cloth. (See note below for variations)

NOTE: This object lesson uses static electricity and can be greatly affected by the humidity and temperature. Depending on how dry the air is, you may be able to rub a key or spoon on your clothing, rub a glass rod with silk, use a comb on your hair, or rub a piece of rubber like an inflated balloon on your hair. Each of these creates a static charge under the right conditions. HINT: Don’t use clothing or cloths that have been treated with a fabric softener as these help prevent the buildup of static electricity.

What to do

Pour a small mound of pure white salt representing a pure life into the center of a dark colored plate.
Sprinkle a dash of salt on top of the salt, representing sin.
Get a large iron nail and rub it with a piece of cloth to create static electricity.
When you place the statically charged object near the pepper. When you do this the pepper will be attracted to it and can be lifted away.
Practice this a couple of times. If you put too much pepper there may not be enough static charge to attract all the pepper.

Take It to the Next Level

The significance of using a nail is obvious. Christ’s nail scarred sacrifice lifted away our sin and attached it to himself (1 Peter 2:24). Christ is also the key to eternal life. Our sin was taken off us and placed on Him that we might become pure and blameless before God.
Another option is to have the pepper represent hurts, bad habits, hurtful words or other things in our lives that we want God to remove. I Peter 5:7  …casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Cast your burden on the Lord Psalms 55:22.

MORE IDEAS? See “Creative Object Lessons”
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