Tag Archives: New Year

A New Year: New Priorities

December 30, 2015 kensapp Leave a comment

A New Year - New Priorities
With the New Year we typically evaluate the past year and set new priorities for the upcoming year. Sometimes we call these new priorities or renewed priorities New Year’s Resolutions. New Year’s Resolutions may be focused around family, personal goals, money, jobs, and many other things. While these things are not necessarily wrong, when they take precedence over our relationship with God they become a problem.

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What You Need

Large sheets of paper or newsprint
Whiteboard markers (that will not bleed through the paper)

Preparation

Put a Poster or large sheet of paper in each corner of the room for each of the following labels:
- Possessions or Provision
- Power or Position
- Popularity
- Others
Place a chair in the exact center of the room as a marker.

What to Do

Explain:
- Possessions refer to the material things we seek in life.
- Power refers to positions we want to obtain in life.
- Popularity refers to social recognition and fame that people seek in life.
- Explain that the center of the room represents living for God.
Allow youth to brainstorm about the things that people have as priorities in their lives. Examples might be good grades, a good job, a marriage partner, a house, to serve God, to have lots of money, etc.
Then have youth write the priority on the poster that represents that priority. Some items might fit into more than one category (i.e. good grades might be a priority but the reason could be for popularity or for the purpose of getting a job with more money and a higher position – power.)
After the posters have been filled with examples of each priority, have youth stand somewhere in the room that reflects their most important priorities in life. (For example, if someones priority is to make lots of money they might stand in the possessions corner.)

TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL

MAKE IT SPIRITUAL

Read Matthew 4:1-10

How does this passage relate to the posters in the corners of the room?
Which poster represents each of the temptations?
How did Christs understanding of his purpose in life reflect his priorities?

Jesus was tempted with popularity, power, and possessions (material needs). But because Jesus understood his purpose in the world he did not give into temptation. There is nothing wrong with material possessions, power or popularity. But when they replace God as a priority in our lives they become a problem. In fact, later in Jesus ministry we would see him providing for the physical needs of people, he would demonstrate the power of God, and he would be popular. Yet his priority was to do the will of God, to accomplish the purpose for which he had been sent into the world. God has brought each of us into the world for a purpose. The better we understand our purpose, the better we will be able to balance our priorities to fulfill that purpose in the new year.

MAKE IT PRACTICAL

What are some things that are part of Gods plan for every persons life?
How can a person discover and trust Gods plan for his or her life? (See Proverbs 3:5-6; Philippians 4:6; Romans 8:28)

MAKE IT PERSONAL

What do you believe is part of Gods purpose for bringing YOU into the world? (You may not know all the details yet, but you might have some ideas.)
Each of you has positioned yourself in a specific corner of the room based on your own priorities. How can someone in your position move closer to Gods Purpose for your life and away from the wrong priorities?
What are some of the practical steps you can take this year that would move you closer to Gods ideal plan for your life?
Commit to one of the steps you can start this week!

————————————————–
ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURES
————————————————–

Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will direct your paths.”

Philippians 4:6
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Romans 8:28
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

1 Thessalonians 5:18
“in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 3:8
“What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.”

Creative Holiday Ideas
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 New Year’s Celebration, but also most of the other common holidays. 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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Game Ideas, Object Lessons

Babies in Christ – An Object Lesson for the New Year

January 6, 2015 kensapp Leave a comment

The new year is often represented by a new born baby because a baby represents a fresh beginning. Jesus described Salvation to Nicodemus in John 3 as being “born” again. Both physically and spiritually, we begin as babies. But we don’t stay as babies – we must grow. The Bible tells us to “grow in grace in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (II Peter 3:18).

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Baby Games

Baby Bottle Guzzlers – The first to drain a baby bottle filled with soda and then burp wins. (You might want to enlarge the hole in the nipples.)
Baby Bottle Knockover – Get a pair of old pantie hose and put a potato in the stocking and let it slide to the foot of one of the legs. Tie the other leg around the youth’s head. You’ll need one for each team. Place a baby bottle on the floor for each team. First person to knock the baby bottle over with the potato in the stocking wins.
Baby Food Roulette – Label several gross baby food flavors with numbers stuck on with a piece of tape then play a game of hot potato with a plastic spoon. When the music stops, the person holding the spoon picks a number and must eat a big spoon of baby food from the jar of baby food with that number on it and the person is out of the game. Rearrange the numbers so youth don’t know what they are getting for the next round and repeat. Continue until there is only one person left in the game.
Baby Items in the Bag – Put at least ten common baby items inside a diaper bag: a bib, cotton buds, cotton balls, baby powder, teething ring, rattle, bottle, baby brish, baby lotion, baby shampoo, diaper, wet wipes, diaper pin, sock, onesie, and baby blanket are just a few ideas that are also fairly inexpensive. Give each youth a pen and paper before passing the diaper bag around. Without looking, each youth should stick a hand inside the diaper bag and try to identify as many items as possible. Give each youth 60 seconds to make their guesses before moving the bag to the next person. Once everyone has had a turn, whoever has the most correct answers wins. (Variation: put them on a tray and cover it. Uncover it for 60 seconds then cover it back up before they youth are allowed to write down the contents of the tray.)
Baby Relay – A person from each team must put on the diaper, tuck the bib in the shirt, place their thumb in their mouth, and waddle to the other end of the room (or if outside, a designated place) where they will get on their hands and knees (like a crawling baby) and have a fellow team member squirt a bit of water from the baby bottle into the mouth of the baby. The baby then returns and the next person repeats the same tasks. First team to have all members go through the tasks wins.
Baby Sketch Artists – Each youth is given a paper plate and a marker. With the paper plate no top of her or his head, each person draws a picture of a baby. Best sketch wins.
Baby Stroller F1 Race – You need at least one baby stroller and a doll to put inside. You might also want a stopwatch. Use cones, flags, are anything else to mark out a race course. Representatives from each team will have a turn at racing the stroller through the race course as fast as possible. Add penalty seconds for hitting any object, for the baby falling out of the stroller,or other infractions of your rules. Fastest time wins.
Blind Diaper Relay – Give each team a baby doll, and a blindfold. First person in line dons the blindfold, takes off the current disposable diaper, and replaces it with another diaper. when finished, the baby, extra diaper, and blindfold is passed to the next person on the team. First team to all complete the task wins.
Bowling Baby Bottles – Arrange 10 baby bottles in a triangle shape, and have each youth “bowl” with a small ball. Highest score wins.
Diaper Danger – Blindfold a representative from each team who must diaper a blown up balloon with a good amount of baby powder added inside. First person to diaper the balloon to the best of their ability and without popping the balloon with the safety pins wins.
Diaper Derby – Split the youth into teams and provide each team with a roll of toilet paper. They have five minutes to wrap a team member up in a diaper made of toilet paper. The team with the most creatively diapered ‘baby’ wins.
Diapers in the Dark – You’ll need several safety pins, a blindfold, and a large doll for each team. You also nned a cloth diaper that fits on the doll. Blindfolded representatives from each team must put the diaper on the “baby.” Quickest and best diapered ‘baby’ wins a prize.
Dirty Diapers – (Gross game warning) – Place a different types of chocolate candy bar in several newborn-sized diapers (or folded napkins) then microwave each a few seconds until melted. You will want those that are creamy, nutty, caramel-filled, milky, chunky, etc. Pass the diapers around and have each person smell (or taste) the ‘poo’ in the diapers to try and guess which brand of candy bar is in each diaper. The person with the most correct guesses wins.
Feed The Baby – Give everyone a large bib and a small spoon. In teams of two, the pairs must feed a jar of applesauce to one another at the same time. The fastest pair to finish their applesauce wins. (Messier Variation: Do it with blindfolds)
Guess the Baby Food – Buy several unique flavors of baby food in jars and number each lid and tear off the labels. Ask each youth to sample each and write down the flavor. The most correct guesses wins.
Pacifier Pass – Give each youth a straw to place in his or her mouth. Using only the straws to touch it, each team must pass a pacifier to end of the line. First team to the end without dropping it wins. If it is dropped the team must start over.
Pin Drop – Youth compete to hold diaper pins at nose level and drop them into a baby bottle. The most diaper pins in the bottle after 60 seconds wins.
Ring Toss – Spread a series of bottle nipples on a flat surface, with several inches between each and labeled with a score based on distance. Youth must stand behind a throw line and try to toss the bottle rings that hold the nipple on a bottle onto a nipple. Highest score wins.
Siamese Diaper Relay – In teams of two, each pair stands side by side with the center hands behind their backs and quickly and neatly puts a cloth diaper on a baby doll with safety pins. Each person in the pair can only use the outside hand. Quickest and best diapered baby wins.
Spit the Pacifier – Youth line up and are each given one pacifier to put in his or her mouth. The youth that spits out the pacifier so it lands the farthest away wins.

TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL

MAKE IT SPIRITUAL

New Christians and new babies have a lot in common. One of the first things a baby learns to do is to drink from a bottle. Soon a baby will learn to feed him/herself. Yet the parent is very careful about what a baby eats. As a matter of fact, a baby will stick almost anything it can find in its mouth thinking it is food. A parent is careful that a baby does live on junk food or place anything in his mouth that might harm him. As Christians, especially as babes in Christ, we need to learn to feed ourselves on God’s Word and avoid those things that are unhealthy or even harmful to us.

What are some habits and actions you often see in babies and children that would not be acceptable in adults?
What are some of the marks of maturity as a baby grows into an adult?

MAKE IT PRACTICAL

Read Hebrews 5:11-6:1. In verse 11, the phrase “slow to learn” could be translated “too lazy to learn.” What are some ways that we are too lazy to learn?
What might “milk” and “solid food” represent? (See 6:1)
What differentiates a mature Christian from a spiritual baby (vs 14)?
What attitudes actions and behavior would you expect from a mature Christian?

MAKE IT PERSONAL

In what areas have you grown a lot? In what areas is your spiritual growth been stagnant? How would you describe yourself as a Babe in Christ / Child of God?

One way to discover what you eat is to look at the way you spend your time, especially your free time. On another piece of paper, make a list of all the things that you spend your time doing, all your hobbies, all your favorite pastimes? After you have made the list circle any items that are spiritually healthy- health food. Cross out any items that are spiritually harmful or unhealthy – junk food. Leave blank any items which are neutral.

What does this tell you about your spiritual diet?
In what ways would you like to grow in the coming year?
What do you need to have more of in your spiritual diet to grow more mature as a Christian for the next year?

SCRIPTURES

Psalm 139:15-16 – God planned all your days, all your life, before you were ever even born. He had a plan for you before you even existed.
Hebrews 5:11-6:1
II Peter 3:18

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Game Ideas, Object Lessons

Step up in the New Year

December 30, 2014 kensapp Leave a comment

A person’s feet tell us two very important facts about someone: where one’s standing and which way someone is going. A firm stand and a consistent walk are both traits we admire in others. During the New Year we often look back at the journey that has brought us to where we are now as well as make decisions about where we want to go in the upcoming year.

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Games using Feet

Identify the Footprint – As the youth arrive, collect their footprints. My personal preference is to have sheets of colored paper – the type that does not leave a stain when wet. (Test it first so you don’t have permanent footprints across your carpet!). Have the participants remove their shooes and socks, then step on a damp towel and then finally step on the paper. A wet footprint will be left behind. Quickly trace it with a dark colored marker and let it dry! You might also want to number the prints and have a numbered name list so that you can correctly identify the prints later. Go through the numbered prints and have youth match the print with the person who made it. Can you even identify your own footprint? Award the person who correctly identifies the most feet! With the Incredible FEAT award!
Foot Tag – Two players hold hands with both hands. On “go” both players try and tap the top of their opponents foot with their own foot. First to do so wins. Winners then play winners until there is a top winner.
Whose feet – 5-8 members of the group sit behind a curtain. Only the bare feet are peeking out from under the curtain. Can a player (or the rest of the group) work out whose feet they are?
Fewest feet – Each team tries to stand on as few feet as possible. For example, 5 players have 10 feet and try to only have 3-4 feet on the ground.
Coaster discus – A coaster or plastic lid is clamped between the toes and is thrown like a Frisbee as far as possible. Farthest throw wins.
Foot relay – Divide your group into teams of 6-8. Each team then lines up and sits on the floor. The object of the game is to pass a lemon along the line and back again using only their feet. If the lemon touches the floor the team have to start again at the beginning.
Footsies – This game is similar to twister but without the game props. Begin the game with all players standing in a circle about a shoulder-width apart. Select one youth to be the first striker and have him or her start the game by moving one of his or her feet (this foot is called the striking foot) to touch one of the feet of the person to the left of them. Once the striker decides which foot he or she wants to move while striking foot the other foot becomes the pivot foot. The pivot foot cannot be lifted off the ground. Once the first striker has made his or her move, he or she has to freeze both feet in the position in which he or she came in contact with the other person and must remain frozen until his or her next turn. The foot of the person who was struck becomes the next person’s striking foot for his or her turn. The game progresses by going around the circle in a clockwise motion (to the left), having each player take his or her striking foot and striking the next player. As the game progresses, players will begin to find themselves in positions that make it hard to remain balanced so people will begin to be eliminated. Players are eliminated if they touch the ground with anything other than their feet, if they lose their balance, if they try to catch their balance by grabbing another person, if it is their turn and by mistake move the foot that was not touched by the previous striker’s foot or if they move their feet out of turn. If someone is eliminated, the next person in the circle continues on with the game choosing which ever foot he or she wishes to use as the striking foot. As youth are eliminated, there will be gaps in the circle making it harder for strikers to reach the foot of the person next in the circle. If while attempting to reach the foot of the person next in the circle the strikers loses his or her balance or breaks any of the other rules, he or she is eliminated. Note that strikers don’t necessarily have to lift their striking foot when striking, but also can scoot a foot across the ground in order to remain balanced; once contact is made with the other person’s foot, the striker’s feet must freeze. As the game goes on, players will find they are getting very close to each other and it becomes harder to remain balanced. Players are allowed to touch each other, but they cannot grab, push, bump or brace other players to try and make them loose their balance.
Foot Pictionary – This is like standard pictionary but the artist instead of drawing with their hands will draw with their feet, by having the marker tied to one of their feet with the bandana. On “Go” the player will try their best to draw the assigned picture, while the rest of their team tries to guess the picture. Keep the assigned pictures simple, as it will be difficult to even draw the simplest things and make them recognizable. Maybe even purchase and use “Junior Pictionary” for suggested words and categories.
Banana Foot Peel – Bring up about 4 students, have them take off their shoes and socks, and hand each of them a banana. When the leader says go, the contestants are supposed to peel the banana with their feet as quickly as they can. They can use both feet to do so. Judge the winner by speed and final condition of the banana.
Foot Signing Contest – Have 5 students come to the front of the room and remove their shoes and socks. Give each a felt-tipped or ball point pen. On the signal, they run out into the crowd and see who can get the most signatures on the bottom of their feet in the time limit. No one person can sign more than three feet. Can use both feet. Signatures must be legible.
Balancing foot balloons – Only using the feet, one or more balloons must be kept up in the air without the balloon touching the ground. This can also be timed.
Spell My Feet – Take 5 people and have them take off their shoes and socks. Take a marker and write a large letter on the bottom of each of their feet so if they sit facing you and hold their feet in the air, you can read the letters. On the first person put an A and an N (one letter on each foot), on the next an E and a T, then GR, OM, and SP. You will call out different words for them to spell and they have to cross legs, stretch, and situate themselves in a position so that the bottom of their feet spell the word you called. You can do this with two teams of five if you want and see who spells the word first. Use these words: master, roast, smear, togas, snore, ten proms, get spam, great son

TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL

Today’s games all involved feet. A lot of our English idioms and common sayings refer to “feet”. Share a few appropriate idioms or the entire list of idoms with the group. Which of these idioms best describes you? Why?

Idioms referring to feet
back on your feet again
dip your toes in the water
drag one’s feet
fall at his feet
find your feet
fleet of foot
foot the bill
get a foot in the door
get cold feet
get off on the wrong foot
get to one’s feet
get your feet wet
has two left feet
have a foot in both camps
have feet of clay
have one foot in the grave
have your feet on the ground
hold someone’s feet to the fire
hot foot out of here
land on your feet
make an about face
My foot!
on foot
on your back foot
pussyfoot around
put a foot wrong
put your best foot forward
put your feet up
put your foot down
put your foot in it
put your foot in your mouth
shoot yourself in the foot
sit at the foot of a teacher
stand on your own two feet
step on another person’s foot
step on the gas
stop dead in your tracks
sweep someone off his/her feet
take a load off your feet
take a stand
take steps toward something
the ball is at your feet
thinking on your feet
throw yourself at someone’s feet
tiptoe through it
to get under foot
vote with your feet
watch your step
world’s at your feet

MAKE IT SPIRITUAL

Sure footed – Many of the proverbs talk about making our paths straight, about stumbling, about watching our step, about our walk with God. Proverbs 4:26 – “Watch the path of your feet And all your ways will be established.”
God’s Protection – “. . . unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy” (Jude 24, KJV).
Hab 3:19; 2 Sam 22:34; Ps 18:33 – “The Lord God [is] my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.”
Evangelism – Romans 10:15 – “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
Ephesians 6:15 – “And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace”
Servanthood – John 13 – Jesus washing the disciples’ feet.

MAKE IT PRACTICAL

What is something that you have taken a stand for in the past year? What are some things that you need to take a stronger stand on in the upcoming year?
What are some steps that you have taken in the right direction with your life? The wrong direction?
What are some areas in which you have stumbled along the way in your journey?
What are some ways that we can make our walk sure? How can you get back on your feet and take a new step in the right direction with your life? In what areas do you need to watch your step?
Taking a stand and finding your footing in life isn’t always easy – especially when you might need to step on a few toes to do so. How can you find the balance between taking a stand on things that are important to you without stepping on too many toes? Should you worry about stepping on toes? Why or why not?

MAKE IT PERSONAL

As a footnote to this lesson, identify at least one area of your life where you need to get back on your feet! How can you take a new step in the right direction with your life beginning today? In what areas do you need to watch your step in the journey ahead?

(As a meaningful reminder, give the participants the piece of paper with their footprint on it to write the answer to the questions above. Encourage them to place it on the door of their room as a reminder that every day they step outside that door they need to also take a step in the right direction for their life in the New Year!)

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Object Lessons

Setting Priorities for the New Year

January 7, 2014 kensapp Leave a comment

The beginning of the year is often the time when people set new goals and priorities for the year ahead. This lesson is adapted from an object lesson on priorities in our Creative Object Lessons ebook.

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You can find this as an illustration here.

An Object Lesson

What You Need

Marker than can write on plastic
Transparent plastic or glass jar
Ping pong balls (or golf balls)
Bag of rice
Two small plastic bags – You can use more but I prefer two.
Large sheet of paper, newspaper classified ads, or whiteboard

Advance Preparation

Place as many ping pong balls in the jar as will fit
Add as much rise as possible to fill the rest of the space
Empty the jar and place the rice into the plastic bags
Discard the ping balls that were not in the jar so that you only have those that fit.

What to Do

Ask the youth to list goals people might have for this new year?
List them on the newsprint or whiteboard so that all can see.
Pass out the ping pong balls and ask the students to write one of the goals for the new year on each Ping Pong Ball
Ask the students to choose three other things to write on the bags of rice.
Pour the bags of rice into the jar, reading each goals as you pour its contents into the jar.
Then do the same with each of the ping pong balls. These will not all fit.
Explain that if you do the small things first, you won’t have time for the important things.
Ask youth to decide which things on the ping pong balls are the most important and place them in the jar first. You might need to replace the labels on some of them or replace them with the leftover ping pong balls.
Then when you put the items for the rice in they will all fall into place and everything will fit.

TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL

MAKE IT SPIRITUAL

When it comes to setting goals, I sometimes hear two different opinions. I’ve heard people say we should not plan but should be led by the spirit in everything we do. I’ve heard others say that God gave us brains and wisdom to plan in advance and we must make concrete plans. The truth lies somewhere in the middle. We must make plans and be wise with our time, but at the same time our plans must not be so fixed that there is no room for God to add, change, or interrupt those plans for his will to be done.

1. Men of God make plans based upon the wisdom they have

Proverbs 6 affirms wise planning and working toward those plans.
Proverbs 13:16 “A wise man thinks ahead; a fool doesn’t and even brags about it!”
Proverbs 15:22 “Plans go wrong with too few counselors; many counselors bring success.”
Proverbs 21:5 “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.”
Paul made plans (see Acts 15:36; Rom 1:13)
The disciples made plans (Acts 6:1-3)
Jesus made plans (Matt 10:5-15; 16:21; 26:17-19)
Jesus used plans as an illustration in his teachings (Luke 14:28-31)

2. God’s Word must be a guide for our plans (Psalm 119:9-16; Matthew 4:4; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Matthew 6:33-34)

3. Our plans must be sensitive and allow room for God to change those plans. (See Acts 16:6-7) James 4:13-14 reminds us that our plans are secondary to God’s. “Instead, you ought to to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we shall live and also do this or that'” (v. 15). Proverbs 16:9, “In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.”

MAKE IT PRACTICAL

Ultimately, God has one primary goal for each of our lives – to become more like Christ – Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 4:19; Ephesians 4:13; 22-24

What are some of the goals we should have as Christians in this regard.
What goals can we set that will help us to become more and more Christlike?

MAKE IT PERSONAL

What are some of your personal goals?
If you accomplish each goal, how will Jesus Christ be glorified?
How does each goal help you and/or others become more like Jesus Christ?

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURES

Matthew 6:33

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

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Creative Teaching Ideas

Predictions for the New Year

January 8, 2013 kensapp Leave a comment

Here’s a game we thought up to allow your youth one more chance to celebrate as they start the school year. You can invite visitors and give a small party gag gift to everyone and generate a few laughs at the same time.

Resources

Index cards
Gag gifts
Bag or Bowl

Preparation

Write out the “prophecies” below on a card, number them, and place them in the bowl or bag.
Wrap the response together with the gift and number them to match the “prophecies”.

Prophecy: “Your wisdom will begin to show”
Response: “Black hair dye to cover the grey hairs”

Prophecy: “There will be unexpected revelations in the new year.”
Response: “Safety pins for when you have a busted zipper”

Prophecy: “You will be at a loss for words”
Response: “Here’s a dictionary so you can find some!”

Prophecy: “You’ll need to wipe away the results of your efforts”
Response: “Here’s a roll of toilet paper for a clean break!”

Prophecy: “Things will move a little too slow for comfort”
Response: Here’s some Chocolate Ex-Lax to make things move a little faster”

Prophecy: “You will be a little short of dough”
Response: “Here’s a cookie recipe and cutter”

Prophecy: “Circumstances may be a little bitter”
Response: “Here’s some sugar to sweeten things up”

Prophecy: “You will not quite measure up”
Response: “Here’s a ruler to help”

Prophecy: “With great changes you will need a new yard stick”
Response: “Here’s a stick from my yard to help”

Prophecy: “You will need to clean up a mess!”
Response: “Here’s a dust pan to make it easier”

Prophecy: “You will need to release a little stress”
Response: “Here’s some stress relieving capsules” (Bubble wrap)

Prophecy: “You’ll need a washer and dryer”
Response: “Here’s a dual purpose washer or dryer” (hand towel)

Prophecy: “You will discover a great deal”
Response: “Here’s a deck of cards to help you learn”

Prophecy: “You will want to take a bubble bath”
Response: “Here’s a jar of beans. Boil and eat 1 hour in advance for a natural bubble bath.”

Prophecy: “You will need to make some great calculations”
Response: “Here’s a pencil – use your head!”

Prophecy: “You will make more than a few mistakes.”
Response: “Here’s an eraser for a clean start”

Prophecy: “You will want a bigger paycheck”
Response: “Here’s a magnifying glass to help”

Prophecy: “Everyone will believe you have lost your marbles!”
Response: “Now you have at least a few.” (bag of marbles)

Prophecy: “You will want to pull your hair out in frustration.”
Response: “Here’s a wig to hide the bald spots!”

What to Do

Say: Can you predict what will happen in the new year? We prepared some predictions for everyone for this year, and something special to help make them a reality!
Youth draw a numbered clue from a bag and read the “prophecy” about their future in the upcoming year aloud.
Then they open the matching gift and show it to everyone while reading the attached response.

Take It to the Next Level

What are some things people predict will happen this year?
Do you have some predictions you have made for your own life?
How are you planning to make those predictions a reality?

We often make plans for our lives that we can believe and know are possible and achievable. When we look at our predictions for the year, how much of it is what we know we can accomplish with or without God’s help and how much of it is beyond what we believe is possible? God has called us to live a life that’s bigger than that. We have a God that is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that what we can ask or imagine.

Maybe there’s someone in your life you feel is impossible to share the love of Christ with.
Possibly, it’s a subject in school you’re struggling with.
Could be a situation you feel will never be overcome.
Maybe an addiction, a habit or attitude you feel you can’t change.
It could even be a medical condition you’re struggling with.

If we desire to see positive changes in our lives and the lives of those around us to please the One we serve, God will give us the strength to overcome. Jesus Christ has won the victory. We just need to earnestly seek Him and exercise our faith in the One who has made all things possible through His death and resurrection on the cross.

Isn’t it time we challenged ourselves and make a faith prediction for what we want to see this year?

Closing

Have youth write the faith prediction on a piece of paper. Date it. Sign it and then seal it in an envelope for the end of the year.

Variations

In addition for a faith prediction for themselves, encourage them to make some faith predictions for the youth group, for their class, or for their church.

Scripture References

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
– Mark 10:27

“If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
– Matthew 17:20

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
– Ephesians 3:20-21 (NKJV)

“God says that he has plans for each of us. Plans to prosper us and not to harm us! Plans for a hope and a future. How do we discover these plans? He will bring them to pass when we seek him with all our heart!”
– Jeremiah 29:11-14

Humor

New Year’s Resolutions from the Cats

January 4, 2013 kensapp Leave a comment

My human will never let me eat their pet hamster, and I am at peace with that.
I will not slurp fish food from the surface of the aquarium
I will not eat large numbers of assorted bugs, then come home and throw them up so the humans can see that I’m getting plenty of roughage.
I will not lean way over to drink out of the tub, fall in, and then pelt right for the box of clumping cat litter. (It took FOREVER to get the stuff out of my fur.)
I will not use the bathtub to store live mice for late-night snacks.
We will not play “Herd of Thundering Wildebeests Stampeding Across the Plains of the Serengeti” over any humans’ bed while they’re trying to sleep.
I cannot leap through closed windows to catch birds outside. If I forget this and bonk my head on the window and fall behind the couch in my attempt, I will not get up and do the same thing again.
I will not assume the patio door is open when I race outside to chase leaves.
I will not stick my paw into any container to see if there is something in it. If I do, I will not hiss and scratch when my human has to shave me to get the rubber cement out of my fur.
If I bite the cactus, it will bite back.
When it rains, it will be raining on all sides of the house.
It is not necessary to check every door.
I will not play “dead cat on the stairs” while people are trying to bring in groceries or laundry, or else one of these days, it will really come true.
When the humans play darts, I will not leap into the air and attempt to catch them.
I will not swat my human’s head repeatedly when they are on the family room floor trying to do sit ups.
When my human is typing at the computer, their forearms are *not* a hammock.
Computer and TV screens do not exist to backlight my lovely tail.
I will not puff my entire body to twice its size for no reason after my human has watched a horror movie.
I will not stand on the bathroom counter, stare down the hall, and growl at NOTHING after my human has watched the X-Files.
I will not drag dirty socks onto the bed at night and then yell at the top of my lungs so that my humans can admire my “kill.”
I will not perch on my human’s chest in the middle of the night and stare until they wake up.
I will not walk on the key board when my human is writing important adagfsg gdjag ;ln.

(Circulating on the internet)

Humor, Teaching Illustrations

Flight Instructions for 2013

January 3, 2013 kensapp Leave a comment

Welcome to Flight #2013, We are prepared for take off into the New Year. Please make sure your Attitude and Blessings are secured and locked in an upright position. All self destructive devices should be turned off at this time. Should we lose Altitude under pressure during the flight, reach up and pull down a Prayer. Prayers will automatically be activated by Faith. Once your Faith is activated you can assist other passengers. There will be NO BAGGAGE allowed on this flight. The captain has cleared us for takeoff. Destination GREATNESS!! Have a Blessed New Year Friends .

Humor

New Year’s – Resolutions or Excuses

January 2, 2013 kensapp Leave a comment

Found these on cybersalt.org and thought they were humorous for today! While a bit funny, they are also a bit sad because I know some youth who have made similar New Year Resolutions. In fact I have made a few of these myself. We all know what we should do, but it is so easy to make excuses for ourselves.

This year, I resolve to…

Gain weight. At least 30 pounds.
Stop exercising. Waste of time.
Read less. Makes you think.
Watch more TV. I’ve been missing some good stuff.
Procrastinate more. Starting tomorrow.
Spend more time at work, surfing with the T1.
Take a vacation to someplace important: like, to see the largest ball of twine.
Don’t jump off a cliff just because everyone else did.
Stop bringing lunch from home: I should eat out more.
Don’t have eight children at once.
Get in a whole NEW rut!
Start being superstitious.
Personal goal: bring back disco.
Don’t bet against the Minnesota Vikings.
Buy an ’83 Eldorado and invest in a really loud stereo system.
Get the windows tinted. Buy some fur for the dash.
Speak in a monotone voice and only use monosyllabicwords.
Only wear jeans that are 2 sizes too small and use a chain or rope for a belt.
Spend my summer vacation in Cyberspace.
Don’t eat cloned meat.
Create loose ends.
Get more toys.
Get further in debt.
Don’t believe politicians.
Don’t drive a motorized vehicle across thin ice.
Avoid transmission of inter-species diseases.
Avoid airplanes that spontaneously drop 1000 feet.
Stay off the International Space Station.
Not swim with pirhanas or sharks.
Associate with even worse business clients.
Spread out priorities beyond my ability to keep track of them.
Wait around for opportunity.
Focus on the faults of others.
Mope about my faults.
Never make New Year’s resolutions again.

Creative Teaching Ideas

New Year’s Resolutions You Can Keep

January 1, 2013 kensapp Leave a comment

In general, each new day is like the one before. There really is no reason why New Year’s Day should be any different than the rest of the days of the year. There is no difference between December 31 and January 1. Nothing special occurs at midnight on December 31. But for many, the New Year is a day to reflect on the past and look to the future. In fact the name of the first month of the year, January, is derived from Janus, a two faced Roman deity that looked both backwards and forward at the same time. January 1st is a time of new beginnings, of getting a fresh start, of letting go of the things from the past that might hold us back and pressing forward.

If that sounds familiar, you might recognise it as a concept, not unique to the Romans but a Biblical concept as well. From the very beginning God appointed the 7th day as a day of rest, a day of renewal to begin a new week. Later God commanded a day of atonement, which allowed anyone to start with a clean slate for a new year. There was even a year of jubilee during which all inheritances were restored, all slaves freed, and everyone was given an opportunity for a new beginning.

“Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, 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.” Philippians 3:12-14 (NIV)

In Luke 18:18-27, Jesus is asked by a rich young ruler, what he needed to do to inherit eternal life. When Jesus responded he mentioned the keeping of the 10 commandments. The man replied that he had kept them all. Then Jesus said there was still one thing he needed to do – to sell all he owned and Follow Jesus. There was one thing that stood between him and God. For him it was his money.

It is a fitting story for the New Year. At this time of the year people are making lists of commitments of things to do – New Year’s Resolutions. In a way they are personal commandments of do’s and don’ts. But maybe instead of making a long list we need to look at the one things that stands between us and all that God has planned for us. For some it might be the same as the rich young ruler – riches. For others it may be a variety of things. I wonder what that one thing is that would bring you closer to God in the New Year?

What are some of the goals or resolutions that people make for the New Year?

According to the University of Scranton Journal of Clinical Psychology, December 13, 2012 edition, the top ten resolutions for 2012 were:

Lose Weight
Getting Organized
Spend Less, Save More
Enjoy Life to the Fullest
Staying Fit and Healthy
Learn Something Exciting
Quit Smoking
Help Others in Their Dreams
Fall in Love
Spend More Time with Family

These things are all GOOD things. But if we were to follow Jesus completely, with nothing standing between us and Him, a good number of these things would become true. If we were to follow God wholeheartedly and depend more on him in the year ahead, there is so much more God could do in our lives.

Jesus wasn’t against wealth. He was against anything that holds us back from God. For the rich young ruler great wealth was the ‘one thing’ that stood between him and God.

What are some other things that might stand between a person and God?

So what is your ‘one thing’?

Before we focus on that one thing, there is a final thing to remember from this passage. It is found in verse 27.

“With God all things are possible.”

Of those that do make New Year Resolutions, most fail. Some last a week, some last a month, but virtually none will last till the end of the year. That’s because we need God to make lasting change in our lives. We cannot do it alone. And if we do fail along the way, there’s nothing stopping us from confessing and picking ourselves up again then and there to continue on the journey. We don’t need to wait till the end of the New Year.

Pray for God’s help to give up your ‘one thing’ to Him so that you can not only be closer to Him, but so he can bring about even more change in your life over the next year.

Pray Philippians 1:9-11 into your life “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.”

Isaiah 43:18-19 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a pathway in the wilderness and streams in the desert.”

Take it to the Next Level

Have youth write that one thing on a piece of paper. Ask them why to write down why that one thing stands between them and God. Then ask them to write a letter to themselves about how God might encourage them and help them to make him more important in their life of the course of the next year. Then give each an envelope to seal the letter inside. Have them write their name and address on the front of their envelope. Then on their birthday or another special day during the next year, send them the letter.

“Until you commit your goals to paper, you have intentions that are seeds without soil.”
— Anonymous

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” Matthew 6:25-34

Additional Verses

Here are some verses to contemplate for the New Year. As your youth are writing, you may wish to make them into a slideshow presentation or write them out on flipchart paper and stick them up around the room. You might also want to consider using them to encourage your youth or as theme verses for the upcoming year.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.” (Psalm 51:10-11)

“And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” (Colossians 3:14-15)

“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But 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. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.” (Philippians 3:12-15)

“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Colossians 3:13)

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” (1 Corinthians 19:20)

“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:29-31)

“How can I repay the LORD for all his goodness to me?” (Psalm 116:12)

“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13)

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

“May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.” (Psalm 20:4)

“Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” (Lamentations 3:22-24)

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10)

“I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.” (Ezekiel 36:25-27)

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

“Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” (Proverbs 16:3)

“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” (Proverbs 19:21)

“Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” (2 Timothy 2:22)

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:1-2)

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” (1 Chronicles 16:34)

“Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” (Psalm 23:6)

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)

“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” (1 Peter 3:15)

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23)

“For when you did awesome things that we did not expect, you came down, and the mountains trembled before you. Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.” (Isaiah 64:3-4)

“Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord” (Lamentations 3:40).

“Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Gal. 6:9).

Game Ideas

New Year’s Charades

December 31, 2006 kensapp Leave a comment

Introduction
In this classic variation of charades participants must act out phrases or words in order for team members to guess the correct phrase. The essence of Charades is pantomimes: you must act out a word or phrase without speaking or making any sound effects. For a New Year’s Party Game, use events from the past year for items. You can still use the typical categories of charades like TV shows, Movies, books etc, but use those that were released in the previous 12 months!

Game Description
Participants split into teams of 6 or more members and try to guess the events from the person acting them out.

Game Materials
The key words

Game Preparation
You will need to create a list of items relating to events, and things that were done within the past 12 months. For inspiration look to the internet, the newspaper, magazines, etc. Print them on slips of paper and put them in a bag to be drawn from during the game.

Game Play

Divide players into two teams.
High die roll decides which team will play first.
The first team selects a person to mime the phrase; all other first team players are then the Guessers. The mime must rotate so that everyone is required to mime a clue before someone can go again.
Each time a new mime begins, he must draw a new name or phrase.
A timer is used… an hourglass can be used or a 2 minute timer. (The opposing team keeps track of the time limit.)
As one team mimes and guesses a name or phrase, the opposing team watches.
As the mime pantomimes the words his teammates start shouting out what they think is being portrayed. Players can guess as many times as they want. Guessing is NOT done in turn!
First, indicate to your team through motions (no words allowed) whether you’re going to mime the title of a movie, book, TV show, book, or Newspaper Headline (event) etc.
- to indicate a movie, pretend to crank an old-fashioned movie camera
- to indicate a book, pretend to be reading
- for a tv show, draw a square in the air for a tv screen.
- for a newspaper headline, pretend to be reading with your hands wide apart as if to read a newspaper.
Indicate how many words are in the title by holding up the same number of fingers as words. You might also indicate which word you are miming first by holding up a finger for that word. Usually you put the number of fingers flat against your arm to indicate the number of syllables in a word.
Use clues along the way to guide the answers:
- “sounds like” –cup your hand around your ear
- “little word”: bring your thumb and index fingers close together.
- “Longer version of the word”: pretend to stretch an elastic.
- “Shorter version of the word”: chop with your hand.
- “close, keep guessing!”: frantically wave hands to keep the guesses coming.
- “Knows”: Point to you nose to indicate that someone “knows” the word and is correct.
Continue until all the words in the phrase are correct.
If the Mime’s team guesses correctly before the timer is emptied, the Mime’s team gets one point and marks the score on a piece of paper. It is now the opposing team’s turn to mime and guess a new name or phrase from a new slip of paper.
If the Mime’s team does not guess correctly before the timer is emptied, they do not win the point. The opposing team then gets ten seconds to make one guess to win the point. If the opposing team guesses correctly, they win the point and mark the score on a separate sheet of paper. It is then their turn to mime and guess a new name or phrase. If the opposing team does not guess correctly, no one wins the point. It is now the opposing team’s turn to mime and guess a new name or phrase.
Play alternates between teams with each phrase to be mimed.
At the end of game play or the end of your clues, the team with the most correct guesses wins!

Discussion

What were the key events in your personal life during the past year?
What were some of your achievements?
What dreams and goals did you have? Did you reach them?
Did you make any New Year’s Resolutions at the beginning of last year? Did you keep them?

Closing Application
What are some of the things you want to do in the new year? What will the new year will look like for you? On a separate piece of paper make a list of some things you would like to see in the upcoming year. If you want to, you can share it with someone in the group to help keep you accountable to achieve it, or if it is personal, that is also ok… Seal it away in an envelope and write the date on it. Put it someplace where you can see as a reminder of the resolution you have made for the upcoming year!

For other variations see also:
New Year’s Pictionary
New Year’s Win Lose or Draw

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 New Year’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Halloween or Fall Festival, and Thanksgiving event. If you’ve ever wondered what you’re going to do for all these holidays and how you’re going to do it, this resource is for you.

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