Materials
* Tennis ball (small ball)
* newsprint and a marker.
* A Bible.

Activity
1. Form kids into circles of 10-20 people.
2. Ask each group to sit in a circle.
3. Explain that you’re going to toss the ball to someone across the circle.
4. The receiver is to pick out another person across the circle that has not received the ball yet and toss the ball to him or her.
5. Continue tossing until everyone in the circle has had a chance to catch and toss the ball.
6. Repeat the pattern, catching and tossing to the same people as before. But this time, ask kids to each say one thing they really “love” (basketball, skateboarding, trench fries, movies, and so on) before they toss the ball to someone else.
7. On the third round, repeat the catch-and-toss pattern, this time asking kids to each say one thing they really love about the person they’re tossing the ball to (this will probably be much harder than the previous round).

Debrief
* How did you feel when someone told you something he or she loved about you?
* Why is it easier to talk about things we love than about what we love in others?
* What’s one thing we can do in our group to show we love each other?
* Write the answers to the last question on newsprint. Then vote on the best idea and do it at each class.

Holiday Collection

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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Materials
Develop a list of 15-20 items that teens carry in their wallets, purses, or on themselves.

Activity
1. Divide into groups of 4-5 students.
2. Tell the groups that you are going to ask for an object and the first group to run up to you with the object will receive the point.
3. The object of course is to receive the most points.

Application
After the game, tell the group that today’s lesson is like the game. Seemingly insignificant items became valuable as we tried to win. So it is with us. We may view ourselves as nothing too special, yet God says he can and will do amazing works through people who may seem insignificant by the world’s standards, yet who are faithful to him. God wants use you to demonstrate his love to others. Conclude by saying that just as they used small insignificant items, God wants to use the small things in our life to show others his love.

Some possible items for your list are:
black comb, facial tissue, a cross, five dollar bill, Bible, a book mark, phone, white shoe string, 1 cent coin, an identity card or driver’s license, brown belt, safety pin, a ring, watch with a second hand, toothbrush, a friend’s phone#, pen, fingernail file, a pencil, picture of dad, friendship bracelet, blank paper, student ID, a blonde hair, credit card, a cosmetic mirror, house key, glasses, foreign currency, lipstick, note from a friend

See Conducting Scavenger Hunts for help, Hints, Safety Considerations, Rules, and other useful information to make your scavenger hunt a wild success!

is a 160 page e-book that explains everything you need to know to easily plan your very own scavenger hunt: Item Lists, Rules, Riddles, Safety Tips, Guidelines, Scoring, Tips for Facilitators and MORE! There are more than 50 complete ideas (scavenger hunts, photo hunts, video hunts, amazing race, etc.) to use at home, around the neighborhood, at the mall, in the park, on the beach, at church, and around town!

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Materials
* a large sheet of poster board or newsprint (classified ads work best for newsprint)
* See variations for other needed materials.

Description
Use this creative teaching idea as an introduction to a lesson on love or for Valentine’s Day

Activity
As people walk in the door direct them to a large sheet of poster board or newsprint upon which you have written the words “Love is….” Ask the participants to finish the sentence and write their answers on the poster.

Variation
Have a competition between teams of people to name as many things as possible that are associated with love. Based upon these lists have particpants form a definition of “true Love.” You could also make a list of things on your own and play a game of charades.

Some ideas: Heart, Kiss, Roses, Flirt, God, Valentine, Red, cupid, Date, Sacrifice, Marriage, Wedding, honeymoon, ring, family

Variation
Break into small groups around the room. Provide old magazines, newspapers, and scissors. Instruct the groups to search for and cut out anything that relates to love. Examples might be pictures of loving parents, friends, hugs, children, etc. After about ten minutes, bring them back together and let each group share what they found. Discuss the different examples of love. Ask the participants how they would define love if all they had were the clippings to base their definition upon.

Discussion Ideas
* Ask how God would define love. Point out that God’s idea of unconditional love or sacrificial love is a rare trait today, but one that is essential to being a follower of Christ.

Holiday Collection

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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Materials
3×5 cards

Preparation
On 3×5 cards place the names of different fish. Simply using the names of the fish, youth will be able to group them into humorous categories. There may be some overlap in categories.

MILITARY: swordfish, scabbardfish, archerfish, dartfish, seargentfish, spikefish, javelinfish, soldierfish, spearfish, fightingfish
TOOLS: spadefish, filefish, knifefish, wedgefish, sawfish, pipefish, hatchetfish, sicklefish, siphonfish, scissorfish, shovelfish, handsaw fish, paddlefish, oarfish, telescopefish, tripodfish
ANIMALS: cowfish, milkfish, lionfish, manefish, skunkfish, stinkfish, Elephant Fish, tuskfish, frogfish, toadfish, batfish, dragon fish, pigfish, boarfish, porkfish, porcupine fish, pony fish, horsefish, saddlefish, unicorn fish, beaverfish, squirrelfish, zebra fish, spiderfish, rabbitfish, lizardfish, snakefish, tigerfish, rhino-fish, pantherfish, monkeyfish, leopardfish
FLAGS: flagfish, bannerfish, pennant fish, ribbonfish
GEMS: Jewelfish, pearlfish, gemfish, rubyfish, opalfish
MUSICAL: Singingfish, trumpet fish, flutemouth, guitarfish, bandfish
VESSELS: barrelfish, sackfish, boxfish, tubfish
PEOPLE: surgeonfish, doctorfish, kingfish, queenfish, ladyfish, damselfish, Knightfish, grannyfish, pilotfish, clownfish, nurseryfish, tonguefish
BIRDS: parrotfish, turkeyfish, hen fish, roosterfish, hawkfish, goosefish, peacock fish, ravenfish, wing fish, flying fish
HYGENE: razorfish, beardfish, mirrorfish, combfish, hairyfish, soapfish, ragfish
SPIRITUAL: angelfish, devilfish, monkfish, priestfish, crossfish, shepherdfish, sheepshead, wolffish, sowfish, harvestfish, goatfish
LIGHT: headlight fish, lanternfish, flashlight fish, lampfish, penlightfish, lightfish
COOKING: puddingfish, jellyfish, skilletfish, platefish, ricefish, noodlefish
FELINE: catfish, ratfish, mousefish
CANINE: dogfish, pupfish, houndfish
SEWING: needlefish, threadfish, pinfish
ASTRONOMY: sunfish, moonfish, Starfish
TEMPERATURE: frostfish, icefish, firefish
OFFICE: pencilfish, paperfish, pinfish
CRAWLIES: scorpionfish, stingfish, butterflyfish
FRUITS: pineapple fish, mangofish, lemonfish
NATIVE AMERICAN: redskinfish, squawfish, indianfish

Activity 1
Tape the name of a fish on each person’s back and ask them to ask “yes” or “no”questions to discover their identity

Activity 2
Play a game of charades using the fish cards

Activity 3
Use fish names from the cards that have some relationship to each other. Have each youth find a partner that somehow relates to the name of his/her fish.

Activity 4
Bring in items such as a leaf, a needle, etc. Have youth use the object to draw a funny picture of what the fish might look like. Compare with photos of the real fish for lots of fun!

Activity 5
Play a game of pictionary using the fish names– You draw pictures instead of act out the words.

Note
You can get various pictures of fish from a fish book or aquarium guide. Ask kids to try to name the different types of fish from the pictures. You can find out more about these fish and many more on the internet at: http://www.fishbase.org/search.cfm – There are also many photos at this site.

Applications
Use these as an icebreaker for a lesson on evangelism from Matthew 4:17-22 relating it to how we are to be “fishers of men”

Discussion Ideas
1. How is telling others about Jesus similar to fishing?
2. Lures are attractive to fish. How can you make the good news of Jesus attractive to your friends?

Related Ideas
Humor: Dynamite Fishing
Devotional: Tank test
Game: Fishing for Men
Illustration: Aquarium Sharks
Object Lesson: Bait!
For other related ideas search for “fish” or “evangelism”.

200 page e-book that explains everything you need to know when planning your very own object lessons. It contains 90 fully developed object lesson ideas and another 200 object lesson starter ideas based on Biblical idioms and Names / Descriptions of God.

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Materials
1. A container that can be sealed and stored away.
2. Items for the time capsule (see below)

Summary
Celebrate the previous year and create a fun activity for the next by creating a time capsule. Can be the beginning f a fun youth group tradition.

Preparation
Beforehand, brainstorm with the youth the kinds of things to include in the time capsule – Stuff that means a lot to you now, and stuff you might think is funny or cool when you open this thing up again in a year!

Ideas
* pictures of themselves
* a letter to themselves in a sealed envelope to be opened one year from today
* a letter from a friend to the future you
* a videotape of the youth group to themselves in the future
* a paragraph about what you want to be
* favorite scripture verse or Bible Story
* a list of favorite things
* what is cool
* slang words
* things that are in/ popular
* popular activities, movies, books, clothes
* prices of favorite things
* a timeline of key events from the past year (Ask everyone to bring newspapers, magazines to cut things from)
* photographs of family, themselves, pets, and special occasions
* allow each youth one small item each to seal away (Size will depend on what you use for your time capsule.)
* ticket stubs from your favorite movies
* a recording of your favorite songs
* a list of best friends
* pictures of your room

Variation
Have a design a time capsule contest. Ask youth to create and fill their own time capsules and bring them to the meeting. Include all these in your main time capsule. Ask youth to share with each other what they have included and why?

Holiday Collection

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.

=> Tell me more about the Holiday Collection

Place a line across the middle of the room. Designate one side as “wrong” and the other side as “Acceptable.” As youth are told of the following situations, they must stand on the side of the room that represents their stand on the issue. After each situation, ask some of the youth on either side of the issue to give their reasons for the stand. If everyone is on one side, you might ask someone to switch and debate what someone on the other side my say?

Sample Situations
1. Listening to a “November Rain” By Guns and Roses? (The song isn’t bad, but the bands reputation is bad)
2. Having a glass of wine while on a flight to the USA? (Drinking wine isn’t sin, only drunkeness, but does it destroy your Christian witness to drink?)
3. Going to an RA rated movie? (What if, like Schindler’s list it is a documentary? Does that make the nudity and language acceptable?)
4. Listening to a song with a catchy tune but contains profanity in its lyrics? (Can you really just enjoy the beat and honestly say the lyrics have no effect?)
5. Using a supposed copy of an exam from which to study? (Is it cheating or just using what is available?)
6. Playing a role-playing game that contains cultic themes and references. (Is it just a game with no real effect on you?)
7. Playing a computer game that contains demons. (Is it just a game or could it lead to more?)
8. Attending a Charismatic Service (Because they worship differently, does that make them wrong?)
9. Attending a Catholic Church Service (Is Catholicism just going through the motions or could there be Catholics who are saved?)
10. Participating a Buddhist blessing Ceremony (Is out out of respect for parents or should we avoid idols and false religions completely?)
11. Participating in a Hungry Ghost Festival. (Is it ok for a Christian?)
ADD YOUR OWN SITUATIONS

200 page e-book that explains everything you need to know when planning your very own object lessons. It contains 90 fully developed object lesson ideas and another 200 object lesson starter ideas based on Biblical idioms and Names / Descriptions of God.

Learn More…

Materials
strips of cloth, prepare two bags full of old clothing items, such as hats, large pants, shirts, scarves, socks, glasses, gloves, jackets, and large pairs of shoes. Make sure that both bags contain the same items. The wackier and more out of style the items, the better. Place each bag on a chair.

Setup
Form pairs. Give each pair a strip of cloth to tie their ankles together, as if running a three legged race.

Rules
The activity has one rule: anything you wish to do and anyplace you go, must be with your partner. You are each 1/2 of a person and cannot be separated. If you wish to eat food, go ahead, but your partner must feed you.

Activities
1. Divide the youth into two groups, keeping pairs together. Run a relay race in which each pair has to run to its team’s chair, pick two items of clothing out of the bag, and dress each other in that clothing. Have each pair do the “HokeyPokey” acting as one person (one person does all the right side actions while the other does the left side actions).
2. Sing songs that require clapping and hand motions, again having each person act as one side of the body.
3. Take a snack break and remind teens that they must feed each other.
4. Add other competitions that require 2 hands to complete such as pealing a banana or orange, cutting a design out of a peice of paper, tying shoe laces, origami, putting a puzzle together, pealing a hard boiled egg, tossing a beach ball, threading a needle, etc.

Application
1. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

200 page e-book that explains everything you need to know when planning your very own object lessons. It contains 90 fully developed object lesson ideas and another 200 object lesson starter ideas based on Biblical idioms and Names / Descriptions of God.

Learn More…

Materials
Building blocks, decks of cards or other materials used to build a tower. Options are dominoes, fruits, popsicle sticks, stones, people, sheets of paper, sugar cubes, soda straws, lego’s, empty soda cans, etc.

Activity
1. Have individuals or groups build towers from the materials provided. You may choose to give all the groups the same materials or give different groups different materials.
2. Award prizes for the tallest, sturdiest, lightest, most creative, best architectural style, strangest, etc. You might then decide to have a best distaster – catastrophe – see which tower has the best death scene when demolished. For fun you may wish to video tape the construction and destruction of towers for a record of the event.

Application
1. When it seems like life is knocking us down, God is there to pick us up.
2. I wonder how many of us were tempted to destroy our competition instead of building our own tower? Satan is like that too. We work hard to try to be like Jesus. We do nice things like hold our tempers (place a block) or tell the truth (stack another block on top) or obey our teacher (place another block on top), and when Satan sees us trying to grow more like Christ guess what Satan tries to do? (Satan tries to knock us down. ) Yes, Satan tries to knock us down. And sometimes he succeeds. But we have to pick ourselves up and try again, because God promises to lift us up and help us.

200 page e-book that explains everything you need to know when planning your very own object lessons. It contains 90 fully developed object lesson ideas and another 200 object lesson starter ideas based on Biblical idioms and Names / Descriptions of God.

Learn More…

Materials
None

Activity
Have the group form a circle holding hands. Say, I am going to name some situations. I want you to pray silently for the persons on your left and right as if the situation were true. What/ how would you pray?

Situations
NOTE: Create your own and use discretion as not all options may be appropriate for all groups of youth.
1. Imagine you are holding the hand of someone who is sick.
2. Imagine you are praying with someone who is homeless.
3. Imagine you are praying with the President / Prime Minister.
4. Imagine that you are holding the hand of someone who is dying.
5. Imagine that you are holding the hand of a female friend who has gotten pregnant or of a guy who has just gotten a girl pregnant.
6. Imagine you are holding the hand of a convicted murderer.
7. Imagine you are holding the hand of a person with AIDS.
8. Imagine you are holding the hand of Jesus.

Debrief
Debrief this prayer time by asking:
1. What did you learn about yourself during our adventure prayer?
2. What made you uncomfortable?
3. What did you learn about prayer?
4. How can you use these ideas to make you personal prayer time more meaningful?

200 page e-book that explains everything you need to know when planning your very own object lessons. It contains 90 fully developed object lesson ideas and another 200 object lesson starter ideas based on Biblical idioms and Names / Descriptions of God.

Learn More…