More ice-breaking game ideas

Change Three Things (submitted by Shannon Rasmussen, Kilo Junior High)

Form pairs. After looking each other over, both partners stand back-to-back. Then each changes three thingsd about their appearance. Each partner tries to figure out what was changed. The fun part of this activity is to continue changing things for about 7-10 rounds. The kids think they can't change anything else, but guess what? They can! GReta lesson about persistence! BEAN Bag toss Abstract object description

Prayer Items in Crossroad

In PGC, there is a weekly prayer guide.  In order for us to grow as a healthy youth group, prayer must be central to identity.  Here are a list of prayer items:

-our heart to reflect and respond to the birth of Jesus Christ during
-unity of the leaders in planning and serving in ways that pleases God
-hearts will be drawn to the spiritual growth of the church
-friends whom have not accept salvation in Christ
-various events coming up: Christmas parties, Sleepover, etc...  help us to bond and connect
-Baptism of brothers and sisters.
-for those who are hurting and encountering difficulties

Video on Small group and Worship service

Christmas Video pointing out Bible assumptions

Why Fellowship and Worship?

What is fellowship?  


Fellowship is the gathering of believers of Jesus Christ for the purpose of building up one another to make disciples of Jesus Christ.


Why is fellowship important?


 Interpersonal relationships are so desperately needed to keep our faith glowing and growing. If you drop off your associations with other Christians and disassociate yourself from them in worship and service, you’ll run out of spiritual passion and dedication in a short time. There is no substitute for going to church and worshiping with other believers.

What is worship?  


Worship is honour or homage paid to God. We conduct services expressing such reverence. Worship includes both an attitude and the actions that accompany and are motivated by attitudes.

Why is worship important?  

1. Worship is commanded by God. We shall worship God only and not anything else.  

2. God is worthy of worship.  God alone deserves to be worshipped because of what He is and what He does. No other being or thing we could venerate can even come close to matching the worth of giving worship to our great God.

3. We need to worship God.  This desire is so strong that, if we do not give it to Him, we will probably give it elsewhere. It is true that we cannot find personal fulfilment or become the most and greatest that mankind can attain apart from the glad and worshipful submission and obedience to Him. Any who choose to give themselves to any other lord and master build their lives on quicksand. In this, we are dealing with another reality of life: A person can rise no higher than what he worships.

What is a small group

A small group is a place to connect and share our lives in Christ with one another.

http://emmanuelvoice.org/English/home/small-groups/

Freedom in Christ

What do you think of when you hear the word freedom?  Do you think of financial freedom?  Do you think of political freedom?  Do you think of the freedom to do whatever you want?  The world tells us that if you want to be free, you need to gain as much resources and influences as possible, then you can choose to live anyway you want.  This is not the way God intended for us to live.

We are seeing the negative effects of worldly freedom through marriages falling apart, personal/corporate debt increasing, rebellion in young people, and lack of social moral values.  In order to bring hope to our society and to our family, we need to live out God’s desire for us in order to be truly free.

What is Biblical Freedom?  Freedom is defined as being who God made you to be.  For example, a train is designed to run on the designated tracks.  If one day, the train decided to move apart from the track, we do not call this freedom, but a disaster.  God made you to be holy in his image and we are designed to live according to his Words.  Worldly freedom is the freedom of choice, but Biblical freedom is the freedom for choice in obedience to God. 

   Freely refrain from activities that may stumble fellow believers and seekers

We as followers of Christ are free to engage in activities led by the Word of God through the Holy Spirit.  God loves us like how you parents love your children.  His commandments are there to protect us so we can live out an abundantly life.  In Chapter 8, the issue is regarding food sacrifice to idols.  People were debating whether it is ok to eat or not.  Idols are nothing and eating or not eating means nothing.  However, he does say that if by eating the food, he may stumble those with weak conscience, he would rather not eat it at all. 

How can this situation happen today?  We may be invited to attend business/wedding parties where a roasted pig was being offered to the god of money or god of love.  I love to eat roasted pig especially with the crunchy skin.  There is nothing wrong with eating it, but if this may cause believers to stumble or let the non-believer think that we are conforming to the patterns of this world, I will freely refrain from eating it.  This applies to many common activities such as drinking, entertainment choices, and political agendas.  We refrain from activities that may stumble others out of our freedom.

Freely lay down one’s right for the sake of the Gospel

In chapter 9. Paul was defending himself against his accusers.  Even though he was a hard-working and passionate leader, he had oppositions to his work.  We see that Jesus Christ was full of opposition in his life.  Paul said that he had the right to obtain wages for the work of preaching the Gospel.  He used the analogy of workers for the vineyard and soldiers going to war, and how they both obtain wages for their labor.  Paul freely refuses from getting pay so that no one can accuse him of benefiting from the Gospel even though he had the right to receive wages for his labour.   

Personally, I do get a wage from the church for the work of ministering to our young people.  I do thank the church for the support so that our pastoral staff can devote more time in ministering through God’s Words and prayer.  When one can freely and passionately devote his/her time, money, energy to God’s mission, without considering receiving rights from the cause, this is genuine freedom.

Most of you probably heard about this man, Rick Warren, who is the author of Purpose Driven Life.  This book is a best seller and as it attracted readers from all walks of life.  Pastor Rick received lots of money and fame because of this book.  He prayed and he desired to be free from the criticism of becoming wealthy through God’s message.  He gave back all the wages he received in his past churches.  He decided to reverse tithe, which means he gave away 90% and kept 10% for himself.  How many of you faithfully tithe 1/10 of your income to God? 

How do we set ourselves free by laying down our rights?  We start by giving up small rights we have.  I see brothers and sisters giving up your time and resources to prepare for the love coffee.  I see brothers and sisters giving rides to people without transportation to small group, and often go out of the way to do so.  You do definitely have the right to use the time of traveling around to chill, but you freely give up this right because you want to advance the Gospel.


Willing to serve one another humbly as a servant

We are convicted that we are God’s beloved children.  We are free in God’s eyes.  Jesus Christ is God Himself, but he freely and willingly became a servant to all.  We as followers of Jesus Christ are to willingly lay down our lives to serve those whom we share the Gospel with.  Paul said, to the Jew, I became a Jew.  To the weak, I became weak.  We are not talking about conforming to the patterns of this world (Romans 12:2).  We come as servants and we are willing to help the people of their practical needs.  When we share the good news of Christ, we do not come in as experts looking down on the people we are trying to reach.    In this manner, we earn the right to preach the Gospel.

            
       If we are to reach out to young people, we are to walk in their shows.  We serve them by putting our effort in listening and understanding their culture.  If we are to reach people living in a less privileged community, we move to where they are and serve them in their comfort zone.  If we are to reach out to our friends and relatives, we come to them with the attitude of a servant.


            Willing to go through strict disciplines

            
           We are willing to discipline ourselves to run the spiritual race with the crown that last forever.   The spiritual race is compared to runners in a long distance race.  Competitive long distance runners must be disciplined and practice continually.  How many of you here have competed in running? 

If you have done long distance running like 5-10km, you would know the amount of practice and discipline involve in getting your body ready to sustain.  In long distance running, the mind must be willing more than the body.  When we discipline our mind and body in tough exercises, we gain more energy and become free to accomplish more than we can ever imagine.

There is a man named Dean Karnazes and he was passionate to know how far the human body can be stretched.  He started by completing in 10km, then the half marathon, and eventually the full marathon.  A full marathon is 42 km and the distance is like running from here to CN Tower, I used Google map to verify that.  Dean is curious to how far he could be stretched.  He enrolled in the Western State 100, which requires the participants to finish the 50 mile qualifier.  He conquered that, and eventually, he move on to compete in a 200 mile relay race solo.  His story inspires many people as he is also has other great accomplishments.  Athletes willingly choose to engage in tough physical disciplines.  When one can stretch his/her body to the extreme, he/she becomes free to conquer the many challenges of life.  We as believers of Jesus Christ are in a spiritual race.  We are called to run in such a way to win the prize. 

 What are spiritual disciplines? Spiritual disciplines are meditation on God’s Words, prayer, and service.  Like physical disciplines, Spiritual disciplines take efforts.  Initially when I was introduced the concept of devotion, I was turned off as if we are already not busy enough with things in our lives.  It was tough in the beginning.  As I engage more and built into a routine, I found devotions joyful as I am strengthen from within to serve God.  Like high performance athletes, the more they disciplined themselves, the more passionate and free we become.   We see that the saints in the past like Martin Luther, John Calvin, Augustine, all engaged in rigorous spiritual disciplines despite how busy they are.  They freely disciplined themselves and people today are still reaping from the fruit of their labour.

To conclude, what is real freedom in Christ?  Our freedom is living out our abundant life in Christ.  We are created by God for the purpose of glorifying Him.  Through Christ, we are free from the bondage of sin, and freely accept the identity of being God’s children.  Therefore, we are freely lay down our rights, being a servant to others, and willingly to accept spiritual disciplines.  Our freedom will help others in receiving the benefits of the Gospel.  As a result, more and more people can be released to live out a live of freedom in Christ.

Evangelism Fail

I believe in sharing the Gospel through friendship.  Please tip accordingly with worldly treasure to show that we are not attached to it.

For who you are

I love this song and this song just keep playing in my head.

For who you are

Standing here, in Your presence
Thinking of the good things You have done
Waiting here, patiently
Just to hear Your still small voice again
Holy, righteous, faithful to the end
Savior, healer, redeemer and friend

I will worship You for who You are
I will worship You for who You are
I will worship You for who You are Jesus

My soul secure, Your promise sure
Your love endures always


By: Hillsong

Marks of a disciple

The following are reflection questions to see where we are as a disciple of Jesus Christ along with the Scripture reference.

1. Am I willing to serve?  (John 13)
2. Am I learning to listen? (Luke 9:35, Luke 10:41)
3. Am I willing to learn? (Matthew 16:22)
4. Am I willing to be corrected? (Matthew 18:15)
5. How well do I submit to my authorities? (Hebrew 13:17)
6. Can I share my life with others in open and honest fellowship? (1 John 1)
7. Am I learning humility? (Phil 2:3)
8. Am I willing to examine my own life before criticising others? (Matthew 7:1-5)
9. Do I know my weaknesses? Am I willing to overcome them with the grace of God? (2 Cor 12:9)
10. Am I am perfectionist? Am I learning to accept myself in Christ? (1 John 1:8-10)
11. Am I able to forgive? (Matthew 18:21)
12. How do I handle discouragements? (Ephesians 6:10)
13. Can I be trusted? (1 Cor 4:2)
14. Do I mind my own affairs or like to be busybody or even a gossip? (1 Tim 5:13)
15. Do I see that all my time is a gift of God and to be used wisely? (Eph 5:15-17)
16. Do I aim first and foremost to please God? (John 12:43)

Ice Breaking Name Games

Who Am I?
Take a pile of 3x5 cards and write down a name of a person or character on each card. These
names can be seasonal (Winter: Santa, Frosty, Jack Frost, etc.) or follow a theme (Superheroes:
Batman, Superman, The Hulk, etc.). Then tape a card to the back of every person in the room.
They must now try to guess who they are by going around the room asking other people
questions about the name on their back. These questions must be yes-no questions (ex. Q. "Am I
green?" A. "Yes") and only one question can be asked to each person in the room (to get everyone
talking to everyone else). The first person to guess the name on their back is the winner.


The List
Make a list of statements that may be true about the individuals in your group. The list should
say "Find someone who...." at the top and look something like this:
• likes to eat liver and onions
• has visited Japan
• is wearing pink socks
• can burp "Row, Row, Row, Your Boat"
• ate at McDonald's today
The list can be as long or as short as you like, be creative, the sillier the better. Pass out one copy
of the list to each person. Then have the individuals go around the room getting the items on the
list signed off by people in the group who may fit one of the descriptions. A person may only sign
a sheet one time. After a short span of time (I like to play a song or two) have them stop. The
person with the most signatures is the winner.


People Bingo
Make a list of about 25 different facts (i.e. "someone who's parent wears dentures!") and lay it
out on a B I N G O format. The object is to get 5 spaces in a row or blackout (All spaces full). It
is an interesting and fun crowd breaker type game. In order to fill the spaces you need to find
another person who matches one of the qualities or facts listed and then have them sign their
name on the appropriate square.

Action Name Game Participants stand in a circle, arms distance apart.  Ask each person to think of an verb and action which starts with the same letter as the person's first name e.g., "Jumping James". The person does the action and yells out their action-name.  Everyone then repeats the action and the action-name. This requires pretty high level of instructor energy and drama, people are pretty shy to start with. Really encourage everyone to join in and say the name and action of everyone else. To really drill names home, go around again, it should be faster and really get the blood moving. For participants who say "I can't think of anything", I say "Keep thinking, we'll come back to you".  If they still don't come up with anything, I ask the group to help. Note I don't allow duplicate verbs either - must use a unique verb.

Nov 11 Retroship

Ice Cream Eating Contest

Sharing life stories

Meaning of apology

What is our faith?

Our faith is not a matter of hearing what Christ said long ago and "trying to carry it out".  Rather, our faith is the son of God living inside us.  (C.S. Lewis)

Operation Christmas Child

Click here to go to Operation Christmas Child website

Interesting Art Work

This is an amazing piece of art work that has impress many people.