YOUTH GROUP GAME ON MAKING GOOD CHOICES

YOUTH GROUP GAME ON MAKING GOOD CHOICES

YOUTH GROUP GAME ON MAKING GOOD CHOICES

 *CLICK HERE FOR A FREE YOUTH GROUP LESSON ON MAKING GOOD CHOICES.*

Bible: Philippians 4:8; 1 Timothy 4:12

Bottom Line: When we fix our thoughts on things that honor God, our choices and decisions will lead to life.

SUPPLIES

  • Blindfold
  • A Hammer (a giant inflatable hammer works best)
  • Tape
  • Sheets of Paper and a Marker
  • The song "Hammer Time"
  • 10 Second Audible Countdown
  • Large Space to play the game

HOW TO PLAY THE GAME

Count the number of students who will be playing the game.

Next, on each sheet of paper, write a number, beginning with "1."

On the next sheet of paper, write "2."

Continue, writing numbers on sheets of paper, until the numbers add up to at least the amount of students that are playing the game.

For example, if you have 10 students, then you will have sheets of paper that say, "1," "2," "3,"and "4" = 10.

Use tape to attach the sheets of paper and mark various areas around the room as “safe zones.”

Remember: The numbers on each safe zone show how many students can be in that area at a time.

Make sure there is enough space available for each student to have a spot.

These zones can be as big, small, and numerous as you would like.

Choose one player to be the Hammer:

Blindfold the student and place them in the center of the room with a hammer in hand.

On GO, the remaining students will move around the room trying to decide which “safe zone” they want to choose.

They can only choose an area that is not full.

Play “Hammer Time” as they are moving around.

Give students a 10-second countdown when time is almost up.

At the end of the countdown, the Hammer will point the giant hammer toward any direction they want.

The area closest to where they are pointing is then “hammered” out of the game and must sit down outside the playing area.

Leaders will decide which area is the closest.

Also, anyone that didn’t choose a corner before the hammer was dropped is automatically out of the game.

Play until only one person is left in the playing area and that person then becomes the Hammer for the next round.

Play as many rounds as you want.

TEACH

It was fun to watch how each of you chose differently and at different times throughout that game.

All of you were faced with the same situation, but made different choices because of different reasons.

Let me ask a few questions:

Allow a few responses for each question.

  • How many were of out of the game because you didn’t choose an area in time?
  • How many felt you should not have gotten out because the hammer was closer to another area?
  • How many chose areas because friends were in that area?
  • Who decided to go to smaller less populated areas?
  • Did anyone get left out of an area because it was filled up?
  • How did that make you feel?
  • How do you decide what choices to make in life?
  • Who makes decisions based on what others on doing? WHY?

In this world, it can feel overwhelming when every choice we make has tremendous outcomes and huge consequences.

Decisions that determine things like:

  • Will people like people like me or not like me?
  • Will I may be made fun of?
  • Will I be bullied?… and on and on.

So, what do we use to help us make decisions and to make good choices?

What reasoning do we use, or better yet, should we use?

Let’s read Proverbs 14:12.

“There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.”

Do you think this sounds extreme?

I mean... how many choices do you face each day that could lead to death?

If we look through God’s eyes, the correct answer is: many.

When we make decisions that are based on what others think it can lead us to do things that are hurtful to others, ourselves, and our relationship with God.

So, how can we take this information and start making better choices?

Read Philippians 4:8.

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

When we fix our thoughts on things that honor God, our choices and decisions will lead to life.

But first, understand that you won’t always make the right choices.

That doesn’t give us an excuse not to try.

It gives us the opportunity to experience the love and grace that God extends to us because He knows what’s in our hearts.

When we fail, God shows us grace.

And as we experience His grace, we grow in our relationship with God and find that it’s easier to make choices that bring God glory.

As a student, believe it or not, you’re learning new things every day... and that doesn’t stop when you become an adult.

Some of you are young believers, and all of this seems new, but whether this is new to you or you’ve followed God your entire life, He loves you the same.

Here’s what 1 Timothy 4:12 says:

Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.

God knows the influence you can have as youth in this world.

You can make the choice to go out and use that influence for Him.

Today, you can decide to make decisions based on His love and His glory.

 

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