Archives by: John McPhail

Medic

This is a great indoor/outdoor game. Divide into two equal teams. Divide a play area into two equal courts. Medic works a lot like dodge ball only with a few twists. Each team chooses someone to be their medic. The teams must stay on their own side of the court. Once a player is hit he/she must sit down where they were hit. The Medic then has to rescue that person by pulling them to the back of the court. Once at the back of the court the player is back in the game. The object is to hit the other team’s medic to win.

Details on the rules
1. If a player catches a ball thrown at them, the one who threw the ball must sit.
2. If a ball bounces off a player and is caught before it hits the ground, the one who threw the ball must sit.
3. You may use a ball in hand to block with, but if the ball is knocked loose and hits the ground the player must sit.

* those who are sitting CANNOT throw or catch for their team until the medic has rescued them.

*use Nerf balls or you will need an actual medic present.
Have Fun!

by John McPhail in Indoor Youth Group Games, Mid and Late Adolescents Comments are off
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S.N.A.C.

S.N.A.C. (Sunday, Night, After, Church)

Once a month the youth meet at people’s homes. The homes are offered on a volunteer basis. This is a time for devotionals and prayer time leading into fun games the kids enjoy, such as “spoons” or board games. This has served the purpose of fellowship. The volunteers get to know the kids and relationships begin. This is how I organized our SNAC night.
Jr. High is every 2nd Sunday
High School is every 3rd Sunday

Volunteers usually prepare food. but you could have the boys bring pop and the girls bring chips or visa versa. This helps with the cost if you have a large youth group.

by John McPhail in All Youth, Programs Comments are off
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Inside or Out?

Scripture:
James 1:13-18
Joshua 24:14-18

Illustration (Fish) – Lets say that this bowl represents God’s will for our lives. God’s will has boundaries. There are things we can do within God’s will and things we cannot do. Lets say that the water represents God’s living word because whatever we do in life has to be done within God’s will according to His word, right? The fish then inside the bowl represents us. (Hit the glass and turn the bowl) Satan cannot touch us within God’s will so he wants to get us out of the bowl; he wants us out in the open with no protection. So Satan plays with our desires and uses our own desires to entice us and drag us away from God’s Will.(Sprinkle fish food on the outside of the bowl. If the bowl is a little wet the food will stick and the fish will try to eat it but can’t) and soon we want what’s out in the world and if we continue chasing after the things in this world sooner or later we will make the decision to venture out on our own.

(Take the fish out of the bowl and put it on a wet wash cloth)
then read James 1:13-15

Return fish to Bowl
then read (V. 16-18)

Joshua had a similar problem with the Israelite people. They wanted what was on the outside instead of what God had for them. They wanted idols and a way of life without consequences. They were enticed. Finally Joshua had enough and he spoke before the people.

Read Joshua 24:14-15
Do you think the people changed their mind and began to serve God after Joshua made his bold stand of faith?
Read (v.16-18)
Joshua was a leader by example and we too are leaders. What does your example say at school, at home or at work. Are you living a bold faith or are you following the example of the coolest trends? Are you being enticed by popularity, money, boyfriends (girlfriends)or maybe in your life your harboring jealousy, hatred or envy. Are you more concerned about your own agenda than you are God’s will?

Closing –
We must choose daily to follow God and to refuse to be enticed by our own desires. I am trying to lose weight and it isn’t easy when my wife bakes chocolate brownies with caramel. Every day I am faced with a menu and I must make a choice. So it is with us in the spiritual realm, everyday we are faced with choices between right and wrong and our choices are the tale tell signs of who we truly serve and it is a daily decision. Who will you serve this day? Are you Inside or Out?

by John McPhail in Complete Meetings, Mid and Late Adolescents Comments are off
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