We saw this idea on T.V. for a whole other reason, but we took the general idea and put a Christian twist on it. We used this idea on our winter retreat. After all the youth had ate and we had done our nightly devotion we set the mood. We set out a lot of lit candles in the room and played music in the background, (we repeatly played “Friends are Friends Forever”). We asked the youth to all stand in a circle and hold hands. Then we set the scene….”We’re all aboard the Titantic and it’s going down! But there is only one lifeboat big enough to hold one person….who’s it gonna be?” Now explain to the youth that they are going to decide by choosing one person to live. Each member of the youth group must go to each person in the circle and say “You LIVE” or “You DIE” they can only choose one person to live.
This will be a tender moment for the youth as they realize how precious life is and what kind of testimony they will be living behind. After each one has gone see who had the most “You LIVE”‘s and pull them to the front of the group.
Then say ” O.K. guys the water is coming up on the deck, we’ve gotta get Liz into the lifeboat, but before she goes, you have one last chance to tell her something to carry back to your family and friends… remember keep it quick the water is almost here”
Our youth took this time to reflect on their lives and shared things like, tell my uncle if he wants to see me again he needs to get saved, and others said tell my parents I love them and I’m sorry for all the times I did wrong.
It was a hard thing for the kids but it brought them closer together and mostly closer to the Lord! After taking Liz from the room we played the song one more time and let those left behind take that time for themselves. Then after the song we told them…”LOOK! what’s that? Off In the distance it was the Carpathia, you have been rescued! Now take back your messages yourself and commit each day be a stonger Christan and witness for Christ!
This exercise is such a spiritual one, if done right and in the right way, We saw God move in a unbelieveable way and I preached on how Christ was my Carpaitha! Our youth grew in Christ because he was present!!