Archives by: Lorrin Wolf

If you are focusing on the topic of friendship and/or loyalty, this game of charades might have the new twist you are looking for. Use Ruth 1:16 if you have biblically based messages.
Divide the youth into two teams for a game of charades. Within those teams, have each youth select a partner. The youth leader needs to create cards with characters on them that were or are presently known for their loyalty and friendship. Have the pairs work together to show their team the characters. Use Biblical and contemporary references; positive and negative role models. Allow the youth to reference the source of the characters, even the Biblical references. Some of the Biblical friendships listed below are not popularly known. It’s a good excuse for the youth to open up and read their Bibles. For contemporary references, it may be easier to initially act out “Clueless” than “Cher and Dionne.”

Examples include:

Biblical References:
– Mary and Lazarus, Luke 10:38-42
– Naomi and Ruth, Ruth 1:16,17
– Abraham and Lot, Gen. 14:14-16
– Samuel and Saul, 1 Sam. 15:35
– David and Jonathan, 1 Sam. 18:1-4
– Luke and Theophilus, Acts 1:1
– David and Ittai, 2 Sam. 15:19-21
– Jehu and Jehonadab, 2 Kin. 10:15-27
– David and Mephibosheth, 2 Sam. 9
– Joram and Ahaziah, 2 Kin. 8:28,29

Contemporary References:
– Thelma and Louise, movie of same name
– Burt and Ernie, Sesame Street
– Laverne and Shirley, TV show of the same name
– Scooby-Doo and Shaggy, Scooby-Doo
– Cher and Dionne, Clueless
– Spanky and Alfalfa, The Little Rascals
– Mary Kate and Ashley, Full House
– Brandon and Steve, 90210
– Ariel and Sebastian, The Little Mermaid
– Aladdin and Abu, Aladdin

I use this activity when our youth group does a lesson on decision making. Use Acts 22:10 “‘What shall I do Lord,’ I asked.” if your meetings are scripture based.
Have three pre-made signs that say “yes,” “no” and “maybe.” Tape them up in various corners of the room. Read from the following list (you may want to omit some items if you are working with junior high). Have the youth “take a stand” on an issue. Yes, they would do that or no, they would not. Only allow two maybes per person. The goal is for them to make a decision. The trick about this is not telling the kids what you plan to do after you go through the entire list. After you read off the last item, you repeat the list with a different question. It’s no longer “what would you do,” but instead it is “what would Jesus want you to do?” Here is a sample list:
– hang out with people who treat others badly
– hug a stranger who has AIDS
– cheat on a test to get a passing grade
– help a relative die who has a terminal illness
– stay at a party where people are drinking
– drink alcohol while under age
– copy answers from a friend’s homework
– keep the money when the cashier gives you too much change
– smoke a cigarette
– lie to your parents
– speed to make it to school on time
– maintain sexual purity
– spread rumors about someone who hurt you
– lie for a friend to an authority figure
– be the first to talk to the new person in school
– date someone who doesn’t believe in God
– sneak out after curfew