Ready to go: Bible studies

Group, Sep/Oct 2000 by Caro, Stephanie

mind over emotions?

TOPICS

A Reasonable Faith, An Unreasonable Faith, An Emotional Commitment, An Unemotional Commitment

a reasonable faith

1. I Doubt It!--(Supplies: 3x5 cards, pencils, a marker and a sheet of newsprint with a drawing of a big head, taped to the wall.)

Before the meeting choose five teenagers and give each one a 3x5 card and a pencil. Ask them to each write on a card three facts about themselves-two true and one false (but believable)-and their name. Take their cards and don't show them to anyone.

Gather the group to play the oldie-- but-goodie game Two Truths and a Lie. Tell your five chosen teenagers they'll be known as the Liars-have them stand in front of the group. Tell the rest of the group they'll be known as the Sherlocks.

As each Liar steps forward, read aloud that person's "fact card." If the Sherlocks correctly guess which of the three facts written is a lie, they get a point. But Sherlocks must work together to provide only one decision for the group. If they guess incorrectly, the Liars get the point. The team with the most points can decide any song (within reason) that the losing team must stand up and sing.

After the game is over, -> ask: What criteria did you use to decide which were the truths and which was the lie? (For example: "We know her and she doesn't believe that" or "He wouldn't do that because he's allergic to cats.") As kids brainstorm the criteria, write a summary of each idea on your newsprint "head." Then -> ask: What's missing from this list of criteria? Again, write each suggestion. Then -> ask: What made your decisions difficult?

-> Say: Well it's clear from this list that you used reason to weed out lies from the truth. And it's also clear that this weeding-out process isn't always so easy. Just as in the game, God gave us the reasoning ability to weed out lies from the truth, but it's not always easy.

2. The Big Decision!--Supplies: Bibles, paper, and pencils.) Form groups of no more than six. Give each group paper, pencils, and a Bible. -> Say: Work together to describe one situation when Christian teenagers must make a difficult choice between two options. For example, should you go to the youth group meeting or "the party of the year"? Or should you break a Bible study attendance covenant to go to the opening of a blockbuster movie? You have two minutes to write your scenario.

After two minutes -> say: In just a moment, I'll have you switch your "decision situation" with another group. You're not allowed to read other groups' scenarios before switching. After you've made the switch, I'll give you some questions to discuss regarding your new "decision situation."

After kids switch papers, ask the following questions one at a time, giving groups two or three minutes to discuss each one: -> How do you make decisions when some choices seem to conflict with God's will-what reasoning or criteria do you use? How do you know for sure that you're doing what God wants you to? What do you do after you've made a poor choice?

After groups have wrestled with the questions, have them each create a two-minute skit that portrays their decision situation and its resolution. They may want to present optional endings. Each group must use two or three Scripture references as the foundation for its resolution. Then have groups present their skits to the big group.

an unreasonable faith

1. Give Me One Good Reason!--(Supplies: paper, pencils, newsprint, a marker.)

Form groups of no more than six kids and give each group paper and pencils. -> Ask: In your group, produce the longest list possible of embarrassing, lame, or hard-tobelieve rules your parents told you when you were little. Some examples: "Don't run with scissors-you'll poke your eye out" or "Wear clean underwear in case you're in an accident!" You have two minutes to come up with your list.

While kids work, tape a piece of newsprint to a wall. After two minutes, call time and have each group count their items. The group with the longest list reads theirs first. Using a marker, list on newsprint each new rule. If other groups have similar items on their lists, they should cross those items off. Keep reading lists and crossing off items until you have one list. Vote on the weirdest rule ever handed down by parents, and award that group's members each a pair of blunt kiddie scissors.

-> Say: In your group, talk about the rules on our list. Why did parents come up with these rules? What rules seemed unreasonable even when you were little? What rules were easy to accept then but not so easy to accept now? What rules proved to be good ones in retrospect?

2. Unreasonable With Good Reason-(Supplies: Bibles with topical indexes and concordances, children's Bible storybooks, paper, pencils, a CD player, and a worship CD.)

-> Say: In the Bible God says or does things that can seem unreasonable or hard to accept. Let's explore some of these "hard-to-reason" aspects of God. In your group, make a list of things God said or did that don't seem to make sense. You must be able to show where you found each "unreasonable" story, statement, or action in the Bible. When I call time, pick a spokesperson to share your list. (If kids are having trouble, guide them to the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20 or have them use a children's Bible storybook.) After five minutes or so, have spokespersons read the groups' lists.

Then -> ask: How are these stories, statements, or actions like or unlike the things our parents told us? What part does faith play in accepting these things? What would our relationship with God be like without faith? What is God asking us to do that seems unreasonable? What if we just accepted it all and went "on faith"?

Then -> say: We all have times when it's hard to accept what God says. Our faith seems weak and we wonder if God is real. That's when the only reasonable thing to do is to pray for God to reveal himself. While this song is playing, tell God about your doubts. Ask him to strengthen your faith. Play a song such as "We Believe in God" from Songs From the Loft or "Open Our Eyes" from the WOW Worship Blue CD. Close in prayer.