Try this one

Group, Jul/Aug 2003 by Steenbergen, Hilma, Wheeler, Chris, Prange, Denise, LaMaison, John, Et al

After an hour or so, have the groups pray for every request on their lists. Then have the groups come together as a large group and pray again for each request.

This activity has always had a wonderful affect on our students' personal and spiritual development.

CROWDBREAKER

IN THAT YOUR NOSE?

Use a digital camera to get your kids to meet each other "face to face."

Before your meeting, take several close-up pictures of your students' eyes, noses, ears, chins, and lips.

Start your meeting by projecting your pictures onto a large screen. Have students mingle to try and determine whose facial feature is on display. Have students write their guesses on paper for each image, and offer a gag prize-such as nose glasses or wax lips-to the person who has the most correct answers.

This mixer really helps a new group of students feel comfortable before the lesson begins.

DISCUSSION STARTER

PENNYWISE

This discussion prompts teenagers to answer the question, "Where do you spend your time?"

Give each teenager eight paper cups and 168 pennies-one penny for each hour in a given week. Have them write one of the following eight categories on each of their cups: sleeping, school, studying, family, friends, television, Internet, church or youth group. Then ask students to place pennies in each cup equal to the number of hours in a week they spend on these activities. After everyone has finished, ask: Are you surprised at how your pennies were allotted? Explain. Did anyone have pennies left over? What else do you spend your time on? Who wished they had pennies to borrow? For what activity? How would you like to redistribute your time? How do you think God would want you to spend your time? Encourage your kids to take the pennies home and realign their pennies daily, based on the hours they spend on each activity. Tell them to ask God to help them redistribute their time according to his will.

HELPFUL HINT

ENCOURAGEMENT CHAIR

Take a short time each week to build unity and self-esteem in your teenagers.

Each week after everyone's arrived and you've made announcements, ask one teenager to sit in the "encouragement chair" (you can pick a more cutting-edge or silly term if you prefer). Ask the group to take turns giving compliments and sharing memories about that person. Be sure all the comments are positive. The volunteer may be slightly embarrassed at first, but most teenagers will be surprised and touched by what their peers say. Then, each week, ask a different person to sit in the encouragement chair. With a small youth group, this may be a six- to 12-week activity, but with a large youth group, you may be able to do this for months.

GROUP BUILDER

DOLLAR DAYS

One dollar can go a long way to help your teenagers reflect on their connection with God.

Take your teenagers to a mall, dollar store, or department store, and give them each a dollar. Tell them they must buy something for a dollar or less that describes God to them. Make sure they know they'll have to explain their purchase. If some kids are having a hard time finding something, you can suggest purchases such as a hot Wheels car because God steers us in the right direction; an extra-large candy bar because there's more than enough of God to share and to give away; or water because God's Word hydrates us when the world dehydrates us. After 15-20 minutes, bring everyone together to explain their purchases.