TRY THIS ONE: GAME

Group, May/Jun 2004 by Legel, Craig, Banks, Eileen, Roskam, Nathan, Pankey, Bob, Et al

Start your Bible study by telling your group that you're going to have a "scar-off." Begin with your own story about a scar on your body and how you got it. When you tell your story, be animated and melodramatic. Then ask someone in your group to try and beat your scar story with a better one. The stories have to be true, and they should be about a scar, not a broken bone or some other injury. Encourage teenagers to show their scars-if they're viewable-to verify the stories' authenticity. Try to save the biggest and best story for last-one of your own or one from an adult leader.

Afterward, ask: What are some things that help bring about healing when we have physical injuries? What beneficial effect might scars have? Read aloud Isaiah 53:1-6. Then ask: What are some types of scars that sin might leave? Is every scar that's left by sin permanent? Why or why not? What are the ways in which Jesus' stripes have brought you healing? What scar do you have that can remind you of something that Jesus has done for you?

Close by having another "scar-off," and this time tell bigger and better stories of how Jesus' love has shaped you.

MISSION WITHIN A MISSION TRY THIS ONE: OUTREACH

The next time your group's involved in a service project or church workday, plan individual "missions" for each teenager who'll be participating.

Write Colossians 3:23-24 at the top of a 3�5 card for each teenager. Underneath the verse, assign a mission, such as jumping in to help someone else with his or her task, asking at least five people how they're doing and really listening to them, smiling at everyone you work with, or offering sincere compliments to at least five people.

At the end of your service event, or during lunch break, gather the teenagers to discuss how their missions affected those around them. Then talk about how each of us can change our attitude and lifestyle by following Colossians 3:23-24.

Our kids saw quite a bit of change in attitude, and it's easy to add this concept to Sunday school or other events as well.

POOL-PARTY FILM FESTIVAL TRY THIS ONE: GROUP BUILDER

Invite your kids to a pool party like no other!

For this party, you'll need to find someone who has a pool and is willing to host a youth group party. You'll also need a large video projector and a projection screen or a large TV on a cart, along with a VCR or DVD player.

Invite kids over for a pool party, asking them to bring along a flotation device if they have one. (Provide floats for those who need them.) Let the kids spend some time swimming and mingling before it gets dark. Fill large stainless steel bowls with popcorn or snacks and float them in the pool-or place them at the edge of the pool where kids can float over to them.

After dark, set up the movie to be played poolside. Choose a movie that has a fun and redeeming-not scary-water theme. For example: Finding Nemo, Cocoon, Atlantis, or Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.

You might also encourage a retro beach party theme, showing old Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello movies from the '60s. Tell kids that when there's a dance scene, everyone has to find a partner!