Flower Pots
If you are looking for an opportunity to beautiful your church grounds for spring while also providing a fun activity for your teenagers, try this one.Purchase some inexpensive flower pots (small), some fast-gr...
Post-Easter Is for the Christian with Eyes to See
He is not here…He is risen!Many ministries suffer from post-Easter malaise. Fresh from the high moments of Easter—with fanfare, music and pageantry—we discover ourselves lingering in the hum-d...
Ring on a String
Gather the teens in a circle, unwind a length of string or yarn around the inside of the circle (with everyone holding the string taught). Before breaking the string and tying it to form a circle, place a cheap...
Hunger Games and the God who Satisfies
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled" (Matt. 5:6).In a few days, my grandmother will be 100 years old. Many in our family will be gathering at her bedside to cele...
Meek Attack
"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth" (Matt. 5:5).Many years ago, during a youth mission trip to Denver, we worked in a homeless shelter one afternoon. Our time there was punctuated by meal p...
The Crying Game: Learning to Grieve
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted" (Matt. 5:4).Some years ago, I encountered a widow who refused to grieve her husband's death. It wasn't that this woman didn't love her husband, but she...
Statue, Elephant, Mummy
This game, played the same way as "Rock, Paper, Scissors" in concept, can be played with a large group. One person serves as leader for each round and stands in front of the group. On the count of three, each p...
Spiritual: What Does It Mean to You?
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 5:3)Many people today would describe themselves as spiritual-but-not-religious. Yet this can mean various things. Some might consider spi...
Golden Apples of Strength
"Keep my teachings as the apple of your eye" (Prov. 7:2)As a teenager, I spent an inordinate amount of time playing basketball, and I had some wonderful coaches. One coach, who was deeply impactful in my l...
Doorways of Hope
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock."In western Africa, there stands a dilapidated building overlooking the Atlantic ocean. The existing threshold of one doorway still stands. It is known as The Door of...