Are you looking for a way to take your youth group to the next level? Research says “Let’s PLAY” — play with purpose. Icebreakers, team builders and celebrations can impact a youth group in tremendous ways.

Teambuilding games are powerful tools, because somewhere in the process of play, students lose their self-imposed restrictions and inhibitions and their true selves emerge. People start to realize the gems of power, strength and beauty within themselves, as well as important life lessons that will help them grow stronger.

• Games Build RELATIONSHIPS: Games level the playing field and help to break down barriers and cliques. They allow young people to practice healthy communication, conflict resolution and friendship skills. Games help create the safe, fun-loving environment that encourages teens to learn and love.
• Games Illustrate BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES: People will learn more if they actually can practice the biblical message through a game or activity.  Why lecture when you can play a game to teach about equality, perseverance, service or gossip?
• Games Build LEADERSHIP SKILLS: Youth are empowered to learn and grow in new ways — trying new leadership roles, practicing new ways of problem-solving and using critical thinking skills. Games help youth discover more about their spiritual gifts, potential leadership roles and career paths.
• Games Promote HEALTHY LIFE CHOICES: Youth practice character dilemmas and decision-making in life-like scenarios that offer a safe place to experiment with values and ethics.
• Games promote POSITIVE IDENTITY AND LIFE PURPOSE: Games help youth learn who they are and what they are good at. This leads to healthy self-esteem, self-respect and intentional plans for the future.

So make time to PLAY together, and you’ll find that your time together will be more effective and more enjoyable. Lead get-to-know you games; problem-solving initiatives, crazy relays, conversation games or personality test. Whatever you choose, have fun PLAYING with PURPOSE and GROWING through GAMES!

Find new gaming ideas in the new book Great Group Games: 175 Boredom-Busting, Zero-Prep Team Builders for All Ages (Search Institute Press, July 2007) by Susan Ragsdale and Ann Saylor. Group leaders will appreciate this wide array of icebreakers, games and activities that keep young people upbeat, engaged and unified. Participants are encouraged to think for themselves, work within a team and follow through to ensure trusting relationships. Organized in easy-to-reference sections that offer options for adapting to group sizes and ages, Great Group Games is appropriate for a wide range of people, session times and age levels.