Planning a youth group meeting. need help

[nMbR1BaRlOwGiRl]

Hi everyone.

I'm planning a 2hr meeting for my youth group for this monday. I've come up with some pretty fun ideas, but I'm still having trouble coming up with an overall topic (that must be Christian related. Like teach them a moral or something like that)

Here's what I have so far: (simplified)

I will set up games throughout the night that 2-4 teams (depending on how many kids come) will play to win. (like relay races, egg drop...etc.) The prizes they will win will be something to represent the amount of time they will have to complete some type of riddle they have to solve at the end. (so the more games they win during the meeting, the more time they have to complete the riddle. I haven't come up with the riddle yet....or I might have them do something else at the end...)

But anyway, I want it to be something that teaches them a lesson. so the whole night has a purpose...

So it's kind of underdeveloped ideas that still all need to be put together and adjusted...

Any ideas? Anything would help!
Thanks

[jmcrae]

When I'm stuck for ideas, I use the theme of the Sunday Gospel reading as my theme for the night. This Sunday's theme is going to be about proclaiming the Gospel, and acknowledging Christ.

For your key verse, you could use, "Everyone, therefore, who acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but whoever denies me before others, I will also deny before my Father in heaven."

Good luck, and have fun!!

[VeronicaAnne]

When I taught Catechism -- a teen program for preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation -- I had the occasion to serve on the Confirmation Retreat team with the youth minister of the parish.

I had them for an hour. The activity was around the Fruits and Gifts of the Holy Spirit.

In the front of the room... before the activity started... I taped up an easel sheet that I'd listed the Fruits of the Holy Spirit. On another easel sheet... also already taped at the front of the room... I had listed the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Hang a blank sheet over each of those 2 sheets so that the kids don't know what's behind that sheet's cover.

From the large group, have them raise their hands to call out the names of popular songs. Those songs could be current. Or they could be "oldie, moldie." You write those song names on a large, blank easel sheet in the front of the room.


I always insert the name of some TV theme song for them to have an option to use. The most well-known... the most ridiculous song, the better! Also... pick tunes that are not at a fast pace... unless, of course, it'll work! :-)


Like -- The Beverly Hillbillies

http://www.televisiontunes.com/Beverly_Hillbillies.html

Like -- Dukes of Hazzard

http://www.televisiontunes.com/Dukes_of_Hazzard.html


Then... have the kids count off in three's. Depends on how many kids are there for how many groups of three's you'll have. Point is -- have them group up in threes. Not in pairs. Not in fours. The odd number (3) is critical for good group dynamics.

Give each group their own name -- by color. You'll have a Blue group. A Red group. A Green group. And a Purple group. And possibly a Yellow group.

Then... have each group name ONE leader for their group. Then give them all 3 minutes to choose a song title. Then ask each group's group leader to call out the name of the song that they've chosen.

Then... give your 5-minute speech about what the definition of a "gift of the Spirit" is (a grace given to us in our Baptism... and strenghtened in us when we're Confirmed.) Drop down the cover of the sheet that has the Gifts of the Spirit that you've already previously listed.

And what the definition of the "fruits of the Spirit" are (result from living out the Gifts). Drop down the cover of the sheet that has the Fruits of the Spirit that you've already previously listed.

Have each group decide whether FOR THIS ACTIVITY they wanted to "have" the Fruits... or the Gifts.

Now that you've got however many groups of 3 having chosen either Gifts or Fruits... pass out to each group at least one large easel sheet to write on... and several colored felt pens.

Then... give them their assignment.

====================================

ASSIGNMENT --

Choose ONE of the songs we've listed up here on the sheet.

Now, write your own lyric to the tune of that song. In your lyrics, you must use ALL the Gifts (if Gifts was their choice)... or the Fruits (if Fruits was their choice).

------------------------

For example... if your group chose "Gifts," then your lyrics must include each of these words -- Wisdom, Understanding, Right Judgement, Courage, Knowledge, Reverence and Awe

CCC 1299
In the Roman Rite the bishop extends his hands over the whole group of the confirmands. Since the time of the apostles this gesture has signified the gift of the Spirit. The bishop invokes the outpouring of the Spirit in these words:


All-powerful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
by water and the Holy Spirit
you freed your sons and daughters from sin
and gave them new life.
Send your Holy Spirit upon them
to be their helper and guide.
Give them the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of right judgment and courage,
the spirit of knowledge and reverence.
Fill them with the spirit of wonder and awe in your presence.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.


------------------------
For example... if your group chose "Fruits," then your lyrics must include each of these words -- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control.
cf Galatians 5:22

------------------------

I've had that activity... once they've been assigned to a group, have chosen the song, and Gifts or Fruits... take at least a half hour to write the lyrics.

They'll push-back some at first. Thinking that they couldn't ever do it. Encourage them. Tell them that they definitely can. To just take their time... and let EACH person contribute their ideas.

Then... at the end of a half hour of their writing their lyrics to the tune they've chosen... call them all back to attention.

Now... here's the fun part. You have each group stand up at the front of the room (or in place if more appropriate to the space)... and sing the tune they've chosen, using their lyrics. Allow at least 15 minutes for this. Better -- a half hour.

It's really a gas!! I've had very, VERY positive feedback from the kids.

[VeronicaAnne]

Another option is to take a TV game show that everyone's familiar with. I've used this one to lead New Employee Orientations at a company where I worked.

The topics on "my" Jeopardy games had to do with the names of various departments in the company that by then they would have had a presentation. The Jeopardy game was used immediately after lunch to refresh their memories of what they'd already heard.

For your group... you can choose whatever topic or topics are relevant. Just keep everything very, very SIMPLE. Nobody likes to be shown up in public for not knowing something basic.

The point of this activity is to build community... in the context of the Church.

Jeopardy

TOOLS -- several blank easel sheets... several Sharpie pens of various colors... noisemakers (like bicyle horns)... lots of big post-it notes

Using several different easel sheets (just so that you have enough "games" for the time period allotted)... set up the Jeopardy game.

One one sheet, draw a grid showing 5 topics at the top of each row.

In each square, write an answer. Be sure to choose few words for each answer because participants will need to be able to see the words in that answer from wherever they're sitting.

Cover each square with its own post-it note. The post-it notes each have a number (dollar, points).

On a separate sheet, list the Questions to match each Answer.

Bring 3 different noise makers.... a bicycle horn, etc.

Break the population into 3 groups. Place seats in 3 different, specific areas for that team to sit together. Face the seats towards the Jeopardy game sheet at the front of the room.

Have each team choose a NoiseMaker -- a person who will blow that team's horn.

As the game progresses, you're removing the appropriate post-it note for the category and amount called for by the person who blows that team's horn.

When you finish one game... use another of the prepared Jeopardy game sheets.

Have a blast!!