GROUP ACTIVITY SUGGESTION: Outside group game if nice / light enough.
HOOK
1. What’s your favorite video game? What do you need to do in order to be successful at it?
2. Do you know of any games where you have to pick up certain things / or do certain things to help you get to the next level? What are they? (Pac Man, James Bond, Super Mario Bros….etc.)
LOOK AT THE BOOK
1. Say, “Our scripture names six things God give us to help us get to the next level of our relationship with Jesus. As I read the scripture, raise your hand each time it mentions one.”
2. Read Scripture (belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, feet clothed with Gospel of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God)
(Leader, you may need to quickly cover the six things to ensure they understand them – like some may not know a breastplate was worn over the chest by ancient warriors to protect them in battle)
TOOK
1. What are some of the things your church offers you to help you get to the next level in your relationship with God? (Youth group, Bibles, worship prayer, mission trips, camps…)
2. What happens in video games if you ignore the things that help you get to the next level?
(You die, or at least don’t make it)
3. What happens if we ignore the things of Jesus that help us get to the next level of our relationship with him?
(Miss out on God’s blessings, life’s prizes, God’s love, don’t reach the potential God has for each of us.)
4. What’s the most important thing to remember in trying to make it to the next level with God?
(Allow youth answers, then suggest that with God, we can always start over if we mess up.)
