Often times in the church, from what I have seen, games are mainly used just as a distraction or a way of burning off kids'/teens' energy. Games are also sometimes used as a form of competition to suck in a certain crowd into the church with the purpose of building up numbers (this is particularly prevelant in youth groups.) What I think we need to ask ourselves in the church is if these are good enough reasons for having games. There are certainly times where a game can be useful in opening up a kids service to get children active and connected, and games may very well be a good way to minister. But I think these should only be done if there is a plan behind it. We need to ask ourselves before we plan a game: What are we trying to accomplish by doing this? What kind of impact could this game make? Will everyone be able to be involved?
So my questions are (1) How do we make sure our games have a purpose or value? (2) What might be some kinds of games to shy away from? What are kinds of games we should try to utilize?
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I agree that if there is not a purpose behind the game then we need to think deeper about a game. Having a game without a purpose is the same as a teacher giving students busy work... there might be an initial purpose, to keep kids busy or to keep the active, but in the end, are they really gaining anything out of it? At least are they actually gaining something cognitivly or spiritually? This type of look on games, to me, sounds like one that needs to be implimented more often!
ReplyDeleteWell, if we can somehow incorporate the game to be an extension of the message or lesson for the night it can help kids and adults to understand it better. Also, team building games are beneficial because they emphasize the importance of the church as a body and they build community. So, I think that our games should either be an extension of a lesson or they should be some sort of team building exercise. Some games that we would want to shy away from are of course games that single people out and require one person to be the blunt of the joke. Also I think that competitive games have a place, but I also think that team building games better reflect the picture of the Godhead.
ReplyDelete(1) How do we make sure our games have a purpose or value?
ReplyDeleteI am a full believer in being completely intentional in all ministry aspects, even something as, what one might call, "miniscule" as playing a game. I think we should have every intention to teach the children something valuable in each game.
(2) What are kinds of games we should try to utilize?
Anything that promotes team work, good sportsmanship,leadership, self-control, etc.
I think that too help our games to have a purpose beyond having fun or giving the kids something to do we need to intentionally tie it back to a Biblical point. Help the kids to see that no matter what we are doing it has a purpose in the word of God.
ReplyDeleteGames we should try to avoid are ones that fuel competition and rivalry among the kids Also games that pick out one child to be the center of a joke or drawing attention to children in negative ways. Games we should utilize are ones that encourage teamwork and building up children to make them feel like they accomplished something.
Ben Evans
ReplyDeleteI think that games can be a very effective tool for ministry. I don't know if there is any point where I would say that our games don't have some purpose unless they make someone embarrassed or calls them out on something they are uncomfortable about. While I think it would be good to have the game connected to the message, I don't think it is a necessity. Let the kids connect, relax, and burn off some energy before the message begins.
To answer the second question, I would say that we should avoid games that make someone uncomfortable or embarrasses them. There is nothing more fragile than a teen's esteem and if we hurt it for the sake of a game, then it will not help us to further our ministry or to show them Christ's love.
we must make sure kids are getting involved that normally would be the out casts so that they will feel accepted and like they are part of the group.and we must make sure that everyone gets a fair shot at whatever it is the game is.
ReplyDeleteto roll right along into the second question...
some games can really display dominance among the others simply because of the way the games are structured. so knowing what kind of kids you have in the youth group and knowing what they are capable of as a whole and what the strengths and weaknesses are can really help the game process as a whole. i could go on and on but thats one aspect that sticks out to me