Wednesday, February 12, 2014
At Time and Place for Fun
There is a time and a place for fun so why can't church be one of those places? As we learned in the introduction of our Les Christie book that people have been playing games since before Jesus' time. Plato even concluded that playing was a good way to teach the youth about societal rules. Christie brings up on page 11 "In some circles today, it's still thought that 'fun' and 'church' shouldn't be in the same sentence." Why would this be if play can be a good thing? The way the world has changed games have become something you do alone whereas games used to be a communal things. This makes me wonder why would some churches not like having games played in their churches during youth group, and if we got more people to play games together could this be the first steps to building community once more in our society? So my question is can we use games to help rebuild community, and have you seen this done anywhere before?
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"This book is the result of over 37 years of close association with teenagers and games. Games are great fun, and they build community! Those are the primary reasons we play them and why they've continued to survive in an era when there are so many other forms of entertainment" (Christie Pg. 6). To answer your question yes, I do believe that we can use games to rebuild community. I believe this because Les Christie says it at the very beginning of his introduction to his book. "Play relieves stress, boosts self-esteem, and builds community" (Christie Pg. 12). Games are a great way to build community. They are not just a great way for teens to build community but also a great way for adults to be able to build community as well. So yes, I believe that we can use games to help rebuild community.
ReplyDeleteI most definitely think that games can help in building community. In my youth group back home, I got to know a lot of people better through the games that we played. People's personalities absolutely come through when they are involved in different games and this can help build or possibly further some relationships. Just like what James said too in class, some games will help you see some leaders in your group. And like Andrew pointed out, it is a good way for the adults to get integrated in with the group, which can lead to mentoring relationships or a stronger feeling of acceptance in the group as a whole.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with Bailey and Andrew. Games are an excellent way to rebuild community in the lives of those in youth groups. In my youth group growing up it was common for a game of Ultimate Frisbee to happen before and after youth group. These games usually included even those who normally wouldn't play games because the youth group wanted everyone to be able to play. We found that this helped build community because people were on teams with others who they did not normally hang out with. One of the reasons why many teens loved my youth group was because it was a safe place where people could come and destress from their busy schedules; we provided worship, a lesson, and different ways to build community. Playing games was a part of that. I like that you included that Plato concluded that playing games helped teach societal rules because I think this is a concept we do and need to continue to use. When we are intentional about why we play games as part of our youth group service it can be a great way to use all the student's senses, use multiple learning patterns, and incorporate everyone in the lesson. Also like they both pointed out, it is a great way for adults to show students that they are not too old to have fun. Adults playing games can also encourage some students who are less likely to play because they could see the adults playing and think, "If they can have fun at this, maybe I can too." Overall I think we need to have a better emphasis on playing games in our churches.
ReplyDeleteTanner, I love what you said about adults playing games with students to get them to play along. I think something magical and mystical happens when two generations clash in competition. When students and adults enter into a game together or against each other and the students and the adults genuinely have fun playing the walls that are build up in a student's heart come down and they are infinitely more receptive to the message that the adults have for the students.
DeleteI definitely think that games are a great way to build community! Something I think about is how often laughter happens during fun games in any group setting. (Although it seems as though youth group games get even more crazy and funny than other settings...haha) And I think that laughter is a great way to bond with each other! I remember my first night in youth group and we were doing this crazy relay race and we had to carry donuts across the room by holding them with our tongues. I remember getting to the other side of the gym and losing my balance, falling into a trash can. And while I was a tad embarrassed since it was my first night, it really broke the ice for me and helped me just laugh at myself and relax! Games help us forget about the problems and stresses we bring with us into a youth group and allow for people to just be themselves and have a good time. I also completely agree with what you guys are saying about adults playing too! That breaks down the walls between students and adult helpers. Teens need to have a good time, for sure. Games are a great way to help them do this while building a strong community!
ReplyDeleteI also agree that Games can be a great way to build community! I even believe that games are probable one of the best ways to build community. Games require people to come together and do something as group. It forces people out of clicks and interact with people they might not normally be around. Games also allow teens to have fun together which is necessary in building community. So over all I believe games are a necessary thing in building community with teens.
ReplyDeleteGames are humanity's way to express the God-given joy that God has instilled in us all. Games built community in the faith community in such a way, that we sometimes see a strong correspondence between fun and growth. Having fun is a great way to relieve stress and leave what the world throws at us behind us. However, these is two sides to having fun and games within the faith community. Some see it as a distraction from learning the word of God. Others sometimes see it as a waste of good "Bible" time. No matter how we view it ourselves, we all have to admit that having fun is a good thing. Games are a necessary thing for ministry. We just have to come to a point of realization in which we make the commitment to make fun and spiritual growth one in the same. #GrantHarder'sgeniusresponse;)
ReplyDeleteI think that games can be utilized greatly by the leaders of a church. In a youth group setting, games can help to build community not only between the teens, but between the teens and adults as well. Everyone likes to have fun, so why not have fun together? Adults can get to know their teens and let the teens see their silly and goofy side. Games can also help students to discover their strengths while helping other overcome their weaknesses. In a game, it's ok to not be the best at everything; everyone can contribute something. When utilized correctly, games can be a great tool for community building in the church.
ReplyDeleteGames definitely build community. Tanner mentioned playing Ultimate Frisbee almost every time the youth group met. This was true of my youth group with the exception that it was often basketball instead of Frisbee. Here is the danger of things like this, though. It became a constant battle in the youth group between playing basketball or Frisbee. Half the youth group would fight to play basketball and the other half fought to play Frisbee. Whichever game won, the others walked away feeling like they weren't part of the group. Games can build community, but they can also be destructive if it is about competition and which game gets to be played. Games allow for a fun way for all generations to come together and engage in the story of Scripture and building an intergenerational community.
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