Confusing the bible message

There is a definite trend among youth groups to only play games that are biblically focused and, ideally, clearly demonstrating the point of the bible message taught during the evening. I admit that some people can do this and do it well, but unless we are one of these happy few I actually think this is a counter productive strategy.

The first and lesser problem of having bible related games is that instant lameness enters once we try to link it to the bible. Case in point is playing stuck in the mud and calling it stuck in sin. On mission in Maitland in the highschool program we played Stuck in the Mud every year in the Tuesday for the first 7 years. Also the kids never make the link themselves so it needs to be explained.

The second and greater problem is the slippery slope that comes from confusing games as teaching time. If the game time counts as teaching/bible time then we can have a shorter or non-existent bible study, then all we need is a 10 minute talk and the rest of the time can be games and supper. Then the games cease to be related to the bible and eventually the talk shrinks down to virtually nothing.

I think that having a good bible discussion and a deep bible study for a significant time, and THEN have games that are fun and unhindered by expectations of learning, youth group will grow both in numbers and personally. Keep games and bible time separate and have good times in both. Also keep the bible study time as the focus of the group and make it clear that this is why we are here.

Don't under estimate the power of the gospel to grow a church or a youth group or a mission or whatever. If the bible is being taught, God will bring people to learn.