OPTION 1: GROUP CHARADES
You can do this with just one, two, or 20, or even 100 people! You may want to invite others to join Youth Sabbath School for this opening activity. (Hint: In general, the younger the participants, the more likely they are to participate. That means children from kindergarten or juniors are more likely to be helpful than most adults.)
You’re probably familiar with charades—acting out something and having others guess what you are doing. Group charades is different. Instead of calling out what you think the person is doing, go and join the charade! That’s right, jump in and get involved. Jumping into the action is much, much more important than getting the action right!
For example, if one person silently acts out conducting a choir, those watching, instead of shouting out or guessing, “You’re leading a choir,” would get out of their seats and join the choir, singing silently and following the conductor’s lead.
At some point, the person who started the charade shouts out, “Stop” or “Freeze.” At that point, ask those involved what they are doing. Maybe it will fit and maybe it won’t (it’s funnier when it doesn’t fit). For example, one person might be playing an imaginary violin because they think the conductor is leading an orchestra rather than a choir. Another might be on their knees in front of the conductor, thinking that person is pronouncing blessings on people who have come to a faith healing service.
Here are 10 ideas to get you going. You can come up with your own, and so can the youth. Remember, the important thing is to get involved! That’s much more important than getting it right!
GROUP CHARADES IDEAS
- Conducting a choir/band
- Painting a fence
- Going on a picnic
- Preaching a sermon at church
- Going fishing
- Getting a speeding ticket
- Preparing a meal
- Going on rides at Disney World
- Snowboarding
- Stocking shelves at a grocery store
OPTION 2: 5-MINUTE COUNTDOWN VIDEO
This week we introduce a new, original song created specifically for Youth Sabbath School called “I Wish.” It’s available under Music Options and as a 5-minute countdown video. Start this five minutes before Youth Sabbath School begins. In the countdown version, the singing begins at 2:27. Hearing a song several times is necessary to get it into your memory. Hum along, sing along, take it to heart.
TRANSITION
As we consider “What About Me?” today, let’s be aware that we can’t help but see things from our own perspective, but we can still choose how we will respond. The Israelites’ experience in the desert provide a microcosm of many things we experience today. That’s why the Bible continues to speak to us today.
