Church Games for Teenagers
Providing entertaining games at church can help teenagers have a more positive experience with their faith community. Utilize your church facility wisely for large games, or take things outside for potentially messy activities. Obtain permission from parents for their teens to take part in an event off-site, or if there is a potential danger of kids getting hurt.
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Use soft rubber balls that won't hurt anyone who is hit by them. Divide your room into four areas, and separate the teenagers into four groups. Instruct them to cover as much space as possible by sitting or laying down, and to prevent the other teams from hitting a ball into their area. Throw in 10-15 medium-size bouncy balls that the teens are to hit with their hands or head. Play for 2 to 3 minutes, and blow a whistle. The group with the least amount of balls in its area wins.
Read 1 Corinthians 12 and discuss the theme of working together for Jesus.
Human Knot
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Church games can bring teenagers together. Tell kids to create a circle of 5-10 people standing next to one another. Instruct them to reach across and grab a hand of one person with their right hand, and the hand of another person with their left hand. Challenge the group to untangle itself without letting go.
Read Hebrews 12 and go over the theme of resolving our conflicts.
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Nerf Wars
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Nerf guns shoot foam darts that are typically harmless. Invite teenagers to bring their favorite Nerf guns to the church building. Provide guns for students who don't own any. Divide the youth into teams, and instruct them to shoot at each other when you give the signal. Using the honor system, teens take themselves out of the game if shot five times.
Read Ephesians 6 and discuss the theme of spiritual warfare.
Sardines
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Sardines can help teenagers become more comfortable in their church building. Pick one person to hide somewhere in the church building. Release the other students to find him so they can hide with him. The game is over when the last person finds the group or time runs out. The next person to hide is the first one who found the previous hider.
Read Luke 15 and ponder what it means to seek out the spiritually lost.
Photo Scavenger Hunt
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A photo scavenger hunt creates lasting memories for the group. A scavenger hunt is an interactive game to gather, find or take part in as many items as possible on a designated list. Divide the group into teams, and hand each a list of local places to photograph themselves in front of. Add extra-credit options, such as getting a police officer in the picture. Don't put anything embarrassing on the list, as it might discourage playing. Determine a winner and award a goofy prize or trophy.
Read Acts 1 and review the theme of being God's representatives wherever we go.
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References
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