Program Ideas #3: The SALT Group Dynamics

Hello everyone.

 

Today I will share to you one of our PowerPoint activities in our church.

Last Sabbath we had the SALT Group Dynamics.

All you need for this activity are Bibles and the usual projector but you can use pen and paper as well.

First we made 4 groups with one representative each.

Second, we gave them different bible verses with the word “salt” written on it.

we must remember that all throughout the Bible we have been symbolized as salt.

The bible texts given used salt as an illustration to something else.

 

We gave them 3 questions for the whole group to answer. After a period of time we asked one representative from each grop to present their answer. You can also ask the group to sing out a “SALT SONG” first before their representative talks in front.

 

Here are the four bible texts that we used:

GROUP 1 – MATTHEW 5:13

GROUP 2 – MARK 9:50

GROUP 3 – LUKE 14:34,35

GROUP 4 – COLOSSIANS 4:2-6

 

The questions were:

1.) Meaning of Salt according to the verse

2.) Significance/importance of the salt

3.) How do we become “salty”?

 

Note: The bible texts given above had different illustrations and meaning of salt. For example the 3rd verse would signify salt as “hearing” and the 4th verse were salt is “speech”.

 

You can add more bible texts and more questions if necessary. You can also use the word “light” if you ran out of “salt”.

Download the PowerPoint Presentation —->SALT – GROUP DYNAMICS

 

Hoping to be a blessing,

Chummie

 

Program Ideas #2: Alphabet Treasure Hunting

For our youth program last Sabbath afternoon, we had a nature themed one.

Found this idea online but I made a few modifications on it.

If you have an outdoor area you can do this activity outside the church.

 

Things you need to prepare:

1.) Treasure Map with the Alphabet letters written in order. One column for the letter, another for the item, one for the importance/use of the item.

2.) Pens

3.) Bibles

4.) Hymnals

 

Instructions:

1.) Group participants. One group must have at least 8 members.

2.) Ask them to go outside and list all things they see which corresponds to the letter of the alphabet listed on the map. They must fill out all columns in the map provided. Ex. A – Ant – Pollination. Items must be created by God and not by man. Give the groups 5 minutes to write down the items.

10 Points will be given for each letters. 20 points for letters J, Q, V, X, Z.

3.) Items found can either be in English or any dialects commonly used in your area.

4.) Proper names of plants and birds are allowed.

5.) Ask each group as well to prepare one memory verse that uses nature to praise God.

6.) They must all sing one song about God’s love through nature.

7.) Upon completing the list, game master should check and score their maps.  The game master will also read aloud the list (only the funny/interesting ones) to the congregation.

8.) Finish with a short talk about God’s love displayed through nature.

 

 

 

Hoping to be a blessing,

Chummie

Mated but not Matched

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5

Love, courtship and marriage. A very sensitive and important topic for the SDA youth out there. I have been asked quite a number of times in regard to this matter as well…. There are a number of advice from the writing of Ellen G. White as well to further shed light in to this topic. I recommend that you read the Messages to the Young People, The Adventist Home and other books of EGW to answer all your questions.

I would like to share some notes I got from a recently concluded Youth Convention by one of our church friends.

 

Mated but not Matched.

 

These days we sometimes ask, “why are there so many young people who do not earnestly follow God’s clear counsels?”.

The answer is very simple, it is because it would require a total change in their comfort level and lifestyle. Yes, we have grown accustomed to this world that changing the way we live simply take a heavy toll on us. We cannot let go of the love of the world that we forget and simply deny God’s call on us.

We see broken families, adultery, divorce and abortion and we think it’s normal. What happened to morality?

Television, movies, worldly music, worldly ideas on love and romance and novels all are major destroyers of family ties. These things glamorizes sin, promotes vices like drinking and smoking, ridicules modesty and all christian graces, it pictures sin as exciting and romantic, it instigates rebellion and animosity in the family, it promotes lewdness and sexual promiscuity.

And because of these we reap the whirlwind, we gain the consequences of these influence by having broken homes, unhappy unions, single-parents, teenage pregnancy, sexual diseases, date rapes, abortion, divorce. The numbers are increasing every minutes.

Where are our moral compass?

These days the youth cannot even distinguish love from lust? love from infatuation?

They seem to think that if it feels good, and it feels right then it must be right. Which is totally wrong!

Here are some myths that all christian youth should be aware of:

Myth #1: I need a boyfriend or girlfriend to overcome my loneliness and fulfill my social needs.

Myth #2: A necessary part of maturing is having someone with whom you can share your affections and trust. Dating fulfills this need.

Myth #3: Physical affection in dating is normal, natural and okay, just keep it under control.

Myth #4: Dating was the way how adults found their spouses and it didn’t hurt the. SO it must be okay for our youths today.

Myth #5: If you don’t date, you will lose out to others who are dating and marrying the best ones.

The above mentioned myths are certainly preposterous in various levels. In a young age, the youth must be more of a tool for service by their parents and by God and the church than to think of lovesick sentimentalism.

Studies have shown that early marriages and early exposure to romance can lead to ill prepared homes in the future. You might have been mated but it is not matched. This type of relationship will lead you to a lifelong misery which will lead to spiritual death.

Marriage, in a majority of cases, is a most galling yoke. There are thousands that are mated but not matched. The books of heaven are burdened with the woes, the wickedness, and the abuse that lie hidden under the marriage mantle. This is why I would warn the young who are of a marriageable age to make haste slowly in the choice of a companion.  AH 44.1

What should we do? You may ask…

Seek out the advice of your godly parents or your local pastors. Love and marriage are established in God’s word, we have the creation model and Christ’s relationship to the church to take example of.

Be always at guard young ones. One may seem to think of harmless friendships but out actions may beg to differ.

Flirtation:

– Typically starts at an age too young to marry

– Meeting someone in a questionable place

– Purpose is personal, pleasure, fun and recreation. No strings attached.

– Date is usually planned by the youths themselves

– Guidance by parents and church leasers is resented as an intrusion

– Complete privacy is expected by the youths and permitted by some parents

– Physical affection is expected, tolerated and allowed.

– Romantic feelings for multiple partners causes wounded feelings.

– Dating is rooted in selfish, feeling-oriented love: “falling in love”.

– Wounded heart produces scars, bitterness and insecurities.

– Conscience is generally defiled and seared by impurity.

– Future marriage is troubled by past emotional bonds, unrealistic comparison and appetite for variety.

Biblical Courtship:

– Marriage pursued only after thorough preparation

– Meet one another through family or church gatherings and with parental investigation and approval

– The goals of courtship is commitment to marry.

– Courtship is supervised by parents with cooperation of son or daughter.

– Oversight by parents is required and welcomed for moral protection

– Privacy is disallowed or avoided. Chaperoned time together, usually at family home, church or approved events.

– Physical affection is reserved entirely for marriage.

– Pure, whole-hearted romantic feelings saved for future spouse

– Courtship is rooted in a selfless commitment-oriented love: “growing in love”.

– Heart is protected by one romance for life.

– Conscience is kept clear through a pure relationship.

– Future marriage is free from “baggage of dating”.

 

What should a Seventh-Day Adventist youth do?

1.) Maximize your singleness for God.

2.) Be a Virtuous Woman. God fearing and diligent in home duties, trustworthy and time conscious, wise in speech, her beauty, charm and manners radiates.

3.) Be a Virtuous Man. He does not allow lust to his heart and eyes. Does not enrich himself through deceit. Not defiled morally or sexually. He is kind and generous to the needy. He is honorable and he disdains hypocrisy. Financially able to start a family.

4.) DO NOT PURSUE A SERIOUS RELATIONSHIP UNTIL YOU ARE READY TO MARRY!

5.) Do not have a romantic relationship with someone who is an unbeliever.

6.) The man should initiate he relationship and the woman will only respond if he passes the biblical standard.

7.) Look for God’s providence.

8.) Use modern technology wisely, carefully and prayerfully.

9.) GUARD YOUR HEART.

10.) Pursue only someone you love. Do not have any sexual intimacies until marriage.

 

There is a time for everything. DO not hasten to jump into marriage or into any forms of relationship. You are young and you can use your talents for service in God.

Good things come to those who patiently wait.

“If those who are contemplating marriage would not have miserable, unhappy reflections after marriage, they must make it a subject of serious, earnest reflection now.” The Adventist Home, page 43 

“Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.” Ecclesiastes 11:9 

 

 

Hoping to be a blessing,

Chummie

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Need of Haste in Mission Work

They are dying by tens, don’t you know it,

Dying without the light;

They know not Christ as their Savior,

His cross hid from their sight.

 

Dying while you are sleeping;

Dying while you at play;

Dying while you laugh and chatter;

Dying by night and dying by day.

 

They are dying by hundreds, oh hear it!

In the chains of ignorance bound,

They see no need of a Savior,

The Savior whom you have found.

 

Some do not know that they are needy,

Some of them care not at all,

But some of them hunger for Jesus,

Yet know not on whom to call.

 

They are dying by thousands, believe it!

O what are you going to do?

Your Savior cares for these lost ones.

And longs to save them through you.

 

They grope for light in their darkness,

They call on their gods for aid,

There is no one to tell them of Jesus

And the sinners’ debts which He paid.

 

They are dying by millions, yes, millions!

All over the world, in all lands,

In Africa, India, China,

Can you sit just holding your hands?

 

None did say, I was in error,

For God has a few lights out there,

But when it is three to a million,

Oh won’t you begin to care?

 

 – by Pastor Tom Mose of the Victory Everlasting Gospel Ministry in Kenya as published in the Free Adventist Voice, the newsletter of the International Association of Free Seventh-Day Adventists.

 

 

Is Jesus part of your social media life?

In these generation of technology how do we, as SDA youth respond to the overwhelming surge of social media trends? Do we shun away from them completely or we go with the flow?

Do our facebook pages, accounts and status glorify God in any way or are we just like the “world”? Has our light lost its ability shine in a world so dark?

I stumbled upon this article a few weeks ago. And I would like to share this to all of you. May you all find inspiration in this as we all learn to act in a  christian way to social media.

You can find the whole article here.

 

Social media is everywhere today.

We can’t watch anything on TV without being reminded of the option to tweet about it.  Now with smartphones we can use social media in the car, in class, at a meeting, and even at church (gasp!).

There are many advantages to social media: worldwide connectivity, instant news updates, growing friendships, and most importantly, your daily dose of funny cat pictures and videos of babies laughing.

But is constantly using social media good for us? More importantly, how can we obey the Great Commandment to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength while using Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Google+?

The following questions should help discern your heart and make sure that your social media use is pleasing to God.

1. Are you seeking to glorify God through social media?

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.“ 1 Corinthians 10:31

The foundational question “Are you seeking to glorify God?” can be addressed to any situation in life because we were created to glorify God (Isaiah 43:7). When we stray from our life’s God-given purpose, we quickly fall away from where God wants us to be.

The following questions probe specific ways that we can glorify God through social media and will be a good measure  of how your social media use is helping/hindering your spiritual growth and purpose to glorify God.

2. Does social media lead you into sin?

“If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.” Matthew 5:29

Social media is itself a morally neutral thing, neither inherently good nor bad. But when put in the hands of sinful human beings, it should be no surprise that it can be used for a host of sinful behaviors: bullying, sinful relationships, sexual perversion, worldly ideas, and allowing yourself to be influenced by bad influences.

Like question #1, this is a foundational question that will be in the background of questions 3-15. There are really only two honest answers to this question: Yes and Maybe (or sometimes). Pray that God would reveal your sins and the idols that may exist or be fed through social media, and then pray for the grace and power to repent from that sin. That may mean removing friends or changing who you follow, but you can be sure of this: you will never regret any sacrifice made for the Lord.

3. Does your speech build up or tear down?

“From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.” James 3:10

Social media is rampant with gossip, bullying, pessimism and complaining. Instead of being just like the world, be a light in the world by using your words to build others up. Think about what situations or topics might tempt you to speak negatively, and be on your guard when a friend might post something that pushes one of your buttons.

Before you post, pray the prayer the psalmist prayed in Psalm 19:14 “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

4. Do people see the light of Christ in you based on what you post?

“…let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

The phenomenon of social media is a rare and powerful thing in today’s world. Never before could you so easily keep in touch with people you have met over the course of your whole life around the whole world!

It presents a unique opportunity to let your light shine before others and use it as a ministry. With your updates, you are able to show people the hope that you have in Jesus Christ, and how someone transformed by the gospel lives and thinks. You are also able to challenge and encourage your online connections to believe in Christ and follow Him. Don’t forget the awesome opportunity you have to proclaim to the world the unsearchable riches of Christ!

5. Is social media your master?

“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.“ 1 Corinthians 6:12

It can be easy to become a slave to the beeping of your phone or computer and always be checking your notifications online. Do you really need to check each notification, or can you check a few times throughout the day? Don’t let the beep control you.

Also, if you have a few extra minutes throughout your day, do you always pull out your phone to check social media instead of reading Scripture, praying (1 Thessalonians 5:17), or dare I say, letting your mind rest from technology?

“The internet is a poor master, but a useful servant.” Adrian Warnock

6. Does your use of social media help you redeem the time that God has given you?

“…making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:16

Let’s be honest: some social media sites act as a black hole–sucking up our time and attention like a powerful, mind-numbing vacuum. It can be easy, or even normal, to just go on Facebook or Pinterest to “check one thing” and to stay on for an hour or longer.

What else could you have done with that hour? Was that making the best use of the short life God has given you?

7. Does your use of social media help you renew your mind in God’s truth like you should?

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2

God can use little moments we give to Him throughout our day to grow us. This can include time on social media. You can use your Facebook and Twitter streams to grow your faith by following people and organizations that honor God. I have sought to develop the discipline to stop and read bits of Scripture whenever I see it posted. This helps me remember that everything else posted is of very limited importance, but the Word of God has eternal importance in the world and my life (1 Peter 1:24-25).

8. Do you use social media as a platform to complain?

“Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” Philippians 2:14-15

The apostle Paul sure knew there were things to complain about in this fallen world and yet he still tells us in Philippians 2 to “do all things without grumbling or disputing.” Some turn to social media to complain, but God’s will for His children is that they give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Which characterizes you: complaining or giving thanks?

9. Do you use social media for unprofitable arguments?

“A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.” Proverbs 18:2

There is no shortage of social media arguments about politics, sports, religion, you name it! While some conversations can be profitable, many others can be a waste of time and energy (see Proverbs 18:2 above).

Instead of “feeding the trolls” (that is, answering fools only interested in expressing their opinions), invest your time and energy into something useful and profitable.

10. Do you value social media interactions more than real-life relationships?

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:39

God made us for relationships. Increasingly today, these relationships can take place through digital technology and can make people less social in real life. So much for social media!

Instead of merely “liking” a picture of someone’s new shoes or writing a witty comment on a status, invest in real relationships by having meaningful conversations. A “Like” or a “Poke” isn’t the same thing as a message that shows you really care about someone. Take the extra step by letting people important to you know that you care about them and your relationship. Or take an even greater extra step and actually get together with your friend face-to-face!

11. Does social media make you a healthier and more productive person?

“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” Deuteronomy 6:5

If the time-sucking nature of social media isn’t enough, social media causes some people to have a shorter attention span, lose sleep, and can even lead to depression. Is that you?

God desires that we honor God with not only our body, but our entire being. Don’t let social media suck away your ability to follow that command.

12. Do you have any relationships through social media that you should cut off?

“Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”” 1 Corinthians 15:33

Social networks like Facebook and Twitter make it easy to connect with everyone you’ve ever known in your whole life–for better or for worse. Some of our connections can discourage us in our faith or lure us into sin. Social networks can be a gateway for gossip, bullying, and rekindling unhealthy relationships. Many divorces today are caused by discontented spouses rekindling old flames via Facebook.

Don’t let this happen to you. Exercise godly wisdom and cut off “bad company” that could corrupt your good morals.

13. Does social media help you be content?

“…godliness with contentment is great gain.” 1 Timothy 6:6

Social media can be a contentment killer. You see someone post a new pair of shoes–you automatically want a new pair and think your old pair isn’t good enough. You see a friend share about a great vacation he took and you automatically think you need to book a vacation yourself.

Social media can add fuel to the fire of covetousness and insecurity because we so often compare ourselves to others. We should be concerned with what God thinks of us, not man, and follow what God values, not what man values. Have you ever thought that your friend posting pictures of new shoes or information about their vacation might not be content?

The secret to contentment is not having everything you want but being thankful and satisfied with what you have. A discontent heart is never satisfied but has a continual lust for more (Ephesians 4:19). The apostle Paul said that he learned to be content in everysituation, hunger, abundance and need (Philippians 4:11-13). May we learn to do the same.

14. Do you use social media to boost your ego and feel good about yourself?

“For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” Mark 8:36

One lie that social media subtly tells us is that you only have value if people follow you or like your photos. If your mood depends on the number of “Likes” or “Retweets” your status or photo receives, that means you care too much about gaining the approval of man.

Don’t fall into that trap! While there may be some benefit to building a following and developing relationships on social media, you may find building your mood and self-esteem upon the shaky foundation of Instagram and Twitter not as satisfying as you may think.

Instead of treasuring up worldly things like Twitter follows or Facebook friends, store up for yourself treasures in heaven that will have eternal value. This will also help you escape the people-pleasing trap that is so common on social networks.

15. Do you use social media to hide?

“Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.” Proverbs 25:14

Have you ever known someone who seems like the coolest person online but is a radically different person in real life? They can have cool Instagram pictures, post status updates every five minutes, and have a thousand friends on Facebook, and be a very different person in real life.

Unfortunately, social media can act as a mask, hiding our true identity and causing others to look at us differently than we really are. The root of the issue is pride. We want people to think we are cool and have it all together. Instead of basing our decisions on what people think, we should base decisions on what God thinks.

Trying to exalt yourself on social media will only leave you disappointed and at odds with God (James 4:6). Seeking to honor God by being humble before Him is what truly pleases Him.

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” James 4:10

Program Ideas: Popquiz #1, SDA Doctrines

What I am about to share with you today is a PowerPoint pop-quiz a friend gave to me a while back. Every Sabbath afternoon program we love to held a pop-quiz at church, sometimes to review bible trivia, at sometimes to share new bible facts, we make most of them ourselves, but some can be downloaded in the internet too.

For easy and simple quizzes you can give it with a time limit. For harder quizzes you can ask the participants to have a partner for the quiz. We usually provide sheets of paper for our quizzes, and record their scores. We give prizes at the top scorers at the end of the month.

I will be posting some of our quizzes here. All in Microsoft PowerPoint formats, since it is easier to use and can be projected at the church screen while the quiz master reads. But for those who do not have projectors you can just read them out loud to the congregation.

Download —-> Popquiz #1: SDA Doctrine

Hope you will have a swell time learning and reviewing things in church.

 

Hoping to be a blessing,

Chummie

Program Idea #1 : Prayer Walk

Creativity in church programs is a must for every youth leader. Programs need to be interactive so as not to bore the congregation. And just like they said, you learn better if you do it yourself. Our church primarily makes program that needs everyone’s participation.  One sabbath afternoon we came up with the prayer walk.

Instructions:

1.) Set up 5 stations inside and outside the church. Some locations may need chairs and tables. Arrange them in a circular manner so that one can see their groupmates. Mark each station with a number and you can either leave a set of instructions for each station or in our case we have one youth leader standing by per station. Stations must be a little bit far from each other so that the participants can “walk” towards it and so that they would not see and hear also what the other groups are doing in a station.

2.) Group the participants into 5 groups. If you have a large congregation you can set up more groups but stations should equal to the number of groups created. Assign a  group leader as well. Suggested number of members per group is 8-10 brethren.

3.) Instruct groups to go to their respective station number. They must spend at least 5 minutes per station. They should follow the instructions left in the station. Have a bell ready to mark end of the allotted time.

4.) For our 5 stations we had:

Station 1: The Praise Alphabet – we gave the group a sheet of paper and a pen. They should write an adjective describing God using the letters of the alphabet. Example: A – Almighty B – blessed C – counselor and so on and so forth….

Station 2: The station master gave a short talk about prayers and its power, the different answers we get after praying, the right way to pray (research ahead of time). For this station you can ask the participants what their reasons, techniques, prayer stories.

Station 3: For this station we asked them to sing a prayer song. Or any song that connects with prayer. Hymnals should be at the ready.

Station 4: At this station we asked the participants to list down all the people and things they want to pray for. It is sort of writing a “Dear God” letter.

Station 5: For the last station we gave the participants time to pray silently. This station should be far away from noise to give the participants some peace while meditating and praying.

Other Station ideas:

1.) You can ask the participants to give a verse from the Bible that talks about prayers.

2.) Create your own psalm.

3.) Place some questions from station 2 above to another station. This must be done if there are a lot of members each group. So as to give chance to other members to say their experiences.

The whole activity took at least an hour and a half to finish. Some stations took a long time to finish since they had a lot to say. Just let it be, just make sure that other station leaders knows how to make their activities longer.

5.) After one station the group must proceed to another station until they finish all the stations. They should all start simultaneously and end at the same time.

6.) After the “walk”. Ask the group leader to say something, may it be the lesson learned from the whole activity, some remarks about it or what their experience was from the activity.

Notes: For each station start and end with a prayer.

Hello and Welcome

 

Hello everyone. And welcome to our blog. this happens to be the first post in here so I am kinda excited to write about it.

This blog aims to connect with SDA youth and non-SDA youth around the world, to share with each other our ideas and inspirations to further ignite our spirits in Christ.

The need to blog about it came every time I try to search online for ideas on how to further make our Adventist Youth Sabbath afternoon programs more fun and worthwhile. Although there are a lot of websites around with very creative and interesting ideas, only a few can be done in our church and only a few (sad to say 😦 ) are within the principles of Adventism.

So instead of looking for one, I am making one to help others. Me and my fellow youth leaders in our church are very much excited to share with all of you our program ideas and other encouragements that you can use in your own churches.

Stay tuned for a whirlwind of ideas coming your way. All designed to uplift, encourage and inspire all youths as we travel heavenward.