Do Games Still Work?

Wow! Who knew that there was so much planning that needed to be done to have games be successful in youth ministry? After watching various youth ministers try to have games in their youth programs, it has become very clear to me that they needed to read these seven deadly sins of game leading. The bottom line is as a youth leader you must be prepared and ready not just for your lesson, but also for the games that you want to do during your youth group. Preparation is the key to keeping your youth involved and excited about the evening.

When we are doing youth ministry in our churches, it is important for us to remember what the purpose is for this ministry. Why do we want to use games as a tool in our youth group? I think that if done correctly, games can be one of the greatest tools in getting more diverse youth in our program. Games can really help foster relationships among the youth in our youth groups, but if not done correctly, games can be the thing that pulls our youth group apart.

The biggest thing that Jonathan McKee, the author, said in the article Do Game Still Work? The Seven Deadly Sins of Game Leading for staff be more than "chaperones, but youth workers." This was a great challenge for me, and I know that this is what needs to happen for youth workers to have real relationships with the youth. How can we, as adults, expect to have relationships with our youth if we can’t get our hands dirty? If our teens do not know that we can have fun with them and aren’t afraid of getting embarrassed or doing what we are asking them to do, then why would they do it? Adults need to be youth workers who are involved in what the youth are doing. They do not need to be chaperons just sitting on the sidelines observing.

McKee does a great job reminding youth leaders that leading games is something that will make or break the attitudes and setting for that evening. I agree with what he has said. I think that sometimes youth leaders do not put enough emphasize on their games and just try to pull something together at the last minute. I know personally that when I have tried to just pull games together at the last minute, it does not work. Granted, sometimes it might, but ultimately am I giving God my best if I wait until the last minute and throw things together? God and His work deserve our best!

This Article was submitted by Dave Stout, a Senior Youth Ministry Major at Ohio Christian University.