We’re working our way through the New Testament with a theme night idea for every book.
Here are the last seven books.
Jungle Night – 1 Peter 5:8-9. Talk about standing strong against temptation. Be positive with your clubbers and teach them the importance of standing firm in their faith. These verses also talk about people around the world who are suffering for their faith – which brings up the option of talking about the persecuted church. (Beware of your audience and explain this with age-appropriateness.)
What to do: You could have a jungle theme with green streamers and jungle-type stuffed animals around the room.
Plan some “jungle food” which might be bananas (monkeys) or rod pretzels decorated with orange frosting with black stripes. Play jungle games such as “pin the tail on the monkey” or animal musical chairs where the person who is out gets to choose what animal the remaining game players must imitate as they go around the circle.
Witness Night: 2 Peter 2:16. Kids need to know that the men who wrote of Christ’s earthly ministry (the gospels) were actually part of it. They weren’t making it up or reporting hearsay. They also had the trustworthy testimony of the godly men who wrote Old Testament Scripture (2 Peter 1:21).
What to do: Ask a leader (or another adult) who wasn’t at club the week before to the front. Ask him obvious questions about what went on.
For instance: Brad, do you remember that fun game we played with the balloons?
Brad (being as ridiculous as possible). Sure. We filled them all with soda and then popped them.
You: No … Kids, do you remember? (Wait for the right answer.)
Continue for a few more questions. Show the kids how much better it is to believe someone who was actually there.
L.O.V.E. Night –1 John is all about our responsibility of loving others as those who are loved by God. Lots of Large Group lesson possibilities here.
What to do: Have the kids role play different situations – a kid at school who no one likes; a fight with a sibling, being asked to help Grandpa weed his garden, etc. Talk about the difference between reacting with love and without love. You could also give each clubber a couple candy kisses.
Truth Night – 2 John is focused on God’s truth which is summarized by following His commandments and walking in love.
What to do: For older kids you could play “two truths and a lie.” (Everyone tells three things about themselves – two true and one false. Others have to guess which one is false.)
You could also list quotes and ask kids whether or not they think those quotes are from the Bible. (You can find quizzes like this on the web.)
Hospitality Night – 3 John. Gaius was know for his kindness and hospitality to strangers. John commended him for it. Talk to your kids about welcoming others – emphasizing the importance of welcoming kids to club.
What to do: If you have access to the church kitchen, you could bake cookies or some other snack and serve it to staff members. Being kind to maintenance staff is especially important since they are the ones who clean up the mess after club or set up and take down chairs.
Beware! Night – Jude. Jude focuses on those who “pretend” they love God, but they are really don’t. This may be a difficult subject to teach younger kids, but we can emphasize the importance of always checking what someone says with God’s Word. With older children you can talk about the tendency to use the right words and talk about loving God, but not truly doing so. Be careful NOT to talk about any particular person – but rather in general terms.
What to do: You could play blindfold games, flashlight tag or hide and seek (if possible); games that depend on someone being surprised/tricked by someone else.
Beginning and the End Night – Revelation 22:13 – Explain the meaning of Alpha and Omega. Talk about Christ being the Beginning and the End. We can put out trust in Him because He is over all, He is sovereign.
What to do: Plan a Treasure Hunt – sending teams out with clues, or an Amazing Race-type game. The point is for clubbers to race toward an end.
