The definition of equipped is to supply with the necessary items for a particular purpose.
When we think of being well-equipped to lead club, we think of having a plan, a Large Group lesson speaker, prizes for the theme night winners, the right game equipment …but sometimes being well-equipped means having what we need when things don’t go as we would like. Three leaders get the flu, the Large Group lesson speaker is called away on a family emergency, the projector (with your PowerPoint) breaks down … You know. You’ve been there.
Sometimes equipping means having an emergency backup.
After being stranded with a group of active teens (when the retreat bus had a flat tire; when it started thundering at the picnic; when the game guy got stuck in traffic), one youth pastor put some “emergency” equipment in the back of his van – a Frisbee, a soccer ball, a baseball … He was ready for any planning emergency.
How can you be equipped for those unplanned moments?
You could let the kids run around the room, chasing each other as chaos quickly takes over.
Or, you could do something meaningful. (Be ready to do these before you need them.)
1. Learn a verse in another language.
2. Learn about a little-known Bible character: Puah (Exodus 1:15-22); Orpah (Ruth 1-2); Jemimah (Job 42:14); Tabitha (Acts 9:26-41); Phoebe (Romans 16:1-2)
3. Write different Bible books on index cards and tape to the clubbers back. They need to walk around and ask questions to determine “who” they are. Encourage them to ask content questions rather than “Am I three letters long?”
4. Write a praise song together. Put the alphabet on a white board and come up with a characteristic of God for each letter.
5. Create an ad for your church or club.
6. Print verses out on the computer and then cut apart the words. Time the teams – which team can put their verses together the fastest.
7. Make thank-you cards for staff members.
8. Make cards for shut-ins.
9. Know a couple lessons so well, you can teach them at a moment’s notice.
10. Teach fun Bible facts: Longest book – Psalms; Longest chapter – Psalm 119; Shortest chapter – Psalm 117, etc.
