From Help For Shepherds
Back to the "Supporting Elements" page
Before you ask, no this is not a page for the newest way of playing dodgeball, or to pass on the latest inspirational story. It's not that those things are bad, but there are many sites for that sort of thing. This page is for Christian Experiential Learning activities. If you aren't familiar with that term, it's basically trying to find ways where people can do something and still grown and learn spiritually. It isn't about a clever story or a quick game, but about creating spaces and events where people can learn about God through more than just listening to words, but through actions. For more information, see the essay Teaching through Experience.
We truly believe that God is at work in everything around us, but that people can also influence how easy it is to listen to God and hear what God is saying and where God is leading. It takes a lot of work sometimes to find something that can help people learn about God for themselves without being lectured or forced to go in one direction only. But if we can pull it off, if people learn about God through their own actions and the actions of those around them it can change their lives.
Because it takes so much work, however, every pastor can always use some more ideas that our co-servants have found useful in their own ministries. So go ahead, look for something that can help you out, and tell us what events have been meaningful to your people too.
If you're wondering whether something you have fits the qualifications here, just ask one simple question. In your idea, do people learn about God and faith through an experience that they have? Not through words, but through doing. If the answer is yes, then we'd love to hear about it, whether it's a way of having students experience communion, children learn about grace by giving, or adults realizing that God is with them.
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| The Point | Topic | Group Size | Setting | Prep Time | Age Group | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4X4 Trolley | That a team is many individuals working together | Teamwork | 1-10 | Outdoors | 20-60 min | |
| Body of Christ | How to effectively communicate and appreciate their different Gifts | Church | 1-10 | Anywhere | 20-60 min | Youth |
| Carrying the Cross | How much Jesus did for them when he died. | Crucifixion salvation |
Any | Outdoors | 20-60 min | Youth |
| Cohort Canonball | That they need to be protecting and helping each other in order to stand against the enemy | Accountability Teamwork self-sacrifice |
10-40 | Outdoors or Gym | 0-20 min | Youth |
| Deafening Silence | The value of eliminating the noise of the world and listening to God | escaping the world Spending time with God |
Any | Anywhere | 0-20 min | Any |
| Electric Fence | How to work together as a team and problem solving | Teamwork | 1-10 | Outdoors | 0-20 min | Any |
| Eucharistic Love Feast | That communion can connect us with God. | Communion Eucharist |
1-10 | Small Group | 20-60 min | Adults |
| Gifts for Jesus | Christ is the center of Christmas, and the reason we give. | Christmas Giving |
Any | Christmas Party | 2-5 Hours | Any |
| Handicap Crossing | What it's like to need and give help | Problem Solving Teamwork Trust |
1-10 | Outdoor or Indoor | 20-60 min | Youth |
| Ludicrous Lava Lake | Learn the necessity of each other and proper tools in this Life. | Teamwork Problem Solving |
1-10 | Anywhere | 0-20 min | Youth |
| Nails in His Hands | We each put Jesus on that cross through our actions | Sin | 1-10 | Outdoors | 1-2 Hours | Adults |
| Prepare for Obstacles | We need to prepare for life if we want to succeed | Preperation | 10-40 | Outdoors | 5+ Hours | |
| Protestant Ash Wednesday | Our sins can be burned away and only the cross remains | sin forgiveness Ash Wednesday |
Any | Indoors Service | 1-2 Hours | Any |
| Removing our burdens | Our sins, secrets, and failings are truly burdens and Jesus will take them away. | Burdens Sin |
Any | Outdoors waterway | 20-60 min | Any |
| Saltiness | They will definitely remember the message. | Being the "salt of the earth" | Any | Church | 20-60 min | Any |
| Shield March | We succeed as Christians when we support each other | Faith Unity Church |
100-200 | Outdoors | 5+ Hours | Youth |
| Shifting Shapes | How to lead | Leadership | 1-10 | Anywhere | 0-20 min | |
| Silent Shuffle | How to communicate effectively, especially under frustrating circumstances | Communication | 1-10 | Anywhere | 0-20 min | Any |
| Spiders Web | How to work as a team to overcome obstacles | Problem Solving Trust Teamwork |
1-10 | Outdoors | 20-60 min | Any |
| Treacherous Tarp Fold | How to work together to solve a simple, but difficult problem | Leadership Communication Teamwork |
Any | Anywhere | 0-20 min | Youth |
| Trustfall Game | To trust other people or to illustrate our faith and trust in God | Trust | 10-40 | Outdoor or Indoor | 0-20 min | |
| Unequal Softball | We need proper equipement to succeed in life, and in faith. | Equipping | 10-40 | Outdoors | 20-60 min | Any |
| Unfair Volleyball | Life isn't always fair, but our attitude still matters | Fairness Attitude |
1-10 | volleyball court | 0-20 min | Any |
