The Job Description of Mr. Kleenex
For this lesson have one youth fill the role of the Youth Dude (Katy or any other Jr or Sr. - be careful not to chose someone who will mistreat the "power" ) . They'll start the session, float around between groups and then close it. Select one youth leader to lead his or her small group. Sponsors are there to keep everyone on track and not just coasting through.
It's Your Move
Work Zone & High Way
Gather in a Corner:
Make any announcements, introductions.
Mr. Crank
Say: This lesson looks at the idea of Christians truly loving one another. Not just with our words but backing it up with our actions. Love isn't just a feeling or emotion, but it is manifested by action. This session shares that God showed us He loves us by giving His life through Christ for us.
One word sums up the tonight's lesson. The word is "GO". Jesus commands us to "go" and share Christ with others.
Continue: I'd like to share with you a story from a time when the Youth Dude was your age:
The eyes from across the desk squinted and stared at me. Although he was known by the name of Mr. Crank, most of the kids at my school had tagged him "the warden." He was a driver's education instructor. Although most of us could make it through a semester of driver's education, nearly everyone failed when taking the driving part of the test. Mr. Crank always knew he could find one or two mistakes, even with the best of drivers.
I walked with Mr. Crank out to my ultimate cursing vessel, a 1974 Mercury Comet with a jacked up rear end and snow tires - just in case. I was pretty proud to have Mr. Crank ride in it, with custom Corvette bucket seats and all. Sweat beaded on my brow as I got in and shut the door. Tapping his pencil on the clipboard, Mr. Crank got into my cursing vessel. I flipped on my homemade anti theft devices and then, - we just waited. Mr. Crank stared. I kept sweating. The pencil kept tapping. It was a living nightmare. Then, Mr. Crank said something that changed my life from that day forward. He calmly pointed his pencil in my direction and said, "Go." That's all I needed. I put the keys in the ignition, started up the old beast and went on my way.
The roads - I mean, life has not been the same since "Go."
That's easier said than done. Jesus had to spur on the disciples just like Mr. Crank had to spur me on. The disciples had followed Christ around for a while. They probably would have kept following Him. But Jesus knew that in order to grow in their ability to impact the world, they must "go." A command. A verb. An action. Like most Christians, we are sitting in the driver's seat of what we believe. That's the problem. We're just sitting there, sweating, scared and nervous of what lies ahead. We might even try to avoid it. And there is Jesus saying, "Go."
Unlike Mr. Crank, Jesus goes with you wherever you go. Whenever you have a chance to help, "Go." weather; for the youth group, the church, school, or your parents - just "Go." Jesus has given you all the directions. Just put your foot on the pedal. Just like drivers-ed, it's either pass or fail. What did you do the last time someone asked you to "Go?"
I passed my driving test that day. Looking back, I thank "the warden" for teaching me to "Go."
Break into Journey Groups, Fellowship Hall and Youth Center
Moving in
Work Zone & High Way
Work Zone, break into smaller groups of no more than 8.
Good Ol' Vern
Say: How many of you helped with the last Youth Church Dinner? How many of you were told to "Go" and do something and actually did it? Did you decide everything was done and just vanish/quit/sneak away? What would have happened if the disciples had started their job and just walked away, doing just enough to get by, doing only enough to look like they were really working?
Continue: Vernon, a painter who was interested in saving a penny anywhere he could, often would thin down his paint to make it go further so he could save a few bucks.
The local Methodist church decided to do a major restoration job on one of their biggest buildings, and good ol' Vern got the job so he set to work erecting the trestles and setting up the planks and buying the paint, and yes, thinning it down mightily with turpentine.
Well, Vern was up on the scaffold painting away, nearly completed, when a horrendous clap of thunder ripped through the sky. The rain poured down washing the thin paint off the church and knocking Vern clear of the scaffold to land among the telltale puddles of the thinned useless paint. Vernon was no fool. He knew that this was a judgment from the Almighty, so he got on his knees and cried, "O God Forgive me! What should I do?
And from the thunder a mighty voice spoke -- "Repaint! Repaint, and thin no more."
ASK:
* What do you think of people that try to rip you off?
* Do you think it is ever possible to trust someone to do what is asked of him or her?
* Do you think doing something that is not fun can be rewarding?
Moving up
Work Zone & High Way
Work Zone stays in small groups
Mr. Kleenex
Read: A Kleenex box was sitting on top of the bathroom counter sharing his woes with the rest of the bathroom supplies. The Kleenex box pulled a tissue from inside himself and wiped the tears away. Through the tears and pain, Mr. Kleenex continued as best as he could, pausing frequently to feel sorry for himself. The sobs were nearly uncontrollable. "You see that's why I am so humiliated. The only job description I have is to wipe people's noses. That's it. I'm just one big box of snot-rags! You wouldn't believe the stuff I see! Can you imagine it? How humiliating! I just don't know if I can do it anymore. I've reached the end!" Mr. Kleenex cried bitterly, turning over on his side. Once he gained his composure, he paused, and through the tears, he managed to finish his plight of self-pity. "So you see, that's what I do for a living. How about you guys?" - Then the toilet paper spoke up.
Servant hood - it's one of the best ways we can show each other love. You may not be able to love the world in which you live overnight, but you can serve and learn to love over time. Just when we feel like we have it worse than anyone else, we are reminded of the one who gave his all that we might live anew. Whom can you serve tomorrow? Maybe it will start with someone you live with or a friend or teacher you see at school. How about that neighbor who lives down the street? If Jesus was all about serving, shouldn't we be?
ASK:
* If you spend 2 hours at a church function should at least one hour be free for you to do what you want?
* Do you need to have your reward before you will "Go?"
* Could you work (remember from last youth???) now, today and then receive your reward at a later time?
Say: Christ has taught us what we do now could be met with rewarded in eternity. By practicing, we become better and better at what we are trying to master. If you practice the art of sneak, sloth, and fibbing you will become a master at it in no time. Devilish deeds are easy to do and simple to master but horrific to bear over time.
Moving on
Work Zone & High Way
Work Zone remain in small groups
Whoever Would Be Great
Read: Mat 20:25-28 But Jesus called them to him and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave; even as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
ASK:
* What can you do in the future to serve others?
* What have you done in the past to serve others?
* If you start to help a blind man across the street, would you leave him halfway across?
* If you told your friends you'd come to church, then didn't, would it bother you? Why?
* In the earlier question about the blind man the consequences are obvious. Are the consequences just as obvious when you leave your friends hangin'? Why?
* What can be done now to keep you involved in youth?
* As you grow older, more responsibilities, activities, work and such will be pulling for you time. How can you balance your time to always make room for your youth group?
Moving out
Work Zone
Work Zone remain in small groups
Are You Engaged?
Discuss:
1. As a member of my youth group, I know what is expected of me.
2. In my youth group, my spiritual needs are met.
3. In my youth group, I regularly have the opportunity to do what I do best.
4. In the last month, I have received recognition or praise from someone in my youth group.
5. The spiritual leaders in my youth group seem to care about me as a person.
6. There is someone in my youth group who encourages my spiritual development.
7. As a member of my youth group, my opinions seem to count.
8. The mission or purpose of my youth group makes me feel my participation is important.
9. The other members of my youth group are committed to spiritual growth.
10. Aside from family members, I have a best friend in my youth group.
11. In the last six months, I used one of the lessons from my youth group to guide me.
12. In my youth group, I have opportunities to learn and grow
If time remains, play Anatomy Shuffle:
The group pairs off and form two circles, one inside the other, with one partner in each circle. The outer circle travels clockwise while the inner goes counter-clockwise. The leader blows a whistle and calls out a combination of body parts - ie. hand to toe; elbow to nose; head to stomach. The first part called is the anatomy part belonging to the person on the inner circle, who must place that part on the other partner's body part, called out second. The last couple to "shuffle" is out. (Be careful with the body part combos!)
Play till High Way come up to join in, form one large circle.
Moving out
High Way
The Crash
This exercise will enable the youth to discover how they work together, what it means to "go" as a group and make hard decisions.
Set up/Needed: Give the youth the handout of the scenario, set a 15 minute time limit. Explain that each group will have to report back and justify their decision.
The Scenario
A small aircraft crashes in the shark infested waters of the Pacific Ocean. There is damage to the aircraft on impact with the water which causes the electronic systems within to be damaged. The resulting radio failure means that no may-day message can be sent.
Of the sixteen passengers on the plane there are nine survivors. The location of the crash is approximately one and a half days from the nearest land. The life raft on one side of the airplane can be used; however there is only room for four persons in it.
Your group must reach a decision as to which four persons can enter the life raft. You have approximately 15 minutes to reach this decision before the aircraft sinks.
The following are the details of the nine survivors.
1. 'Ace' Browning. Ace was the pilot at the time of the crash and it was his expertise which landed the aircraft in one piece, enabling it to float. 'Ace' received his pilot training and nickname when he was in the Air force. He is the son of an Air Vice-Marshall and a decorated Gulf veteran. He is a semi-pro golfer and collects theatre memorabilia. Recently, there has been some concern amongst his colleagues that he is showing signs of a drinking problem. He is one of a team of volunteer pilots who carry out mercy missions which drop food and medical aid in places of crises.
2. Geoff McGraw. Geoff was returning from a medical conference where he gave a paper on "Re-building Facial Features Following Accidents". He is a recent divorcee with four grown up children. At 57 he owns a plastic surgery clinic in California from which he has made a considerable fortune. Geoff has established a charitable program which helps children with facial injuries. His hobbies include collecting vintage cars, deep sea fishing.
The Butler family - James, Patience and Prudence
3. James Butler is a 40 year old church minister. He has been a missionary in Papua New Guinea for the past 15 years. He really wants to take up the challenge of a new post in Haiti, but has not discussed the move with his wife, Patience, as he is aware that she is anxious to return to the UK and start a career. He is also torn by the wish to spend more time with his two older children. James' hobbies are bridge and fishing.
4. Patience Butler (35) did a lot of voluntary work while in Papua New Guinea. She established a youth club which developed skills such as self confidence and home crafts in young people. For many years Patience has wanted to start a career; she has the manuscript of a first book which she intends to take to a publisher. Her book explores issues relating to helping indigenous peoples and their way of life survive the 21st century. She has three children.
5. Prudence Butler. Prudence Butler, an epileptic, was travelling from Papua New Guinea to London with her parents at the time of the accident. She is a very intelligent 10 year old girl and shows great talent at music and languages. She has two siblings, a fourteen year old brother and a 12 year old sister who are both at boarding school in the UK. Prudence did not want to take time out of school for this trip but her father felt that it was important that she visit her brother and sister.
6. Donald Heap. Donald Heap is a 45 year old married man with two children. He is the Conservative member for Happiburgh and currently resides on the back bench following a brief, but very public period as Junior Minister in the Department for Defense. Donald resigned from this position because of a scandal involving insider dealing. Donald is a self-made man, having made his fortune in sports clothing. He is an Olympic medalist in track events and used his world-wide reputation as a sportsman in marketing his goods. His hobbies include sailing, squash and growing greenhouse orchids.
7. Sam Comfort. Sam is a 29 year old nurse and a member of Greenpeace. He abandoned plans to marry three years ago and took up a post as Nursing Officer at an Antarctic research station where he carried out work on hypothermia. He got on very well with the rest of the team at the research station and would like to renew his contract and return there. Sam is a very gifted musician; he plays the violin and enjoys swimming and badminton.
8. Professor Mu Chado. Professor Chado has been Professor of Microbiology at the University of Barkington for the past 10 years. He has developed an antibody to the HIV virus that has proved successful in combating illness in experimental animals. He is 60 years old and a bachelor. He was physically disabled when he was 30 in a riding accident and has since then been confined to a wheelchair. His hobbies include water color painting
9. Philippa Lowes-Harrington. Philippa Lowes-Harrington is a Performance Director in the energy industry. She is a 50 year old married woman with no children. Philippa spent 12 years in the army and retired at the age of 30 at the rank of Captain. Her hobbies include skiing and collecting art. She has been involved in negotiations where the Canadian Victoria and Albert Museums acquired a number of valuable pieces of British art from Japan and the United State. Currently she is the Chair of a working group which is considering how art may be used to improve inner-city environments. Philippa has recently been diagnosed as HIV positive.
ASK:
* How did you reach your decision?
* What roles did group members adopt?
* Did you listen to each other?
* What have you learned about the function of "go" in your life?
* How is this plane crash like our youth group?
Return to the Family Life Center. Form one large circle.
Closing
Work Zone & High Way
After everyone has gathered in a circle -
Say: Too many times we treat Christianity as a spectator sport. It is not. The word "Go" in this lesson is a verb, an action word. We are required to be a people of action. Will it always be comfortable? No! Will it always be popular? No! But it is our duty to one another to live a life full of "Go!" Our youth group has the potential to shine brightly in this church and community of Wichita, Kansas. It is your decisions this day - do the work the Scriptures demand, without compromise - or try to be happy with "church" as usual. Will you be the one that God uses this evening? Will you "Go" and be dedicated till the end?
Sing "Sanctuary"
UMYF Benediction
