Avatars Have No Soul (The Practice of Wearing Skin: Incarnation)   It's Your Move Work Zone & High Way DV8 takes about 8 mins Announcements: SPRING BREAK Hang Time Mon, Tue, Thru 1-5pm, Seek-n-Solve Wed 6-11p, DIY Lock-in, Fri 7p-7a   WINDOW TO THE SOUL 8 min Youth circulate throughout the group to find the other halves of their avatar, then talk about the soul. Needed: Avatar cards cut in half Prepare for this activity a bunch of avatar images (one for every two youth). Print each of these and cut them in half. Say: The avatar is a computer user's representation of himself or herself an alter ego whether in the form of a three-dimensional model used in computer games, or a two-dimensional icon (picture) used on Internet forums and other communities. It is an object representing the user. An avatar is a soulless representation of yourself. Without a soul it's easy to be less than moral in the cyber world. The body keeps us real and in check with our loving God and reminds us He is always in our midst. Our world is constantly bombarded by images of attractive and desirable things. You know that appearance is important and some of you probably spend a lot of their time primping and worrying about how you look. But you may not recognize the need to put at least an equal amount of time and effort into developing your inner character, realizing that God is with you. Tonight's lesson will give you an opportunity to talk about working on your character, your spiritual life, and your personality with the same fervor that you work on your outside appearance. While the leader is reading the opening sponsors give half an avatar to each youth. When everyone has a card, have youth circulate around the room to find the other halves of their avatar. Then, after all matches are complete&ldots; BREAK INTO JOURNEY GROUPS   Moving In Work Zone & High Way Work Zone breaks up into smaller groups THE HALF OF IT 10 min Say: The physical bodies we see are only half the picture of what God has given us. God has also given us each a soul, and has given us clues about our souls in His word. ASK:  - What do you think the Bible tell us about the soul? - What are the differences, if any, between the soul and the physical body? - What are the similarities, if any? - What do you think God cares about more: our souls or our physical bodies? Why? Read Aloud: 1 Corinthians 15:45-47. So it is written: "The first man Adam became a living being"; the last Adam, a life giving spirit. The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven. Say: This passage of Scripture likens our spirit to the "second man," Jesus Christ. ASK: - How is the difference between our flesh and soul like the difference between Jesus' humanity and his divinity? What are the similarities, if any? - What do you think about the importance of taking care of your soul, compared with taking care of your physical body? - What are some ways we can nourish and protect our souls?   Moving On Work Zone & High Way REFLECTION 8 min Needed: paper bag and small mirror Set up: Put a mirror, facing up, in a large paper bag or shoebox. Play a round of 20 questions with your group. What do they think is inside the bag? The point is that the thing inside the bag is a reflection of the person looking in. If you look inside the bag at the mirror, you'll see yourself. Answer the questions as if each kid is looking inside the bag at the mirror. When they've given up, let them take turns looking inside the bag keeping what it is to themselves. ASK: - How ugly or pretty was what you saw in the bag? - Were you pleased with what you saw? Why or why not? - How pleased would you be if you actually looked inside yourself? What reflection would you see there?   Moving Up Work Zone & High Way INSIDE OUT 8 min A person might be described as being made up of two layers-the shell on the outside and the being on the inside. Which of the following items deal with the outside of a person (F = Flesh) and which deal with the inside (S = Soul)? Which deal with both (B)?       ___ Strength ___ Muscles ___ Courage ___ Generosity       ___ Faith ___ Godliness ___ Beauty ___ Attractiveness       ___ Creativity ___ Ugliness ___ Kindness ___ Honesty       ___ Style ___ Agility ___ Friendliness ___ Imagination       ___ Patience ___ Humor___ Self-control___ Intelligence ASK: - What do you think the average person is most concerned about-his or her outside appearance or inner self? Why? - What's the most recurring complaint you hear from others about their bodies? - If the Bible says that beauty does not come from outward appearances, where do we draw the line between taking care of our bodies and being vain? - What makes people feel that the outside is more important than the inside? - How can this hurt a person's self-esteem? - People who are focused on outward appearances are usually disappointed. Why is that?   Moving Out  Work Zone & High Way A REAL RINGER 8 min Read Aloud: Proverbs 11:22 Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion. Discuss: Which of the following do you think best describes the symbolism used in the passage? - A. Pretty women make better wives than pigs. - B. A person may have beauty on the outside, but foolishness on the inside is a waste. - C. Don't waste gold on a dirty pig when you can use it as a ring for yourself. - D. A woman with no discretion will hang around with pigs. - E. Pigs and people without sound judgment are the same. - F. Beautiful people should have wise judgment and pigs shouldn't wear jewelry. Say: The best answers are B and E. The Israelites despised swine as filthy creatures, so putting a gold ring in the pig's snout was a waste of gold. A beautiful woman without morals is a waste as well, to be avoided as one avoids a pig with or without a gold nose ring. Discuss: What do you think of these statements? Do you think each one is T (true) or F (false)? ____ Most people put more effort into how they look than who they are. ____ A beautiful person can also be ugly. ____ A person who is handsome or pretty will get further in life than someone who isn't. ____ A person who is attractive on the outside is usually attractive on the inside as well. ASK: - How long do you think outer beauty will last as you get older-until age 30? 50? 80? Forever? - How long does inner beauty last? - How can both be linked? How can inner qualities be seen on the outside of people? - Do you think inner beauty can get better with age? COME BACK TOGETHER IN THE GYM FOR CLOSING   Closing  Work Zone & High Way Gather in a closing circle Pass out Scripture cards: Deuteronomy 6:5 Matthew 16:26 1 Peter 2:11 Luke 10:27  Say: Outer beauty isn't a bad thing-in fact, "our skin" is essential for a healthy self-esteem and having good hygiene. The important thing is that you feel good about yourself and accept yourself as you are now. This next week, think of at least one thing that you can do to improve the way you feel about your soul. Don't be more concerned with the look of your skin than the look of your soul or at least how you can balance it out with the time you spend on your appearance. We're not saying stop looking in the mirror. Just remember, it is entirely possible to be a drop-dead gorgeous person, but have an utterly unattractive soul and character. God looks only at the heart and-because your skin is only a shell-who you really are, is the only thing that will last forever.   Prayer:  Dear Lord, this week we really want to make a commitment to spend more time with you, to improve a friendship, a family relationship, or to volunteer our extra time. We just need some strength to help us make the hard decisions in our spiritual journey. We pray that You will help us to see that Your views of beauty and health look much deeper than just our skin. Thank you for sending Your Son Jesus to be with us in flesh and on Earth. In Jesus name we pray. Amen   ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Gather for this lesson: Avatar cards cut in half, print scripture cards and Sponsor sheets, 4 paper bags and 4 small mirrors   Discussion Guidelines 1. What is said in the room stays in this room. Confidentiality is vital to a healthy discussion. 2. No put-downs. Sarcasm and unkind remarks have no place in a discussion. If someone disagrees with another's comment, they should raise a hand and express an opinion of the comment but not of the person who made it. It is permissible to attack ideas, but not each other. 3. There is no such thing as a dumb question. Asking questions is the best way to learn. 4. No one is forced to talk. Anyone can remain silent about any question. 5. Only one person talks at a time. Each person's opinion is worthwhile and deserves to be heard. Listening is an expression of respect. The Rules: - Be respectful of others - Don't be mean - Keep your hands to yourself - Stay in your seat - Understand there is a time and a place for everything   The UMYF Benediction May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face to shine upon you And be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you And give you peace. Shalom!