PRETEEN MINISTRY GAME: THREE-LEGGED TWISTER
Every day we are told how to live, what to believe, and what’s right and wrong.
In many cases, what we are being told is different from what God actually says.
In fact, there are times that what we are told is a little “twisted.”
We should encourage students to ask questions and challenge what they are being told because it will challenge them to look to God’s Word to find answers.
Use this preteen ministry game and lesson to remind students to always seek God’s truth… don’t let others tell you how to live.
-Nick Diliberto, Preteen Ministry
PRETEEN MINISTRY GAME: THREE-LEGGED TWISTER
Written by: Rob Quinn
Bible Verse: Romans 16:17-20
Bottom Line: Always seek God’s truth… don’t let others tell you how to live.
SUPPLIES
- Twister Board (Use the original game board or create your own)
- Game spinner – Choose one of the following options:
- Make a large spinner with 24 sections and label them Left Arm Red, Middle Arms Red, Right Arm Red, …Middle Legs Green, Right Leg Green.
- Make one spinner which has six choices Left Arm, Middle Arms, Right Arm, Left Leg, Middle Legs, Right Leg and also use the regular Twister Spinner just for the colors.
- Pretend to use the Twister Spinner, but actually use a bag that contains the 24 choices written on slips of paper.
- Pieces of rope, ribbon, Velcro – something to tie hands/feet together
- High-energy music
HOW TO PLAY THE GAME
Choose 8 volunteers, 4 of each gender, and pair up the students into couples of the same gender and similar height.
Then, have them stand side-by-side, facing the same direction, and tie the left arm of one to the right arm of the other and similarly for the legs.
Once all teams are tied together, begin playing Twister.
Start by taking turns slowly and then, begin to increase the speed.
- If a team fails to make their move before the next spin – they are out.
- If the can’t make the move – they are out.
- If they fall before the next team can make a move – they are out.
The last team standing – wins!
Start the music and play a few rounds.
TEACH
Well, that was certainly fun, watching everyone get a little twisted up!
It was really fun to watch all of you trying to figure out how to move together.
One of you had an idea of what you wanted to do, and then the other had an idea, and most of the time they weren’t the same.
So, trying to decided on the right move, was a little difficult.
This makes me think about how we decide to live our lives: what do we believe? what is right? what is wrong?
I mean it’s easy to say, “just listen to Jesus,” but, let’s face it, there are a lot of people telling us how to live, and their way doesn’t line up with what Jesus says.
Maybe the things they say even sound a little like Jesus, but still not quite the same, and those are the things that can get us twisted up and confused in knowing what is right and wrong?
What are some things that we are told are okay, but are not what Jesus wants us to do?
Talk through some of the examples your students come up with.
Encourage them to think about stuff in their culture.
Much of what we just talked about doesn’t seem like absolutely horrible things, but they are just not how Jesus wants us to live.
So, how do we figure things out?
How do we know what is twisted and what isn’t?
Let’s read a scripture and break it down.
Read Romans 16:17-20.
And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them.
Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people. But everyone knows that you are obedient to the Lord.
This makes me very happy. I want you to be wise in doing right and to stay innocent of any wrong. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
This was part of a letter Paul wrote to the Romans, and these verses are a warning about exactly what we are talking about today.
See, even back in those days, there were people twisting things around, confusing people about what is right and wrong.
God knew this and He still does today, so He wanted to make sure we understood that then, and now.
But, how do we know what is right and wrong, how to live, how not to, and so on?
It’s actually as simple and as hard as it sounds.
First, the simple part: Ask questions.
Seek out people you know will help you find out what God says about things.
Ask questions about everything; don’t just listen to what you are told.
This is even ok when learning about Jesus.
There’s nothing wrong with asking questions about Jesus if you aren’t sure, or maybe we just don’t think something sounds right.
Second, the hard part: Listen for God
In ourselves, we are filled with all kinds of information and opinions and this is where things can get twisted up.
Take time to listen for God in your lives because He will guide you in the right direction.
And, when you mess up, He will still be there to keep guiding you.
Talk with Him, ask Him your questions; listen and look for His guidance.
So, we have talked about some crazy stuff, maybe even a little twisted.
But, here is the one thing you can take away from today:
Bottom Line: Always seek God’s truth… don’t let others tell you how to live.
Close in Prayer.
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PRETEEN MINISTRY GAME: BIBLE TRIVIA NINJAS