Category: Youth Group-Money & Stewardship
Build It: Saving #48
A church youth-group game or growth exercise focused on saving. Scripture: Matthew 6:21. Workshop exercises: 1) Introduce the theme and read Matthew 6:21. 2) Give teams simple safe supplies such as paper, cups, tape, or index cards. They build a structure representing saving, explain the symbolism, and connect it to the Scripture. 3) Ask students what they learned about saving. 4) Have each participant choose one practical way to apply the lesson this week. 5) Close with a short prayer or optional reflection.
Teaching notes: Keep the activity age-appropriate, voluntary, welcoming, and centered on Christian character. Use Matthew 6:21 in context and invite discussion rather than forcing personal disclosure. Adapt for group size, mobility, disability, available space, and time. Avoid humiliation, hazing, dangerous physical contact, elimination that repeatedly excludes the same youth, or sharing private information. Maintain normal church safeguarding and adult-supervision practices.
Scavenger Hunt: Budgeting #47
A church youth-group game or growth exercise focused on budgeting. Scripture: Matthew 6:21. Workshop exercises: 1) Introduce the theme and read Matthew 6:21. 2) Hide clues around the room or safe activity area. Each clue contains a question or task about budgeting. Teams solve each clue and record one lesson before moving on. 3) Ask students what they learned about budgeting. 4) Have each participant choose one practical way to apply the lesson this week. 5) Close with a short prayer or optional reflection.
Teaching notes: Keep the activity age-appropriate, voluntary, welcoming, and centered on Christian character. Use Matthew 6:21 in context and invite discussion rather than forcing personal disclosure. Adapt for group size, mobility, disability, available space, and time. Avoid humiliation, hazing, dangerous physical contact, elimination that repeatedly excludes the same youth, or sharing private information. Maintain normal church safeguarding and adult-supervision practices.
Partner Practice: Contentment #46
A church youth-group game or growth exercise focused on contentment. Scripture: Matthew 6:21. Workshop exercises: 1) Introduce the theme and read Matthew 6:21. 2) Pair students. One student receives a contentment prompt and practices a response while the other listens and gives one encouraging observation. Switch roles and repeat. 3) Ask students what they learned about contentment. 4) Have each participant choose one practical way to apply the lesson this week. 5) Close with a short prayer or optional reflection.
Teaching notes: Keep the activity age-appropriate, voluntary, welcoming, and centered on Christian character. Use Matthew 6:21 in context and invite discussion rather than forcing personal disclosure. Adapt for group size, mobility, disability, available space, and time. Avoid humiliation, hazing, dangerous physical contact, elimination that repeatedly excludes the same youth, or sharing private information. Maintain normal church safeguarding and adult-supervision practices.
Scenario Lab: Advertising #45
A church youth-group game or growth exercise focused on advertising. Scripture: Matthew 6:21. Workshop exercises: 1) Introduce the theme and read Matthew 6:21. 2) Read a realistic youth scenario involving advertising. Teams identify the problem, possible responses, likely consequences, and a Christlike response. Groups compare solutions. 3) Ask students what they learned about advertising. 4) Have each participant choose one practical way to apply the lesson this week. 5) Close with a short prayer or optional reflection.
Teaching notes: Keep the activity age-appropriate, voluntary, welcoming, and centered on Christian character. Use Matthew 6:21 in context and invite discussion rather than forcing personal disclosure. Adapt for group size, mobility, disability, available space, and time. Avoid humiliation, hazing, dangerous physical contact, elimination that repeatedly excludes the same youth, or sharing private information. Maintain normal church safeguarding and adult-supervision practices.
Four Corners: Generosity #43
A church youth-group game or growth exercise focused on generosity. Scripture: Matthew 6:21. Workshop exercises: 1) Introduce the theme and read Matthew 6:21. 2) Label four corners with four possible responses related to generosity. Read scenarios and have students choose a corner, discuss why, then allow them to move after hearing other perspectives. 3) Ask students what they learned about generosity. 4) Have each participant choose one practical way to apply the lesson this week. 5) Close with a short prayer or optional reflection.
Teaching notes: Keep the activity age-appropriate, voluntary, welcoming, and centered on Christian character. Use Matthew 6:21 in context and invite discussion rather than forcing personal disclosure. Adapt for group size, mobility, disability, available space, and time. Avoid humiliation, hazing, dangerous physical contact, elimination that repeatedly excludes the same youth, or sharing private information. Maintain normal church safeguarding and adult-supervision practices.
Team Relay: Stewardship #42
A church youth-group game or growth exercise focused on stewardship. Scripture: Matthew 6:21. Workshop exercises: 1) Introduce the theme and read Matthew 6:21. 2) Divide into teams. Place prompt cards about stewardship across the room. One player retrieves a card, the team completes the challenge, then sends the next player. Finish by connecting the activity to the Scripture. 3) Ask students what they learned about stewardship. 4) Have each participant choose one practical way to apply the lesson this week. 5) Close with a short prayer or optional reflection.
Teaching notes: Keep the activity age-appropriate, voluntary, welcoming, and centered on Christian character. Use Matthew 6:21 in context and invite discussion rather than forcing personal disclosure. Adapt for group size, mobility, disability, available space, and time. Avoid humiliation, hazing, dangerous physical contact, elimination that repeatedly excludes the same youth, or sharing private information. Maintain normal church safeguarding and adult-supervision practices.
Circle Challenge: Work #41
A church youth-group game or growth exercise focused on work. Scripture: Matthew 6:21. Workshop exercises: 1) Introduce the theme and read Matthew 6:21. 2) Arrange students in a circle. The leader gives a prompt about work. Each student responds briefly, then chooses another person to continue. Add a second round where students connect the prompt to the Scripture. 3) Ask students what they learned about work. 4) Have each participant choose one practical way to apply the lesson this week. 5) Close with a short prayer or optional reflection.
Teaching notes: Keep the activity age-appropriate, voluntary, welcoming, and centered on Christian character. Use Matthew 6:21 in context and invite discussion rather than forcing personal disclosure. Adapt for group size, mobility, disability, available space, and time. Avoid humiliation, hazing, dangerous physical contact, elimination that repeatedly excludes the same youth, or sharing private information. Maintain normal church safeguarding and adult-supervision practices.
Reflection Walk: Giving #40
A church youth-group game or growth exercise focused on giving. Scripture: Matthew 6:21. Workshop exercises: 1) Introduce the theme and read Matthew 6:21. 2) Post questions around the room about giving. Students rotate quietly, writing short responses. Finish with optional sharing and prayer. 3) Ask students what they learned about giving. 4) Have each participant choose one practical way to apply the lesson this week. 5) Close with a short prayer or optional reflection.
Teaching notes: Keep the activity age-appropriate, voluntary, welcoming, and centered on Christian character. Use Matthew 6:21 in context and invite discussion rather than forcing personal disclosure. Adapt for group size, mobility, disability, available space, and time. Avoid humiliation, hazing, dangerous physical contact, elimination that repeatedly excludes the same youth, or sharing private information. Maintain normal church safeguarding and adult-supervision practices.
Action Plan: Saving #39