BY DEB BURTON ( a friend of BMIC)

DEB BURTON

This reality game aims to provide a mini experience of the discipleship journey, from ‘baby stage’ to adulthood. Some of it is fun, and lighthearted, as it is designed for all ages. It is a lot about getting to know each other. There is a memory verse to learn as you go – each stage has a piece of it.

• [Stage 1] Babyhood is being looked after: – feed each other with marshmallows on toothpicks. Memory verse: “As newborn babies” Discuss what to feed to new Christians
• [Stage 2] Toddler is learning about family and friends: – find out 3 things you didn’t know about each other – such as where they were born, their middle name, a nice memory, favourite song, pet hate, etc. Note how this helped you improve your relationship with each other. Memory verse: “hunger for the”
• [Stage 3] Early school is learning to communicate: – say or write down something you like about each person (warm fuzzy!) and note how it made you all feel more confident. Memory verse: “pure milk of”
• [Stage 4] Learning about God‘s wonders:- scavenger hunt – something from each day of creation: shiny, water, stone, leaf, a picture or other illustration of star, bird, fish, insect, fur, man-made object… At least 6 things – note these… Memory verse: “the word so”
• [Stage 5] Learning about yourself:- there’s a picture of a cake at the edge of a table at a girl’s birthday party, soon it gets knocked off – discuss what would be your reaction? Match this with prophet (told you so), server (finds the broom), teacher (what should have happened), encourager, giver, organiser, shows mercy. Note the group gifts [Romans 12:6-8] Memory verse: “you can grow”
• [Stage 6] Exploring work options: – Come up with 2 things each person might do with their gifts, in church or paid work [they can be practical work, or academic, or creative, or a mix]. Note and send in report Memory verse: “up mature and”
• [Stage 7] Training for adult work;- Memory verse: “whole in God.” –1 Peter 2:2 Put the verse together and practice it. You might sing it, act it, puzzle it, picture it – but learn it as well as you can! Report when you are ready to be tested.
• [Stage 8] Adult hood – doing the work God has called you to do. Go sit with each person in your group for three minutes, without talking, but being open for God to speak to you about each other. Share anything you sense – a thought, picture, impression/ feeling, scripture etc. Pray for God to bless and grow each other. Then as a group, each person can share some of the things about themselves if they wish. Report this and return to headquarters – you will be asked for the memory verse as a password.

• “As newborn babies, hunger for the pure milk of the word so you can grow up mature and whole in God”

1 Peter 2:2 (KJV)             

NOTE THIS:                
REPORT BACK to everyone – recorder/ spokesperson answering “What did the group get out of it?” – added comments from group are OK depending on the time 

Taking up the Cross means dying to self, to live in Christ!

2) Take up your Cross – Nobody goes directly from denying themselves to following Jesus. First we go through crucifying experiences. Paul says: ‘I die daily’ 1Corinthians 15:31. Certain things in your life can be handled only one way – dying to them. Listen: ‘Count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God’ Romans 6:11. Jesus did not even talk about the cross to His disciples, until He knew they understood this principle. Why? Because until you do, you will never see the cross as a plus.

3) Follow Him – Too often we take God’s presence for granted because He said He would never leave us. But He also said: ‘You did not choose me…I chose you’ John 15:16. It is not God’s job to follow you, it is your job to follow Him! When you do, it will cost you, change you, and challenge you. Sometimes you will go through valleys, other times you will stand with Him on the mountaintop. You must be willing to follow Him anywhere, any time, under any conditions; that is the deal! Still want to be a disciple of Jesus?

KEY VERSES:

Matthew 10:38
…and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

Matthew 16:24
…Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

Mark 8:34
…Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

Luke 9:23
…Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”

Luke 14:27
…And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

(Posted by Admin- BL)