Challenge the Rules,  It's a Rebellion It's Your Move Road Work and Trek Groups Get rid of the round tables. Make one long loop with long tables. Everyone sits side by side this week. (We're exciting the rebels.) Gather in the gym. Welcome, & introductions Ask for someone to make the announcements. (See if anyone knows what's going on?) Ribs - Sr. Breakfast - C-van practices   Which Way Are We Moving Work Zone & High Way Begin with a large group&ldots;  WHAT'S UP Teenagers are often seen as disobedient, stubborn, uncooperative, delinquent, oppositional, and defiant-all words that can describe some aspect of rebellion. Some people think that rebellion in the adolescent years is normal and expected. That's not true. Most teenagers don't rebel in extreme. They buy into the cultural values that exist within their communities. But some teenagers do rebel-and get into some serious trouble. It's every parent's worst nightmare, and for some it's a reality. There are many Bible characters that were rebels for God-and spoke up for their faith, followed their beliefs, and served their God. A few examples include Esther (who stood up to her husband-the king), Mary (who was pregnant with Jesus-when she was still a virgin), Paul (a big rebel-who eventually died because of it), and more. There are two types of rebellion-godly and sinful. Everyone has rebelled against God in his or her own ways. No one is perfect. Christians-as followers of Christ-are called to rebel against the sinful pattern of the world and to conform to the image of Christ (James 4:4). How do Christian teenagers rebel today? How can you become bold and very strong (Philemon 1:8) in faith? Where is the line between sinful rebellion and godly rebellion?  Tonight we're providing an opportunity to discuss both the good and the bad aspects of rebellion.   Break into Journey Groups   Moving In Work Zone  Stay in the FLC The Rebel Effect Preparation: Get a big flat cooking sheet from the kitchen and a glass of water; place them in the center of a round table. Find a youth to secretly assist you. They will be the "rebel"; his or her job will be to slam their hand down in the shallow pan or water.  Don't put the water in until the activity begins. Say: Let's see who can follow instructions. Everyone gather around this table. As a group you all should be able to fit close enough to get your ears really close to this pan. (Pour in some water) Listen closely as I tap the table, the sound will change as it travels to the pan and into the water. (Do the tapping thing) Now listen as I tap the edge of the pan to see if a more direct approach works better. (At this point your "rebel" should slam his or her hand down into the water.)   After everyone calms down  Say: "Now that's rebellion" let's go to Fellowship Hall.   Moving In High Way What? Me a Rebel? Needed: "It's a Rebellion" handout Say: We're going to make a list of all the things that you or your peers do to rebel. What do kids your age do to rebel? (Write all the suggestions down on the graffiti wall. Then pass out the rebellion handout.) It's A Rebellion Rate these from 1 to 10; 1 being "not really a big deal" and 10 being "really serious". __ Listening to loud music __ Surfing the Internet-and go where I want __ Watching an R-or NC-17-rated movie  __ Getting into trouble with my friends __ Being sexually permissive __ Turning on the TV __ Yelling at my girlfriend or boyfriend __ Wearing something different __ Dyeing your hair __ Having a few beers __ Getting an attitude __ Smoking cigarettes __ Talking with God __ Fighting with one of my parents __ Blowing off my schoolwork __ Something from the graffiti wall 1 What_________________________________________ __ Something from the graffiti wall 2 What_________________________________________ __ Something from the graffiti wall 3 What_________________________________________ __ Something from the graffiti wall 4 What_________________________________________ Work on each one as a group adding a few from the wall that might not be already on the list. Then ask them which one is most common among kids their age.   Ask:     Why do some kids rebel more than others?     Why do some kids do worse things than others?     Continued: Where do kids learn to rebel?     What are the influences that encourage rebellion?     Why are some influences stronger than others?     Do those who listen to violent music rebel more than others?   Moving on Work Zone  What's the Big Deal? Needed: Half sheet Rebel handouts Break into small groups Pass out the half sheets It's A Rebellion Rate these from 1 to 10; 1 being "not really a big deal" and 10 being "really serious". __ Listening to loud music __ Surfing the Internet-and go where I want __ Watching an R-or NC-17-rated movie __ Getting into trouble with my friends __ Turning on the TV __ Yelling at my friends __ Wearing something different __ Dyeing your hair __ Getting an attitude __ Smoking cigarettes __ Drinking a Beer __ Talking with God __ Fighting with one of my parents __ Blowing off my schoolwork Work on each one as a group.  Next Ask:      Which one is most common among kids your age?     Why do some kids rebel more than others?     Why do some kids do worse things than others?     Where do kids learn to rebel?     What are the influences that encourage rebellion?     Why are some stronger than others?     Do those who listen to violent music rebel more than others?   Moving on High Way What do you think?  Say: For the following statements raise your hand if you agree - leave it down if you disagree. The music I listen to encourages rebellion. Rebellion is a sin. No one has the right to tell anyone else what to do. If my friends rebel, then I do too. Rebellion was a 1970s thing-it doesn't apply today. Christians can rebel in their own ways too. Seking personal happiness leads to rebellion. There's a lot of rebelling against conformity in today's society. Being forced to follow fair rules is a cause for rebellion Being accountable for my actions with an unfavorable outcome is unfair. When someone makes me do something new - "it's always been that way or we've never done it that way before", - rebellion is okay. Young people mostly do what adults and authorities tell them. Christ was a rebel. Rebellion can sometimes be a good thing.   Moving up Work Zone  Stay in small groups What do you think? Needed: Group Tags as follows- Livin' on the edge Rebellious, but not crazy Occasionally Rebellious         Me? Rebellious? No way Prep: Place the group tags on the floor in the circle order below. Livin' on the edge                   Rebellious, but not crazy Occasionally Rebellious           Me? Rebellious? No way. Say: Form groups around the slips of paper on the floor. Then Say: Stay where you are and sit down. For the following statements stand up if you agree - stay seated if you disagree. The music I listen to encourages rebellion. Rebellion is a sin. No one has the right to tell anyone else what to do. If my friends rebel, then I do too. Rebellion was a 1970s thing-it doesn't apply today. Christians can rebel in their own ways too. Seeking personal happiness leads to rebellion. There's a lot of rebelling against conformity in today's society. Being accountable for my actions with an unfavorable outcome makes rebellion okay. Young people mostly do what adults and authorities tell them. Christ was a rebel. Rebellion can sometimes be a good thing.   Moving up High Way Say: In some people rebellion and a bad temper go hand in hand. Some people handle their anger in different ways. Teenagers often see-and experience-tempers in adults, who should have brought them under control long ago. Now let's look at what kind of behavior and self-control you should strive for. How would you react to each of the situations below? Rate these by standing if you could say, "I'd be soooo mad" or remain seated if you would say, "It wouldn't upset me at all". Someone insulting you or your mother Someone beating up your friend Someone beating up your five-year-old brother Someone enforcing fair rules that aren't to your advantage Someone breaking something and then blaming you Someone cussing you out Someone holding your friends accountable for their actions Someone cutting in on you on the freeway Someone dumping you.   Moving out Work Zone  Stay in small groups Say: In some people rebellion and a bad temper go hand in hand. Some people handle their anger in different ways. Teenagers often see-and experience-tempers in adults, who should have brought them under control long ago. Now let's look at what kind of behavior and self-control you should strive for. How would you react to each of the situations below? Rate these by standing if you could say, "I'd be soooo mad" or remain seated if you would say, "It wouldn't upset me at all". Someone insulting you or your mother Someone beating up your friend Someone beating up your five-year-old brother Someone enforcing fair rules that aren't to your advantage Someone breaking something and then blaming you Someone cussing you out Someone holding your friends accountable for their actions Someone cutting in on you on the freeway Someone dumping you.   Moving out High Way Say: Even Jesus was angry at times! The trick is to distinguish the difference between uncontrolled anger and a controlled positive response. Ask:      What's the difference between being angry and losing your temper?     Share how you react when other people lose control of their temper.     What reactions have you seen that are worse than others?     Do you think a temper is controllable? Why or why not?     Is there a point where everyone loses their ability to control themselves?   Come back together in the FLC   Closing Work Zone & High Way The Leader Closes: Gather in a circle. Say: It's a rebellion, man! Anger is a human emotion-it's okay to feel irritated and angry from time to time. But controlling anger means having self-control. Some people lack the self-control to stop themselves before they blow it and hurt someone. Rebellion is often a reaction to anger. It's usually a planed and ill-conceived form of retaliation. When things aren't going the way you have planned or you aren't doing you homework, yard work or not meeting some other expectation - it's easy to get mad and rebel. Remember that self-control is a fruit of the spirit and help for dealing with anger and rebellion isn't too far away. God gives peace and he gives self-control. Even if you aren't doing what you should and it's not the easiest way, God will be there to walk beside you, ready to be soaked in like the sun on a cold winters day. This week think about how you're reacting. Are you willing to let God give you self-control-or will you go ahead get mad and challenge the rules in rebellion?   Sing Sanctuary UMYF Benediction