I Do What I Want 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. Gather in the gym. Welcome, & introductions Ask for someone to make the announcements. (See if anyone knows what's going on?) Chili - Super bowl - Twisted Valentines - Pancakes   Which Way Are We Moving Work Zone & High Way Begin with a large group&ldots;  THE BLURRING OF MORALITY What's right and what's wrong has been distorted by society today. You may have been left with varied and blurred concepts of morality. For this reason, parents and churches must be more intentional in teaching values and moral standards. Tonight's lesson offers you that opportunity. Have you ever tried to define morality? Without looking in the dictionary "morality" and what it covers would have as many different perceptions as there are people in the room. A simple definition: Morality is an informal social system applying to all rational persons, governing behavior that affects others, and has the lessening of evil or harm as its goal. It should be safe to assume that all rational persons know what kinds of actions morality prohibits, requires, discourages, encourages, and allows. They also hold that reason endorses acting morally. Some might say that it is irrational to act immorally, but everyone should agree that it is never irrational to act morally. As an individual thinking "I do what you want," morality is blurred. Only when the combined social ideas of many are applied to your life do you find morality.   Break into Journey Groups   Moving In Work Zone  Connections Say: Let's have a partner race and see what it's like work together. First, let's form partners. How many of you put on a sweatshirt by sticking your head through first? How many put your arms in first? Find a partner who puts on a sweatshirt the same way you do. Say: The object of this relay is for partners to go around the outside of the room, walking as quickly as possible. To begin the race, I'll call out two body parts that you and your partner will put together as you walk. Throughout the race, I'll call out different body connections. You have to change connections and keep going. Ready? Finger to elbow!   Several times during the race, shout out new joint connections, such as elbow to knee, knee to wrist, wrist to shoulder, and so on. After the race is over, have kids discuss why it's sometimes hard to work together to be the body of Christ. Point out that being an individual is much easier than relying on others. Moving In High Way The Basis of Morality Needed: whiteboard and marker, "God Won't Ask" sheet Say: How well do you know the Ten Commandments? Think of as many of the Ten Commandments as you can. We'll write a short version of them on the board. After you come up with at least Ten&ldots;(Ha, Ha) Say: Assign at least one of the Ten Commandments to the following statements I read (Read the statements) Ask:    Some of those didn't seem to apply to the Ten Commandments. Why would anything else matter in the eyes of our Lord?    Which one is the most important and why?    Give an example of how love might shape morals.    Why do we need morals?   Moving on Work Zone  Moral Clumps Say: Morality is an informal social system applying to all rational persons, governing behavior that affects others, and has the lessening of evil or harm as its goal. We are going to play a game called moral clumps. When I say "Go" everyone should walk around near each other. I'll shout a number and a body part, you then quickly get in groups with as many people as I say and touch that body part with the others. For example, if I call out three elbows you get in groups of three and touch elbows. Anyone left without the proper morals is out of the game. Play a few rounds. Moving on High Way The Discussion Ask:    How do you rate our society? The world? >>>>Take a poll and come to a group consensus on this question.    Are the commandments supposed to make people miserable?    Are we supposed to come up with morals that support the Commandments? If not what role do morals play in our faith journey?    What about peer pressure and its influence on individual morality.    To be an individual and "Do What You Want" do you have to have abided by the morals of society?    When do you struggle with morality?    Why is it hard to decide what's right and wrong?    What would you as high schoolers say to sixth graders about "Doing What You Want"?    What warnings if any would you have for them?    Moving up Work Zone  The Basis of Morality Needed: Ten Commandment cards, "God Won't Ask" sheet Divide into smaller groups! Say: How well do you know the Ten Commandments? Think of as many of the Ten Commandments as you can.   After they have come up with all ten, then pass out the Ten Commandment cards for the youth to use as reminders.   Say: Assign at least one of the Ten Commandments to the following statements I read.   Read the statements from the "God Won't Ask" sheet and try to find at least one relevant commandment.   Then Ask:    Some of those didn't seem to apply to the Ten Commandments. Why would anything else matter in the eyes of our Lord?    Which one is the most important and why?    Give an example of how love might shape morals.    Why do we need morals?   Moving up High Way What Do You Think Do you agree or disagree?    A decline in moral values is the number one problem facing the country. Why? Explain, discuss&ldots;    Girls have better morals than guys. Why? Explain, discuss&ldots;    There's a difference between what teens think of morality and what they're supposed to think. Why? Explain, discuss&ldots;    People are more concerned about not getting caught than doing the right thing. Why? Explain, discuss&ldots;    People have to decide for themselves what is right and what is wrong. Why? Explain, discuss&ldots;    Most teenagers understand the difference between right and wrong. Why? Explain, discuss&ldots;   Moving out Work Zone & High Way Is there black and white (right and wrong)? Work Zone stays in smaller groups Needed: Ten Commandment Cards Decide which of the following are right, wrong, or questionable.       _____ Lying to a parent       _____ Copying someone else's homework once       _____ Watching R-rated movies when you're not 18.       _____ Looking at pornography on the Internet       _____ Talking back to a teacher       _____ Making a joke about a handicapped kid       _____ Forgetting to call my parents or guardians to tell                them where I am       _____ Putting someone down       _____ Buying more clothes than I need       _____ Watching too much TV       _____ Reading the Bible once a month       _____ Having a friend my parents disapprove of       _____ Demanding to watch a movie or TV show of questionable morals at a church activity.       _____ Watching a movie or TV show of questionable morals at home with your family. _____ friends. _____ alone.   Now go back over the list again and try to put a commandment to each.   Ask: Which of the commandments might mean that we should follow moral standards?   Closing Work Zone & High Way The Leader Closes: Sit in a circle, use candle light and ask for any prayer concerns. Remain Seated Say: "I DO WHAT I WANT!" We all should be able to say this without a doubt. If you understand love and the greatest commandment you will know what you WANT to do.   Please join me in a meditation prayer. As each of you picture the message in your mind, offer it up tonight as your prayer. Let Us Pray: Close your eyes and imagine, two jars that have come from the same factory, made of the same materials, and can hold the same amount of liquid. Now imagine the jars full of liquid about the same in color&ldots; Picture one being tipped over and honey oozing out. Now, the second one tips and vinegar pours and splashes everywhere! When a jar is upset, whatever is in it comes out. Until the jars were upset, they looked alike. The difference was within, and could not be seen. When they were upset, their contents were revealed. Until we are upset we put on a good front. But when we are challenged, we reveal our innermost thoughts and attitudes.  What if someone tipped you over today?? What would flow out?? Would you reveal the "honey" of love and morality, or the "vinegar" of anger and selfish desires? Pretend the jars are your body and the liquid that they are full of is your life. It takes many bees to make a jar of honey and only a few rotten apples to make vinegar. If loving one another is doing what you want than surly your jar will be full of honey, Amen.     UMYF Benediction and turn out in to the world! Don't for get the Chili Sign-up Sheets!!!!