Responsible Me It's Your Move Work Zone and High Way Groups For Sponsors: Which way are we moving? 1.Why be responsible  2.Honor God with responsible actions 3.Commit to being responsible  Which Way Are We Moving Work Zone & High Way Gather in a large group circle: Make any announcements (Bingo & Babysitting), introductions; explain the groups. Tonight we are going to look at the difference between people who take advantage of the gifts God has given them and people who don't. God wants us to be responsible with our gifts. He wants us to use them. You may see taking responsibility as a chore or an unpleasant part of growing up. By listening to the message tonight you should be able to see how God wants us to be responsible. Tonight you may just realize that responsibility isn't a chore but a gift from God. Prayer/Invitation to Pray Break into Journey Groups, Fellowship Hall and Youth Center Moving in Work Zone Needed: lots-O-sheets of paper, markers Before you start: Arrange ahead of time with a youth that is usually responsible to start a drawing then crumple it up and toss it to the floor again and again. Be careful not to start an all out copycat paper toss event at this time. Say: Tonight we begin a series on how to understand our responsibilities. Form groups of no more than three and take turns discussing within your group how to complete this sentence: "Someone who's really responsible always&ldots;" After the groups talk for a while, call time and hand them several sheets of paper and a marker or so each. Say: The object of this game is to guess what irresponsible situation everyone else has drawn. In a minute we'll ask you to move to an area where no one else can see what you are drawing. Right now you have one minute to think of something to draw then you will have another minute to move to your spot and draw as much as you can on you paper to give everyone the idea. After the two minutes have passed you need to come back to the stage. Wait to say (until after everyone has drawn something): I need 10 volunteers to go to the front of the group and display your work. The first person to guess what it is wins a point. Continue play until all ten have gone and proclaim a winner! Discussion Questions:  ·What did you learn about responsibility from the pictures? ·Why are people irresponsible? ·Did you notice (reckless person) tossing paper around? ·Was (reckless person) acting responsible? Explain. Say: Being responsible is sometimes a difficult task. While it may be clear that certain actions are irresponsible, it's often difficult to know what's responsible. Tonight we'll try to find out how we can be more responsible in God's eyes. Moving in High Way Say: Tonight we begin a series on how to understand our responsibilities. Form groups of no more than five and discuss how you can pantomime youth doing something responsible or irresponsible, such as cleaning up your room or cheating on a test. You will have two minutes to come up with an idea. Have each group take a turn guessing what the other groups have decided to portray. They must also decide weather on not the action was responsible or irresponsible behavior. Discussion Questions: ·What does it mean to be responsible? ·Is it easy to be responsible? Why or why not? Say: Being responsible is sometimes difficult. You've probably had times you knew what you should do but did something else instead. God wants us to be responsible - to ourselves, to others and to him. During this session we'll learn more about that. Moving up Work Zone Trash the Place Needed: The paper from earlier and more paper. Prep: Set two chairs in the center of the room, back to back. Teams should play long ways in Fellowship Hall. Say: Time for a break. Let's play team Lodge Ball. Use the paper for the balls and the in the room for protection. The object of the game is to toss your paper onto the chair facing you for five points or under the chair for one point. At the end of the game only the balls under or on your chair count. You must stay at least 5 yards away from your "Ball Lodge" (use another chair on each side to mark the closest boundary). Play for a while then "Move On."   Moving up High Way I Didn't Do It Needed: Handout - "I Didn't Do It&ldots;Did I?" Give each youth a handout and a pen. Let them know that they won't be asked to share their answers but there will be some discussion afterwards, so they do need to work on it. After everyone has had a chance to fill out the sheet, then ask: ·How do you feel about your completed handout? ·Why is it important to be responsible? ·How can you develop more responsible behavior? ·What does it mean to take responsibility for your actions? Moving on Work Zone Freeze Clean Needed: Trash bags Have the youth help pick up the mess in Fellowship Hall. While they are cleaning up, call "Freeze" and have everyone freeze what they are doing. Then ask for one person to share one way they can be more responsible in the coming week. Then have youth continue cleaning. Call "Freeze" 5-8 times. For example, someone might say, "I can clean my room when my parents ask me." Get the room clean, and then form a circle. Ask The following: ·What would have happened if we didn't clean the room? ·What consequences do we face when we're irresponsible to friends or parents? ·How would you feel if you were the person cleaning the room after we left? ·How is this similar to the way your parents of friends might feel if you were irresponsible to them? ·How do you feel after being responsible? Say: One way we can be responsible to each other is to support one another. Hopefully, everyone helped to clean up the mess. Being quiet when others are talking, listening to his or her message, is another way to show responsibility. We can choose to honor God with our actions and should try to be responsible every day. Moving on High Way Irresponsible Acts Needed: Dry erase markers Have the youth brainstorm a list of irresponsible things people do. Use the graffiti wall to list as many as you (or a volunteer) can. Then ask for a responsible response to each situation. Say: One way we can be responsible to each other is to support one another. Being quiet when others are talking, listening to his or her message, is another way to show responsibility. We can choose to honor God with our actions and should try to be responsible every day. Now, let's take turns coming up with a list of irresponsible things people do. After you have a good list, get responses for the situations listed on the wall. Some additional discussion starters follow: Ask:  ·How can we responsibly respond to _____ (situation)____? ·What does it mean to honor God with your actions? ·What consequences do we face when we're irresponsible to friends or parents? ·How is this similar to the way your parents of friends might feel if you were irresponsible to them? Moving out Work Zone & High Way You Decide  Needed: Sponsors handout - "You Decide" Say: We're going to read a few passages from the Bible. As you listen to these stories, decide if you think the character or characters acted responsibly or irresponsibly. If they acted irresponsibly, stand up. If they acted responsibly, sit down.  Some stories will have more than one person's actions to respond to. As we read, when you hear an action, immediately respond by standing or sitting. Scriptures to read:  ·Genesis 3:1-7 (Eve is tricked by the serpent; Adam also eats the fruit.) ·Genesis 4:8-9 (Cain kills Able.) ·Genesis 22:7-13 (Abraham prepares to sacrifice his son.) ·1 Kings 17:2-6 (Elijah obeys God.) ·Jonah 1:1-3 (Jonah flees from God.) ·Matthew 25:14-29 (In the parable, three men are entrusted with their master's possessions.) ·Luke 22:54-62 (Peter denies knowing Jesus.) After you have read all the scriptures and the youth have responded accordingly, follow with a discussion. You might need to refresh their memories of the stories. Use the references above.  Ask:  ·Which of these stories might apply to you right now? ·Is it easy or hard to see your self in these situations? Explain. Dig Deeper: ·Genesis 3:1-7 - How is this like peer pressure? ·Genesis 4:8-9 - Have you ever had extreme jealousy? ·1 Kings 17:2-6 - Have you ever obeyed a parent even though it just didn't seem fair? ·Jonah 1:1-3 - Have you ever tried to get out of responsibilities? ·Matthew 25:14-29 - Do you have a responsibility to share God's love? ·Luke 22:54-62 - Why is it so easy to lie? Return to the Family Life Center. Form one large circle. Closing Work Zone & High Way It's pretty easy to be irresponsible. We all know temptations that are difficult to resist. By being responsible, it is that much easier to be close to God. God will never force you to do anything. It is always your choice. If you want to listen, you have a good chance of receiving his message. Being responsible means listening and making good decisions. We are here tonight to help you know that you are listening for that still small voice of the Holy Spirit. God is always calling your name. He left His home in heaven to come down to earth, to challenge us to be responsible and listen to Him. Prayer and Concerns  Road Work & Trek  Needed: candle and matches. Sit in a big circle. Dim the lights. The leader begins an affirmation by holding the candle and saying "I'm listening" then passing the candle to the right. Continue around until all have participated. Leader Prays Have join in singing "Sanctuary" Stand, join hands, right over left, and say the UMYF benediction.