That Clears It UP Setting the Stage Work Zone and High Way Gather in a corner, welcome and introduction of guests make announcements. Introduce the session: Imagine your just hanging out with friends, when all of a sudden the most popular dude or dudett in school walks right up to you. They say, "Hi. I've had my eye on you for a while, and I think you're cute. I want to get to know you better. I'd like you to meet me by my locker tomorrow morning. Here's my locker number and the usual time I am there, I'll see you before first hour. Don't keep me waiting! They hand you the note and walk away, giving you a little wink over the shoulder. You open up the note, and it's the messiest thing you have ever seen! The handwriting is so bad you can't even figure out any of the letters or numbers. Break into Journey Groups Moving in Work Zone & High Way "I Can't Figure it Out."  Read the story again. Ask: What would you do? Would you toss the note and skip the date or would you do all you could to find that locker? Allow for responses Explain: As strange as it may sound, many people approach the Bible in just the same way as the people who might just throw the note away. They honestly want to have a relationship with God, but sometimes the Bible just seems too hard to figure out. So they leave it on a shelf, and it does them no good whatsoever. The Bible isn't always easy to figure out, but the result is worth the search. Moving on Work Zone & High Way  Say What? Needed: Note Cards, Pens, Candy prizes Explain: We are going to take a quick bible quiz. Anyone who gets all the answers right will win a prize. Have the youth number the papers from 1-10. (Don't give the answers) 1. Is the book of Hezekiah before or after the book of Psalms?  Neither, there is no book of Hezekiah in the Bible. 2. In what book of the Bible does it say, "God helps those who help themselves"? A) Proverbs; B) Ecclesiastes; C) 1 Corinthians  None. That Quote is attributed to Ben Franklin. 3. The Bible clearly states that we should not eat any winged insect. True or False?  (True, see handout.) 4. The Bible instructs us to use only fruit trees when making weapons of war. True or False?  (False, see handout.) 5. If your kid is stubborn and rebellious, you and the other men of the city can stone them to death if they don't straighten up. True or False?  (True, see Handout.) 6. It is illegal for a guy to make a baby with his brothers wife if his brother dies. True or False?  (False, see Handout.)  7. Squid, oysters and clams are the most holy seafood one can eat. True or False?  (False, see handout.) 8. Scientifically engineered materials for clothes are forbidden as well as cross-breading plants and animals to make a better product. No spandex, nylon or polyester stuff. True or False?  (True, see handout.) 9. Don't cut your sideburns or your beard. (True, see handout.) 10. Do not intentionally scar your body, no piercing, and no tattoos. (True, see handout.) See if anyone got all the answers correct. Have a little discussion&ldots; Don't try to answer their challenges just see if any one can follow all of the laws to the letter. Moving Up  Work Zone & High Way Needed: Two sets of flip cards with right and wrong printed on them. Work Zone -Divide into two groups, boys & girls. Play "Street Smarts" Ask for a volunteer to be interviewed on the street. Then have two contestants play against each other. Arrange the contestants next to each other. Have the interviewee leave the room with another sponsor to watch for them to come back and answer the question. Ask each contestant how he or she thinks the interviewee will respond to the question, right or wrong. Have three rounds then trade participants and play again. Round 1 1. What one word does immodest actions indulged in between a married person and another describe? Adultry 2. How did Judas identify Jesus for the priests?    Kissed Him 3. What teenager was thrown into the pit by his brothers?    Joseph Round 2 1. Which Bible character lived the longest on earth?      Methuselah 2. How many of each animal did Moses bring on the arch?       Noah not Moses 3.  Which of the disciples was a tax collector?      Matthew Round 3 1. If you want to get even with your ex-wife you can only  marry her sister. True or False?  False 2. What is the penalty for cussing at your parents?  You Get to Die. 3. As described in the book of Leviticus a "tonsures" is: A. a short ponytail. B. a shaven head. C. a wrap of cloth worn as a hat. D. a tattoo made by cutting and scaring the skin Answer B Moving out  Work Zone  Play Red Light, Green Light  Say: We have gone over a lot of confusing things tonight that could seem like it's hard to do what God wants. Well it is hard, but it's not really confusing. We're going to play  Red Light , Green Light to help us see what our journey to God might be like. Play the game at least once, watch the time if more. Finish up with: Jesus walked the earth and spoke to many confused people about what God wanted. He made it clear that we are to use our free will to determine right from wrong. We need to be among others that are willing to work hard to be a Christian. It's easy to just stay home and not come to youth or not go to church. Our school and jobs sometimes seem to get in the way of our journey. The friends that you have at school aren't here and might not want to come if you invited them. It's hard to keep moving in the right direction. You might slip up and do something wrong or illegal. But, God will always be there to forgive you if you want to try. Just like our game you start on your way then if you mess up you get to start over. You're not out of the game! You're just not as close to your goal as you could be. Work Zone - Return to Family Life Center Moving out  High Way  Say: We have gone over a lot of confusing things tonight that could seem like it's hard to do what God wants. Well it is hard, but it's not really confusing. Ask: Will someone please describe the game of Red Light Green Light to the group? How can the game be similar to our real life journey to God? What could it symbolize when you have to go back to the starting line? In the last few minutes of a game, who has the harder job staying hopeful that they might win - someone in the back, the middle of nearest the finish? Explain.  If you continually mess up and have to start over, how easy is it to keep playing? Finish up with: Jesus walked the earth and spoke to many confused people about what God wanted. He made it clear that we are to use our free will to determine right from wrong. We need to be among others that are willing to work hard to be a Christian. It's easy to just stay home and not come to youth or not go to church. Our school and jobs sometimes seem to get in the way of our journey. The friends that you have at school aren't here and might not want to come if you invited them. It's hard to keep moving in the right direction. You might slip up and do something wrong or illegal. But, God will always be there to forgive you if you want to try. Just like our game you start on your way then if you mess up you get to start over. You're not out of the game! You're just not as close to your goal as you could be. High Way - Return to Family Life Center Get going  Work Zone & High Way  Gather in a closing circle. Invite a few of the youth to share what they learned tonight. Sum it up and invite everyone back.  Dismissal UMYF Benediction