The Power of Games

Games. Games. Games. Some of you hate them, and some of you love them. But here’s my belief: games have an underestimated power to change your student ministry, especially at the middle school level. Games can bring new fun and excitement and even build into the culture and community of your ministry.

My husband served as a high school pastor at one point in his ministry. We had a close friend who served as the middle school pastor. In the high school area, we would have incredible worship and teaching. Our students mingled around and engaged in conversation. It was a fairly chill, discipleship-focused environment. It was great. It felt like a scene out of a movie. Everything looked and felt right and in place.

Then, out of the blue, middle schoolers would be running down the halls, laughing, screaming, and playing some kind of epic game. They were literally having the time of their lives. The hype and noise that came down those halls were of epic proportions—but those moments of controlled chaos fueled their ministry for success.

Watching the middle school ministry for a few years, I noticed a few things:

1. Their game time helped lead them to having a very tight-knit group.
2. The students created a culture of bringing their friends because it was their favorite night of the week.
3. Their game time broke down the walls and cliques that students can build.
4. These students experienced Jesus authentically once the walls were torn down.

There are so many benefits to having regular game time in your student ministry, but I know what you’re thinking. There’s nothing worse than trying to get students engaged in a game, and they are just staring back at you with a look of cringe. So, here are a few ways to try and help transform game time in your ministry:

Create a culture of fun.

This may start with having some games set up in your student space that students can play on their own before the service begins. 9 square is always a hit. It requires some setup, but then students can play on their own. Most students enjoy this game, and you don’t have to be athletic to play.

Gaga ball is another crowd favorite. If your space is set up to where you can have a permanent Gaga ball pit, that is wonderful. They also make blow-up gaga ball pits if you don’t have the space for a permanent setup. You can find these with a quick online search.

Once you have established that it’s okay to be silly and that your ministry values fun, it will help teach students to play and be themselves. Out of these fun games, walls will begin to fall down, and prayerfully, students will be ready to open their hearts to hear from Jesus. 

Lead by example.

Students will feed off of your level of hype. If you want students to play ping pong, start up a game. If you lead stage games, be confident in yourself and the game. Encourage your leaders to get out and play games. It’s okay if you make a fool of yourself. Just don’t get hurt!

In our student ministry, our game leaders thrive in the game space. They draw students in because they appear just as excited as the students. If games aren’t your thing, find someone that loves games. They will help transform your game time.

Don’t let the energy stop with games.

As a youth leader, we want students to experience Jesus in a real and powerful way. We want them to experience life change in Jesus and become disciples that make disciples! Use the energy from the games to lead students into powerful worship, teaching, and groups. 

Equip the parents connected to your ministry to handle issues like technology, sexting, pornography, video games, and more in their homes with Screen Smarts! 

Teens can feel awkward. They are conscious of every move they make. They are afraid to speak. They would rather look disinterested in something so they don’t do something they will regret. The beauty of an effective game time is that it can help take that awkwardness away. They can be the wonderful students they are because the awkward walls have been torn down. If the walls are torn down, then they are more ready and receptive to hear the Word of God. They can focus on worship because they aren’t focused on themselves and have hopefully already gotten all their game energy out.

There are websites full of games that you can play in your student ministry. From crowd games to stage games and event games, there are plenty of incredible games to choose from. Just look up Jimmy Fallon games if you want some fun ideas!

Share your thoughts with others in our YM360 community:

• Is your current game time something that hinders your ministry or something that propels your ministry? 
• How can you incorporate games into your ministry to help students feel comfortable, included, and open to hearing from Jesus?

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