Youth Ministry Curriculum and Resources

It's a trivia game about Independence Day... that's about it.

It’s the ultimate summer showdown! Each slide shows four fan-favorite summer things—popsicles, beach trips, fireworks, you name it—but one of them has to go. Students vote for which one they’d kick to the curb by holding up a finger (1, 2, 3, or 4). Then the host reveals their own pick. Everyone who matches the host’s choice scores 1000 points! Get ready for friendly arguments, big laughs, and some hot takes on what summer fun is truly essential. One has to go!

Get ready to time-travel through internet history! Going Viral is the ultimate test of your pop culture memory. Each round, you’ll see a viral video, trend, or meme that once took the internet by storm—your job is to remember when it happened. Four years will be on the screen, and you’ll have to race to the corner you think is right. Guess wrong and you’re out. Guess right? You live to meme another round.

How to Play:
Show a viral sensation of a past internet sensation on the screen along with four possible years. Students must choose the year they believe it went viral by running to the corresponding corner of the room. After everyone has chosen, reveal the correct answer. Anyone who chose incorrectly is out. Keep playing with new viral trends and new sets of years until only one student remains!

Think you know your pop culture endings? In Famous Last Words, students must decide which quote is the real final line spoken by a famous character. Some are legendary... others are totally made up. Only the most observant fans will survive this dramatic showdown!

How to Play:
Each round, two final quotes from a famous character appear—one on the left side of the screen, one on the right. Students move to the side they believe is the real last line. Choose correctly to stay in the game. Choose wrong, and you're out. Last person standing wins!

You know their songs, you know their stage names—but do you know their real names? Stage Names will put your celebrity trivia to the test as you try to match famous artists with their true identities. Each round gives you two names to choose from—one real, one fake—and you’ve got to decide which one belongs to the star. It’s a fast-moving, name-dropping challenge where only the sharpest fans survive!

How to Play:
Display the stage name of a well-known musician along with two possible real names—one correct and one fake. Students must guess which is the musician’s real name by moving to the left side of the room for option one, or the right side for option two. Once everyone has chosen a side, reveal the correct answer. Players who guessed incorrectly are out. Continue with new artists each round until only one player remains!

Sharpen those pencils and your intuition—it’s time for Follow My Lead – Back to School Edition! In this crowd-based guessing game, one brave leader takes the stage and silently chooses between two classic school-related options. The twist? The rest of the group has to guess what the leader picked by choosing a side of the room. From cafeteria food face-offs to subject showdowns, it’s all about reading the leader’s mind. Pick the right side and you survive. Pick wrong… and you're heading back to class (aka you're out)!

How to Play:
Bring one leader or volunteer on stage. Display a slide with two school-themed choices (like “Math” vs. “English” or “Backpack” vs. “Binder”). The leader silently picks one of the options. Then the crowd chooses what they think the leader picked by moving to the left or right side of the room (based on which side each option is listed on). Reveal the leader’s choice. Students who guessed incorrectly are out. Bring up a new leader each round and keep going until one student remains!

In the Gospel of John, there are 7 “I am” statements of Jesus that describe the character of Jesus. Starting with the introduction of John the Baptist, “He Is” will help you learn just who Jesus is based on the prophecies about his name, and his own descriptions of who He is. Jesus is worthy of all of our worship, and we must recognize who He is. 

Length: 4:15 | Format: 1920 x 1080 MP4

This mini-movie tells the story of Matt, a teenager dealing with sin and other struggles in his life. He pushes others away and through choices that lead him further from God, and circumstances that have caused him pain, he feels worthless. He is damaged goods. The video ends as Matt reflects on his actions and his choices and how they have brought him far from those who love him - and God who loves him most. Will he turn to God who loves and cares for him? We are reminded that no matter what life offers or what sins we commit, we are not beyond His reach.

Length: 4:26 | Format: 1920 x 1080 MP4

Part two of the Damaged video, we see Matt reflecting on his life and facing the sin and struggles that have impacted his life. Only this time, we look ahead to a life of faith, a life of repentance, and a life where he chooses to live in Christ, not dwelling on his circumstances, but his future with Christ at the Center. He may feel damaged, but Jesus can be his deliverer! Living life with Jesus can help you overcome the daily temptations and struggles you face and allow your relationship with God and others to be restored. Deliverance has a name, His name is Jesus.

Can be paired with the video Damaged and used as a two part series.

Length: 3:11 | Format: 1920 x 1080 MP4

The world is a big place, we are taught in culture to stake our claim, to rise to the top, to be the biggest and best. Jesus came and was the exact opposite. He came to a small place to live out a big story. When the world encourages you to be bigger, Scripture implores us remember that “He must become greater, and we must become less.” This is the life that Jesus calls us to. The smaller we are - the greater Jesus is within us. Everything is small compared to His name, and there is nothing more comforting than that. 

Length: 2:58 | Format: 1920 x 1080 MP4

A teenage boy wants to impress  and elicits the help of a friend to help him find the perfect way to declare his affection. They search all night for the right words and end up using Scripture as a guide. But is it the right Scripture?

Length: 3:51 | Format: 1920 x 1080 MP4

Lloyd McLloyd is an Irish ‘evangelist’ whose calling is a little bit different than normal. 

Length: 2:35 | Format: 1920 x 1080 MP4

King David was known as a worshiper and a songwriter. Listen to this humorous compilation of some of Daivd’s greatest hits including “Song for Goliath,” “Sorry, Uriah,” “It’s not that easy being King,” and so many more! 

Length: 3:14 | Format: 1920 x 1080 MP4

Adopted at a young age from Africa, Elly learned that writing was a way she could express her feelings and thoughts about life. While there were moments where she wanted to write her own story, she continued to be pulled back to God as the ultimate author of her life story, As she looks ahead at the next steps of college and career, Elly continues to put her trust in God and make her story, His story.

Length: 5:55 | Format: 1920 x 1080 MP4

How do you live a life of hope when your physical health is failing? Jeremy’s story is a journey of trusting God through severe illness - even when your condition is at its darkest. Hear Jeremy, his wife, and his teenage daughters reflect on having hope through trial - leaning on God as their only source of strength. 

Length: 7:41 | Format: 1920 x 1080 MP4

Bradley began his addiction to alcohol at the age of 14. His double life continued for years, caught in the grips of alcohol and drugs. While working at an apartment complex, Bradley was brutally attacked and almost lost his life. This moment was the catalyst for change, as he renewed his faith and returned to life with Christ as his source of strength. 

NOTE: This video has descriptions and depictions of alcohol abuse and violence. Viewer discretion is advised. 

Length: 6:13 | Format: 1920 x 1080 MP4

Serving God on mission is the heart of Isa’s story. Serving as a missionary and Pastor, Isa experienced macular degeneration and lost almost all of his vision. Despite being nearly blind, Isa continues to travel the world, preaching, teaching, and living out the Great Commission.

Length: 5:47 | Format: 1920 x 1080 MP4

“God has something just as amazing and miraculous for you in store. It starts with Jesus. And it starts right here.”

Right In Front of You looks at characters in the Gospels who had physical encounters with Jesus. They saw the very Son of God, in the flesh, right in front them. But how did they choose to respond? Told through the eyes of shepherds, Pharisees, and soldiers, students will be reminded that while they may not physically see Jesus, His presence is real. So how will you choose to respond to Him? For He is here, ‘right in front of you.’ 

• By: Brian Hill
• Length: Approximately 11 minutes
• Actor Needs: 3 Actors (can be performed with more if desired)
• Theme Scriptures: Luke 2:8-20, Mark 2:1-12, 23-28, John 19:16-24
• Downloadable PDF

“So yes, something has to die for me. But that’s not all, something has to die in me.”

This spoken word sketch deals with the fears, anxieties, and frustrations that students face day to day. Reflecting on the mistakes of their past, the anxieties of the present, and the uncertainty of the future, students realize that in order to find freedom and hope, something has to die. It is Jesus. Through his death, we find the hope we deeply long for - by dying to ourselves and trusting Him for our future.

• By: Brian Hill
• Length: Approximately 8 minutes
• Actor Needs: Three Actors 
• Theme Verses: Colossians 1, 1 Peter 1, 1 John 5:11-13
• Downloadable PDF

“Until then we wait, we hope. We carry His presence in this dark world. We shine the light. And we remember, through it all, He has been, He is, and He always will be, with us.”

Taking us through the Old and New Testaments, we are reminded of  moments where God is with his people. From the garden, the tabernacle, and the words of the prophets, God’s presence was evident. A gentle whisper, a pillar of fire, the Holy of Holies, and the sending of His own Son Jesus, Immanuel. God has always been with us. The piece culminates with the tearing of the veil when Christ died on the cross and rose again - allowing us full access to the Father through the presence of the Holy Spirit.  

• By: Jonathan Skaggs
• Length: Approximately 9 minutes
• Actor Needs: Three Actors 
• Theme Verses: Genesis 2-3, Exodus 25-40, 2 Chronicles 7, John 1, Matthew 27:51-53
• Downloadable PDF

“No matter what I do, or what I mess up, He always loves me. And that identity makes me want to live my life in worship of Him… and share that love with others.’”

Two teens are raising money for their summer mission trip. They are selling candy in their school and engage in conversation with a friend who does not know the Lord. She questions their motives and challenges their faith while asking important questions of her own. Students will see that worship is woven into the identity of believers and can be used to share the message of Jesus.

• By: Jonathan Skaggs
• Length: Approximately 5 minutes
• Actor Needs: 3 Actors (1 male, 2 female)
• Theme Verses: Romans 12, Acts 1:8
• Downloadable PDF

As a riddle appears on the screen, students race to think fast— whoever shouts the correct answer first earns a point and earns the title of riddle champion for that round. The friendly competition keeps everyone on their toes and focused, eager for the next brain teaser to be shown. Each riddle brings cheers, laughter, and a boost of confidence to the solver—and a spark of determination to the rest. As the points stack up, the energy builds, transforming a simple activity into a lively highlight of your youth gathering.

Some mascots are fierce. Some are… let’s just say, creatively questionable. In High School or No School – Mascot Edition, you’ll see a parade of mascots flash across the screen—complete with a name and an image. But not all of them are real! Some of these wild mascots are totally made up. Each round, you decide: is it an actual high school mascot somewhere in the world… or is it completely fake? From “The Pretzels” to “The Fighting Pickles,” this game will have your students second-guessing everything they thought they knew about school spirit.

How to Play:
Have students stand in the middle of the room. When a mascot appears on screen, students must decide if it’s real or fake. If they think it’s a real high school mascot, they move to the right side of the room. If they think it’s fake, they move to the left. After everyone makes their choice, reveal the answer on the next slide. Students who get it wrong are out! Keep going until one student remains—or reset each round and just play for fun.

This game is loud, chaotic, and absolutely hilarious. Guess What Now? puts one brave contestant on stage with their back to the screen, while the rest of the crowd sees a wild, animated video of a ridiculous scenario—like a leprechaun playing basketball in a haunted library or a vampire roasting marshmallows on the moon. The video highlights three capitalized words that the contestant has to guess, but here’s the catch: the crowd can’t say any of the words—they can only act them out! From zombies to sports to spooky settings, every round is unpredictable, and the energy is off the charts.

How to Play:
Split the group into two teams. For each round, bring one volunteer from each team to the front. The contestant faces the crowd while a video plays behind them with a wacky scene and three capitalized words. The crowd must act out the scene without using any words or sounds. The first contestant to correctly guess all three words wins the round and earns a point for their team. Play as many rounds as you want, and the team with the most points at the end wins!

Think you know everyday items? Alternative Names will put your creativity to the test as your team races to decode hilarious and unexpected names—shout it out first to win!

How to Play:
In Alternative Names, teams will be shown a quirky, offbeat name for a common item (like “nose towel” for a tissue). Teams must quickly figure out the real name of the item and be the first to shout it out. The fastest team scores a point—get ready for clever clues and quick thinking!

Emoji Bible Stories is a fast, high-energy screen game where 4–5 emojis hint at a famous Bible story and students race to figure it out first. It’s simple to run, hilarious to watch, and perfect for getting the whole room shouting guesses, cheering for teammates, and having those “aha!” moments when the story finally clicks.