Living Life Juicy

Directed initiatives; activities where the facilitator pre-determines the lesson outcomes and directs the debriefing discussion toward those ends. When time is limited this approach can offer an effective way to help people gain a certain level of understanding of a topic or concept. For this approach I would recommend using your own experience working with initiatives rather than looking for a book. For each initiative ask yourself what themes tend to consistently present themselves and ask yourself where and what the bible has to say about those issues. Brainstorm themes and outcomes with other staff/facilitators to create your own personalized activity resource with your own debrief outlines. I did this every summer with my Challenge Course staff. It is a great way to access everyone’s talent and experience and it encourages increased staff buy in. (I have a creative process activity outline in my book Experiential Youth Ministry Handbook that I use). Directed Initiatives off...

A famine swept across the land after the war. Food was scarce and people were scared. An out of work soldier making his way back to his home town stopped at a village. He went from door to door seeking shelter and food but with such limited resources the people of the village sadly turned him away saying “There is nothing to spare here.” And “You best move on. We don’t even have enough food for ourselves.” Thinking quickly, the solder replied “No need for me to continue on today. I am tired and I have all I need.” This intrigued the people of the village. From their homes they watched as he began to unload his pack and set up a neat little camp. He gathered some fire wood, water and, without the villagers noticing, a medium size stone the he snuck back into his pack. The soldier started a small cooking fire and filled a good sized pot with some of the water he collected. When he placed the pot over the fire the villagers’ curiosity overcame their suspicion and a few of them a...