RELEVANT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

Did you know that 97% of kids spend an average of 10 hours a week playing video games?  Kids love games.

It's important for kids to play games at church.  Here's 5 reasons why.

1. Games create an optimal learning environment.  Games place kids in the zone of proximal development.

This means they are placed in a situation beyond what they can already do, but not so difficult that they can’t do it with guidance, persistence, and encouragement.  In other words, they are placed between what they already know and what they are being challenged to learn.  In this zone, kids can effectively learn God's Word.

2.  Games help kids learn to persist.  Games teach kids not to give up but to keep going even when they fail. 

3.  Games can help simulate real life situations that help kids practice applying God's Word to their life.  It's vital that kids apply God's Word to their every day life.  Through games you can place kids in real-life situations where they have to live out what they've just learned.

4. Games help make church fun.  Games are fun.  Each time we conquer a game, we get a shot of dopamine in our brains which stimulates good feelings.  Games will bring excitement to your children's ministry.

5. Games help kids remember the lesson.  Repetition is a key to learning.  Review games help kids repeat back what you've taught them. 

The floor is yours.  Do you play games at church?  How do you use them?  What tips do you have playing games at church?  Is there a site or resource you use to find games?  Share with us in the comment section below.

Recently, Joseph Domingues, a 12-year-old boy from California, saw his wish come true.

Joseph has cancer and his make-a-wish request was to spend time with Michael Jordan. 

And so he found himself in a room, sitting across from his hero.

He was nervous at first, stammering as he tried to answer questions Jordan asked him.  Jordan reassured Joseph by saying, "It's just us, pal.  Nothing to be nervous about."

"Do you have anything you want to ask me?" Jordan said.

Joseph responded by reaching into his backpack and pulling out a list of 10 questions he had prepared.

His first question was, "What does it take to be the best?"  Jordan responded by saying, "You have to have a passion for something to be great at it, so try everything until you find that thing you’re passionate about.  When you find it, you can be great at it.”

Two more questions.  "Who is your favorite player?" and "Who would you not want to play against?"  Jordan responded by saying "Scottie Pippen" and "I would want to play against anyone."

Other questions included winning the slam dunk contest and the movie Space Jam.

Joseph's last question for Michael was about the “flu game” from the 1997 NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz and what drove Michael to continue playing even though he was ill.  Michael explained how important it is to push through obstacles even if you don’t feel up to the challenge.

Not only did Joseph learn from Jordan that day, but Jordan also learned a lesson from the 12-year-old about persistence and not giving up.  You see, Joseph had waited a year and a half to meet Jordan.

Make-a-wish foundation had asked several times if he wanted to meet other, more readily available stars instead, but he refused.  Joseph only wanted to meet his hero.  And his persistence and resilience paid off.

What dream has God placed in your heart?
What goal are you reaching for?
What do you want to see become a reality?

Be like a 12-year-old boy who wouldn't give up.  Your persistence will pay off.