We’re scheduled for the Cross Talk this coming week in club. It ended up fittingly falling on Easter week. Last night when going over the talk with another leader we kicked around the idea of starting her talk with the trailer for ‘Hunger Games.’
In the gripping 2.5 minute trailer (below) we get a preview of the sacrificial love the lead character, Katniss, displays for her sister. She volunteers to take Prim’s place as the female tribute for District 12.
Stories of sacrifice are compelling. When someone lays down their life forone they love, we are moved and inspired. But what happens when someone lays down their life for their enemies? That’s exactly what Jesus did for us.
Colossians 1:21-22 (JB Phillips)
And you yourselves, who were strangers to God, and, in fact, through the evil things you had done, his spiritual enemies, he has now reconciled through the death of his body on the cross, so that he might welcome you to his presence clean and pure, without blame or reproach.
Colossians 1:21-22 (The Message)
You yourselves are a case study of what he does. At one time you all had your backs turned to God, thinking rebellious thoughts of him, giving him trouble every chance you got. But now, by giving himself completely at the Cross, actually dying for you, Christ brought you over to God’s side and put your lives together, whole and holy in his presence. You don’t walk away from a gift like that!
Feel free to use this idea of sacrifice in the Hunger Games if you’re giving the cross talk anytime soon. I’d also recommending sitting down with a pastor, Area Director, or wise friend and further discussing substitutionary atonement. The more we understand the depth of the cross, the more clearly we will be able to present it’s truth and power to our middle and high school friends.
Hunger Games Club
We’re scheduled to do ‘Muck Wars’ in a couple weeks. Many of you are familiar with it, just another fancy word for a huge food fight. After the Hunger Games craze we decided not to call it ‘Muck Wars’ but instead we’re just calling it ‘The Young Life Hunger Games.’ In addition to the food fight, we’re attempting to create some games that mirror the theme of ‘last one standing wins.’ We’ll award some kind of camp scholarship $ to the winner. I’ll keep you posted on how it goes.
Here’s a well done video of another Young Life food fight, thx Gilbert YL:
Gilbert Food Fight from Chris Neal on Vimeo.
Hunger Games Game Ideas
If you need some ‘Hunger Games’ club game ideas, below are some from Chad Swanzy & YouthLeaderStash.com. Chad has made some sweet graphics on his site to use with each game.
“CINNA”mon Toast Crunch Eating Contest
Give 6 students a small package box of cinnamon toast crunch…see who can eat it the fastest.
“GIRL ON FIRE”
Contest between 3 girls to see who can eat a bag of flaming hot Cheetos the fastest.
“PEETA” Flip
Two students put swim flippers on their feet, they put a piece of pita bread on the flipper and flip it up in the air and, without using their hands, try to catch it with their face.
THIS MEANS WARHEAD
Get a couple of volunteers, see how many sour warheads they can put in their mouth without making a face.
Do you have any ways you have used The Hunger Games in Young Life club or Campaigners?
