YOUTH GROUP CHRISTMAS GAME: ELF ATTACK
Life is full of battles… and I’m not just talking about epic snowball fights.
Throughout their lives, students will face personal, relational, and spiritual battles.
So, they need to know they never have to face any struggle on their own, by themselves.
Not only will God give them strength to overcome, but they have friends and spiritual leaders who will fight the good fight with them.
Use this Youth Group Christmas Game (followed by a quick lesson) to remind students to fight the good fight of the faith.
– Nick Diliberto, Ministry to Youth
YOUTH GROUP CHRISTMAS GAME: ELF ATTACK
Written by Eric Mendoza
Bible: 1 Timothy 6:12
Bottom line: Fight the good fight of the faith.
SUPPLIES
- 8 Elf Hats (or Santa hats)
- Pool noodles, cut in half (one half for each student)
- Masking tape
GAME PREP
You will need a space large enough for your students to run around while playing the game.
Use the masking tape to create a line that divides your space in half.
If you are in a gym, you can just use the half-court line.
Next, create four, 5-foot by 5-foot boxes with the masking tape – one in each corner, of each side of the room.
Place four elf hats in one of the corners where you created boxes.
The other corner will serve as your team’s “jail.”
Divide your students into two teams of equal size and assign each team to one side of the room.
HOW TO PLAY THE GAME
SAY: We’re about to play a crazy Christmas game called “Elf Attack.”
Each team has been assigned one half of the room.
As long as you are on your team’s side, you are “safe.”
The middle line is the divider for both halves of the room.
Each of you will be given half of a pool noodle.
Your job is to defend your team’s four elf hats.
The other team’s goal is to steal your team’s four elf hats.
If at any point, you get hit with a pool noodle while on the opponent’s side, you must go to “jail.”
NOTE: Explain to the students that you will be disqualified from the game if you attempt to hit anyone in the head or face.
You can defend yourself with your pool noodle to avoid getting hit.
If you go to the opponent’s side in an attempt to retrieve an elf hat, but get hit with a pool noodle, you will have to go to jail and wait for a team member to rescue you.
You can rescue someone from jail, by making it into the square without getting hit by a pool noodle.
When you get to jail and have not been hit, you can save one teammate and walk back to your side – you have a free pass and cannot be hit with a noodle if you have saved a teammate.
If you make it to the opponent’s corner to retrieve an elf hat, you must put the elf hat on.
You are safe in the square where the elf hats are, but once you leave the square you can be attacked.
If you are hit with a pool noodle, you must return the elf hat to the square and go to jail.
The first team to get all of the opponent’s elf hats onto their team’s side – wins!
Repeat the game if you have time.
If one team seems to have a strong advantage, then create new teams and start again.
TEACH
Say: That was a lot of fun to watch!
You guys really attacked those elves.
In a strange way, life is a lot like the game we played.
It’s a battle and you are fighting for your team while trying not to be attacked.
Read 1 Timothy 6:12.
“Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”
Ask: How can we fight the good fight of the faith? What does that mean?
Allow a few responses from students.
Here are a few tips that will help you in your “fight.”
1. Look ahead.
As a follower of Jesus, you can look ahead to what the future holds.
You have eternal life in Christ Jesus and even though the world is going to attack you at times, in the end, you will have an eternal life with God.
No matter how much you are attacked, no one can separate you from God.
2. Don’t get caught up in things of the world.
Sure, there are a lot of things we want and hope to one day achieve, but we need to pursue things that are from above.
Meaning we have to live for heaven right now.
Your relationship with God and the things you do for Him are the only things that will last into eternity.
3. Don’t give up!
There will be times when you don’t want to fight, you just want to give in to the pressures of life.
But, resist living for the world and let God lead you.
Trials will come your way, that is a fact of life.
Don’t be afraid, these trials will cause you to grow in your faith and give you the wisdom to fight the next battle.
4. Trust God for the strength you need.
When your strength of fighting the good fight is weak, then turn to God for spiritual nourishment.
God will provide you with peace and strength through the Holy Spirit.
If you’re faced with a battle and you just don’t know what to do or say, ask God for wisdom for your situation.
Spend time with God and in the Word.
Ask boldly for the spiritual strength you need and answers to your prayers.
Not so your will can be done, but for His will to be done.
Fighting the good fight means to live boldly for God and never be ashamed of your relationship with Jesus.
In the end, you will have to answer to God, not people – and God is on your side.
The battles of life will bring about emotions, but don’t rely on your emotions – instead, rely on God’s promises.
And no matter what, never give up!
Fight the good fight.
Close in prayer.
SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- Why do people allow past decisions to disqualify them from living a life for God? Does your past matter?
- What are some worldly things that sometimes bring about battles in life?
- How can you allow God to lead when you are in the midst of a battle or struggle?
- How are trials or fights in your life a good thing?
- Where can you turn for spiritual nourishment if life’s battles are bringing you down?
- How can you live a bold life for God?
- Has there ever been a time when you were ashamed of being a Christian? What are some ways you can overcome this shame?
- Where can you receive wisdom when you don’t know what to do in the battles you face?
- Why is prayer an important component to fighting the good fight of life?
- Why should we do what is right and stand up for your faith?
Looking for more FREE Christmas lessons & ideas? Here ya go…
Youth Group Lesson on Mary and Joseph
Christmas Youth Group Game – Christmas Cliffhanger