Here is a free youth group Easter game, based on John 15: 12-13.

Enjoy!

-Nick Diliberto, Ministry to Youth

Looking for youth ministry curriculum? Check out the…

1 TIMOTHY 4:12 – New 4-week youth group series about how God uses teenagers and those who do not feel like they measure up to do amazing things!

Youth Group Games on Easter

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Game: Long Live the King (or Queen)

Supplies

  • Balloons String or something to tie the a balloon to participant’s ankle
  • Crown or bandana
  • Cones

Space Needed

  • This game requires a fairly large space, especially if larger groups are used.

Game Description (Small Youth Group)

Select one student that will be the “King (or Queen).” Select 4-6 more to serve as “bodyguards”. Select 2-4 others to serve as “attackers”. Attach one blown-up ballon to the ankle of the King/Queen and each of the bodyguards. Mark out the boundaries of the game space with cones (or basically anything that can be boundary markers).

Once the game begins, the “attackers” will have a set time limit (for smaller groups go with shorter time limits… 2-4 minutes) to attempt to pop the balloon of the “King/Queen.” The “bodyguards” are trying to stop them.


How to Play

  • Bodyguards cannot use their arms to defend the King/Queen. They must creatively “shield” them (including sacrificing their own balloons).
  • Once a bodyguard’s ballon is popped, he/she is out of the game and must exit the floor.
  • Attackers can only pop balloons with their feet.
  • All players must stay within the game’s boundaries.

Game Description (Large Youth Group)

Follow the same principles as the “smaller group participation” but increase the group size by either:

  • Increasing the number of bodyguards and attackers (try to keep the numbers similar in size)
  • Increase the number of games occurring at one time
  • Remember that the larger the group participation, the larger the space requirements will be.

Bible:  John 15:12-13

This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friend.

What is love? It’s hard to find two people who can agree on the same definition. Oftentimes, love is reduced by many to just a “feeling.” Though I agree that there are feelings that accompany love, it is so much greater than just that. Feelings fade. They require very little of us. True love, however, requires everything we can offer.

Jesus makes an incredibly profound commandment in John 14:12. He tells us that we are to love each other in the same way that He has loved us. Think about it. How does Jesus love us? How has He shown His love for us? Well, there are numerous answers to those questions, but let’s look at a hint (and a bit of foreshadowing) in the following verse. He talks about a love that goes way beyond emotion. It is at the very core of what Easter is all about.  “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends”

In our game, the goal of the “bodyguards” was to whatever it took to protect their “king/queen.” That usually meant sacrificing themselves so the game could continue. Let’s take that principal into real life. Instead of a “king/queen” we all have family, friends, enemies, and strangers. What are you willing to sacrifice for them? That is what true love looks like.

As we celebrate Easter, we remember the greatest sacrifice ever made on earth. Jesus showed us the greatest love possible by laying down His life for us. Now, He has commanded us to love others in the same we He loved us.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What ways has Jesus shown us love?
  2. What does it mean to love others like He loved us?
  3. Jesus said that the greatest love you can show is to lay your life down for a friend. Think beyond physically sacrificing your life by dying. How can you give up yourself for someone else?
  4. W hy do you think this He called this the “greatest love”? 

DOWNLOAD THE PDF OF THIS LESSON

End lesson.

Looking for youth ministry curriculum? Check out the…

1 TIMOTHY 4:12 – New 4-week youth group series about how God uses teenagers and those who do not feel like they measure up to do amazing things!

WANT SOME FREE YOUTH GROUP LESSONS?

View our newest Easter Youth Group Lesson. Main point: With God’s help, the power of sin in your life can be broken!

Check out another awesome Youth Group Lesson on EasterMain point: Empty is a Good Thing! Bible: Luke 24: 1-8; Mark 8: 31; Romans 6: 6-11

If you’re creating your own Easter message, you’ll want to read this blog post: How to Make Your Easter Message Stick.

Closely related to Easter is the season of Lent. Check out this Youth Group Lesson on Lent.

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