This was the first meeting that we had as men. The idea was to promote it as a games event as the men in my group tend to want activities rather than a night out just chatting away.
Start off setting the tone right.
Ecclesiastes 3:1
"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven."
Tell your crowd that there will be time for jest and times for seriousness and to bear that in mind as you go through the activities together.
Icebreaker: Back-to-back standing up - Support and accountability
Runtime: 5-10 minutes activity depending on group size, 10 minutes discussion
i) Pair everyone up and get them to sit with their backs against each other.
ii) Ask them to stand up without using their arms.
iii) Increase the group size by 1.
iv) Repeat steps ii and iii until everyone is in the same group. For a better challenge - Level 2 - members should not lock arms. level 3 - Everyone has to keep quiet while they try to stand up.
Application
Was it easier to stand up in pairs or in a big group? Textbook answer says in pairs. In the same way, it is easier to support each other on a one-to-one setting, as compared to a big group setting, where the quieter/weaker ones can be neglected. Our Christian community should be one that encourages each other, rather than just meet up as a social gathering once a week.
Some passages that would encourage the men to meet up.
Ecc 4:9-12, Heb 10:24
Some things that can be done together are reading the Bible together and talking through it, even if it is a short passage, then praying over it. Go through a book together, e.g Biblical Manhood/Man of God by the Good Book Guide, One2One series, Every Man's Battle.
Make it a purposeful and meaningful meeting rather than just a casual meetup with some activity included. End of story.
Trivia: The unofficial "record" for most people standing up while sitting back-to-back is 28 person. Can you beat that?
Game 2: Running Charades - Characteristics of a Man
Runtime: Allow 90 seconds per word, 15-20 minutes discussion
Preparation
Come up with a list of 10 or more words. Start with random funny words/phrases and some that are applicable to their current life. Gravitate towards characteristics of a godly man. My sample list for university students is as below:
1) Wrestling
2) The Avengers
3) Gentleness
4) Assignments
5) Pufferfish
6) Adultery
7) Integrity
8) Abuse
9) Brutal
10) Leadership
11) Chivalry
12) Servant
13) Man vs Wild
14) Faithfulness
15) Self-sacrificing
i) Split men into groups of 4-6. Any bigger than 6 would be too big. 4-5 is ideal.
ii) Each group will take different spots in the room away from each other, equidistance from you.
iii) A representative from each group will get the first word from you and run back to their groups on your cue and start acting out the word(s) to their group. Same rules for charades apply - No words, sounds, mouthing of words, writing of words in the air. To make it more challenging, no pointing to anything or anyone as well.
iv) Whoever guesses the next word will run to you to tell you their word and you will give them their next word.
v) The group that has finished all words can sit down. The first group to finish wins.
Application
Which characteristics were the harder words to act and guess? A lot of these good traits have been lost in our society, though still highly-valued. Discuss how these words are seen in real life. Give a real-life example of a trait (e.g leadership, chivalry, integrity) being shown in a person. On the other hand, how do we know if someone does NOT have one of these traits? How can you be acting these out?
Passages to share:
Phil 4:8-9; 1 Tim 4:12, 6:11; 2 Tim 3:1-5
3) Pocket Treasures - Treasures on earth
Runtime: 10-15 minutes activity, 10 minute discussion
i) Split men into groups of 3-5 each.
ii) Get the groups to find items starting with all the alphabets A-Z.
iii) Report back on each item when everyone is done.
Application
We literally have items from A-Z on our bodies. Imagine the number of things we have in our rooms/homes. Consider how well off we are and how we are still discontent with what we have. What are some ways which we can learn to be more content?
Passages to share:
Ecc 1:3, Phil 4:12-13, 1 Tim 6:6-10
