Why We Play Games

“See the world through the eyes of your inner child.
The eyes that sparkle in awe and amazement as they see love, magic and mystery in the most ordinary things.” 
― Henna Sohail

Do you remember being a kid and playing? How did you know to do that? Were you instructed to do that? Or maybe your mom and dad put that on your list of chores? Most of us would be confused by this questioning and have a simpler answer, “I don’t know, I just wanted to play”. There is something natural, even God given, in our desire for playfulness. Playing is not usually a result of some deep theological conviction or a talking to we had. Our bodies, our minds, and our hearts just long for it because it produces something that is good for us, that gives us a taste of eternity. This is part of the reason why we play games in kid and student ministry. Doing so allows our youth to engage in something that grows their faith, and provides a lightheartedness in the midst of hard issues that exist in a broken world. We often forget what playfulness can provide. Learning from children can reinvigorate our own sense of lost wonder about the world.

In a world increasingly defined by isolation, loneliness, and social distance—playing produces a sense of community and bonds of friendship. Adults know how important this is, that’s why we spend a considerable amount of our time participating community groups and bible studies. Our hope is that gathering around these things will increase deep, God glorifying relationships. We want the same for our youth but getting there might look a little different. Our kids are in a season of life where playfulness is still very much part of their development. Introducing a game can take a room full of hesitant students to come together and unite. Every year we visit The Micah Project in Honduras. Between Central's students and the Micah residents, we have a group of teenagers where half only speak English and half only speak Spanish. One of the simplest things we know to do is to play soccer and, somehow without even speaking to each other, that simple game helps us grow in relationship. As adults it is common practice to grab a cup of coffee with someone you just met and ask about their story, but for kids it doesn’t quite work that way. The job of the youth leader is to create a context that meets kids where they are. On the surface it may not appear so, but a game just might produce an interaction that leads to discipleship.

Playing games at youth group may be the one time during the week where some of our kids get a break from all the stress and pressures that a fallen world can put on them. Little kids are constantly being told to do the opposite of what they want to do. Playing gives them a chance to be free and loud and wild. Our older students have these expectations set on them whether it be from home life, school, friendships, or society can feel crushing. When they come to youth group their only job is to have fun and put away the one stressors of the outside world. Life is hard for all of us and because of the fallen world, our nature is to cope in unhealthy ways and have vices even as adults. When we establish an environment of playfulness with our students we see laughter, joy, silliness, gladness, and friendship. And we know in scripture that God delights in all these things.

Grown-ups, I encourage you to see your student’s spirit when they play. Playing doesn’t end when adulthood begins. Be silly. Be goofy. Be uninhibited. In a world that requires so much seriousness, God is offering you a place to find delight!

"He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouting." - Job 8:21

"You have turned for me my morning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness." -  Psalm 30:11

"Then our mouth was filled with laughter and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nation, “the Lord has done great things for them.” - Psalm 126:2

"A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit cries up the bones." - Proverbs 17:22