Game: My Music

Type/Purpose: High Tech

Materials:

Advertising: ALERT YOUTH a couple of weeks to a week ahead of time to bring in their digital music players OR a CD with one song that they really enjoy or that’s particularly meaningful to them.
CD player and way to play the music (iPod docking station, stereo with audio input, etc.)

Set-Up: As youth come in, ask them to select the song they want to play, and then pause it. Have them mark their name on the devices or CD’s with a sticky note.

Play:

For each of the songs, select 3 possible candidates for who might have brought the song (1 of which is the actual person), play the song, and let the group decide who it might be.
Announce who the person is, and ask them to share why the song is enjoyable/meaningful.
Go through as many people as you have time for.

NOTES: This activity has the potential to be a very positive OR very negative experience.

When announcing that the participants bring songs, make sure to be as restrictive as you need to be, and ask them to not bring in songs with explicit lyrics, songs describing sexual positions, etc.
You may need to recruit a couple of youth/adults who are familiar with music to look at the songs as they arrive to weed out the ones that may be explicit
For youth who may have forgotten, stream songs from the internet for listening (extra supplies needed)

Extra Ideas:

Instead of sharing in the large group format, break up into small groups, and have groups share songs that way. Have each participant keep their headphones, and plug in to each others’ devices the song.
Instead of general song, have each participant bring their favorite funny song, spiritual song, etc.
This might be a great activity for a road trip.

Teachable Moments:

This activity has the potential to be very meaningful as music is one way to get an insight into the personalities of your group. At the end of the activity, have a discussion about the power of music, and how it can affect/motivate/describe us
Follow up with a devotion or study of the Psalms or other songs in Scripture
After sharing their favorite songs, call for favorite Scriptures. Have a discussion on how recalling our favorite songs is easy while recalling Scripture might not be as much so.

Published February 17, 2012

Media and Technology

Related Resources

Engaging New Icebreaker Games

It can be important to have icebreaker games as a way to get your youth building community and encouraging joy together with your youth. This can be particularly true after Covid. Here are some encouragements and ideas for icebreakers.

4 Still Easy, but Some Prep Needed Ice Breakers

Here are four low prep icebreakers that take a little bit of prep for your youth group.

4 Easy, Low Prep Icebreakers

Here are four low prep, low supply icebreakers for your youth group.

Emotional Jug: A Listening Interaction for Youth

Many teens spend time interacting with friends over the internet, and that can lead to feeling nervous our unsure about face to face interactions. In the same way, they may not feel like youth ministry is a place where they can be honest and share their thoughts and feelings. This activity helps you to practice having healthy discussions about their lives and feelings within the Christian community that can offer both Law and Gospel with a sense of warmth, challenge, and grace.

Balance of Play in Youth Ministry

Healthy youth ministry should strike a balance between developmentally appropriate activities, time to build relationships, and study of God’s Word, prayer, and other spiritual practices. This article considers some of the important balances a healthy youth ministry needs to strike when it comes to play!

Let’s Play: The Importance of Engaging in Lighthearted Activities

There are many ways that we can incorporate play in working with youth. Games and structured exercises can help communicate Biblical truths and promote spiritual growth. Kristen helps us to think critically about the value and use of play in your youth ministry.