Who does Jesus choose to help build His kingdom?

1 Corinthians 1:18-24

18 The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are dying, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
I will frustrate the intelligence of the intelligent.”

20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher? God has made foolish the wisdom of the world.21 For in the worlds wisdom God was nowhere to be found, but instead God used foolishness to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a trip hazard to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Ask the congregation to think about how to the world Jesus looked rubbish- not wise, powerful, successful or popular by their standards. He is in fact much better than all those things- he is our Saviour. Let them pray that they may become less so that Jesus may become more.

These rounds/stations can be used to keep a running total of which group in your congregation is the wisest, most powerful, most successful and most popular. You could give a prize if you wished.

 

Round 1- Wisdom

Resources:

  • Dingbats on a slide/ sheet of paper- these are a visual puzzle that reveals a word or phrase. You can get these for free from the internet.
  • Spot the Difference on a slide/ sheet of paper- You can also get these for free from the internet.

Instructions:

Ask the congregation to race to solve the dingbats and spot the difference. You could ask the children to race to solve the spot the difference, the adults the dingbats. Those in a group should work together. The winners are the wisest group in the congregation.

Let the congregation think about how none of Jesus’ disciples were wise and learned- like Isaac Newton. None of them were scholars- some were fishermen, tax collectors. It doesn’t matter if we are not wise because Jesus doesn’t pick wise people- he picks people willing to be obedient to His will.

 

Round 2- Power

Resources:

  • Space on the floor where the congregation can see

Instructions:

Ask 1 person from each group to come to the front as a champion. Ask the champions to line up and to see how long they can hold a plank (the body position). Wait until there is only one person planking. The winner is the most powerful and their group wins.

This could be adapted to who beats all the competition at arm wrestling or who can do the most press-ups.

Let the congregation think about how none of Jesus’ disciples were powerful like Queen Elizabeth II. None of them were leaders. They were not Kings, rabbis or Romans.  It doesn’t matter if we are not powerful because Jesus doesn’t pick those people- he picks people willing to be obedient to His will.

 

Round 3- Success

Resources:

  • Pieces of flip chart paper- 1 per group
  • Pen- 1 per group

Instructions:

Ask each group in the congregation to come up with an invention in 2 minutes. They must draw a labelled diagram and explain its function to the other groups. Allow time for all groups to feedback about their invention. You then judge which group has been the most successful in coming up with an invention. That team is then the most successful.

Let the congregation think about how none of Jesus’ disciples were successful- like Jeff Bezos who founded Amazon. None of them were rich businessmen of their day. Fishermen were working class folk! It doesn’t matter if we are not successful because Jesus doesn’t pick those people- he picks people willing to be obedient to His will.

 

Round 4- Popularity

Resources:

  • A slide/ piece of paper with the following:How long was it since you went to a Birthday party?Add up for your whole groupLast week: 10 pointsLast month: 5 pointsMonths ago: 2 points

    Don’t remember: -1 point

Instructions:

Ask the congregation to answer the question about when the last time they went to a birthday party was. They should add up the points from their group. The group with the highest score is the most popular.

Let the congregation think about how none of Jesus’ disciples were popular like Justin Bieber. None of them were invited to the big parties of the time. Matthew was a tax collector so he was considered a traitor as he collaborated with the Roman enemy. Jesus hung out with sinners. It doesn’t matter if we are not popular because Jesus doesn’t pick those people- he picks people willing to be obedient to His will.