Teamwork and Unity

Key Verse: “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” –Ephesians 4:3

Lesson Thoughts: After playing a good round of 9 Square in the Air, discuss the ways in which you can see Ephesians 4:3 in action while playing. The group must function as one body, hitting the ball to keep it aloft. Consider these discussion questions:

• If someone were to step out, you may not notice right away. But eventually, what happens? What does it look like when a member of the Body of Christ steps away from using their gifts to serve?
• Can you think of a time when you have served in a ministry and your gifts were paired well with those of another who was serving? How did it show unity in action? 
• Where are you currently serving the Body of Christ with your gifts? Are there areas you could be serving that you haven’t yet? What is holding you back?

Leadership and Servanthood

Key Verse: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life

as a ransom for many.” –Mark 10:45

Lesson Thoughts: Talk about how leaders emerge in playing a game like 9 Square in the Air. Maybe people emerge as leaders because they step aside and allow someone else to go in front of them. Maybe they encourage others or they stay behind to take apart the game and store it.

Discuss this further in smaller groups:

• What is our natural tendency when we want to be seen as a leader?
• Who do you see imitating Christ in this way as a servant leader?
• Think about our youth ministry. In what ways do you think servant leadership could transform it?
• What about at home? What would happen if you took on this kind of role in terms of things like cleaning the bathroom, claiming the front seat or taking the last cookie.
  
  

Encouragement

Key Verse: “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are

doing.” –1 Thessalonians 5:11

Lesson Thoughts: 9 Square in the Air gives you a fantastic way to demonstrate encouragement. There will be students who naturally cheer one another on, and you may see other group members catch on and start encouraging others. Then gather your group to talk about how this relates to encouraging one another in faith. Share stories about when you’ve been feeling discouraged and how a friend or parent helped you see an eternal perspective. Discuss further:

• How does encouragement help you feel seen and understood?
• Encouraging others requires us to think less about whom? (ourselves) How is this helpful in our own faith?
• Are you in a place where you need encouragement right now? 
• If you aren’t facing anything particularly challenging, how can you encourage a fellow believer? What practical steps would that include?

Patience and Self-Control

Key Verse: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness,

faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” –Galatians 5:22-23

Lesson Thoughts: A game of 9 Square in the Air calls up topics like patience and self-control. There’s the waiting to get in the game. There’s the temptation to whack a ball that’s not in your square. And you may be tempted to taunt a teammate or cheer when someone finally gets out. Patience and self-control are daily struggles for most people, but as you grow in Christ, you will begin to experience victory in these areas. Discuss with groups:

• How well does it work to focus specifically on patience and self-control, trying each day to get better at each of them?
• If we want to see ourselves grow in these areas, how do we do it? 
• Spending time in the word and prayer is a simple answer, but it may not be simple in practice. Share best practices for getting time with the Lord each day. 
  
  

Did you know that 9 Square in the Air got started simply because it was one of the best youth group ideas for getting teens to connect? Contact us at 9 Square in the Air to order your game and reclaim some time to spend with your youth kids.