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SPIRITUAL Warfare SIMULATION Game

Transcript of SPIRITUAL Warfare SIMULATION Gameyouthministryunleashed.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/... ·...

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SPIRITUAL

Warfare

SIMULATION

Game

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SPIRITUAL Warfare

SIMULATION Game

What are the obstacles a youth ministry faces as it battles for those souls of youth in their community? What internal and external challenges do groups face when they become serious about outreach?

This simulation experience helps students to grapple with issues like outreach strategy, personal preparation for sharing their faith, barriers to communicating with the lost, the

enormity of the mission entrusted to the church.

The Simulation Experience This is not a running game or a contact sport but an experience designed to have students attempt to reach out to their peers. A simulation is meant to have some elements of the real world, but really it is meant to generate valuable discussion by helping students and leaders experience some of the feelings associated with outreach. In this simulation most of the students and leaders will take on the role of the church. They will require the use of a bible and will be given special prayer cards to be used to set the captives free. Another smaller group of students will represent the lost and they will be guarded by evil Influences that must be overcome with an unknown combination of Scripture verses and prayer cards.

Discussion At the end of the simulation groups will be formed to discuss the spiritual principles gained. These discussions will be guided with a final large group discussion and prayer time. Over the past 14 years groups all over the country have been very animated in their preparation to set the captives free and even more so in their discussions

This simulation was created by Ron Powell ron. [email protected]

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SPIRITUAL Warfare Simulation Experience

Leaders Guide

Materials

Instructions for: The Church The Lost The Evil Ones Scripture List Deceivers The Pastor Prayer Cards Praise Cards

Other Materials You Will Need to Get

-enough blind folds for half of the group (cut garbage bags if you have nothing else) -each student should bring a Bible

Overview

This simulation will require about 2-3 hours from start to finish depending upon how many students participate. Please allot the following time for the whole experience

15 minutes Instructions to whole group 30 minutes Preparation of the Church for Outreach (at this same time the “Evil Ones” and the “Lost”

will receive instructions concerning their roles.) 10 minutes First Battle – 5 minutes Church Discusses Strategy 10 Minutes Second Battle – 5 minutes Church Discusses Strategy 10 minutes Last Battle 5 minutes Form discussion groups and provide instructions 15 minutes Discussion in Small groups 15 minutes Discussion in the Large group and Prayer

Setup

You will need to divide you group. (you can have them count off in 4’s and ones can be evil ones, 3’s lost ones, two’s and four’s can be part of the “church” The idea is that the divisions will equal: church 1/2 of the students evil ones 1/4 of the students lost ones 1/4 of the students

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To prepare for the game you will need to make copies of enough of the materials for your students. Print out and cut out enough prayer and praise cards for half your students to have at least 3 each. You should make sure that you have enough blind folds for at least half of your students. You should have a space like a gym or very large room where you can keep the “church” separate from the lost ones. I like to have chairs set up down at the far end of the room for the lost ones to sit on and the evil one can stand in front of the chair to guard them when a member of the church walks up. The lost ones will sit on a chair with a blind fold on. They can sit on the floor if you do not have chairs or if they are not allowed in a gym or other place that you meet.

Read over all of the instructions to the Church, the Evil Ones, and the Lost so that you are familiar with their roles and what they are required to do. You will have to go over these instructions with each group or assign other leaders who will explain the rules to them. Other leaders can work as referees in case students get too excited or do not follow the rules. When you gather the students you should read the INSTRUCTIONS TO THE WHOLE GROUP provided with this simulation. Next you will divide up your group into sections; ¼ will be selected to be lost ones and ¼ are chosen to be evil ones all of the rest will make up the church that will have to rescue the lost ones from the

evil ones.

( ) set up a large room or gym with church at one end and evil ones at other end

Running the Simulation

Show them an Example: If the students are unsure of an interaction between an evil one and a member of the church looks like, have three students come forward. One will be a lost one and they will sit. One will be an evil one and they will stand in front of the lost one. The Christian will be given a few prayer and praise cards and a bible. The evil one will have a list of possible verses that can overcome them. They will also choose a password for entering the church to make sure that evil ones do not enter. The member from the church will hand the evil one a few prayer and praise cards and read bible verses to them. You can decide what amount of prayer and praise cards will be the combination to overcome the evil one. If the student gets it correct the evil one has to sit down and then the Christian can begin quoting scriptures to the lost one. If they get the correct verse (you can use John 3:16 if you wish) then the lost one can get up from the chair and return with the student back to the church.

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First Battle

When it seems like each of the divisions (church, lost, evil ones) knows what they are doing they can go into their areas to go over the instructions again and set up for the first battle. The church will need the most time to prepare as they will choose a leader/ pastor from among them who will read their instructions and distribute the prayer and praise cards. The Game Leader announces “It is the beginning of battle one. It will last for ten minutes. Church, send out people to set the captives free.” The students will walk out from the church and start speaking to the evil ones, giving them prayer and praise cards. If they have the wrong combination they will be blindfolded and have to sit with the lost ones at the end of the battle. As the game leader, if too many have been overcome you can release them and send them back to the church. It isn’t good for the whole church to get wiped out in battle one. When the 10 minutes are up, blow a whistle, ring a bell or announce over a microphone that the battle is over. “Battle one is over. If you have been overcome you will be blindfolded and you cannot return to the church. Discuss what you learned about how to overcome the evil ones and set the captives free. You have only five minutes.” Second Battle

After the church has discussed for five minutes it is time to begin battle two. Don’t let their discussion run too long as the other students will get very bored.

To begin the battle announce, “Battle two has now begun. Church, send out people to overcome the evil ones and set the captives free. But beware that you are not overcome yourself. Once you begin talking to an evil one you cannot walk away. Either you overcome them or you will be overcome and will become a lost one.” After ten minutes, end the battle with a bell, whistle, or other loud noise. Announce, “The 2nd battle is over. If you have been overcome, put on a blind fold and sit down. If you have set a captive free bring them back to the church. You will have only 5 minutes to discuss what you learned about how to set captives free before the last battle will begin.”

Last Battle

This is the final battle and it will determine the outcome of the game. I like to tell the students that this is the end of time and the results are final (to add to the drama.) I also encourage the church to send out all of its members instead of staying in the church. To begin this battle you can announce: “This is the last battle and the results will be final. When the battle ends those who are lost will be lost forever. It is up to the church to set as many captives free as possible before the end of the battle. Remember you must find the combination that overcomes the evil ones and a right verse that will set the captive free. But be careful. If you get the wrong combination you will be taken captive yourself.” You can increase the drama by giving a countdown each minute until ten minutes is up. I sometimes make an announcement to the lost: “Lost ones! This is the last battle if you want someone to come and rescue you, you can call out to them to come and save you!” Let the battle run for 10 minutes then make the final noise to end it. Get everyone to FREEZE exactly where they are and count how many lost ones and evil ones there are. Have everyone repeat after you: “THIS WAS ONLY A GAME.”

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Immediately put them in groups to discuss the experience. Hand out the discussion questions and have a leader go through each of the questions one by one. It is good if each group has a recorder who can write down a few ideas that the group has come up with.

Running the Discussion

The group needs to be divided into small discussion circles. Here is the breakdown you should use, or at least as close as possible in order to evenly involve everyone. Each group should have at least one lost person, one evil one, and two students from the church. It is great if you have an adult leader for each group to make sure that all of the discussion questions are covered and the group stays on topic in their discussions. Have each student respond to each of the questions. When all of the groups have gone through all of the questions, lead a discussion with the entire group. For the group discussion, go through each of the questions that they just discussed. Have students offer their group responses. For each one you may want to comment on the scriptural truths behind the question. For example, question one asks: “In what ways did you feel that this experience was like the real situation in the church and outside the church?” The groups may report back that “There are people who are blind and cannot see the truth.” Or they may say something like “there are people who are lost and we are confused about how to set them free.” As you guide the discussion you can have other groups respond to that statement or you can share your own thoughts about whatever aspect of the simulation is raised.

A final question that you can brainstorm with the whole group is, “How can we reach the lost?” Get as many responses as possible. Prayer

At the end of the time together you can have a prayer time that works best for your students. I like to have each little group of students pray for friends that they know that are not Christians. You could have 3 or 4 students pray about some aspect of the game that is on their heart. Or maybe some of your leaders will want to pray. Another approach is to have students list in their groups friends that they are concerned about. Have them discuss how they may be able to share the gospel with their friends and then pray about obstacles in the way of speaking to them about Christ.

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Outreach SIMULATION experience

INSTRUCTIONS TO be distributed & read to THE WHOLE GROUP.

This is a simulation game. It is not real. There are some things, of course, that are intended to give you a feeling of reality, but even though you need to put your whole heart into the game, you must remember it is only a game.

You will have different roles in the game, but remember that they were chosen randomly and not because you resemble any of the roles. Remember a simulation game is a learning tool. During the game you will experience new things, and learn new facts. Keep your wits about you and try to maximize the learning experience.

One last word. Take your roles seriously. Make this experience one that everyone will benefit from. Play hard - play fair -remember this is war.

RULES OF PLAY:

-Remember that this is not a running game or a contact sport. It is more of a role playing activity. Do not get physical - you will be asked to leave if you break this rule.

1. The Christians will choose a pastor from among them. They will study up in one room preparing for spiritual Warfare. Prayer and praise cards will be distributed by the pastor. He or she will also read the instructions to the church. The members of the church will also choose a password. No one enters the church without the password.

2. In another room the evil ones and the lost will be instructed by the Strongman.( a leader chosen from among you.)

3. After about half an hour of instructions and questions the players will go to the playing area. It will be set up so that everyone can see what is going on - BUT NOT ABLE TO HEAR! Christians will begin in the Church an area that is designated by the instructor. In the church the Christians will be safe from attack from the evil ones.

4. There will be two or three battles each lasting 5-10 minutes. At the end of the battle all the Christians must go back to the church. Captives that have been overcome by the evil ones must remain in the evil ones clutches until the end of the game, unless they have been set free.

At the end of each battle evil ones and the lost sit down exactly where they are. To overcome evil ones they will need to walk up to an evil one and give them a combination of prayer and praise cards. They will also have to use Scripture to overcome them. The exact combination will be set by the game leader and given to the evil ones.

Once the evil one guarding the lost one is overcome then a member of the church will share a verse with them. If they get the correct verse the lost one may take off their blind fold and return to the church with the “Christian.”

5. When the last battle is over everyone returns to the church for a debriefing discussion. Be prepared to discuss what you felt, experienced, and learned.

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INSTRUCTIONS TO THE EVIL ONES.

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy..." John 10:10

evil ones:

Your role is crucial to the success of this game. It is up to your discretion whether to hold someone captive or send them back to the church AS deceivers.

GOAL: You are to try to drain the church of all its believers. However you can be overcome. You must use every

form of deception to gain control of the Christians. Remember you must submit if they take authority over you. You can be overcome and your prisoners will be set free at that time

1. To guard your captive making sure that the unsaved don’t get saved.

2. To confront Christians and convert them to serve the evil one as "deceivers".

.

HOW TO PLAY:

1. Find a spot in the playing area (at least 30 feet from the church)

2. Blindfold your captive.

3. When Christian approach engage them in battle (not physically).

4. They will confront you with scripture and prayer and praise. If they do not have enough prayer and praise they are automatically defeated. If they do not get the right combination of prayer, praise cards, and a scripture from your list they are to be blindfolded and stay with you at the end of the battle.

However, do not tell them that they are defeated until they have engaged in battle (talked to you) for a few minutes. When you feel it is time they must submit blind fold. Once you have defeated one Christian you may then send others you defeat back to the Church as deceivers. They must obey at this point they do not have a choice. Show them the deceiver card quietly so that other Christians do not understand what is going on.

The game leader may give the forgiveness in the first battle and let all of the Christians have been overcome to go back to the church. If you get this instruction you must let them go back.

5. If they overcome you, you must sit down on the floor. Then they can begin speaking to lost one that you were guarding.

NOTE: NEVER TELL ANYONE THE SECRET COMBINATION THAT OVERCOMES YOU! NOT UNTIL THE END OF THE GAME.

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INSTRUCTIONS TO THE CHURCH (TO BE READ OUT BY THE PASTOR THEY CHOOSE)

You are the sons of God, children of the light, called to shine in the darkness.

GOAL: You are called to set the captives free, and to save the lost. Only beware that you are not lost in the process.

HOW TO PLAY:

1. This time is a time to prepare hear the rules. In a little while you will go to an area that is called THE CHURCH. You can venture out of the Church and try to overcome the FORCES OF EVIL. Defeat the evil ones, set the captives free, and save the lost. BUT BEWARE THAT YOU DO NOT FALL!

2. You will be given 3 prayer cards, and 3 praise cards. If you encounter an evil one you will need to give the evil one the right combination of scripture (verbally read or recite a verse), and give them prayer and/ or praise cards. If you ARE NOT SUCCESSFUL overcoming the evil one you will MUST SUBMIT AND EITHER BE BLINDFOLDED AND HELD CAPTIVE OR DO AS THEY INSTRUCT YOU. (But beware it is more difficult than if appear. Be prepared. Study the scriptures! ETC.)

NOTE: THE evil one CANNOT LIE IF YOU HAVE DEFEATED THEM OR IF THEY HAVE DEFEATED YOU. YOU MUST OBEY IF THEY DEFEATED YOU.

3. Also, out in the world are many lost SOULS. A correct scripture will bring them into the kingdom.

NOTE: AT THE END OF THE BATTLE DISCUSS WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED ABOUT OVERCOMING THE EVIL ONE AND HIS COMPANIONS.

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INSTRUCTIONS TO THE LOST

You are a lost soul. You don't feel you belong to the evil one, but if the game ends without you being truly saved you will go to hell with the DEVIL AND HIS ANGELS FOR ETERNITY.

GOAL: You have no goal. No direction -- only needs lots of them.

HOW TO PLAY:

1. The god of this world has blinded your eyes. Unless the evil one who has you bound is overcome you cannot be saved. 2. You cannot see the light and have the blinder removed without prayer and the word. It will take 3 prayer cards and the correct scripture to lead you into the light. If the scriptures are correct then you can allow them to take the blindfolds off and go with them if they ask you to. 3. You may not enter the church without the password. If you are not given the password by the time that you get to the church you must return to the evil one who held you captive and been blindfolded once again.

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INSTRUCTIONS TO THE YOUTH PASTOR CHOSEN BY THE CHURCH

You are important to the church. You have been selected because of your superior knowledge of the scriptures and of Spiritual Warfare. You will provide prayer and praise cards for the new converts. You are the guardian of the Church guarding the flock against the evil ones. You can teach the Christians the pass word to keep the evil ones from infiltrating the church.

GOALs:

1. Protect the sheep 2. Overcome the evil one 3. Save the lost souls

HOW TO PLAY

1. Youth Pastor can remain in the church or challenge the evil ones. He is given the exact same amount of praise, prayer cards as any other player.

2. You must read the instructions to the Church so that the believers understand the rules. Together you should devise a strategy to reach the lost. You must also be sure that none of the sheep in the church are lost .

3. Together you and the believers must choose and memorize a secret password. This will be a test to make sure that no evil ones may enter the church.

read these instructions to the Church (and instructions to the church)

ABOUT REACHING THE LOST

The blindfolded players are the lost. They are held captive by an evil force. (The god of this world has blinded their eyes) you must first overcome the evil one who has the lost soul bound. To overcome the evil one you will need a combination of prayer, praise, and a correct scripture.

But this is only half the battle. CAUTION: IF YOU ARE NOT SUCCESSFUL IN OVERCOMING THE EVIL ONE YOU MUST SURRENDER ANDBE TAKEN CAPTIVE BY HIM OR HER!

Once the evil one is overcome you will need to discover the key to set the captive free. It is up to the believers to discover how to reach them.

ABOUT ENCOUNTERS WITH THE EVIL ONES

Home base is the church. you will begin from the church and return to the church at the end of the battle.

You do not have to leave the church, but if you do you will encounter the evil forces. if you begin to engage in battle with an evil force you cannot retreat. you must overcome or fall! If you are overcome you will remain a captive until the end of the game, unless another believer will set you free. BEWARE IT IS POSSIBLE THAT EVIL ONES MAY LEARN THE PASSWORD AND ENTER THE CHURCH!

note to the pastor: You have been chosen by the people to be the pastor and you can lead as you see fit and as they allow you too .Anyone entering the Church must deal with you as you determine whether or not they are a Christian. You do not have to let anyone in the Church who does not know the password. But if they know the password you cannot hold them out.

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GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

DECIDE ON A FACILITATOR AND A RECORDER FOR YOUR GROUP. GO AROUND THE GROUP AND LET EACH PERSON RESPOND TO THE QUESTION THEN GO ON TO THE NEXT QUESTION. RECORD SOME OF THE MAIN IDEAS THAT COME UP.

1. In what ways did you feel that this experience was like the real situation in the church and outside the church?

2. In what ways is this experience very different from the situation in the church and outside the church?

3. What is the main thing this game has taught you about youth ministry in the church and outside the church?

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(Evil ones: These are the verses

that can overcome you.)

James 4:7 “Resist the devil and he will flee

from you.”

2 Cor. 10:4 “The weapons of our warfare are

not the weapons of the world. On the contrary

they have divine power to bring down strong holds.”

1 John 4:4 “Greater is He that is in me than

he that is in the world.”

Matt. 12: 28,29 “But if I drive out demons by the power of God, then the kingdom of God

has come upon you. Or again , how can anyone

enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong

man ... then he can rob his house.”

Anything from Ephesians 6:10-17 “...the

amour of God...”

Zechariah 4:6 “Not by might, not by power,

but by My Spirit says the Lord.”

Mark 16:17 “And these signs shall follow

those who believe. They will drive out demons. They will speak with new tongues.”

Romans 8:38 “I am convinced that neither life nor death, neither angels nor demons ...

will separate us from the love of Christ.”

Matthew 16:18 “I will build My Church and

the gates of hell will not prevail against it.”

Phil. 2:9,10 “At the name of Jesus every knee

should bow in heaven and under the earth and

every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord.”

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