Gather: Friendship

This month, we’re encouraging the practice of friendship. This is one of those topics that’s pretty impossible to practice on your own… and pretty difficult to “make” happen, so we really just want you to spend this night hanging out. Today (or tonight, or whenever), we want you to rejoice! To laugh and make memories. To fellowship with those around you, to bring joy to our Father who delights in seeing his children together in harmony.

Collect

(5 MINUTES)

 Yo! You need to bring something alongside you this time, so hopefully, you’re looking at this before meeting up with some friends [we’re looking at you group leader. Send out a snap or something]. Bring a game with you tonight! Whether that’s a deck of cards, strips of paper to turn into charades, or if you’re planning to trap everyone into a 5 hour game of Risk. Snacks are not required, but they obviously make game night even better.

Gather

(2 MINUTES)

Gather in a space where you can laugh and maayyybe get a little loud. A common room would be ideal. Bonus points: have everyone take turns putting 3 songs on a random playlist and guess who picked out each tune.

Appoint

(1 MINUTE)

Pick a leader who can gather everyone for a quick Psalm and prayer (and maybe settle Monopoly bank disputes) as you get going tonight.

Pray

(5 MINUTES)

Leader:
A Prayer for Game Night

Ultimate Strategist, Epic Story Teller, thank you for the gifts of imagination and strategy. Thank you for games, and for inspiring those who make them. Join me and my friends as we laugh, play, and enjoy time together. May our fun remind us of your presence. May our friendship remind us of your love. And may our competitive spirits not cause division, but lead us upward toward humility and joy. And Lord, it would be totally okay with me if you let me win. Amen. 

Let’s read this Psalm together:

All: 

It is good to praise the Lord

    and make music to your name, O Most High,

 proclaiming your love in the morning

    and your faithfulness at night,

 to the music of the ten-stringed lyre

    and the melody of the harp.

For you make me glad by your deeds, Lord;

    I sing for joy at what your hands have done.

How great are your works, Lord,

    how profound your thoughts!

(Psalm 92:1-5)

Now Play!