Agree / Disagree

One of my favorite teaching methods for teen classes is to start the class with a little “game” that I call “Agree/Disagree”. (I have actually used it effectively with adults as well.)

Have all the students stand up and move to the middle of the room. I always explain the rules, just in case there is someone new who has never played the game before (plus, that just becomes part of the routine).

“OK, everyone stand up. We’re going to play a little game that I call ‘Agree/Disagree’. Here’s how it works. I am going to make a series of statements. After each statement, you must decide whether you agree with that statement or disagree with it. If you agree with the statement, move to this side of the room [pointing to either the right side of the room or the left, it doesn’t matter]. If you disagree with the statement, move to that side of the room [pointing to the other side of the room].”

Read aloud each statement that you have carefully crafted while preparing the lesson. After each statement ask, “Do you agree or disagree?” It’s a good idea to read the question a second time just to make sure everyone heard and understood it.

After all students have settled into their “corners”, spend a few minutes asking various students on both sides, “Why do you agree (or disagree) with that statement?”

This little exercise never fails to generate a considerable amount of discussion, create some great “teaching moments,” and pull the students into the topic for the day, all in a very interactive and informal setting. I intentionally create a safe environment where students can share their thoughts without fear of being shot down if they are wrong. If a student offers an answer that is obviously biblically wrong, try to redirect without embarrassing the student. “That’s an interesting way to look at that. Hold onto that thought, and we’ll check out what the Bible says about it in a few minutes.”

Inevitably, someone will ask, “What if I’m undecided?” Or, “Is it OK to be in the middle?” Most of the time, I encourage them to commit to one side or the other. “Do you lean more toward agreeing with the statement, or disagreeing?” When you open up the discussion, these fence-riders will have an opportunity to explain why it was difficult to commit to one side or the other (which can produce some very good discussion in itself).

It’s also good to throw in a silly or completely unrelated question every once in a while, just for fun!

Examples

Here are the Agree/Disagree statements I used at the beginning of a lesson on 1st and 2nd Timothy:

1. God wants EVERYONE to be saved.
2. Most people will go to heaven.
3. It really doesn’t matter what we believe, as long as we believe in God and Jesus.
4. The only reason we have laws is because there are bad people in the world.

A lesson on Dating:

1. A person should date as many people as he or she can.
2. You will marry someone you date, so you should only date those you would marry.
3. Christians should only date other Christians.
4. It’s OK for a girl to ask a guy out for a date.
5. If your parents don’t approve of the person you are dating, you should stop seeing him or her.

A lesson on Evangelism:

1. Most of my friends would not be interested in hearing about Jesus.
2. In order to share Christ, one needs to know a lot about the Bible.
3. It would be better to keep quiet about your faith than to offend somebody by expressing your beliefs.
4. Most people will think you are a fanatic or a nerd if you talk about Jesus.

A lesson entitled “It’s a Heart Thing” (Matthew 5:17-30):

1. It’s worse to kill someone than it is to hate them.
2. You can go to hell for calling someone a bad name.
3. Lusting over someone is just as bad as having sex with them.