Working in teams, the young people have all got to contribute wholeheartedly to be successful in this contest.  The loss of group effectiveness will be especially evident if someone is half-hearted.  However, this game is where positive peer pressure will win the day!  It is a test of a team's dexterity and ingenuity in coming up with a suitable solution to solve the problem.

In this contest, teams have to physically cross a crocodile infested river.  The river is too wide to jump over, and if you step in it, or touch the rope you will be eaten alive (and lose 100 points for your team!)

Each team must work together and piggy-back, lift, shove or otherwise manouevre themselves over the river one by one.  Once one person is safely across the work becomes much easier.  Each team only has one chance and is not allowed to practice, but can of course plan their strategy.

Divide the group into teams of six people.  Makes sure that each team has three boys and three girls so that the challenge is equal. Allocate 600 points to each team and then they may begin one team at a time.  No time limit need be set unless the teams are clearly wasting time.  Deduct 100 point for each person who touches the rope or any part of the river.  They are then "Dead" and cannot assist their team and must sit out the round.

The winning team is the one who can get the most people safely over the river and hence have the most points remaining.  If time permits you could allow a playoff or re-run the entire contest with a wider river.  Award prizes for the winning team and the "Best Trier" team.

This contest may have been very hard for some of you.  Perhaps you became frustrated and wanted to give up.  Elijah did after the Lord had just used him to show the nation of Israel that the Lord is God (1 Kings 18).  However, the threats of Queen Jezebel so alarmed him that he ran to a great distance to Horeb, the mountain of God.

Twice God asked Elijah what he was doing there and both times Elijah answered that he alone was left, and that they were seeking to take his life.  Elijah had become so preoccupied with his own fears that he had forgotten the great victory that God had given him at Mount Carmel.  Despite this, Elijah plunged into the depths of discouragement and how easy it is for us to do the same.

God did not accept Elijah's notice that he was quitting.  Instead, He commissioned his tired servant to handle three major tasks (verses 15-17).  And by the way, Elijah was wrong when he said he was the only faithful one left.  God had seven thousand faithful people who had not bowed to Baal.  And each of you had five other people in your teams to help you!

Perhaps, you are despairing at the circumstances in your private life.   Be quiet when you get home, and pray to God and ask Him to speak to your heart.  God will show you what you can do through His strength to start finding ways to address your circumstances.

God bless!