Lessons From Minecraft

“’Do you hear what these children are saying?’ they asked him. ‘Yes,’ replied Jesus, ‘have you never read, “From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise”?’”
Matthew 21:16 (NIV)

My Dad says that I play too much Minecraft. Well I am only 13 and it is fun! He also says that there are lessons that I can learn from playing this online computer game. So let me share a little bit with you (with some input from my Dad):  Minecraft is a multiplayer game that is made up entirely of square blocks. When it was first made, it was only supposed to be a single player game but it has developed to multi-player mode. In single player mode you start off in a random area in the wilderness. Most people mine some wood and start making houses and things like that. However, you can actually do and build what ever you want to build on your own and with others. My Dad, the preacher, says that we are called into a church community and are building the Kingdom of God (Ephesians 2:19-22).

I have had Minecraft for about two years now and I have experienced a lot of good things with it. But there are also some bad things such as mobs, they are a sort of monster figure that only come out at night. The worst mob you can get is a creeper, a green two legged creature that, when you get close to it, blows up and can kill you if you don’t have any armour on. Another of my Dad’s lessons is we will face many challenges and choices in life, so stay close to God and wear the armour of God (Ephesians 5:10-18).

The thing that makes Minecraft so much fun is that I can play with friends and family no matter where they are. When I am playing by myself it gets boring. However, a good thing is you can make new friends and play on any server with other Minecrafters. Every week my parents remind me of the importance of getting together and doing things with my church family as we worship God and serve others (Hebrews 10:24-25).

Despite some of the horrible things, I have had a lot of fun adventures with my cousin. Nahum and I play a lot on Minecraft—our parents say too much. Nahum and me do a lot of battles on Minecraft. In one close-fought battle I was almost killed. Thankfully, my partner rescued me in the nick of time. Oh, I can hear my Dad again. Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).

I hope that has helped you understand a little better why I and many young people enjoy playing Minecraft. I will try to listen to my Dad a little more and spend a little more time on my homework.

Prayer
Dear Father, thank you for the good things we can enjoy and the lessons we can learn.
Amen

Study written largely by Michael Gibbs
and supported by his Dad, David

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About the Author:
Michael Gibbs is 13 years old and attends the Birmingham Congregation of the Worldwide Church of God UK with his family, where his father, David, is the Pastor.

Local Congregation:
Worldwide Church of God Birmingham
All Saints Church
George Road
BIRMINGHAM B23 7QB

Meeting Time:
Saturday 1:00pm

Local Congregational Contact:
David Gibbs
Phone: 0777-7667635
Email: david_gibbs@wcg.org.uk