Winter Camp Recap

So, we’ve just finished up our time at camp for those of you that went. It was encouraging and exciting and we all had a lot of fun, but we don’t want to let camp just be a one weekend thing. And, for those of us that didn’t go to camp, it can be helpful to talk about some of the things that we talked about while we were at camp.

So, what did we talk about at camp?

Jesus in the Dark: Nicodemus

So, the first story that we talked about was the story of Nicodemus in John 3.

Nicodemus was a Pharisee, or a teacher oc the Bible, but he was a little different from the other Bible teachers in that he was attracted to Jesus’ message.

He wasn’t totally convinced, but he wasn’t ready to commit to Jesus either.

And so, he comes to Jesus at night and asks Him some questions.

What did we learn?

Jesus came because of love.

John 3: 16-18.

Just talking to God isn’t enough, we need to know Him.

People need a God who is near.

Jesus in the Day: Zacchaeus

The next story that we talked about is of Zacchaeus in Luke 19.

We kind of know a little bit about Zacchaeus right? A wee little man?

He was a chief tax collector of the Jews and was very wealthy, and a bit of a swindler.

He wanted to see this Jesus guy, so he climbed a tree to see Jesus, and then Jesus stopped him and told him to come down.

Zacchaeus gave away half of all of his wealth and then paid back everyone that He had wronged fourfold, and then Jesus told him (and everyone else) that salvation had come to this house.

What did we learn?

Jesus came to seek and save the lost

You don’t have to pay a penance because Jesus already paid it for you

Z. didn’t do this because Jesus forced him to, he did it because of how Jesus had changed his life!

Jesus knows our past, and He still wants to be with you!

Jesus went to Zacchaeus, not the other way around.

You aren’t defined by shame in Jesus’ eyes, you aren’t worthless or dumb or annoying, you’re loved!

You can take Jesus home with you!

Jesus without Light: The Blind Man

The final story that we went through was the blind man in John 9.

We don’t actually know too much about this guy, right?

He was born blind

He’s a beggar

He’s kind of snarky

Jesus heals him of blindness

Nobody believes him, including the religious leaders

He gets kicked out of church and his family leaves him

Jesus found him and told him who Jesus really is.

What did we learn?

We all need healing

You’re not a project with God, He’s an artist that’s making you even more beautiful

You were born for this time in this place

Jesus is looking for you!

All of the things that we’ve learned here can show us a few things, obut some of the most important are

The character of Jesus.

We see in these stories some of who Jesus is! The kind, the gentle, the lowly, the powerful, the loving Christ!

All of these are so important so that we can know God, not just know about Him

We see the Gospel.

All of these stories illustrate the Gospel.

In Nicodemus, we see how God came because of love

In Zacchaeus, we see how Jesus loves the lost (ie. you and me!)

In the blind man, we see that He heals us of our brokenness.

That’s the gospel!

It’s that Christ loved you enough to die for you, that He gave everything for you, it’s that Jesus died on a cross to heal you and I of brokenness.

What do you need to do to receive that?

Believe in Him and turn away from sin!

Follow after Jesus and stop following after worthless things!

Camp doesn’t have to be a weekend, it can be the start of something beautiful. Don’t let camp ruin your now.

Questions

What is one skill that you would love to have?

Read Luke 10:9. How can Jesus say that salvation has come to this house if Z. just gave some money away?

Who do you identify most with: Nicodemus, Zacchaeus, or the blind man? Why?

How can you make a positive experience like camp (or even youth group if you didn’t go) change your life and relationship with God?