Presenting Devotional/ Truth to campers

The aspects that make this so daunting:

Organization of thoughts

Energetic kids

Board Kids

This isn’t making any difference

Important realities to keep in mind in the daunting task

God’s Word is living (Heb. 4:12)

God is completing the work He began

1 Thess. 5:23-24

1 Thessalonians 5:23–24 NKJV

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.

Consider the prime time window of making truth personal

Think outside of the devotional moment. These all add to weightiness of the teaching moments.

Your energy in the field.

Your putting others first at the table

Your kindness in playing a 10th game of carpet ball

Your sacrifice in being there for the camper and not just the friends

Our avenues for giving truth

God and I Time

Chapel

Cabin Devotions

Scripture Memory

What are the goals through these Different Means?

Discovery- what does God say (who, what, where, when), what does that mean (why, explain), what should I do

This is not you impressing with your Bible knowledge

This is not time to just give them Biblical facts that they can give back to you.

We desire the campers personally discover and personally know God and His truth in relation to their lives.

An important method is discussion. We desire that they approach the Bible with the mindset of what does the Bible say. They see it as the authority. The discussion is not intended to just share a lot of ideas.

Preparation- not just picking a verse or topic and talking about it. Thinking through props, illustration, their needs. Knowing the themes of the week

Personal- Debriefing from the day. Giving personal testimony.

This is not time to just give them Biblical facts that they can give back to you.

We desire the campers personally discover and personally know God and His truth in relation to their lives.

An important method is discussion. We desire that they approach the Bible with the mindset of what does the Bible say. They see it as the authority. The discussion is not intended to just share a lot of ideas.

Participation- questions that call them to think, looking up something in a dictionary, have them read, act, summarize in their own words.

Sensitivity- Consider the church and unchurched, learning styles, personality styles.

So what are the themes and focuses of the week?

Morning Chapel- Life in the church/worship (Church- section of The Ology book)

Evening Chapel- Relationships

“You are in Christ; Christ is in You”- a counseling tool the covers everything you do

God and I time focuses on discovery

Chapel lessons- preparation and discovery

Scripture Memory- personal

Cabin Devotions- testimony, debrief, having a theme ready that you have studied

Wait a second… I am a volunteer, parent, college student, employee, and an amateur with God’s Word.

You are in Christ. Ask Him for next growth steps. This is where God keeps you humble. Be thorough in 1 or 2 passages. Rejoice. Put in the sweat.

Tools: “Preparing Cabin Devotions,” “Understanding the Way Camper’s Learn,” and “How to Lead Small Group Bible Studies with Campers.” Pages 34-43 in Children’s Manual