Small Group Devotions

Smallgroupdevotions

Usethesedevotionalideaswithsmallgroupsofcampers.

Age-levelcoding

Eachdevotionisrecommendedforusewithspecificagelevels.Tofindoutwhichactivitiesarebestsuitedtoyourgroup,lookforthelettercorrespondingtotheagelevelofyourgroup.Feelfreetoadaptanactivityforusewithyourgroup.TheBiblestudywriterforeachagelevelhascontributedtwodevotionsforeachdailythemetouseinsmallgroups.Thecodingletterinboldtypeindicatesthesourceofthedevotion.

L=Lowerelementary

U=Upperelementary

J=Juniorhigh

S=Seniorhigh

A=Adult

I=Intergenerational

DAY 1: Abraham

Bibletext

Genesis17:1-8(CovenantwithAbraham)

Familytree

LUAI

Materials:Bible,alargepieceofpaperorposterboard,crayonsormarkers

ReadGenesis17:1-8together.InthispassageGodpromisesAbrahamthathewillbetheancestorofa“multitudeofnations.”Together,haveyourgroupdrawalargetree.Atthebaseofthetree,writeAbraham’sname.Ontherestofthetree,havecamperswritethenamesoftheirfamilyandfriends.Dothisuntilthetreeiscoveredwithnames.Closewithaprayer,thankingGodforallofthesedescendantsofAbraham.

TheGreatCommandment

Material:Bible

ReadMark12:28-31andtalkaboutitasagroup.

WhatdoesitmeantoloveGodwithallyourheart,allyoursoul,allyourmind,andallyourstrength?

Whatdoesitmeantoloveyourneighborasyourself?

Whatarewaysthatwecandothis?

Dividecampersintotwogroups,andexplainthateachwillcomeupwithaskitaboutachildduringrecessatschool.Oneskitwillbeaboutachildwhoonlythinksabouthim- orherself.Theothergroupwillputonaskitaboutachildwhoisreallytryingtoloveherorhisneighbor.Haveeachgroupperformtheirskitforthegroup.Howaretheydifferent?Closewithprayer,thankingGodforhelpingusloveourneighbors.

Godislove

LUJSAI

Read1John4:7-21.Thendiscussthefollowing:

HowdoweknowthatGodlovesus?

WhatdoestheauthorsayweshoulddosinceGodlovesus?

HowwillotherpeopleknowGod’slove?

Whydowelove?

Afterreadinganddiscussingthepassage,givecamperstimetojournalorreflectonthefollowing:“Godislove.Whatdoeslovelooklike?”Campersmaychoosetorespondtothisjournalpromptinamyriadofwayssuchasthefollowing:drawing, makingacartoon, writing, quietlysittingandreflecting.

AftercampershavehadsometimetoindependentlyconsidertheBibletextandprompt,gatherbacktogether.Invitevolunteerstosharesomeoftheirideas,astheyarewilling.Closeinprayertogether.

Wayoflove

LUJSAI

Read1Corinthians13:1-13andhavecampersstandupeverytimetheyhearthewordlove.ReadthepassageasecondtimeandreplacethewordlovewithGod.Forexample,verse4wouldread:“Godispatient;Godiskind....”Havecamperssilentlyreadthepassageathirdtimeandhavecampersinserttheirownnameswhereitsayslove.

Whatdoesthisauthorseemtothinkismoreimportantthananythingelse?

Whatisoneofthethingsthattheauthorsaysaboutlove?

Thispassageisoftenreadatweddings.Doyouthinktheauthoristalkingaboutaromanticloveorsomethingelse?

WhatsurprisedyouaboutthiswhenyoureplacedthewordlovewithGodoryourownname?CouldyousayallofthataboutGod?Yourself?

Closeinprayer.

Whatdoesitmeantolovemyself?

UJSA

Materials:Bible,paper,pencils

Jesussaidthatthesecondofthegreatcommandmentsistoloveyourneighborasyourself.(RereadMark12:28-31.)It’sprettystraightforwardtotalkaboutlovingGodandothers,butwhataboutlovingyourself?Isn’tthatarrogantandstuck-up?Askcamperswhattheythinkitmeanstoloveyourself.Whodotheyknowwhodoesitwell?Whatdoesitlooklikewhensomeoneloveshim- orherselftoomuch?OnewaytoloveourselvesistohavegratitudeforwhoGodmadeustobe.ReadPsalm139(especiallyverses13-14).Howcantheseverseshelpusunderstandwhywearespecial?Havecampersmakeanacrosticwiththeirname,writingthelettersdowntheleftsideofapieceofpaper.Foreachletterintheirname,havecamperswriteonethingthatmakesthemspecialandunique,agiftGodgavethem.Somecampersmayneedhelpwithcreativewaystousetheirletters.

Anexamplefollows:

C creative

I independent

N nice

D dancer

Y yummy(likestobake)

Cabincovenant

LUJSAI

Ifit’snotyourcamp’spracticetomakeacabincovenantatthebeginningofyourcampweek,createonetogetherasadevotion.Explaintocampers thatacovenantisasetofpromises.JustlikethepromisesGodmadetoAbraham,they’llmakepromisestooneanotherfortheirtimeatcamp.

Havecamperscollectivelydecidehowtheywanttolivetogetherthisweek.(Someexamples:respecteachother’sstuff,beontime,listentoeachother.)Createalistofuptoeightpromisesforyourcovenant.Havecampersallsignthebottomastheirpromisetobepartofthisgroup.Ifyourcamp doesmakeacovenantonthefirstday,revisitwhatwascreatedandtalkabouthowtheguidelineshavebeenworkingsofar.Askcampersiftheyhaveanyadditionsthey’dliketomake.HowdoesGod’scovenantwithAbrahamchangethewaytheyseethecabincovenantthatthey’veallcreatedtogether?Givecamperstheopportunitytoinitialordrawasymbolonthecovenanttoindicatetheyagreetoitagain.PrayforyourtimetogetherthisweekandforthepromisesyouaremakingtothegroupandtoGod.

Themeversesingandshout

LUJSAI

Sharethesummerthemeversewithcampers:“YoushalllovetheLordyour God with allyourheart,andwithallyoursoul,andwithallyourmight”Deuteronomy6:5.

Shoutorsingthisverse.Someoptionsfollow:

Createachantwithcampersbyshoutingaphraseandhavingthemshoutaresponse(responseinparentheses).Attheendofthechant,shout“Amen!”together.

Youshallwhat?!(LovetheLord!)

Withallyourwhat?!(Withallyourheart!)

Withallyourwhat?!(Withallyoursoul!)

Andwithallyourwhat?!(Withallyourmight!)

LearnthesongLoveRound,andsingittogether.

LearnandsingthesongLovetheLordbyLincolnBrewster.Youcanhearthesongonlineusingasearchengine.

Paperchainprayer

LUJSAI

Materials:Pens,constructionpaper(variouscolors),scissors,tape

Invitecamperstocuttheconstructionpaperintostrips—oneforeachperson.Informcampersthattheprayerswillbehunginapublicplace.Haveeveryonewritedownsomeoneorsomethingthey’dliketoprayforontheirslip.Remindthemthat,inadditiontoaconcernorrequest,aprayercanbepraise—thankingGod.Gatherthestripsandformcircleswitheachone,wrappingthepreviousstriparoundthenextoneandthentapetheendstogethertoformonelong,linkedchain.

Whenthechainiscomplete,tapeeachendofittogethertomakeacircle.Sitarounditwitheachpersonholdingpartofthechain.Prayforthethingsthatwerewrittenonthepaperrings.HangthechaininapubliclocationasareminderthatyouareallconnectedbyGod’slove.

Wearechosen byGod

Havecampersmeetinacomfortablespotoutside.Openwithacampsong.

ReadaloudGenesis17:1-8.

Say,“WearechosenbyGod.ThishappenedlongbeforeyouorIwasevenborn,andwillbewithgenerationslongafterweascendtobewithGod.AllGodasksofusistofollowGod’scommand:toloveGodandoneanotherasGodloveseachofus.Thissoundseasy,butoursinfulsidecomesoutregularlytochallengeusandweoftenfallshort.ThegreatpartofGod’sloveisseenatthispoint.Godcomestous,helpsusup,dustsusoff,andforgivesus,eversolovingly.Let’schallengeourselvestofollowGod’scommand,notonlythisday,buteveryday,knowingGodwillalwaysbewithus!”

Closewithasongthatreflectsthethemeofthedayandwithaprayer.

God’sloveinaction

Havecampersmeetwheretheycanobserveothergroupsofcampers.ReadaloudMark12:28-31.

Tellthegrouptospreadoutandthinkaboutthereadingwhilewatchingthepeoplewalkaroundcamp.Theyarenottotalktoanyone;theyshouldjustsitandobserve.Afterafewminuteshavethegroupcomebacktogether.Talkaboutwhattheyobserved.DidanyoneseeexamplesofpeoplelovingGod,others,self?KnowingwhatJesusasksofusnow,didyouseeatimewhereyouwishedyoucouldgoandhelpsomeone?

Closewithprayer.

DAY 2: Israel

Bibletext

Exodus17:1-7(Waterinthewilderness)

Waterforall

LUJSAI

Material:Bible

Gatherbysomekindofwatersource,suchasalake,stream,oreventhecampswimmingpool.

Haveeachpersonthinkofatleastonethingthattheyusewaterforeachday.Whatwouldwedowithoutwater?ReadExodus17:1-7aloudandthenhavethegroupthinkoftheotherthingsthatGodprovidesforus.Havecamperssitinacircleandbeginaclosingprayer,thankingGodforallthatwehavebeengiven.GoaroundthecircleandhaveeachpersonsayonethingthattheyarethankfulforthatGodhasgiventothem.Attheend,say“Amen”together.

Goingcamping

LUI

Materials:Tentorsleepingbags

Preparation:Setupacampsitebyputtingupatentorsleepingbagsinaplacewhereyoucouldcampoutforthenight.

Asyousetupyourcampingspot,talkaboutwhatyouneedtogocamping.Whatmightyouneedtotake?Whatwoulditbeliketohavetostayhereforalongtime?

ReadExodus17:1-7andtalkaboutit.HowdoesyourcampsitecomparetowheretheIsraeliteswere?WhatwouldyouneedfromGodtostayhere?HowdoesGodprovideforyou?CloseinprayerthankingGodforallthatyouhavebeengiven.

Gofish

UJSAI

Material:Deckofcards

Teachyourcamperstoplaythecardgame“Gofish”andgivethemsometimetoplay.Afterafewrounds,pointouttocampersthatinorderto“win”thiscardgame,peopleneedtosharetheircardswithothers.ThenreadLuke9:10-17aloud.Afterreadingthepassage,askcamperstodiscussthepassage.

WhatarethedisciplesconcernedaboutwhenJesustellsthemtogivethepeoplesomethingtoeat?

Howmanyfishandloavesofbreadarethereatthebeginning?

Inthepassageitsaysthateveryoneeatsandissatisfied.Howdoyouthinkfiveloavesandtwofishfedeveryone?

Istherefoodremainingattheendofthestory?

Jesussharedthefishandbreadwiththecrowd.SomepeoplesaythattherewasenoughbecausepeoplewatchedJesusshareandthensharedthefoodtheyhadaswell.Havecampersthinkofthingstheyhavetoshare.Closeinprayer.

Jesusismyportion

UJSA

Askyourcampersiftheyknowwhataportionis.Explainthataportionisapartofagiftpeoplereceive.Anotherwayweusethewordportionisthatitisenoughfoodtoserveonepersonatameal.Itisalsoknownasaserving.Askyourcampersiftheyknowhowmanyservingsofwaterapersonshouldhaveeveryday.(Manyexpertssayeightglassesadayarerecommended.)

TheBibletellsusthatJesusisthegiftweallshare!Justlikeweneedfoodtosurvive,weneedJesusandallthegoodgiftshebrings.HavehalfofyourcampersfindandreadPsalm73:23-28.HavetheotherhalfofthegroupfindandreadLamentations3:22-24.Giveeachgrouptimetodecidehowtheywanttoexpressivelysharetheirverseswiththeothergroup.Maybeeachcampercouldreadaverse;maybethewholegroupcouldshout“TheLORD...”andoneindividualcouldreadtherest.Maybethegroupcoulddanceorcreatemovementsasonepersonnarratesthepassage.Comebacktogetherasawholegroupandsharethepassagesandtheirinterpretationswithoneanother.Thendiscussthefollowing:

WhatthingsdoestheauthorofLamentationssayGodprovides?(Love,mercies,faithfulness.)

Howdoesthisgivethespeakerhope?

WhatisthethingthespeakerinPsalmssuggestswillneverfail?

WhatdoesthespeakerinPsalmssayGodprovides?(Guidance,strength.)

SometimesitishardtoseethemanythingsGodprovidesforus.Itishardtowraplove,mercy,andstrengthinaboxlikeagift.Itishardtophysicallytouchorseethesethingsinourlives.Godgivesusmorethanweareawareof,eachandeveryday.

Abundancereminders

LUJSAI

Materials:Journals,pencils

Havecampersfindoneobjectaroundcampthatremindsthemoftheabundanceintheirlives.ItcanalsoremindthemofthegratitudetheyfeelorwanttoshowforGod’sabundantgifts.Remindcampersthatsometimesabundanceishardtonoticeinatimeofsufferingorhardship,butthatGodisstillfaithfulandprovidesforus.Ifpossiblehavecamperstakeasmallitem(likeasmallrockoranythingdetachedfromalivingthing).Iftheobjectislarger,havecampersdrawapicture,doarubbing,oruseanotheralternative.Afterthey findtheirobject,invitecamperstowriteafewsentencesabouthowthiscreatesareminderandwhytheychoseittorepresentGod’sabundanceintheirlives.Thiswillserveasareminderafterthey returnhome.Apossiblewaytowriteabouttheirobjectfollows:“ThisremindsmeoftheabundanceJesusoffers,because....”

Journaling

JSA

Materials:Journals,pensorpencils

Findaplacethatisrelativelyquiet,awayfromothercabingroups.Givecampersafewminutestositinsilenceandlistentowhattheyheararoundthem.

Invitecamperstojournalforabitoftime(10to15minutesmaximum,quietlyandbythemselves)aboutthestoriestheyheardtoday.HowdidGodprovideforIsraelinthewilderness?HowdoesJesuspromisetokeepusfrombeinghungryandthirsty?HowdoyoufeelGodprovidesforyou?WhoissomeoneyouwishcouldseeGod’sabundancemore?Suggestafewoptionsfortheirjournalingtime.Ifthisisthefirsttimecampershavebeenreflectivelysilent,keepencouragingthemtotrytojustwriteandthinkalone.Bepatientwiththem!

Manna—anddependingonGod

UJSA

Intoday’sstory,theIsraelitesarethirstyandangrywithMosesandGodforleadingthemintothedesertwithoutaplanforwater.Whatyoudidn’treadisthepreviouschapter(16),inwhichthepeoplearehungrytothepointofwishingtheyhaddiedinEgypt.Godthenprovidesthemmanna(breadfromheaven).ReadtogetherExodus16:1-4and9-21.

Manna—whichliterallymeans“whatisit”—couldnotbehoardedbecauseitwasdistributedequallyandwouldspoilbythenextday.TheIsraeliteswereforcedtodependonGodfortheirfoodandtheirlivelihoodfor40years.Discussthefollowing:

Whatdoyourelyupon?

Whatcouldyounotgoadaywithout?

WhatdoesitmeantodependonGod?

Theunfairparable

LUJSAI

Materials:Bibles

ReadtogetherMatthew20:1-16.Then,assigncampers(ingroupsofonetothree)toretellthestoryfromacertainperspective—thatofthelandowner,thosewhoworked12hours,thosewhoworked9hours,thoseworked6,thosewhoworked3,andthosewhoworked1.Givegroupsaminuteortwotodiscusshowthey’lltellitbeforehavingthemdoso.Aftersharingthevariousversionsofthestory,discussthefollowing:

WhointhestoryrepresentsGod?

WhatdowelearnaboutGodfromthisparable?

Whoinyourlifelovesyoueventhoughyou’vedonenothingtoearnit?

Whoinyourlifelovesyoueventhoughyou’vehurtthatperson?

God provides

Havethegroupmeetnearawatersourceofsometype.Openwithacampsongandaprayer.HaveavolunteerreadExodus17:1-7.

Say,“Goddoesprovideforuswithallweneed.Weseethisintoday’sreading,evenwhenapersonmaybeaplacewheretheythinkitwouldnotbepossible.Thepartsomewouldargueisthis:‘Noteveryonehasenough!’Thisisverytrue!Godremindsusthough;wearetorememberwhatJesustellsusaboutlovingoneanother.Whenwedothis,allhaveenoughandweseethetrueloveofGod.ThechallengeforustodayistomakesuretheabundancefromGodhelpsallpeople.”

Closewithacampsongandprayer.

SeeingGod’sabundance

Thisisawalkingdevotion.Havethegroupmeetatonepointandwalktoanotherlocation.Beforewalking,haveavolunteerreadLuke12:24-28.

TellthegrouptowalkandlookfordifferentwaysGodprovidesinthisplace.Thesecanbefromnatureorsomethinghuman-made;theydonotneedtobeforhumanseither!Tellthemtobecreative,andthenclarifywheretomeetwhentheyaredone.Dependingontimeconstraints,tellthegrouphowmuchtimetheyhavetogettothemeetingplace.Onceallhavereturned,discusswhattheyfound.Askhowmanythoughtabout thetextwhiletheywerelooking.HowmuchmoredidthatopentheworldtoGod’sabundance?

ClosewithaprayerthankingGodforallthatwehavebeengiven.

DAY 3: Ruth

Bibletext

Ruth1:1-18(RuthandNaomi)

Your peoplewillbemypeople

LUAI

Materials:Bible,constructionpaper,markersorcrayons

ReadRuth1:15-16together.Distributepapertocampersandhavethemwritetheirnamedownthecenter.HaveeveryonethinkofpersonsthatGodhasprovidedtohelpcareforthem.Helpcamperstowritethenamesoftheseindividualsontheirpaper,connectingthenamestotheirnameasiftheywereinacrosswordpuzzle.Forexample,AndreamightusetheDinhernametostart“Dad.”Wheneveryonehasfinished,sharepaperswiththegroup.CloseinprayerbythankingGodforthosewhocareforus.

Helpingothers

LUJSAI

Materials:Bible,blindfolds

GathercampersandreadthestoryofthegoodSamaritanfromLuke10:29-37.Talkaboutthestorytogether.

HowcouldthepriestandtheLevitehavehelpedtheman?

Whydidn’ttheyhelp?

Whatmakesitdifficulttohelpotherssometimes?

Helpcamperstochoosepartners.Giveeachpairablindfoldandhelponepersonputiton.Givetheblindfoldedcamperatask.(Tasksuggestions:carryingsomethingtoanotherlocation,takingapieceoftrashtothegarbagecan,orreturningsomethingthatwasborrowed.)Theirpartnermusthelpthemaccomplishthetaskandmakesurethattheydonotgethurt.Whentaskshavebeenaccomplished,switchroles.Aftereveryonehashadachancetobeblindfolded,talkaboutit.Howdiditfeeltobetheonewhowasbeinghelped?Howdiditfeeltohelpsomeoneelse?

Closeinprayer,thankingGodforopportunitiestohelpothers.

Back-to-backstand

UJSA

Havecamperssitbacktobackwithapartnerontheground.Havepartnerslinkarmsandthentrytostandupwithoutusingtheirhands.Whencampershavedonethissuccessfully,havethemtryitwithfour,six,oreightcampers.Discussthefollowingasagroup:

Howwouldthisactivityhavebeendifferentifyouhadtostanduponyourownwithoutusingyourhands?

Doyouthinkdoingthingswithpeoplemakesthetaskseasierorharder?

Whataboutgroupprojectsatschool?Whatdoyoulikeordislikeaboutthem?

Whathaveyoudonethisweekatcampthatyouneededotherpeopletohelpyouaccomplish?(Paddledacanoe,setupatent,etc.)

Say,“Godhasgivenusgreatgiftsinfamilyandfriends!Godhasbuiltustoliveincommunitywithotherpeople.Whileworkingtogetherisn’talwayseasy,wecan’tgothroughlifebyourselves.Godhasblessedusthroughourfamilyandfriends.Thisweekwehaveourcabingrouptorelyonandbuildcommunitywith.”Closeinprayer.

Leanback

UJSA

Materials:Webbingorstrongrope

Giveyourgroupapieceofwebbingorstrongropetiedinacircle(aboutthesizeofahulahoop).

Havethegroupstandinacirclearoundthewebbing.Havecampersholdontothewebbingwithbothhands.Challengethegrouptoleanbackwhileholdingontotherope.Thegoalisforeveryonetoleanbackatthesametimesotheysupportoneanother.Besuretodesignateafewspottersduringthisactivity.Read1Peter3:8.Discussthefollowing:

Whatwasdifficultaboutthisactivity?

Whatmakeslivingwithothersdifficult?

WhydoyouthinkGodgaveusfamily,friends,andcommunity?

Whatcanwedowithothersthatwecan’tdoonourown?

Howcanotherpeoplehelpusinourfaithjourney?

HowhaveotherpeopleremindedyouoforshownyouGod’slove?

Closeinprayer.

Biblememorization

LUJSAI

Materials:Bibles,indexcards

AskcamperstosharetheirexperiencesmemorizingBibleverses.Askcamperstoconsiderwhymemorizingscripturecouldbeimportantorvaluable.HavetheyexperiencedanytimewhenaBibleversecametomindatanimportanttime?ReadJohn15:13together.Whycouldthisbeanimportantversetohavememorized?Readtheverseincontext,John15:9-17.Discusswhatthemainthemeofthepassageis.ReadJohn15:13aloudagain.Askcamperstoputitintotheirownwords.Nowpracticesayingtheversetogetherseveraltimes,alwaysconcludingwiththe“address”John15:13.Usesmallindexcardstowritetheverse.Encouragecamperstokeeppracticing,evenconsidermakingacodewordtosignalthegrouptorecitetheverse.

ModerndaySamaritans

UJSA

GatherthegroupandreadaloudthestoryofthegoodSamaritan,foundinLuke10:29-37.Givethegroupasetamountoftimetocreateaskitthattellsthestoryinthecontextofyourcampsetting.Encouragethemadaptthescenariotosomethingthatcouldhappenduringtheirtimeatcampthisweek.Ifpossible,setupanopportunitytoperformtheirskitatanall-campworship,acampfire,orjustinfrontofanothergroup.Iftimeallows(orthegroupisreallyexcitedaboutcreatingtheskit),challengethemtocreateaskitsetatschoolorwithinasportsteam.

Inandoutactivity

LUJSAI

Material:Rope

Makeacircleonthegroundwithapieceofrope.Readaloudthequestionsbelow.Foreachone,havecampersstepinsidethecircleiftheiranswertoaquestionisyes,outsidethecircleiftheanswerisno.Camperscanleaveonefootinthecircleifundecided.Addyourownquestionstothefollowing:

Doyoulikepizzawithpineappleonit?

Doyouhaveyourowncellphone?

Haveyoubeenmadefunofbysomeoneatschoolinthelastyear?

Areyousometimesunhappywithhowyoulook?

Areyougoodatplayingasport?

Haveyouevertalkednegativelyaboutsomeonebehindhisorherback?

Doyoulikeyourfamily?

Explainthatweestablishboundariesallthetimeandmakerulesaboutwhois“in”andwhois“out.”ButthroughJesus’life,death,andresurrection,therearenoboundariestoGod’slove.Pickuptherope.NothingcanseparateusfromtheloveofGod—nothowmuchmoneywehave,howpopularweare,orhow“good”weare.

Rootedinwordtowithstandworry

JSA

Materials:Bibles,chalkandchalkboardormarkeranddryeraseboard,ball

Justastreesneedextensive,deeprootstosucknutrientsfromthesoilandtokeepthetree plantedfirmandgrounded,knowingscripturecankeepussteadywhenstormscome.Werelyonwhatwe’reaccustomedtoandwhatwepractice;intimesoftrouble,whatweknowcomestomind andguidesouractions.TheHolySpiritoftenworksthroughGod’swordtoprovidegreatcomfort.

ReadMatthew6:25-34together.Askcampersthefollowing:

Whatconcernswerementionedinthetext?(Whatyou’lleatordrink,whatyou’llwear,clothes,appearances,whowilltakecareofyou.)

Whichofthesethingsdoyouspendtimeworryingorthinkingabout?

Youcanmemorizeverses33and34bywritingtheversesonachalkordryeraseboard.Passaroundaballwhilesingingasong.Yell,“Stop!”atrandom.Whoeverhastheballwhenthesingingstopsgetstoeraseoneortwowordsfromtheverses.

Aftereacherasure,haveeveryonereadtheversesaloudtogether,automaticallyfillinginthemissingwords.Eventually,thewordswillallbegonebutyoushouldknowtheversesbyheart.

Allinthefamily!

Openwithacampsongandaprayer.HaveavolunteerreadRuth1:1-18.

Say,“Godhasblesseduswithallsortsofpeopleinourlives.Fromparentsandgrandparents,toaunts,uncles,brother,andsisters;nottomentionallthefriendswesurroundourselveswithdaily.Wearefriendsbecauseweareconnectedbysomething,andthroughthisareloyaltoeachother.

Thereisnoquotientormaximumnumber.Themorepeopleinourlives,themorelovewehavetoshare!Itisachallengetofindmorefriendsandgetmorelove!”

Closewithacampsongandaprayer.

HowbigGod’sfamilyis!

Thisdevotionisfortheeveningwhenthestarsareout.Havethegroupgatherinaspacewherethereisaclearviewofthestars.Thegroupcaneithersitorlaydowninadarkareaofthecamp.

HavetheleaderreadPsalm148:1-12,byflashlight,whilethegroupislookingupatthesky.AfterthereadinghavethegroupthinkabouthowvastGod’sfamilyisandhoweverythingisconnected.Theynumberlikethestars!Discusstheirthoughtsandideas.

Closewithaprayer.

DAY 4: Jonah

Bibletext

Jonah4:1-11(JonahandGod)

Abadmemory?

LUJSAI

Material:Deckofcards

Havesomeoneshufflethedeckofcardsandlaythemallfacedownontheground.Havecamperstaketurnsturningovertwocardstoseeifthenumbersmatch.Ifacamperpickstwothatmatch,thecampersgettokeepthem.Ifthecardsdonotmatch,turnthemoveragain.Keepplayinguntilallthepairshavebeenfound.Talkaboutmemory.Whatmadeitdifficulttorememberwherecardswere?Diditgeteasierasthegamewenton?WhatdoyouthinkGod’smemoryislike?

ReadPsalm103:1-5.WhatdoesthissayaboutGod’sforgiveness?WhosesinsdoesGodforget?Closeinprayer,thankingGodfortheforgivenessofoursins.

TheLord’sPrayerinaction

LUJSAI

TeachtheLord’sPrayertoyourcampers.Itmaybefamiliartosomecampers.

OurFatherinheaven,

Hallowedbeyourname.

Yourkingdomcome.

Yourwillbedone,

onearthasinheaven.

Giveustodayourdailybread.

Forgiveusoursins,

asweforgivethosewhosinagainstus.

Saveusfromthetimeoftrial.

Anddeliverusfromevil.

Forthekingdom,thepower,andthegloryareyours,nowandforever.Amen.

Thenasagroup,makeupmotions.Usethisasawaytoactivelypraywithyourgroupfortherestofyourtimetogether.

Eastandwest

LUJSAI

Materials:Bible,compasses

Havecampersworkingroupsoftwoorthree. Giveeachsmallgroupacompass.Teachcampersthefourdifferentpointsonthecompass:north,south,eastandwest.Considersendingcampers onatreasurehunttoaparticularlocationatcamp,possiblysomewherethathasasymbolrelatedtoGod’sforgivenesspresent,suchaswateroracross.Otherwiseyoucansimplyhavecamperspracticeusingacompassbygivingdirectionssuchas“Gotwentystepstotheeast.”Aftercampershavearrivedatthetreasurehuntlocationorhadtimetopracticeusingthecompasses,gatherasawholegroup.ReadaloudPsalm103:11-12.Discussthefollowing:

Whatisatransgression?

Howfaristheeastfromthewest?

WhatdoesitmeanforusthatGodwouldremoveourtransgressions?

WhydoyouthinkGodforgivesus?

Closeinprayer.

Flushit

UJSA

Materials:Bibles,toiletpaper(onesquarepercamper),markers

ReadMatthew6:5-15together.Readtheprayerasecondtime,butthistimereadtheaccountfoundinLuke11:1-4.DiscusstheThirdPetitionoftheLord’sPrayertogether.

WhatdoesitmeantoyouthatGodforgivesus?

WhydoyouthinktheLord’sPrayerincludes“asweforgiveothers”?

Whichdoyouthinkishardertodo:believethatGodforgivesyounomatterwhatorforgiveotherpeople?

WhydoyouthinkJesusgavehisfollowersandustheLord’sPrayer?

Giveeachcamperapieceoftoiletpaper.Havecampersuseafeltmarkertowritesomethingtheywantforgivenessfor.Gotoarestroomandflushthetoiletpaperaway!ClosewiththeLord’s Prayer.

Forgivenessrocks

LUJSAI

Materials:Medium-sizedrocks(2-3percamper),chalkboardpaint,chalk

Washanddryrocksthoroughly;paintrockscompletelywithchalkboardpaint;waitforthemtodry.Ifdesired,youcanmakeyourownchalkboardpaintusinglaytexoracrylicpaintofanycolorandnon-sandedgrout.(Mix1cup[.25l]ofpaintwith2tablespoons[30ml]ofgrout,thenmixtogetherwellinacontainer.)Whyisitsohardtoforgivesomanytimes,asJesuscommanded?(Weareselfishanddon’tliketobehurt.)Howdoyouremembertoforgiveothers?(Prayer,remindersbyothers;itfeelsbadtobemadorangryatanother.)Whentherocksdry,showcampersthattheycanwriteanactionoranamethatneedsforgivenesswiththechalkontheirrocks.Rockscanbeusedforprayerandthenwipedoffordippedinwatertosignifythatcampershavechosenforgiveness.

Journaling

JSA

Findaplacethatisrelativelyquiet.Givecampersafewminutestositinsilenceandlistentowhattheyheararoundthem.Invitecamperstojournalforabitoftime(10to15minutesmaximum,quietlyandbythemselves)aboutthestoriestheyheardtoday.Askthemtothinkspecificallyaboutforgiveness.HowdoesitfeeltoknowthatGodforgivescompletely?

Point-of-viewphotohunt

UJSAI

Materials:Pens,camera,scavengerhuntpictureclose-ups,computer,printer

Preparation:Thisactivityrequiresabitofpreparationwork.You’llneedtotakeclose-uppicturesofthingsaroundcamp.(Forexample,takeapictureoftheknobsonabathroomsinkoraropethat’sattachedtoasailboat.)Savethepicturesonacomputer,printthemallononesheetofpaperandmakecopies.

Dividethegroupintoteams.Giveeachteamonesheetofpaperwithclose-uppicturesonitandchallengethemtofindwherethepicturesweretaken.Askthemtowritebeloweachpicturewhateachobjectisorwhereitwastaken.Theycandothephotohuntinanyordertopreventthemfromrunningintoeachother.Whenthedesignatedtimeisdone,gatherbacktogether.Afterthephotohunt,discussthefollowing:

Thatactivitywascalled“Pointofview.”Whydoyouthinkitwascalledthat?

Inwhatwayswasyourviewpointofascenelimitedbytheinitialpicturethatyoureceived?

Whenhaveyoumadeadecisionorjudgmentcallbasedonlimitedinformationorexperience?

HaveyoubeenangrywithGodbeforefornotgivingyouananswerorwhatyouneededwhen(orinthewaythat)youwantedit?

Isthereatimewhenyoufinallysawthe“bigpicture”alongtimeaftersomethinghappened?

HowcanweknowthatGodcaresaboutus,ifwecan’tseethebigpicture?

Forgiveness

Openwithacampsongandaprayer.HaveavolunteerreadMatthew18:21-35.

Say,“Seventytimesseven.Jesustalksabouthowmanytimeswearetoforgivesomeone.

Jesusshowedushowmuchhebelievedinforgiveness—evenonthecross:‘...Forgivethemfortheydonotknowwhattheyaredoing’(Luke23:34).Forgivenessisnoteasy.Godlovesallpeopleandthewholeworld.WearetoreflectthatlovetoeachotherandtoforgiveasGodhasdoneforus.OurchallengeistobemorelikeJesusandforgiveasheshowedus.”

ClosewithacampsongandthenhavethegroupreadMatthew6:9-13.

WatchingGod’shandsinaction

Havecampersfindacompostpile,adecomposinglog,oranotherplacewherenatureisbreakingdownmaterials.Getupcloseandtakealookattheinsectsthatarehelpingwiththedecomposition.

ReadJonah4:10-11asthegroupislookingatthearea.Havethemthinkaboutthelittlecrittersbusybreakingdownthismaterial.Iftheywerenothere,wewouldnothavesoilforourplantsto growin.Godloveseachandeveryoneofthesecritters.JustthinkabouthowmuchmoreGodlovesus.

Closeinprayer.

DAY 5: Jeremiah

Bibletext

Jeremiah1:4-10(Jeremiah’scall)

Circleoflove

LUJSAI

Materials:Candle,matchesorlighter

Gatheryourgroupandhavethemsitinacircle.Lightthecandleandplaceitinthecenterofthecircle.Goaroundthecircleandhaveeachpersonsayonethingthattheylikeabouteachperson.

ReadJohn15:12-17andclosewithprayer.

Calledtolove

Materials:Paper,markersorcrayons

Giveeachcamperapieceofpaper.Invitecamperstowritetheirnamegoingdowntheleftsideofthepaper.Asagroup,helpeachpersonthinkofwaysthattheycanshowGod’sloveforothersthatstartwitheachletteroftheirname.Forexample,Saramightstartbywriting“Sittingwithnewkidsatschool”afterthefirstSinhername.Dariusmightwrite,“Donatingfoodtopeoplewhoarehungry”aftertheDinhisname.ReadJohn15:12-17andthencloseinprayer,askingGodforhelpinsharinglovewithothers.

Go—makedisciples!

LUJSAI

Materials:Balloons,tape,straws,string,stopwatch

Giveeachcamperaballoon,acouplepiecesoftape,andastraw.Havecamperstapetheirstrawstotheirballoons.Tieoneendofastringtoasupportsuchasatreeorachair.Haveacamperthreadtheotherendofthestringthroughtheirstraw.Tapethisendofthestringtoanothersupportorsimplyholdit.Thenblowuptheballoon.Onceblownup,donottieaknotattheend.

Instead,releasetheballoon,watchingitzoomtotheotherendofthestring.Dependingonyourgroup,youmighthaveseveralstringlinessetupformultiplecampersto“balloonrace”atthesametime.Youmightalsoconsiderusingastopwatchtotimeeachballoonifyouarejustlaunchingoneballoonatatime.Aftertheballoonraces,readMatthew28:16-20.

Say,“Afteraweekatcamp,itcanbeeasyto wanttostayhere.We’vehadpowerfulexperiencesgrowingclosertooneanotherandGod.GodasksustogooutintotheworldandsharewhatweknowaboutJesus.Jesustellshisfollowerstogo!”Closeinprayer.

Sendingoutceremony

JSA

Findalocationonyoursitethatisclosetotheplacefromwherecampersdepart.Remindcampersthatinawhiletheywillbeleavingthisplaceandheadingbackhome.ReadJeremiah’scallfromJeremiah1:4-5toremindcamperswhatGodsaidtoJeremiah.Taketurnswitheachcamper,eitherinacircleorhavingthemcometothefrontofthegroup.SendthemoutbasedonthewordsofJeremiah1:4-5.Forexample,youcouldsay,“Katie,Godsaystoyou:beforeIformedyouinthewombIknewyou,beforeyouwerebornIsetyouapart;Ihaveappointedyoutobesentouttothenations,sharingmylovewitheveryoneyoumeet.”

Ifitworkswellwithyourgroup,allowforothercamperstoshareastrengthorpositiveattributeofthepersonbeingsentout,affirmingthattheyarenottooyoungtochangetheworld!Endyourtimeprayingtogether,formingafriendshipcircle again.Astheleaderorcounselor,prayforeachofyourcampersbyname,sendingthemoutagainfromyourcamptotheirhomes.

Maketheconnection

JSA

WhattwodaysthisweekdidwetalkaboutJohn15:13?Thisweekheldalotoflove:LovingGodfirst,lovingothers,andlovingourselves.We knowthatGodislove(1John4:8).WelovebecauseGodfirstlovedus(1John4:19).LoveisintheBible686times,andweknowwhenthingsareintheBiblealot,weshouldpayattention!TheBeatleswroteasongcalled,“AllYouNeedIsLove.”Ifyourgroupknowsthesong,singthechorustogether.

Askcamperswhatresultscomefrombeinglovingpeople.(Forgiveness,service,loyalty,recognizingabundance.)Usethisquestiontoreviewthethemesfromtheweekandthepeoplewhotaughtthoselessonswiththeirlives.ReadMark12:29-30andremindcampersoftheGreatCommandmentJesusspokeabout.Askcamperstotaketurnssharingonelessonornuggettheywanttotakehome,somethingthattheywanttorememberaftertheyleavecamp.Affirmeachcamper’stake-awayandencouragethemtotellsomeoneathomesothattheycanberemindedofitinthedaysandweeksahead.

Fill-inlovechapter

JSA

Materials:Bibles,pencils,copiesofincompletepassagebelow,listofmissingwords

Giveeachcamperapencilandasheetofpaperwiththefollowingparaphraseof1Corinthians13:1-8.Havecampersspreadoutandfillintheblanksontheirownquietly.Therearenorightanswers;theobjectisnottore-createtheoriginalpassage.Wheneveryoneisready,gatherthembacktogetherandshareyourversionsofthispartofthe“lovechapter.”

IfIhavealltheabilitytotalkabout, butdon’tloveothers,thenIamnothingbutabigmouth.IfIhadallthepowerto ,butdidn’tloveothers,thenmylifemeansnothing.IfIunderstandeverythingabout ,butdon’tsharelove,Iknownothing.IfIgiveawayeverythingtothepoorandevensacrificemybody,Icouldboastaboutit;butdon’tloveGod’speople,thenI .Loveispatient;loveiskind;loveis .Lovenever .

Godactsfirst

LUJSAI

Readthefollowingstatements.Foreachone,askcamperswhichBiblestoryordayofthepastweekmatchesthestatement.

Godprovidesandprotects.(Day2:Waterinthewilderness.)

Godforgivesallpeople.(Day4:JonahandGod.)

Godchooses.(Day1:CovenantwithAbraham.)

Godlovesallpeople.(Day3:RuthandNaomi.)

Godsendsusandworksthroughus.(Day5:Jeremiah’scall.)

EmphasizethatGodactsfirstineachofthesestories,andinvitesustorespond.WeloveothersbecauseGodlovesusfirst.Wedonotlove,forgive,andserveothersinordertoearnGod’slove;wedothesethingsbecauseGodlovesus.Weactinresponse.

InvitecamperstotalkabouttheirfavoriteBiblestoryorcharacterfromtheweek.

We are onebody

Openwithacampsongandaprayer.Haveavolunteerread1Corinthians12:14-20.

Say,“WeareallpartofonebigbodyofGod!

Thegiftsyouhavearepartofthisbody;nomatterhowsmallyoumaythinkthegiftsare.Ifweallshareourgiftstogether,justthinkaboutwhattheworldGodhasgivenuswouldbelike.Aswepreparetoleavethisplace,thechallengeistotakethegiftsyouhavebeenblessedwithandusethemtohelptheworld.”

Closewithacampsongandaprayer.

Don’tforgettopack

Havethegroupmeetwherepeoplearegettingstuffpackedup(parkinglot,cabinarea,mainlodge,etc.).

ReadaloudDeuteronomy6:5-9whilethegroupisstandingofftothesideandwatchingthecommotionandbusynesstakingplace.Askthegroupwhatthistextmeanstothemnow.Afterthegroupresponds,havethegroupgoandhelpwiththedifferentcleaningorpackingdutiesthecommunityisgettingdone.Afterhelpingforawhile,havethegroupcomebacktogether.Findoutwhatthingstheyshouldremembertopackandtakehome!

Closewithprayer.