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DevotionalsSummer Camp
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Devotional time: Courage (DaviD anD goliath)
objeCt: a small bag Containing five smooth stonesVerse: Thenhetookhisstaffinhishand,chosefivesmoothstonesfromthestream,putthemin the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine. 1 Samuel 17:40 (NIV)
WhatdoyouthinkIhaveinthislittlebag?Well,let’stakealookandsee.Hmm...howaboutthat...itissomerocks.Fivesmoothstones.DothesefivesmoothstonesremindyouofaBiblestory?WhenIthinkoffivesmoothstones,IthinkofthestoryofDavidandGoliath.IamgoingtotellyouastoryaboutaboynamedDavid,whousedstonesjustlikethese,toconquerhisfearandhelphimfindcourage.Now,therewasamightywarriornamesGoliath,whowasmorethanninefeettall!Hewasprotectedfromheadtotoebyasuitofarmormadeofbronze.Hisarmoraloneweighedmorethanonehundredpoundsandhewasarmedwitha sword and spear.
David,on theotherhand,wasayoungshepherdboy.Hehadnoarmorforprotection. Itwouldhavebeenmuchtooheavyforhimtocarry.Andhowaboutaswordandspear?No,David’sweaponwasaslingandhisammunitionwasfivesmoothstoneswhichhepickedupfromanearbystream.Andyet,Davidwasabletodefeatagiantthatallofthesoldiersofthe Israelite army were afraid to face.
Youand ImayneverfaceagiantsuchasGoliath,butwefacegiantsofanotherkind inourdaily life.Wefacegiantssuchasfear, insecurity, loneliness,andfailure.Howcanweovercomethosegiantsthatwanttodefeatus?ThesefivestonescanhelpustorememberthestoryofhowDaviddefeatedthegianthefaced.Theyandalsohelpustoknowhowwecandefeat the giants which we face.
•ThefirststonerepresentsCOURAGE-Davidwasnotafraidtofacetheenemy.“Don’tworryaboutathing,”DavidtoldSaul.“I’llgofightthisPhilistine!”(1Samuel17:32NLT)Italsotakescouragetofightthegiantsyouwillfaceinyourlife.Whataretimesthatweneedcourageinoureverydaylives?
•ThesecondstonerepresentsCONFIDENCE-Asashepherd,Davidoftenhad toprotectthesheepfromwildanimals.Thisgavehimtheconfidenceheneededtofacethegiant.“TheLORDwhosavedmefromtheclawsofthelionandthebearwillsavemefromthisPhilistine!”(1Samuel17:37NLT)LikeDavid,youcanhaveconfidencethatGodwillhelpyouovercometheproblemsyoufaceeachday.Whatisbeingconfidentmeantoyou?
•ThethirdstonerepresentsPREPARATION-Daviddidn’tgotofacethegiantunprepared.Hewentdowntothestreamandpickedoutfivesmoothstonesandputtheminhisshepherd’sbag.Then,armedwithhisshepherd’sstaffandsling,hestartedouttofightGoliath.(1Samuel17:40NLT)Itisimportantforyoutodoeverythingpossibletobecertainyouarepreparedtofacethechallengeswhichyouwillmeetinyourdailylife.Howdidwepreparetoday?
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•ThefourthstonerepresentsTRUST-Daviddidnottrustinhisownabilitytoslaythegiant.WhenGoliathshoutedatDavid,cursedhim,andwasreadytokillhim,Davidsaid,“Youcometomewithaswordandspear,butIcometoyouinthenameoftheLORDGodAlmighty.”(1Samuel17:45NLT)Whenyoufaceproblems,putyourtrustinGod,notinyourownability.Whoaresomepeoplewetrust?Whocanwealwaystrustin?GOD!
•ThefifthstonerepresentsVICTORY-“ItisGod’sbattle,notours,”Davidsaid.ThatiswhyDavidwasabletowinthevictoryoverthegiantwithonlyastoneandsling.(1Samuel17:50NLT)WhenyouturnyourbattlesovertoGod,youwillhavethevictoryoverthegiantsinyourlife.Whataresomevictoriousmomentsyouhaveallhadsofar?Maybeyouwonasoccergame?Maybeperformedreallywellinaschoolplay?
So,thenexttimeyouarefacingagiant inyourlife,andwhatcanwethinkoftogiveuscourage?CanwethinkofDavid’sstory?CanyouallcloseyoureyeswhileIsayaprayerforsomecourage?
“DearFather,justasyougaveDavidthevictoryinhisbattlewithGoliath,weknowthatwhenweputourtrustinyou,youwillgiveusthecourageweneedtofaceourfearsinourdailylife.Amen.”
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MONDAY
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Devotional time: using your voiCe (the story of moses)
Wholovestosing?WholovestoYELL!!Wholovestotalk?Well,wearegoingtotalktodayalittleaboutwhatwecandowhenweuseourvoices!LetmetellyouastoryaboutamannamesMoses!
AnewkingwhowascalledPharaohcameintopowerinEgypt.Hedidn’tlikeitthattherewere somany Israelites and he thought theywould oneday take over the land. So hedecidedtomakealltheIsraelitesintoslaves.Hemadethemworkfromearlyinthemorningtill lateatnightdoingveryhardwork.Pharaohdidall thisandhestillwasn’thappy.TheIsraelites were still growing in number so he decided to make a law. If any boys were born to theIsraeliteshewouldhavethemkilled.TherewasababywhowouldbenamedMoseswholivedthere.Hisparents,infearforhislife,madeastrongbasketandplacedMosesinthisbasketinsometallgrassintheNileriver.Pharaoh’sdaughterfoundthebasketandopenedit,andshedecidedtokeephimasherown.AfterMoseshadgrownup,andwasprobablya little older than your parents, he was getting fed up with how his people were treated byPharaoh.Theystillhadtoworksohardalltheseyearslater.OnedayMosessawanEgyptianhurtingaHebrew,oneofhisownpeople,andhebecamesoupsetthathekilledtheEgyptian.AfterthatMoseshadtorunawayfromEgyptbecausethePharaohfoundoutwhathe’ddoneandwasveryangrywithMoses.Mosesleft,andfoundahomeoutsideofthecity.
NowMoseswasoutlookingaftersomesheepandafterawhileendedupnearahill,whenhenoticedabushonfire.Mosessatandwatcheditforawhilebecausesomethingwasn’tright.Thebushwascompletelyonfire,butitwasn’tburningupthebush;therewasnosmoke,justfire.Mosesdecidedtogetcloserandtakeabetterlook.Asheapproachedthebushavoicecamefromtheinsideofit,“Moses!Moses!”MosesthoughtthatthismightbeGod,afterallwhoelsecouldspeakfromabushthatwasonfire,butwasn’tburning.Mosesreplied,“Iamhere.”HecontinuedtowalkclosertothebushbutashegotcloserGodsaidtohim,“IhaveseenallthepainmypeoplehavehadtogothroughinEgypt.Ihaveheardtheirprayersandwanttosavethemfromtheirslavery.Iwanttotakethemtoanotherplacewherethereislotsofgoodlandandplentyofmilkandhoney.SoMoses,IamsendingyoutofreetheIsraelitesfromPharaoh.”“Um,pardonmeGodbutIthinkyourtalkingtothewrongperson.ThisisjustmeMosesI’mjustaregularguy,Pharaohwon’tlistentome,”Mosessaidindisbelief.
AndGodsaid,“Iwillbewithyouandwillhelpyou.Don’tworrytheywilllistentoyou.ButbepatientbecausePharaohwon’tlistenatfirst,butafterthathewillletyougo.”Mosesstilldidn’tthinkhewastherightmanforthejob.“GodwhatiftheIsraelitesdon’tbelieveme,whatiftheysay,‘Ithinkyou’relying,Goddidn’ttalktoyou.’”FinallyGodsaidtoMoses,“IwillsendyourbrotherAaron,infactheisalreadyonhiswaytoseeyou.Iwillhelpbothofyou,andgiveyouthewordstosay.”AfterthatthebushstoppedburningandGodwasgone.
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SoMoseswentoff tofreetheIsraelites,usinghisvoicetohelpothersfindfreedom,withGodshelp.DidMosesbelievethatthepeoplewouldlistentohimatfirst?WhohelpedMosesbelieveinhisvoice?Doyouthinkhecanhelpususeourvoicestoo?Lateron,MosesgoestoEgypt,andgoingtoPharaohmanytimessaying“Letmypeoplego”,hewasabletofreealltheslavesunderPharaoh!Canyoubelievethat?Onepersonfreedallthosepeople!Moseswas justa regularguy,buthisvoice saved the livesof somanypeople.Weare regularpeoplearen’twe?ButwithGod’shelp,ourvoicescanchangetheworld!Let’skeepusingourvoicesaswecontinuethroughtherestofourweek!
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TUESDAY
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Devotional time: Change (the story of saul)
Howmanyofyouhavemovedbefore?Howmanyofyouwentfromasmallbed,toabiggerbed?Changeshappenallthetime,right?Somechangesareeasy,andsomecanbehardright?Let’stalkaboutachangethathappenedtoamannamesSaul.
SaulwasanangrymanwhodidnotlikeChristiansatall.Heyelledandscreamedatthem.Hemadenastythreats.Hebeatthemandsometimesevenkilledthem.Saulwasdefinitelynotamananyonewouldwanttotrytobefriend.Onthisparticularday,Saulwastravelingto thecityofDamascus.Hewantedthe leadersof thecity togivehimpermission tohurtmoreChristians.Asheandhisfriendsweremakingtheirwayalongthedustyroad,discussingwhat they were going to say to the leaders, and bragging about how happy they would be toreceivepermissiontopersecutetheChristians,whensuddenly...fromoutofheaven,camethebrightestlightSaulhadeverseen.ThelightsurroundedHim.Hetriedtocoverhiseyestoshieldthelight,butitwassobrightthatitstillhurthiseyes.Hefelldownonthegroundtryingtogetawayfromit.Thenheheardavoice.Itwasunlikeanyvoicehehadeverheard,saying,“SAUL!SAUL!Whydoyouwanttopersecuteme?”Saul,notrecognizingthevoice,said,“Whoareyou?”
Theanswercameback,“IamJesus.”
Ofcourse,Saulwasterriblyafraid.Hewasshakingandtremblingandcouldhardlyspeak.Inaweakvoicehesaid,“Lord,whatshouldIdo?”Jesusreplied,“Gointothecity,andsomeonewill meet you and tell you what to do.”
WhenSaulwasabletogetupofftheground,heuncoveredhiseyes,buthecouldn’tseeanything. The light was so bright it had blinded him. For three whole days he couldn’t see anythingatall.WhileallofthiswashappeningontheroadoutsidethecityofDamascus,somethingelsewashappeninginsidethecity.TherewasaChristianmannamedAnaniaswholovedtheLordverymuch.Godspoketohiminavision,tellinghimtogodownthestreettofindSaul.Now,AnaniashadheardallthestoriesaboutSaulandhewasn’tveryfondofthisplan.AnaniasspoketotheLord:“Whatifhehurtsme?WhatifheevenwantstoKILLme?Areyousureaboutthis,Lord?”IwouldbescaredifIwasAnaniastoo,wouldn’tyou?
TheLordspoketoAnaniasagain,reassuringhimthateverythingwouldbefine.AnaniasfoundthehousewhereSaulwasstayingandwentinforavisit.Whilehewasthere,heprayedforSaulandtheblindnesslefthim.TheLordhealedhimsohecouldseeagain.SaulstayedinDamascuswith theChristians.Hebecamegoodfriendswith themandlearnedfromthem.Itwasn’tlongbeforeSaulbecameapreacherteachingpeopleaboutJesus.Everyonewasamazed!Theycouldn’tbelievethatthiswasthesamepersonthathadhatedthemsomuchand wanted to kill them.
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DidyouallseeabigchangethatSaulwentthroughduringthisstory?Cananyonetellmewhatthatchangewas?Haveanyofyouhadtodealwithchange?Aswegrowup,wehaveto deal with a lot of changes, which can be scary, but we can look back on this story and see how change is good. Change helps us grow into better people!
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WEDNESDAY
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Devotional time: forgiveness (the story of joseph anD his brothers)
Haveanyofyoubeeninafight.Maybewithmomordad,orafriend?Maybeyousaidsomethingyoudidn’tmean,andwantedtotakeitback?Ormaybesomeonesaidsomethingthathurtyourfeelings,andlatercamebacktosaytheyweresorry?ThisisthestoryaboutayoungmannamedJosephwhoalsohadhisfeelingshurt.Let’sfindoutwhathedid!
Josephhadelevenbrothers;andonlyhadonebrotheryoungerthanhim.Canyouimaginehavingelevenbrotherstoplaywith,orfightwith?BecauseJosephwasoneoftheyoungestsons,hisfatherspentmoretimewithhim,andhebecameveryspecialtohim.SohisDadhadaspecialrobemadeforJoseph.Sortoflikeaspecialjacket.Itwasverybeautifulandhadeverycoloryoucouldimagineinit.AllofJoseph’solderbrotherssawthisandtheygotveryjealous.TheythoughthisfatherlikedJosephmorebecausehegotthespecialcoat.Hisbrotherssaid.“Doyouthinkthatyouarebetterthanallofus?Doyouthinkthatwewouldeverbowdowntoyou?”Oneday,Josephcametothem,theytookoffhisbeautifulrobeandtheythrewhiminanemptywell.AlittlewhilelateragroupofpeoplecamebythatwerewantingtosellsomethingsinEgypt.Oneofthebrothersspokeup,“Whydon’twesellhimtothesepeople,thiswayweneverhavetoseehimagain.”Theotherbrotherslikedthisidea,sotheysoldhimtoanassistanttothePharaohofEgypt.Therestofthebrotherstoldtheirfather,thatananimalkilledJoseph.AndtheirDadcriedformanydays,somuchthatnobody could comfort him.
NowJosephhadstartedoutasaslave,buttheLordwaswithJosephandHehelpedhimdoeverythingright.SothePharaoh’sassistantmadehimhishelper,andputhiminchargeofeverythingthatheowned.OnedayJosephupsettheassistant,andwassenttojail.AfterJosephhadbeeninjailforsometimenow,hemetacupbearerandbaker.Onenighteachofthemhadadream.TheytoldtheirdreamstoJosephandhetoldthecupbearerthathewouldsoonbefreedoutofjail.“PleasetellPharaohaboutme,andaskhimtogetmeoutofhere.”Josephsaid.WhenthecupbearerwasfreedheforgotaboutwhatJosephdid.
SoJosephstayedinjailfortwomoreyears.UntilonedaythePharaohhadadream,andnobodycouldexplainittohim.ThecupbearerthenrememberedwhatJosephhaddoneforhim,andJosephwasbroughttoPharaoh.“Canyouunderstanddreams?”Pharaohasked.“Ican’t,butGodhelpsme.”Josephreplied.AfterPharaohhadtoldhimhisdreamJosephexplained,“Godiswarningyou.Therewillbesevenyearswhennothingwillgrowandtherewon’tbeanyfoodforanyone.”“WhatcanIdo?”Pharaohasked.“Godhasshownyouwhattodo.Therewillbesevenyearsbeforethebadyearsthatwillbeverygood;sogoodthattherewillbeextrafoodforeveryone.Soyoushouldsavealittlebitofeachyears’harvest.Thatwayyouwillhaveenoughtogetyouthroughthebadyears.”Josephsaid.
PharaohbelievedallthatJosephtoldhim,andputhiminchargeofallthelandofEgypt.PeoplecamefromallcountriestobuygrainfromJoseph,becausethewholeworldwasinneedof food. Someof thosepeoplewere Joseph’s brothers. When his brothers came,Josephrecognizedthem,buttheydidnotknowwhohewas. (Ithadbeenover10years
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since they had seen him). The brothers all bowed to him because he was an important person. AfterafewmeetingswithhisbrothershecouldnotkeepitinanylongerandJosephsaidtohisbrothers,“IamJoseph!Ismyfatheralive?”Buthisbrotherscouldn’tanswerhimbecausetheywereafraid.ThenJosephsaid,“Comehere.Iamyourbrother,theoneyousold!Donotworry,anddonotbeangryatyourselvesforsellingme,becauseGodhasputmeheretosavepeoplefromstarving.”Sohisfather,hisbrothers,andtheirfamiliescametoliveinEgyptwithJoseph,andtheyhadallthefoodtheyneeded.
Wow!Whatastory!WhydoyouthinkJosephforgavehisbrothers?Doyouthinkthatwaseasyforhim?Whatwouldforgivingsomeonebehard?Isitgoodtoforgiveothers,evenifitshard?Sohowcouldweapplythathereatcamp?
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THURSDAY
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Devotional time: sharing goDs story
TheBibletellsusthatloveisfromGodandthatGodislove.TheneatthingaboutGod’sloveisthatit’snotafeelingtohim,hecan’tfalloutoflovewithus.Helovesusevenwhenwe’renotloveableandwhenwe’regrumpyordoingbadthings.Helovesallofusnomatterwhat.ThetrickypartislovingotherslikeGodlovesus.God’sloveismuchdifferentthanthemushykissy stuff that you see on TV or all around you. It’s not bad to be mushy with your family butsometimesitshardertoshowotherpeoplehowyoulovethem.Wecan’tjustgoaroundkissingeveryonetoshowthemourlove!Thereisaspecialkindoflovewecanhaveforothers,it’scalledagapelove.Thisdoesn’thavetobemushylove,justseepeopleasGodwouldseethem.PretendforadaythatyouhavespecialglassesonandthateveryoneyouseeyoulovejustbecauseGodlovesthem,likethewayyouloveamomordad,brotherorsister.I’msureyou’llrunintosomebodyyoudon’tthinkdeservesyourloveoryoujustdon’twanttoloveatall,butGodlovesthemandifweloveGodwearesupposedtolovethemtoo.
Whodoyoulove?Letthemanswer.
Whoexactlyarewesupposedtolove?
*LoveGod*Loveyourself*Loveyourfamily*Loveyourfriends*Loveyourneighbors*Loveyourenemies
WhataresomewaysthatwecanloveGod?Letthemanswer.It’snotashardasyouthink.Howdoyoushowothersyoulovethem?Wetalktothem,trytogettoknowthembetter,listentothem,andsometimeswedothingsforthem.WecandoallthesethingsforGod.WemightnotbeabletotouchHimbutwecanpraytoGod,readtheBibleandlearnabouthim,obeyHimanddothethingsheasksustodo.Wearealsosupposedtoloveourselves.Thisdoesn’tmeanthatweshouldthinkwe’rebetterthaneverybodyelse.WegetthisfromaBibleversethat says do for others as you would want them to do for you. This means we should take careofourselves.Thingslikelookingbeforewecrossthestreet,eatingourvegetables,andgettingagoodsleepatnightarewayswecandothat.Rememberthatifyou’reaChristiantheSpiritofGodlivesinsideusandhewantsustotreatourselveswithrespect.
Lovingourfamilyishopefullyprettyeasy.Eventhoughwegetmadatourparentssometimesbecausetheydon’tletusdosomething,westilllovethem.Justrememberthatyouarepartofafamilyandnothingwilleverchangethat.Youshouldalwaysbeabletodependoneachotherandthey’llbetheonestotellyouthetruthbeforeanyoneelse.Lovingourfriendsshouldbe easy because we pick the people we want to be friends with. The thing is, sometimes when wedisagreewithourfriendswethinkwedon’thavetobetheirfriendanymore,butGod’slovewouldaskustoforgivethemandtrytoworkthingsout.
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Howmanyofyouhaveneighbors?Areyourneighborsonlythosethatlivenextdoor?Letthemanswer.Neighborsaren’t just thepeoplewholivenexttoyoubutareeveryoneyoumight run into. I don’t want to encourage you to run up to strangers, but think about helping otherswithlove.Byhelpinganelderlyladywhoneedshelpwithhergroceries,returningawalletfoundonthestreet,orevenprayingforpeopleonthenewsthatareintroublearejustafewwaystoloveaneighbor.Ihopeyoudon’thaveanyenemiesbuttherewillalwaysbesomeonethatyoudon’tgetalongwithorbelievestheoppositeofwhatyoubelieve.ByaskingforGod’shelpwewillbeabletoloveourenemieseasierwhenwejustcan’tdoitonour own.
LearningtolovelikeGodtakesalongtimeandtakesGod’shelp.It’seasiertolovethantohate,sohavelotsoffunlearningtoloveGodandeveryonearoundyou!
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FRIDAY
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Devotional time: bravery (goD gives me Courage)
Hasfeareverscaredyou,madeyouafraidtodosomethingormakeadecision?Howdoyoutrytobattleyourfears? Let’stalkaboutayoungjewishgirlnamedEsther,whohadtofindcouragethroughherfear.ThekingoftheMedesandPersians,searchedforanewqueen.Esther,ayoungorphan,wasamongthewomenthekingorderedbroughttothepalace.EstherdidnotrevealheridentitytoKing,yettheKingchoseherasqueen.Atthistime,therewasaplottohurtalltheJewsinthekingdom.OneoftheKingsofficersapproachedthekingandinformedhimthattheJewsdidnotkeeptheking’slaws.HeconvincedtheKingthatthiswastrue.WhenEstherlearnedof this news, she knew that if she did nothing, she risked death along with all her countrymen inthekingdom.ShewonderedwhatifGodhadelevatedEsthertoherpositionasqueenforthespecificpurposeofhelpingsaveherpeopleatthiscriticaltime?(Esther4:13-14).
Whatadecision for suchayoungwoman!Death seemedcertain regardlessofwhat shedecided.Shemusthaveprayedandagonizedoverherdecision.Shewassickenedwithfearfor herself and her people.
In themidst of her turmoil, Esther realized she could notallow fear toparalyze her intoinaction;thatinitselfwouldbeadecision.Instead,shelefttheoutcomewithGod.Itwasclearshe had only one real choice.
EstherknewshedidnothavethecouragewithinherselftofacetheKing.Butshedidknowwheretogoforthecourageshelacked.(whodoyouthinksheturnedto?)GOD!Thenshepromisedtogobeforetheking,knowingfullwellshewasriskingher life(Esther4:16). Intheend,theKingsparedEsther’slife.Thekingissuedanewdecree:TheJewswerefreetodefendthemselvesandthejewsweresaved.
Shewasprettybravehuh?
Sometimeswefeellikewehavetobebraveallbyourselves,butGodlovestohelpusandhe’stherewheneverweask.Let’stalkaboutsomethingsthatscareus.Allowthekidstoshare.It’s normal for you to be afraid sometimes, and that’s a lot like walking around in the dark. Youdon’tknowwhat’sgoingtohappen.ButwhenyoucanaskGodtocomeinandhelpyou,it’sliketurningonalightandmakingallthatfeargoaway.That’swhatitmeanstobebrave.AndwithGod’shelp,youcanbeareallifeSuperhero!
Let’stakealookatourmemoryversefortoday.We’regoingtoreadthistogether.“ForIcandoeverythingthroughChrist,whogivesmestrength.”–Phillippians4:13
Idon’tknowaboutyou,butIlovethattheBiblesaysGodgivesusthestrengthweneedtodoanything.Allwehavetodoisaskhimtobewithusandheis!
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Devotional time: using your voiCe (ConfiDenCe)
Yesterdaywetalkedaboutsomethingeverysuperheroneeds,doesanyonerememberwhatitwas?Allowforanswers.Right,bravery!Todaywe’regoingtotalkaboutsomethingelseeverysuperheroneedsandthat’ssomethingcalledConfidence.Ask:Doesanyoneknowwhatconfidenceis?Allowthekidstorespond.Let’sseeifwecanexplainthisalittlebetter.
Askthekidsanumberofquestions.Startwitheasyoneslike:“WhatcolorisSam’sshirt?”Or“HowmanyfingersdoesTaylorhave?”Asthekidsanswer,askthem,“AreyouSURE?”Prodthemwith“Areyouabsolutelypositive?”Theyshouldbepositiveoftheiranswers.
Next,askthemotherquestionslike“HowolddoyouthinkIam?”or“WherewasIborn?”Allowforresponsesandprodthemthesamewayyoudidwiththemorefact-basedquestions.“Areyousure?”and“Areyouabsolutelypositive?”
Bythesoundofyourvoices,doesitseemlikeyouareascertainaboutthesequestionsasthefirstone?Howoldareyou?Allowthemtorespond.Andyou’resurethat’showoldyouare?That’showitfeelstobeconfident.Youknowtheanswer.You’repositive.You’recertain.AnddoyouknowsomethingI’mpositiveabout?I’mpositivethatGodlovesyou.I’mpositivethatGodgaveyouallvoicesforareason.Andhewantsyoutoalwaysbeconfidenceinyourvoice,forhehasapurposeforeachandeveryoneofyou!
LetstalkabouttwomennamesCalebandJoshuawhoweretestedintheirconfidencelikeyouwerejustnow.
CalebandJoshuaarrivedinthewildernessofParan.Godcommandedtosend12peopletothelandofCanaan,whichwasthelandGodhadpromisedtheIsraeliteswhenHehadMosesleadthemtheoutofslaveryfromEgypt.After40days,the12peoplereturneddiscouraged,sayingthatthelandwasbeautiful,fertileandflowingwithmilkandhoney!Yet,allofthemexcludingCalebandJoshua,wereconcernedabouttheenemiesthatwerelivingthere,ratherthanbeingconfidentinthepromisethatGodhadgiven,thatthelandwouldbecometheirs.Calebwasconfidentthattheycouldovercometheirenemies,butthenegativityamongalltheothersweresogreat,thatitcausedthewholenationtomournallnight.TheywereevengoingtoelectanewleaderandheadBACKtoEgypt.
Nevertheless,JoshuaandCalebarosefromtheirsorrow,andtriedtoencourageconfidenceinthefellowIsraelitessaying“Thelandwetravelledthroughandexploredisawonderfulland!...Itisarichlandflowingwithmilkandhoney……DonotrebelagainsttheLord…TheLordiswithus!”(v7-9).
CalebandJoshuaweresoconfidentinthepromiseGodhadgiventothem,thatthesizeoftheenemydidnotmatter.TheyknewGodhadpromisedthislandtothemandtheyknewthatGodwaswiththem,whichwouldhaveledtotheirvictory.Wetoo,whenfacedwithproblemsthesizeofmountains,cantakecourageinknowingthatGodiswithusandthatwearenotalone.
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TUESDAY
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Devotional time: honesty
Beingaheroisaboutsomuchmorethanwearingacapeorflyinginthesky.Thetruthis,thereareheroesallaroundus.Doesanyoneknowareallifehero?Allowthekidstorespond.Whataresomethingsthatmakesomeoneahero?Allowforanswers.Aheroisapersonwhodoestherightthing.Let’sthinkaboutthisforamoment.Imagineyougotoafriend’shouseandtheyhaveavideogamethatyouknowyouaren’tallowedtoplay.Yourmomanddadwillprobablyneverknowifyouplaythisgame.Whatdoyoudo?Letthekidsthinkaboutthisandrespond..Okay,now,pretendyouareatthestoreandyouwalkoutandrealizeyouneverpaidforthetoyyouwereholding.Butnoonenoticed!Youcanjusttakeitrighthome.Whatdoyoudo?Whatifyougotoarestaurant,sitdownatthetableandfindawalletfullofmoneyontheseatnexttoyou.Whatdoyoudo?
Inthebible,thereisastoryabouttwobrother.One(namedJacob)favoredbyhismotherandone(Esau)favoredbyhisfather.Theirfatherwasdying,anditwastimeforhimtogivehis blessing to one of his sons. This blessing was go announce good fortune for the future, greatnessandmanychildren.Onedaythefather (named Isaac)calledforhiseldest sonEsau. Isaactoldhimtoprepareamealforhim,andthenhewouldgivehiseldestsonhisblessing. Themother (namedRebekah)was listening to their conversation,and ran to tellJacobthatshewouldprepareamealforhim,dresshimup,andpretendtobeEsauinordertoreceivetheirfathersblessinginstead!!Theywantedtotrickhim!ThemotherputJacobinEsau’sclothes,andplacedgoathaironJacobsarmstofeelmorelikeEsau.Jacobtookthefoottohisfather’sroom,liedaboutbeingEsau,andreceivedhisfather’sblessinginstead.WhentherealEsauarrived,hefeltsobetrayed.
WhatshouldhaveJacobdone?WasJacobaheroofthisstory?
Intheend,eventhoughJacobreceivedhisfather’sblessing,hehadworsefortunethanhisbrotherEsauendedupachieving.Yousee,beingaheromeansdoingwhat’srightnomatterwhat.Evenwhennooneiswatching.Evenwhenitishard.It’snotalwayseasytodotherightthing,butit’simportant.Deepdown,weknowwhatisright,andwehavetofollowthatfeelingofwhatisright,versusthetemptingfeelingofwhatwewant.Wewanttodotheheroicthingright?Villainsdowhatkindsofthings?Letthemanswer.Whatkindsofthingsdoheroesdo?Wewanttobelikeourheroesright??
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Devotional time: perseveranCe (the story of Daniel anD the lion’s Den)
Today,I’mgoingtotellyouastoryaboutsomeonewhonevergaveup,butI’mgoingtoneedyourhelp.“Cast”thekidsinpartsofthestoryandeachchildhastoactouttheirpartasyounarrate the action.
You’ll need: •Daniel•KingDarius•TheKing’smumbly,grumblyleaders•Lions
Oncekidsarepickedforparts,readthestoryofDaniel:
Daniel and the lions’ DenOnceuponatime,long,longago,therelivedaking.HisnamewasDarius.(thekingstandsCenterStage.Hecanwaveorboworsay“I’mKingDarius.)Atthattime,therewasamanlivinginthekingdomnamedDaniel.DanielwasmuchsmarterthantheotherleaderssotheKingdecidedtoputhiminchargeofthewholekingdom.(DanieljoinsthekingCenterstagelookingverysmart.Ifthechildisn’tresponding,ask“Daniel,howdoesitfeeltobeinchargeofthewholekingdom?”)
This made the other leaders very angry and jealous. Theymumbled and grumbled andcomplained.(Allowthekidstomumbleandgrumble.Again,iftheyareshy,askthem“Whydidn’t the kingpick you tobe the leader?Does he likeDanielbetter? Encourage lots ofmumbling and grumbling.)
TheleadersweresoangrytheydecidedtocookupaplantomakeDaniellookbad.ThedecidedtotrytotrapDanielinalie.Theymadealawthatsaid,“NoonepraysexcepttotheKing!”(Havethegrumblykidsrepeatthisafteryou)
Danielheardaboutthelaw,butheonlybelievedinprayingtoGod,sothat’swhathedid,sameasalways.(Danielgetstohiskneesandprays.Prompthimifnecessary.)ThejealousleaderssawDanielprayingtoGodandtheywenttothekingandtoldhim“Danielisignoringthelaw!HepraystohisGodthreetimesaday!”(Promptthemtorepeatthisafteryou.)
ThekingreallylikedDaniel,butadecreecouldn’tbechanged,andheknew,hehadtothrowDanielintothelion’sden.(Kingcansay“Ihavetothrowyouintothelion’sden.)Ashedid,thekingsaidtoDaniel,“YourGodisgoingtogetyououtofthis.”
Thelionswerehungry,andtheyroaredbecausetheywereabouttoeatDanielfordinner!(lions can stalk him and roar or growl)
Butthenextmorning,thekingrusheddowntotheden,calledouttoDaniel,(havetheKingdothis)anddoyouknowwhathappened?Danielanswered!HetoldthekingGodhadsentanangeltoprotecthim.(Danielcanrespond:“Godsentanangeltoprotectme.”)Thekingwassohappy,hehadDanielhauledoutofthelion’sdenandtherewasn’tascratchonhim!
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THURSDAY
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Afterthestory,ask:•WhydoyouthinkDanieldidn’tstopprayingsohedidn’tgetthrownintothelion’sden?•Tellmeaboutatimewhenyouwantedtogiveup.
Say:Sometimesit’seasyforustowanttojustgiveupandquittrying,butGodwantsustokeepdoingwhat’sright,nomatterwhat.Danielcould’vestoppedpraying,butheknewGodwantedtotalktohim,sohedidwhatwasrightandGodprotectedhim.Let’stakealookattoday’smemoryverse:
“Solet’snotgettiredofdoingwhatisgood.Atjusttherighttimewewillreapaharvestofblessingifwedon’tgiveup.”—Galatians6:9
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Devotional time: sharing goDs story
TheBibletellsusthatloveisfromGodandthatGodislove.TheneatthingaboutGod’sloveisthatit’snotafeelingtohim,hecan’tfalloutoflovewithus.Helovesusevenwhenwe’renotloveableandwhenwe’regrumpyordoingbadthings.Helovesallofusnomatterwhat.ThetrickypartislovingotherslikeGodlovesus.God’sloveismuchdifferentthanthemushykissy stuff that you see on TV or all around you. It’s not bad to be mushy with your family butsometimesitshardertoshowotherpeoplehowyoulovethem.Wecan’tjustgoaroundkissingeveryonetoshowthemourlove!Thereisaspecialkindoflovewecanhaveforothers,it’scalledagapelove.Thisdoesn’thavetobemushylove,justseepeopleasGodwouldseethem.PretendforadaythatyouhavespecialglassesonandthateveryoneyouseeyoulovejustbecauseGodlovesthem,likethewayyouloveamomordad,brotherorsister.I’msureyou’llrunintosomebodyyoudon’tthinkdeservesyourloveoryoujustdon’twanttoloveatall,butGodlovesthemandifweloveGodwearesupposedtolovethemtoo.
Whodoyoulove?Letthemanswer.
Whoexactlyarewesupposedtolove?
*LoveGod*Loveyourself*Loveyourfamily*Loveyourfriends*Loveyourneighbors*Loveyourenemies
WhataresomewaysthatwecanloveGod?Letthemanswer.It’snotashardasyouthink.Howdoyoushowothersyoulovethem?Wetalktothem,trytogettoknowthembetter,listentothem,andsometimeswedothingsforthem.WecandoallthesethingsforGod.WemightnotbeabletotouchHimbutwecanpraytoGod,readtheBibleandlearnabouthim,obeyHimanddothethingsheasksustodo.Wearealsosupposedtoloveourselves.Thisdoesn’tmeanthatweshouldthinkwe’rebetterthaneverybodyelse.WegetthisfromaBibleversethat says do for others as you would want them to do for you. This means we should take careofourselves.Thingslikelookingbeforewecrossthestreet,eatingourvegetables,andgettingagoodsleepatnightarewayswecandothat.Rememberthatifyou’reaChristiantheSpiritofGodlivesinsideusandhewantsustotreatourselveswithrespect.
Lovingourfamilyishopefullyprettyeasy.Eventhoughwegetmadatourparentssometimesbecausetheydon’tletusdosomething,westilllovethem.Justrememberthatyouarepartofafamilyandnothingwilleverchangethat.Youshouldalwaysbeabletodependoneachotherandthey’llbetheonestotellyouthetruthbeforeanyoneelse.Lovingourfriendsshouldbe easy because we pick the people we want to be friends with. The thing is, sometimes when wedisagreewithourfriendswethinkwedon’thavetobetheirfriendanymore,butGod’slovewouldaskustoforgivethemandtrytoworkthingsout.
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FRIDAY
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Howmanyofyouhaveneighbors?Areyourneighborsonlythosethatlivenextdoor?Letthemanswer.Neighborsaren’t just thepeoplewholivenexttoyoubutareeveryoneyoumight run into. I don’t want to encourage you to run up to strangers, but think about helping otherswithlove.Byhelpinganelderlyladywhoneedshelpwithhergroceries,returningawalletfoundonthestreet,orevenprayingforpeopleonthenewsthatareintroublearejustafewwaystoloveaneighbor.Ihopeyoudon’thaveanyenemiesbuttherewillalwaysbesomeonethatyoudon’tgetalongwithorbelievestheoppositeofwhatyoubelieve.ByaskingforGod’shelpwewillbeabletoloveourenemieseasierwhenwejustcan’tdoitonour own.
LearningtolovelikeGodtakesalongtimeandtakesGod’shelp.It’seasiertolovethantohate,sohavelotsoffunlearningtoloveGodandeveryonearoundyou!
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DevotionalsSummer Camp