The Big Idea: Leading interactive Bible discussions that campers can digest.
One of the hesitations people have about becoming a cabin leader is the idea of leading Bible discussions (or “devotionals”) with campers before bed. It’s not an unreasonable fear – leading discussions is hard! Here is some help, but also some encouragement: however you feel about it, helping campers discover the truth of God’s word is one of the greatest things you will ever do.
The book compares creating a Bible discussion to making a sandwich - wholesome ingredients enfolded in a crisp and inviting bun. The "bun" is followed by the "meat and veggies" of your discussion, composed of questions that focus attention on the Bible passage. Here are some good and bad examples, based on James 1:22-25:
"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do."
Here is another perspective and encouragement on discussions to take with you:
Please post your thoughts on these questions in the "Comments" box below. You will need to sign in with a Google or other account in order to do so.
One of the hesitations people have about becoming a cabin leader is the idea of leading Bible discussions (or “devotionals”) with campers before bed. It’s not an unreasonable fear – leading discussions is hard! Here is some help, but also some encouragement: however you feel about it, helping campers discover the truth of God’s word is one of the greatest things you will ever do.
The book compares creating a Bible discussion to making a sandwich - wholesome ingredients enfolded in a crisp and inviting bun. The "bun" is followed by the "meat and veggies" of your discussion, composed of questions that focus attention on the Bible passage. Here are some good and bad examples, based on James 1:22-25:
"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do."
- What do you expect to see in a mirror? So what should you expect to see when you read the Bible? NOTE: Good questions, helping them catch what the verses are saying.
- Will a person who only listens to the word be blessed in what they do? NOTE: Bad question, because it can be answered "yes" or "no," putting an end to the discussion. It is more like a test.
- How would you deceive yourself by listening and not doing? NOTE: Not bad, but try answering this question yourself - not that easy!
- What could you do to look intently at the Bible? NOTE: Good - simple and clear, helping them understand the concept of intent rather than shallow reading.
- Why do some people think that the Bible contradicts itself? NOTE: Hang on, what does that have to do with these verses? Don't open an unnecessary can of worms!
- If you listened to these verses and did what they said, what would change for you? NOTE: It is good to try and connect the verses to daily practice.
Here is another perspective and encouragement on discussions to take with you:
Please post your thoughts on these questions in the "Comments" box below. You will need to sign in with a Google or other account in order to do so.
- Why not give this a test run? Take a passage that God has been teaching you and turn it into a cabin devotional!
- How will you invite them into the discussion (Bottom Bun)?
- What are the questions that need to be asked, and what is the Big Idea you are aiming for (The Meat & Veggies)?
- What do you hope your campers will do with what they have learned (Top Bun)?
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