The Camping Trip (skit/lesson)

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…Colossians 3:16 (NIV)

 Part 1: Take Time to Prepare

Props: a tent, backpacks for each camper and the leader, various “useless” items (see below) 

The backpack of camper #1 should be filled with items that would be useless for camping. 

The leader calls the campers together and asks them if they are ready to experience the great outdoors.  They all seem excited.  He tells them to strap on their backpacks, which Camper 1 has a hard time doing.  It seems her bag is too heavy and so the leader asks what she packed.  She begins to pull out her items one by one, each one completely useless for a camping trip.  As she explains her need for a hairdryer, a collection of books and magazines, her pet rocks, etc., the leader explains the need to be truly prepared with things that are useful.  He shows her a few of the items he has packed and explains their purpose.  After instructing her to re-pack, the group is off to their camping spot.    

Follow up: Preparing for a camping trip is important; preparing for life is more important. 

If you’re going on a camping trip, you have to take time to prepare.  You also have to know that you are preparing with the things that will be useful, things that will help you.  As we’re talking about taking time for God’s Word every day, you need to understand that taking time for God’s Word means taking time to prepare.  God’s word will prepare you for life.  Listen to what the Bible says in 2 Timothy 3:16, 17: “God has breathed life into all of Scripture. It is useful for teaching us what is true. It is useful for correcting our mistakes. It is useful for making our lives whole again. It is useful for training us to do what is right. By using Scripture, a man of God can be completely prepared to do every good thing.”  (2 Timothy 3:16-17)  Did you get that?  “By using Scripture, a man of God can be completely prepared to do every good thing.” 

            Listening to rock music will not prepare you to make good choices.  Going to your friends for advice all the time will not prepare you for a good future.  Reading magazines will not prepare you to help your friends when they are in trouble.  Only God’s Word will prepare you for all of that.  Reading the Bible, listening to good Bible teaching and memorizing scriptures will prepare you for life.  So take time to prepare and take time for God’s Word every day!

 

Part 2: Take Time to Feed Your Spirit

Job 23:12; 1 Peter 2:2 

Props: a tent, backpacks for each camper and the leader 

The campers arrive to the campsite with their gear.  The leader reminds everyone that it is soon dinnertime.  He says they should get a fire going and begin making dinner.  Camper #2 says he is so hungry.  The leader asks what he packed for dinner.  Camper #2 explains that he was so busy packing a tent, his clothes, bug spray, his iPod, etc., that he didn’t have time to pack food.  The leader replies that camping involves plenty of work, and that we need the energy food gives us. 

Follow up:  Does anyone here ever get so busy you forget to eat?  Probably not—at least not for long.  Our bodies are made to remind us when we get hungry.  They need energy and food gives us that energy.  So it doesn’t usually take long before we feel our stomachs growl and we know that we need something to eat.

            Just like you have to take time to feed your body, you have to take time to feed your spirit also.  Your spirit is that part of you that connects to God, and it gets hungry for something from God.  Your spirit can’t be fed with the food you feed your body; it needs food from the Bible.  When you read, listen to and think about scriptures from God’s Word, your spirit is satisfied.  If you don’t take time for God’s Word, your spirit gets weak.  You will have a hard time getting close to God and living life to please Him. 

            The camper we just saw didn’t take time to pack food.  He got too busy with everything else.  Don’t get too busy to feed your spirit—take time for God’s Word every day! 

Part 3: Take Time to Get Directions

Romans 15:4, Psalm 119:98-100 

Props: tent, backpacks and maps 

The campers finish setting up camp.  The leader mentions that the campground is large and wooded and asks if everyone knows their way around.  He tells all the campers to keep a copy of the map with them.  Camper #3 heads out to check out the trails.  Soon after he leaves, the others notice that he left his map behind.  They call out for him but can’t find him anywhere.  He returns itching and scratching all over, complaining that he went down the wrong trail and got into poison ivy.  The leader reminds him of his instructions to keep the map with him.   

Follow up: Taking time for God’s Word is important because God’s Word is where we get our direction for life.  Some people wander through life not knowing how to live or what to do.  They guess and try to make the best choices they can.  But that only leads them nowhere.

            The Bible is filled with directions for life.  God tells us what we should do and how to make good choices in life.  He also tells us things we should stay away from.  If you read the Bible, your journey through life will be much more successful.

            Our friend here didn’t take time to look at a map before he headed out down the trails.  It sure got him in trouble!  Don’t be like that…take time to get directions by taking time for God’s Word!