An older camper can more easily understand God’s plan of salvation. He can realize his lost condition, and be willing to be saved from his sin through God-given faith (Eph. 2:8, 9). He can know who Christ is and what He has done for him. He can come into a personal relationship with Christ, an all-important step that many take at camp. Counsel with him as an individual so that he understands clearly what he is do ing. He may have raised his hand in a meeting when he was younger, yet never have had a genuine experi ence with Christ. If so, he may feel that he has tried Christianity, but it doesn’t work. At this point he may be disillusioned or confused. It is your privilege and responsibility, as his counselor, to help him anchor his faith in Christ, the Saviour set forth in God’s eternal Word. In a Christian camp, a spiritual emphasis should permeate the whole day. The Bible is not used only dur ing formal times of Bible study, quiet time, and campfire. Nothing that a Christian does should be secu lar — all should be done for God’s glory (I Cor. 10:31). “ The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth His handiwork” (Psa. 19:1) takes on a new meaning while looking up at the clear, bright stars from a sleep ing bag on a camp-out. And a period in the craft shop becomes an oppor tunity to put Ecclesiastes 9:10a into practice. Every activity in camp is an op portunity to live Christ. For a new Christian, camp is an experiment in Christian living. Older Christians should learn better to live Christ- centered lives. Excerpts from Creative Counseling For Christian Camps by Joy MacKay, Scripture Press, Publications, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois, 1966. BH HELPING CAMPERS GROW IN THE LORD MONTROSE CONFERENCE in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains between Scranton, Pa., and Binghamton, N.Y. JULY 1 - SEPTEMBER 4 Nationally known Bible teachers, mission aries, musicians. Special Pastors' week, youth conference, children's camp. Family rates. Write today for program and information to: W alter J. Dick, Ex.Sec. Montrose Bible Conference Montrose, Penna. 18801 BIBLE
that the reading will be meaningful to them. There is much value in correla tion. Reading for quiet time from the same book as the Bible studies may help your campers discover and apply fresh truths to their lives. LEADING CAMPERS TO CHRIST Young campers want to please their counselors. When a public in vitation is given to accept Christ, some may raise their hands at every meeting in order to please you. Oth ers will “ go forward” because their friends are going, or because they are tired of sitting still and crave movement. If a camper responds to an invitation, ask him why he came forward. Does he know that he has sinned? Does he understand that he deserves to be punished? Does he know who Jesus Christ is? Does he understand that Jesus Christ took his punishment in his place? Do not overwhelm him with many Scriptures. Use one or two verses that he can understand. Avoid theo logical terms and the symbolism so often used with adults, which camp ers of Junior age or under do not understand. “ Letting Jesus into my heart” and being “born again” are symbolic terms that are not easy for young campers to grasp. One sev en-year-old camper told his counse lor, when asked to let Jesus come into his heart, “No, I would bleed to death.” A young mind thinks in concrete terms. He understands the difference between the right and wrong and knows that doing wrong is sin. He can believe that he has sinned (Rom. 3:23). He can understand that wrong must be punished (Rom. 6:23). He can understand that Christ, God’s sinless Son, took the punishment for his sins (John 3:16). Let your camper pray, asking God to forgive him. Let him pray in his own words, thanking Jesus for tak ing his punishment on the cross (John 5:24). You may insert the camper’s name in a verse of Scrip ture (such as John 3:16, 3:35, or 5:24). Explain any words in the verse that he may not understand. Have your camper tell you in his own words what he did and what Christ did for him. Don’t try to tell him everything you know about salvation at the time of his new birth. During the week, in quiet time and Bible study and cabin devotions, you can help him grow in Christ. Also make it a point to spend some time alone with the new convert.
MOUNT HERMON CHRISTIAN CONFERENCE CENTER M ount Hermon, California 95041. Located in the Santa Cruz mountain redwoods, six m iles from the Pacific. Conferences designed for all needs — Bible exposition, Church Music, Missions, Collegians, the Family. Coun selor-centered camping for youth. 61st year providing a Christ-centered vacation for the entire family, June 19-September 15. 1967 Speakers include Dr. Stuart Briscoe, Dr. G. A llen Fleece, Dr. Ben Haden, Miss W etherell Johnson, Dr. Ralph Keiper, Dr. J. Vernon McGee, Dr. John M itchell, Dr. Paul Rees, M r. Ray Stedman, Rev. Henk Vigeveno. BOYS A N D GIRLS! WE WELCOME YO U TO MT. LOU-SAN BIBLE CAMP 150 Acres o f Blue Mountain — 10 Miles From Harrisburg, Penna. SEASON OPENS JULY 2 for SIX WEEKS BOYS' CAM PS BEGIN JU LY 2 GIRLS' CAM PS BEGIN JU LY 23 AGES 8-15 INCLUSIVE JOYFUL, CHRIST-CENTERED ATMOSPHERE REV. W ILLIAM B. HAKEN, DIRECTOR Write for Folder to: Harrisburg Bible Forum, 2200 Blue M t. Parkway, Harrisburg, Pa. 17110 Phone: 545-2841 BIBLE CONFERENCES June 26-30 Ju ly 3 1 -August 4 August 7-11 Educators' Conference A ugust 14-18 A lso children's camps, youth camps, mothers' camp on the scenic lakeshore grounds of OAK HILLS FELLOWSHIP R. 3, Bemidji, Minnesota 56601 EDUCATORS' BIBLE CONFERENCE (for elementary, secondary & college teachers) August 14-18 Speakers: Dr. Ivan J. Fahs, Sociologist Harvard M edical School, Boston, Mass. Robert H. Thompson Oak H ills Bible Institute, Bem idji, M in n . Philip Armstrong Missionary, Far Eastern Gospel Crusade 3 other Bible Conferences WRITE: Oak Hills Fellowship, R. 3, Bemidij, Minnesota W hat a Vacation Idea!
A SUBSCRIPTION TO THE KING'S BUSINESS MAKES AN EXCELLENT P R I Z E F O R YOUR CAMP CONTESTS.
THE KING'S BUSINESS
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