Around the Campfire

For our Friday Night Teen Class we went out to John and Michelle's house. They have a good scelp of land around their house and it was the ideal setting for having a time around the campfire. At the beginning of the night the weather was beautiful, but it was not long after that the mist rolled in from the sea and the temperature dropped considerably. The night was fabulous and a good mixture of football, volleyball, good food and a fine time in worship around the campfire meant that everyone left with their cups running over.

During the campfire as I was teaching and looking for some responses to the question, "Why do you enjoy coming to God centred stuff?" One heart warming thing was that in the afternoon I had talked with the Harding group and filled them in on what I would be doing around the campfire and to be ready with some responses in the event that our teens are reluctant. However, when the time came for responses it was our teens who were stepping up and sharing why they enjoyed coming and being together in God focused ways. The responses ranged from knowing that the atmosphere was encouraging and you were accepted to wanting to know and believe more about God. The time was hugely encouraging for me to hear the teens share and express what they thought of church and the night gave us an insight into the fact that we are going in the right direction with the group and that their faith is deepening.

The night was also huge because our teens got to spend time and be around the Harding students who were a little older that they are and who are devoted to God's ways. The week before at our regular Friday night class we had the Harding group share some personal challenges and give testimony for why they have made the choice to follow Christ. All of this, I am confident, is helping to shape the way our "young" youth group are thinking about their commitment to following God and committing their lives to Christ. So many seeds have been planted and will continue to be watered waiting for God's timing to bring the increase!