Just Talk

I’m not afraid to share my faith. I’m really not. I love sharing the life-giving truth about Jesus. However, don’t start asking me questions about my Christian T-shirt when I’m in the middle of my favorite TV show, and don’t text me with questions about a confusing Bible verse when I’m headed to the football game. Admittedly, it’s hardest for me to share my faith when it’s inconvenient. When is it toughest for you?

Zone in on verse 2 as you read 2 Timothy 4:1-5.

With what have we been charged?

Which of these instructions are easiest for you to carry out? Which one is toughest? Explain.

What is a recent situation that has required great patience from you? How did you do?

When has it been difficult for you to persist in telling others about Jesus? When has it been inconvenient?

What are some examples of verse 3 in your school, community, or even church?

What does it mean to keep a clear head?

How can young believers keep clear heads in our culture?

What are you doing to keep a clear head?

Paul spoke some pretty challenging words to Timothy. People aren’t going to like your words, he admitted. Paul’s advice? Tell them anyway and don’t quit. When are you most tempted to quit? When does it seem like a waste of time to even open your mouth?

Stop right now and ask God for courage to speak His truth, even when it’s unpopular. Even when it’s inconvenient. Even when it hurts. No matter what, speak His truth.

Proclaim the message; persist in it whether convenient or not; rebuke, correct, and encourage with great patience and teaching. —2 Timothy 4:2

Reprinted from ec magazine. © 2010 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Used by permission.

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Meet the 2011 Cherokee Village Director!

Say “hello” to the lovely Ashley Sutherland! Ashley is from Greenville, South Carolina, and she just graduated from Clemson University with a degree in Marketing. This will be Ashley’s third summer at Crestridge. Serving as a counselor her first two summers,  she is back this summer to lead and serve the sweet Cherokees as the Cherokee Village Director. Ashley is very excited to get to know all of her campers, meet the new girls, and see the growth of her returning girls. Keep Ashley in your prayers as she kicks off her life as a college grad and prepares  to come serve all the young ladies and staff at Crestridge.

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Tell Your Story

At the local coffee shop, a man sits alone, gesturing and having a conversation with . . . uh, no one? No, he isn’t deranged. He has a headset on his ear. Sure, he looks like he’s talking to himself, but he actually is having a real conversation. That must have been how Paul looked to his companions while he had his very first conversation with Jesus, except there was no earpiece. Just a very real God.

Read Acts 22:6-10. Don’t miss verses 6 and 7.

How do you think Paul felt when the blinding light suddenly flashed around him?

What was it like when you first experienced the light of God’s truth? Explain.

How would you describe that experience to someone who has never met Jesus?

If Paul didn’t know who was speaking to him, why did he call Him “Lord”? Explain.

If you have never had a personal experience with God, why do you think that is?

Why do you think Jesus didn’t give Paul the complete instructions right away?

How do you feel when God gives you incomplete instructions and you have to wait?

God got Paul’s attention by pointing out that his religious crusades against Christians were actually persecuting the very God he thought he was serving. Think back to the day you met Jesus. How did God get your attention? How can you explain that moment to others in a way that makes sense to them? Don’t let the unbelievers in your life stare at the light without comprehending it. Help them hear God’s words.

As I was traveling and near Damascus, about noon an intense light from heaven suddenly flashed around me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” —Acts 22:6-7

Reprinted from ec magazine. © 2010 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Used by permission.

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Say “Hi there” to the 2011 Choctaw Village Director

Say “hello” to Katie Correll! Katie is from good ol’ Memphis, Tennessee and is currently studying Earth Sciences at the University of Memphis. This will be Katie’s third summer at Crestridge.  Her first two summers, she was a counselor in the Choctaw Village. This summer, Katie will be serving the lovely Choctaw’s as the Choctaw Village Director! Katie loves geocaching at camp, and loves being in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.  She is really excited for planning activities, and is looking forward to serving her campers along side of her staff! Be praying for Katie as she is finishing up her classes, and as she prepares to come lead the lovely Choctaw Village this summer!

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You Have a Past

Whether you’re proud of your hometown, can’t wait to leave, or already miss it terribly, it’s a big part of who you are. It’s where you’re from. For the rest of your life, when people ask, “Where are you from?,” you’ll remember your hometown. You’ve got a spiritual hometown as well. It’s the place you began, the place from which God has brought you. So, where are you from? Where did your story of redemption begin?

Read Acts 22:3-5. Concentrate on verse 4.

What did Paul tell his listeners about his background?

What do you think he might have left out?

How do you think he chose what to tell about his past and what to leave out?

What would you tell someone about your background if you were sharing your story of meeting Jesus?

What’s the difference between admitting your past sinfulness and glorifying it?

How can you make sure you have the right focus when you tell people about your past?

Even if you don’t have a very exciting pre-Christ past, what can you tell people about your past?

Why do you think the story of where we come from is such a powerful way to share our faith?

We all have a place from which Christ has brought us. Everything we did, whether it was trying to please our parents or rebelling from them, was done as a futile effort to get away from that same lost place. Paul told his story to those listening: he had been raised in religion and was so devoutly zealous in his Jewish faith that he persecuted Christians. To share his testimony, Paul had to admit that his past wasn’t pristine. Paul had to admit he was a sinner, something we all must recognize and admit to become Christians.

So, when you share your story, you get to tell others about the spiritual place from which God has rescued you. Unlike your physical hometown, you never have to go back.

I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and putting both men and women in jail. —Acts 22:4

Reprinted from ec magazine. © 2010 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Used by permission.

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Meet the 2011 Cheyenne Village Director!

Say “hi” to Ragan Story! Ragan is from Waverly, Tennessee and is studying Intercultural Studies at Liberty University.  Next year, she will get to do mission work overseas for five months…possibly in Romania! This will be Ragan’s third summer at camp, serving as a Cheyenne counselor her first two years . This summer, she will be leading the Cheyenne ladies as their Village Director! Ragan is looking forward to spending time with old friends, making new friends, and getting to hang out with her campers.  Ragan is super pumped about this summer, and she is counting down the days until she can be back at Crestridge! Be praying for Ragan as she finishes up her semester at Liberty, prepares to come serve the Cheyenne Village, and gets ready to dominate in some four square! The summer is just around the corner.

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Words Matter

Do you know what it means to hit on all sixes? To beat one’s gums? Would you know a piker or a palooka if you saw one? If you had lived in the 1920s, you’d know all of those words, but to most of us, they mean nothing. Likewise, many of the words we use at church and with our Christian friends mean nothing to the unbelievers around us. It’s going to be pretty hard to share your faith with them if they can’t understand you!

Read Acts 21:40–22:2. Pay attention to verse 2.

What are some barriers between you and the unbelievers around you?

What do you have in common with them? How can you use these commonalities to talk about what you believe?

What happened when Paul chose to speak to the angry people in their own language?

Think of an unbeliever you know. What “language” will he or she best understand?

Are you prepared to speak to him or her in this “language”? If not, what will it take to be able to do that?

What are some words you might want to avoid using?

What did Paul get before he started to speak to the people? (See v. 40.)

What difference does it make to get someone’s permission before talking about your faith?

Keep a journal of words you hear Christians use that wouldn’t make much sense to non-believers. Think of some alternative words that would make more sense to unbelievers, and try using these words next time you talk to someone about your faith.

When they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even quieter.
—Acts 22:2

Reprinted from ec magazine. © 2010 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Used by permission.

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Say “Hello” to the 2011 Chickasaw Village Director

Jessica Crosby, also most commonly known as “Crosby”,  has been at camp for three years.  First as a JET, and then the following year as a counselor. She holds a dear place in her heart for Crestridge, and she can’t wait for this summer when she will lead as the Village Director for, in her words… “the best village,  the Chickasaws!” Crosby is  currently studying at the University of South Carolina . She is most looking forward to camp-wide and village activities and getting to spend time with all her amazing campers! Keep Jessica in your prayers as she finishes up classes this semester, and prepares to come serve her campers and staff this summer!

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Your Response Says Something About God

After George Muller had watched God miraculously provide specific buildings to use as an orphanage, he received a letter from a neighbor listing several complaints against the orphanage. George was confused. Should he ignore the letter? Should he apologize? Should he remind the man of the amazing ways God had provided these very buildings? He did not know what to do. How do you respond when someone complains about you?

Read 1 Peter 3:16-17. Focus on verse 16.

Some people think that if they’re going to be unjustly accused, they might as well do the deed they’re being accused of, so they can at least enjoy the wrong for which they’re being punished. What do you think?

What do these verses say about that philosophy?

According to these verses, what are we to do with gentleness and respect?

What are the alternatives to defending your faith with gentleness and respect?

What accusations might come against a Christian who defends the faith?

What do you think it takes to keep your conscience clear? Explain.

What is one thing that tends to keep you from having a clear conscience?

If someone were making an accusation against you, what would he or she say? Why?

What is your attitude toward people who complain about you?

After George Muller received his complaint letter, he realized his neighbor’s complaints were justified, and he actually moved the orphanage to another location. He understood that the way we respond to the complaints of others represents Christ to them. Who has complaints against you today? Are they valid? Prayerfully consider how you should respond when others complain, argue, or pick fights with you.

However, do this with gentleness and respect, keeping your conscience clear, so that when you are accused, those who denounce your Christian life will be put to shame. —1 Peter 3:16

Posted in Devotions, Girls | Tagged Adapted from ec magazine. © 2010 LifeWay Christian Resources, Camp Crestridge, Camp Ridgecrest, ec Magazine, LifeWay Christian Resources, Ridgecrest Summer Camps, Weekly Devotions | Leave a reply

Meet the 2011 Chippewa Village Director!

Ansley Harper is from Jacksonville, Florida, and is studying nursing at Liberty University. She has been coming to Crestridge for eleven years, and will be making it twelve this summer serving as the Director for the cute Chippewa village. Ansley is ready to be in the beautiful NC mountains and can’t wait to see how the Lord impacts the lives of her campers. Not to mention, she is stoked about dressing up in hilarious costumes for playing funny games, and she has been waiting since her last summer to go on the blob! Be praying for Ansley has she finishes off her school semester and prepares to come lead and serve our Chipps!

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