High School Camp:
LAKAS
The
theme of the HS Camp last January 5-7 is LAKAS or Strength. We need strength to
handle the different challenges that come our way. Whether it be challenges in
the family, relationship with friends, in our studies, or just to be able to
handle the changes that teenagers undergo. We can try to get strength from
different sources – from family, friends, music, being alone, etc. However, let
us look at the following Scripture verses and find out what they tell us about
where we can draw our strength. Write down your reflection for each of the
following verses and at the end, give a summary or conclusion about what it
says to you about being strong. The Reflection Paper should be at least 3
pages.
S – Set Apart
1
Peter 2:9 – “But YOU are
“a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for special
possession, that YOU should declare abroad the excellencies” of the one that
called YOU out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
By
accepting Jesus Christ, both Jews and non-Jews became “a chosen race, a royal
priesthood, a holy nation, a people for special possession.” They were “chosen”
by God as his people, called to be king-priests in association with Jesus,
constituting a nation set aside for a holy purpose, and were obtained as the
Most High’s own property with the priceless blood of his Son.
This
is an outstanding display of mercy! This moves me to imitate Jehovah God’s
divine mercy to others. To be merciful is part of spiritual strength.
Part
of being merciful is to speak about the
“excellencies,” the marvelous deeds, of my heavenly Father.
T – Trust
Hebrews
3:13 – “but keep on
exhorting one another each day, as long as it may be called “Today,” for fear
any one of YOU should become hardened by the deceptive power of sin.”
If we do not pay close attention to spiritual things, God’s promises may well come
to seem unreal. This happened in the first century among Christian congregations.
That is why God through the apostle Paul warned the above to them.
Paul’s expression “beware” emphasizes the need to be
alert. Danger threatens! A lack of faith—“sin”—might develop in our hearts, and
we could draw away from God instead of closer to him. (James 4:8)
Paul reminds us to “keep on exhorting one another.”
We need the warmth of brotherly association. “One isolating himself will seek
his own selfish longing; against all practical wisdom he will break forth.”
(Proverbs 18:1) The need for such association moves Christians today to be
regular in attending congregation meetings and conventions. Through this upbuilding association, a Christian can
be helped to be strong in these trialsome times.
R – Righteous
Romans 3:23-24 – “For all have sinned and fall short
of the glory of God, 24 and it is as a free gift that
they are being declared righteous by his undeserved kindness through the
release by the ransom [paid] by Christ Jesus.”
Understanding
the process of heredity, we can see why we all are imperfect—why all of us sin
and die. Adam, the father of all humankind, turned away from God, sinning and
damaging himself.
Having lost perfection, he could not pass it on to his children. Knowing that we all sprang from one father, inheriting imperfection through no fault of our own, should make us more considerate and kind toward one another.
Having lost perfection, he could not pass it on to his children. Knowing that we all sprang from one father, inheriting imperfection through no fault of our own, should make us more considerate and kind toward one another.
Also,
we may receive release from the bondage of sin and death if we will have faith
in the ransom sacrifice of Jesus. Through this ransom, the love of Jesus’ Father,
Jehovah, was clearly shown. “God recommends his own love to us in that, while
we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
By gaining knowledge of and applying wisdom on
Jehovah’s righteous standards, as written in the Bible, I want to show my
love for Jehovah and Jesus. This love gives me strength.
(1 Corinthians 13:13) 13 Now, however, these three remain: faith, hope, love; but the greatest of these is love.
(1 Corinthians 13:13) 13 Now, however, these three remain: faith, hope, love; but the greatest of these is love.
O
– Open
Proverbs
13:18 – “The one
neglecting discipline [comes to] poverty and dishonor, but the one keeping a
reproof is the one that is glorified.”
Often
young people go to their youthful companions and seek their advice and counsel,
ignoring what their parents and older men who are Christians say. Such youths
remind one of young King Rehoboam (First Kings, chapter twelve). After the
death of his father Solomon, Rehoboam asked for, but then ignored, the advice
of the older men who had been advisers and counselors to his father. Rehoboam
also went to the young men with whom he grew up and asked their counsel and
advice. They offered him bad advice and encouraged him to take a harsh, unkind
course of action.
The result? In following the advice of the younger persons instead of the older men, King Rehoboam lost five-sixths of his kingdom, and he had nothing but sorrow and trouble the rest of his life.
The result? In following the advice of the younger persons instead of the older men, King Rehoboam lost five-sixths of his kingdom, and he had nothing but sorrow and trouble the rest of his life.
In
contrast, I should be open to receive loving
discipline from God through my parent and other authorities (at school and
in the Christian congregation). I should apply this so I can be strong:
(Proverbs 1:2-9) 2 To
learn wisdom and discipline; To understand wise sayings; 3 To
acquire the discipline that gives insight, Righteousness, good judgment, and
uprightness; 4 To impart shrewdness to the
inexperienced; To give a young man knowledge and thinking ability. 5 A
wise person listens and takes in more instruction; A man of understanding
acquires skillful direction 6 To understand a proverb
and a puzzling saying, The words of the wise and their riddles. 7 The
fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge. Only fools despise wisdom and
discipline. 8 Listen, my son, to the
discipline of your father, And do not forsake the instruction of your mother.
9 They are
an attractive wreath for your head And a fine ornament for your neck.
N- Never Give Up
1
Corinthians 13:7 – “It [love]
bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all
things.”
Love
and trust go hand in hand. Moved by love, Jesus
demonstrated a willingness to trust his disciples despite their imperfections.
He had confidence in them and believed that at heart they really loved Jehovah
and wanted to do His will. Even when they made mistakes, Jesus did not question
their motives.
Jesus
provided us with a marvelous example in showing love to others. Of all the ways
that we can follow him, imitating his
love is the most important.
G- God-awe
Philippians 4:13 - For all things I have the strength by
virtue of him who imparts power to me.
In
the above text, the apostle Paul spoke of spiritual resources that enabled him
to be content regardless of material circumstances. Rather than looking to his
possessions or his circumstances, Paul looked to God to satisfy his needs. The
result was contentment.
Even though the way of Christian integrity is narrow
and testing, we do have constant help available. (Matthew 7:13, 14) We can
acquire godly power through constant prayer, through a study of God’s Word, and
through association with the Christian congregation. (Ephesians 4:11-13; 6:18;
Psalm 119:105).
