It isn’t very often that we have the opportunity to do “big picture” thinking with children. We offer bits and pieces in snippets of time to distracted and harried kids. We feel fortunate to get across one point. There never seems to be enough time to consider larger concepts in the context of church school and vacation Bible school.
Camp is different. Removed from the normal distractions of electronics and activities, campers can learn and focus in a fun and leisurely atmosphere. Learning takes place through relationships, activities, and fun. The natural beauty of the camp setting is the icing on the cake.
“God is Bigger” encourages us to look at the larger concept of how we understand God. Everyone uses images and metaphors to describe who God is and what God is like. Many of these images find their origins in scripture and others come from our own experience. No one image is sufficient for describing God. God will always be bigger than any one image or metaphor. When we explore a variety of images and metaphors, we enlarge our understanding of God.
It has been said what comes to mind when we think about God is the most important thing about us. It dictates how we live out our faith. This curriculum is an attempt to enlarge one’s understanding and to add to one’s repertoire of images and metaphors used for God. Of course, with junior-age campers we will not use the language of image and metaphor. Instead, we will invite campers to complete the thought “God is like…” In addition, we will always remember that God is bigger still.
The content of this curriculum is original; however, two sources deserve credit. Images of God, by John and Katherine Peterson, was helpful in selecting the images to include. It also provided age-appropriate language that guided my efforts. I also stumbled upon a valuable resource entitled Recovery from Distorted Images of God, a six-session study for groups or individuals, by Dale and Juanita Ryan, of the National Association of Christian Recovery. This resource is free. Download resource at www.christianrecovery.com.
With humble gratitude to all those who have enlarged my understanding of God, I offer this resource.
Dayna Kinkade
Pastor of Norwalk Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Norwalk, Iowa
2005
