Discovery 1
Turn Around to Hope and Joy
(Luke 24: 13-35)
Leader Notes
Two travelers, distraught over the loss of their precious Lord, walk with a stranger on the road to Emmaus. They do not recognize him as the risen Jesus until he reveals himself to them in the breaking of bread.
At camp, Christ will be revealed in the person next to us in the breaking of bread, the sharing of a cabin, and fellowship of camp life. Small Group is a wonderful place to help youth see the Christ in each other and in themselves. There is hope and joy all around us when we can see each other as a gift from God, and even more so when we can see the Body of Christ seated all around us.
As you look at schedule, notice there is no division between small group gatherings.
If you have two group times on day 1, decide which activities to do in each meeting.
Supplies Needed:
Loaf of bread and a plate
1 random item for each person in the group
-This could be leggos, or sticks, or a mix of items that have nothing in common
Items for name game if needed (see below)
candle and lighter
cups and something to drink
Instructions:
Broken and Beautiful (4 Min.)
Place a loaf of bread in the middle of the group as you form a circle where everyone can see everyone else in the group. It is important to make sure everyone has a place and is encouraged to be a part of the circle from the beginning.
EXPLAIN (as you talk, break the loaf into pieces equal to the number in the group):
Each of us comes from different places.
Each of us is a part of different communities.
Schools, teams, towns, churches, groups, and families.
We are pieces of different things, broken off from what is common to us – gathered here.
I wonder, how can all these pieces be made into something whole?
PRAY: Give thanks for each piece of the bread and each piece of the group.
Piecing it Together (20 Min.)
Give each person a piece of the bread (they are welcome to eat it!)
Invite each person to share their name, and what groups they are “broken off from”.
For example: “My name is Bobby, and I’m broken off from my family, FCC somewhere, and the cross country team.”
Go around the circle again, and ask:
What pieces of your life are you most excited to leave at home?
What pieces of your life are you struggling to leave at home?
Give each person 1 item to hold and explain that this is their “Piece” for the activity.
Invite them to work together to create something that includes all their pieces.
There are no limitations or rules. Just something that uses all the pieces.
When they are done, ask:
What do you think your creation says about the group?
What have you learned about this group in the short time we have been together?
Re-piecing or Repeating (8 Min.)
Play another name game.
Most of the group will already have names down but there are always a few stragglers.
Here are a couple options to choose from:
1. Pass around a bag of M&Ms. Have people share 1 think about themselves for every orange M&M in their hand. No rapid eating to limit sharing!
2. Have each person share their name along with an adjective that starts with the same first letter as their name. Example: Jumping Jill. After everyone has shared, see if anyone can remember everyone’s name and adjective without hints.
Another Piece of the Group (35 Min.)
SAY:
We want to remember that there is another piece to our group.
To explore this idea, lets look at our scripture for the day.
READ Luke 24: 13-35
You may want to have youth take turns with the reading in include more voices.
Emmaus (A-may-us) and Cleopas (Clee-O-Pus) are the only strange words to read.
ASK:
Why don’t you think they recognized Jesus?
How do you think Jesus felt on this journey?
How do you think the Disciples felt when the recognized Jesus?
How would you feel if told Jesus had been at camp all day and you didn’t know it?
What if you were told Jesus was in your Small Group and you didn’t notice?
*Light a candle in the middle of the group
When are times that you feel Jesus presence with you?
When have you wondered where Jesus in?
When have you felt like God was missing?
When has another person made you feel like God was with you?
When have you made another person feel like God was with them?
READ Luke 22: 14-19
SAY: We have already broken bread and shared it.
Now we take a cup and fill it. (Pour everyone something to drink)
PRAY: invite one of the youth to ask a prayer of blessing for the cup.
ASK:
What other times this week will we share bread and drink?
How will we know Jesus is with us?
How will others know Jesus is with them?
Closing Prayer
Choose a format for your prayer that can serve as a closing ritual for each meeting.
Let a youth pray and then take turns in future gatherings, or let everyone say something.
How ever you do it, allow it to be a connective ritual for the group all week.
Discovery 2
Turn Around to Follow Jesus
(Acts 9:1-19)
Leader Notes
Saul becomes Paul, a conversion that provides support for the earliest churches and leads to the writing of a large portion of the New Testament. Paul traveled, spoke, and suffered in the name of Jesus. Despite all his struggles, some would see Paul as lucky because he received what so many others have longed for; a direct sign from God!
Some youth will identify with the need to turn their life around while others will struggle with this concept. For those who grew up in the church, there is no “turning around” but a “continuing on the way”. Some will see “turning around” as a judgment statement.
This lesson will try to help all youth find value in Paul’s experience as they try to follow the path of Jesus.
You will need to set up “Hide and Seek” while group is doing “Follow the Leader”.
This will require some team work between group leaders.
Supplies Needed:
Blindfolds for each member of the group
Items to hide in the group area. One should be a cross or chalice.
Bibles (enough to share or let everyone have their own)
Two baseball bats
Large paper / poster and markers
M&Ms if needed (See optional Name Game)
Instructions:
Check In (5 Min.)
This can be as simple as asking “How is everyone doing?” or as organized as having everyone share a high and low point of their first day at camp. Make sure everyone has a chance to share and encourage quiet people to be a part of the process.
*(Optional if needed)
Name Game (8 Min.)
Use which ever game you didn’t choose on Discovery 1’s options.
Follow the Leader (20 Min.)
As the group to think about the place at camp that they feel is the most holy.
Do not invite them to share out loud yet.
Explain that they may not speak for the rest of the activity.
Explain that we will be playing “follow the leader”.
Blindfold one person and explain that they will be the first leader.
Ask the blindfolded leader to take the group to the most holy place at camp.
Remind the group that they may not speak, and to be respectful of other groups.
When the group has made it to their destination, change leaders.
Ask the new leader to step away from the group for a moment.
Explain to everyone else that we will be going back to our small group spot.
Now, bring the leader back to the group, reminding them of the no talking rule.
Blindfold the new leader and invite them to begin.
If the group doesn’t know what to do, give them some time to figure it out.
If they struggle, inform the leader that the group knows the destination.
Once everyone returns to the group meeting space, use the questions below to debrief.
ASK:
What do you think is the most holy place at camp?
Did you know where the leader was going to take you?
For those who thought of a different place, how did it feel to be led somewhere else?
What kind of conflict or rebellion was there within the group?
How did it feel to follow someone when you didn’t know where they were taking you?
How did it feel to follow someone who couldn’t see where they were going?
How did it feel to lead the group in the first round?
How did you feel when you arrived at your first destination?
What were the biggest challenges?
Coming back, how did it feel to follow a leader who didn’t know where they were going?
How does that compare with your first leg of the journey?
How did if feel to lead the second round, not knowing where you were supposed to go?
Hide and Seek (15 Min.)
Explain that somewhere (set a reasonable boundary around your group) in the group area is a hidden object. The group’s job is to find it. The group must stay together (linked arms or hold hands if needed) and then bring the object back to the group circle. The group is NOT to be told what they are looking for. When the ask what they are looking for simply say, “You will know it when you see it.” If the group would like to ask if an object they find is the right one, they must come back to the group circle to ask the leader. You can make this easy or more difficult based on your group’s ability by changing the number of objects, how they are hidden, and the area to search. Once the group has the object, return to the circle and use the following questions to debrief.
ASK:
How did it feel to search for something unknown?
How did you know it was the right thing when you found it?
What happened if group members disagreed on the validity of an object found?
How do you usually find things that are missing or hidden in your life?
WORD Search (15 Min.)
READ Acts 9:1-19
ASK:
How did Saul know that the voice was Jesus?
Before Jesus identifies himself, Saul calls him Lord. Why?
How do you think the men with Saul felt about this journey?
How do you think Saul’s companions were changed by the journey?
How would you feel if you were Ananias (Anna-nI-es)?
How is Saul changed by the journey?
Has God ever done anything to change your life so dramatically?
Are there more subtle ways to find Jesus in your life?
How might faith be different for those who get a “flash of light” compared to those who grow up in the faith and don’t know a time without Jesus in their life?
What does the word “conversion” mean to you?
-Money is converted from one currency to another.
-Electronics often need a “converter” to make old technology work with new.
-Spiritual conversion is more complicated!
When have you been converted in some way in your life?
When have you done a complete turn around like Saul?
If you grow up in the church, is there ever a need to be converted?
If you grow up in the church, are you ever without Jesus?
*** This may be a good place to break if you have two group meetings times in a day
Dizzy Bat (15 Min. + depending on time)
Divide your group into two teams.
Have each line up single file for a relay race.
Each person, on their turn, races out to a line and picks up a baseball bat.
They place their forehead on the bad and spin around 10 times.
After spinning, they have to run back to the line and tag the next person’s hand.
Once everyone has gone, a team must all be standing to be declared the winners.
After the game is over (play as many times as you want, as time allows), return to circle.
Have a poster or flip chart ready for debriefing.
Make a list of faith questions at the beginning of the debriefing process.
As the group gets into conversation, set the list aside and save it for later.
ASK:
What questions about God make you head feel like “Dizzy Bat?”
What faith questions make your brain hurt or make you question your faith?
What events in your life have made your faith feel like “Dizzy Bat?”
What moments made you feel like God’s path for you was blurry?
What is the difference between “Coming back to Jesus” and “Converting to Jesus?”
What does it mean to “follow Jesus”? What is required?
How do you recognize a follower of Jesus?
When did you start following Jesus? How are you doing at it now?
When have you struggled to follow Jesus?
What do you need to do in order to follow Jesus more closely?
How do we follow Jesus when the path seems blurry?
How do we follow Jesus when we feel blind to the path?
How do we follow Jesus when our leaders seem blind to the bath?
How do we lead others to follow Jesus when we feel blind or blurry?
How do we get un-blinded or un-blurried?
Is there a difference in how we follow Jesus as individuals compared to how we follow Jesus as a group (camp, small group, congregation, denomination, etc.) ?
What do you need from this group to help you follow Jesus more closely this week?
As a group, how will we commit to following Jesus together this week?
Close in Prayer
Do this every time, not just in the last group meeting of the day.
Try to use the same prayer ritual for closing each group gathering.
Discovery 3
Turn Around to Follow Jesus
(Luke 17: 11-19)
Leader Notes
Oh, another example of Jesus ad the Samaritan example! Samaria was part of David’s kingdom. It was capital of the “Northern Kingdom” after the division. In the exile years, many foreigners moved into the region. The Jewish community in the North was cut off from the Temple in the South and adapted their beliefs to fit their reality. This difference in religious practice combined with the influence of other cultures moving in made Samaria very different from those who’s life centered around Jerusalem and the Temple located there. Like many family feuds in our world today, familiarity and difference combined to make an even deeper division between Jesus primary audience and the people of Samaria. Beyond that, the story is pretty simple. Even when people are blessed, are they grateful? Are we?
Supplies Needed:
Blindfolds for every person in the group
Construction paper, scissors, markers, glue and other craft supplies (See Thank You List)
Large envelopes (Directors may choose to hold on to these for the full camp)
Pictures or random items for the “Gratitude Recognition” (see below)
Instructions:
Check In (5 Min.)
This can be as simple as asking “How is everyone doing?” or as organized as having everyone share a high and low point of their first day at camp. Make sure everyone has a chance to share and encourage quiet people to be a part of the process.
Gratitude Experiment (30 Min.)
Blindfold every member of the group.
Once blindfolded, explain that they will soon be separated.
For their own protection, they should not move unless guided.
Someone will take them, spin them, and guide them to a location.
They should stay at their location till someone comes to get them.
Once back in the group space, they may remove their blindfold.
There is to be no talking unless they are spoken to.
One at a time, take group members outside the group circle and spin them.
They do not need to know who is guiding them (better for them not to know).
Once they are turned around on direction, lead them to a spot way from others.
Avid paths or landmarks easily noticed by footsteps… rock paths or steps for example.
Do this over and over till every member of the group has been given a place of their own.
Leave them there for a little while.
Go back and pick up each person individually, bringing them back to the group space.
Stand close to them as you remove the blindfold so you can make direct eye contact.
Once back, remove their blindfold look them in the eye and say, “you are free to see.”
Ask them not to speak till everyone is back in the circle.
Do this for every member of the group.
Adapt your pattern in who you bring back based on the ability of the youth.
If you have someone who can’t stand being alone, go get them earlier.
If you have someone who may need to sit longer to get the same effect, get them later.
ASK:
How did you experience this activity?
What stands out to you from this experience?
How did it feel to be spun and left alone?
How did it feel to have the blindfold removed?
How did you feel about the person who removed your blindfold?
What was the first thing you thought of when your blindfold was removed?
In your life, when have you been the most thankful?
In your life, when has someone been most thankful to you?
When do you use the words “Thank you?” Honestly!?!
How do we say “thank you” beyond words?
What is the difference between “thank you” and gratitude?
Thank You List (30 Min.)
EXPLAIN: Much of our camp ground has been built, remodeled, or maintained by local congregations. Their names are on signs around the camp. As a group (must stay together), take a walk around camp and make a list of those that you think deserve a “thank you” note from the camp.
When the group returns from their walk, give them supplies to make cards for those on their list. Collect the cards (give them time to dry if heavy on glue or paint) and give them to the directors to be mailed.
*** This may be a good place to take a break if you have two group times in one day
Gratitude Association (15 Min.)
Hold up random items, one at a time (keep the rest out of sight). Invite the group to brainstorm as to who should be grateful for that item and why they should be grateful.
Example: blade of grass: animals thankful for food,
bugs thankful for hiding space,
people thankful for a field to play ball
or for the creation as a whole)
Grateful Samaritan (20 Min.)
READ Luke 17:11-19
ASK:
Why did the blind man come back to show thanks?
Why didn’t the others return?
What do you think the other blind men were thinking?
When is it hard to be thankful?
When have you been thankful for something but couldn’t express it for some reason?
How does pride change how you express emotions?
EXPLAIN:
The one who came back was lifted up as a Samaritan, making him a foreigner.
We might assume the rest were devout Jews.
Maybe they returned to families they couldn’t wait to see.
Maybe they went to show off what had happened to them.
Maybe, they felt like the Jewish healers job was to heal people and as Jews in need,
they were entitled to be healed. Why say thanks for someone doing their job?
ASK:
Should we express gratitude for things people are expected to do?
(parents for feeding us, teachers for teaching us, etc.)
How is our sharing of gratitude to others comparable to our sharing of disappointment?
How are you at being grateful for things you feel entitled to?
Can you name people you are so deeply hurt by that you can’t show gratitude to them?
Can you name groups of people you dislike so much you can’t show gratitude to them?
Can you name those who are so intimidating that you can’t express gratitude to them?
Can you name people who are so confident you don’t think they need your gratitude?
What keeps you from expressing gratitude the most?
Close in Prayer
Discovery 4
Turn Around to Reconciliation
(Genesis 32-33)
Leader Notes
Jacob and Esau is a long story, but filled with lessons and layers of meaning. It is important to know the back story. It is worth reading the story of these brothers’ birth and the struggle for their father’s blessing. Reconciliation is a major theme of the story, and it will be tempting to use the word synonymously with forgiveness. There is a difference. Forgiveness is necessary for reconciliation but true reconciliation takes more. It is a restoration of relationship.
Supplies Needed:
Paper and pens or pencils
Instructions:
Cinnamon Roll (2 Min.)
Invite the group to stand in a circle holding hands. Two members of the group drop hands and one of them starts walking the direction of their free hand. They walk inside the group circle, pulling the rest of them group connected hand in hand behind them. They continue to walk around the circle, which will get tighter ad tighter. Once everyone is as tight as possible, say the following:
Today we are going to talk about who is close to us and who is kept at a distance.
This week, we have gotten closer and closer each day. Now we will look at how close we are to those beyond camp and how far we will go to keep others away.
Family and Friends Circle (25 Min.)
Give each person a piece of blank paper and pen or pencil. Ask them to write their name in the middle and draw a circle around it. Next, they should draw four more circles, creating a “target” pattern on the page. Invite them to write the names of prominent people in their life on the “target.” Those closest to them should go closest to the center (their name). Those who are more distant should be further away. Once everyone is done, give them an opportunity to share their target with the group.
ASK:
How do people move closer to your center?
What leads you to move or keep people further away from the center?
Which people think they are closer than they are, or want to be closer?
How do you keep people away from your center when they want to be closer?
Who’s center do you wish you were closer to?
How and why do they keep you at a distance?
How does it feel when someone in your circles hurts you?
How does the closeness of the person affect your feelings?
How hard is to let someone who hurt you get close again?
Family Feud (30 Min.)
READ Genesis 27: 1-10
ASK:
Knowing the plan works and Jacob gets Esau’s blessing, how do you feel about Jacob?
If you were Esau, what would it take to make you forgive Jacob? How about your mom?
If you did forgive them, how would your relationship change?
What would it take for you to let them back in the center of your target?
SAY:
Years later we pick up the story of Jacob and Esau.
READ Genesis 32
ASK:
How would you feel about Jacob’s gifts if you were Esau?
What is the biggest thing you have done in hopes of someone forgiving you?
What is the biggest thing someone has done in hopes of you forgiving them?
READ Genesis 33: 4-9
ASK:
How do you feel about Esau’s response to Jacob?
How do you think he came to a place where he could embrace and let go of the past?
When have you been surprised by someone you expected to be mad at you?
Family Fun (As time allows)
Find some time to play together.
Any game will do, as long as you get to have some fun together as a group.
Close in Prayer
Discovery 5
Turn Around to Tell (or Go and Tell)
(John 4: 1-26)
Leader Notes
Today is about giving closure to groups and getting ready to carry the camp experiences back into daily living. In our story, Jesus visits with a Samaritan woman and asks her for water. He describes a living water that he can provide. Jesus also makes a comment about where people worship. Neither there on the mountain or in Jerusalem will be the “correct” place to worship, but true worship will be about “Spirit and truth.” Maybe camp isn’t really a special holy place as much as the place we met God who is special and holy. The same spirit that is at camp can be other places. It is all in the hand and the heart of the believer.
Supplies Needed:
Closure activity supplies if needed (see “I See Christ In You”)
Instructions:
Conversations With Jesus (20 Min.)
READ John 4: 1-26
ASK:
What do you think of this woman?
Who does Jesus know so much about her?
Where does Jesus say the appropriate place to worship God is?
What do you think Jesus means when he speaks of worshiping in Spirit and Truth?
Do you think worship is different depending on where it is held?
How is worship different for you at camp compared to worship at home?
How do location and attitude change worship?
How will the attitude of camp change your spirit when you go home?
What will you tell people about camp when you get home?
What will you tell people about God when you get home?
I see Christ in You
Explain that we started the week by seeing Christ in each other. Now it is time to name the ways that happened through the week of camp. This is also a chance to affirm each person and give some closure to this group. This process can be done lots of different ways. You can let each person share how the saw God in each other person, have them write it down, or event use a ball of yarn and have the group pass it as they talk about each other to form a “web”. There is no wrong way to do closure. Just make sure you are sensitive of time so that everyone gets the same amount of attention.
Close in Prayer
