For many, July is a month filled with great memories with friends and family. Trips to the lake during the height of summer, Fourth of July fireworks, campouts; all of these come to mind. However, these things are only a small part of what I think of when July rolls around. For me, I think of Bible Camps. Bible camps will always have a special place in my heart. I only went to camp once as a camper. But that week was where my need for repentance and faith in Christ was made clear, and it was where the Holy Spirit worked faith in me. One of my greatest regrets is that I didn’t go to camp more often. Bible camps are a great place for teens and children to make friends that could last a lifetime and, even more importantly, build a faith that will last a lifetime.
Some people might not see the worth of Bible Camp. It takes up a whole week of the summer. There is so much you can do with that week. However, how can it be a waste of time to send a kid to learn about the Word of God and Jesus? God commanded the Israelites in Deuteronomy 6:6-7; “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” The Israelites were charged to train their children diligently in God’s Word. That same charge is given to believers today. We are to diligently train children and Bible camps are one of the tools that the Church can use to train children and teens. We should use and support that tool because it works.
I am admittedly biased when it comes to Bible camps. I’ve spent five summers sharing God’s Word with children and teens as a camp counselor. Seeing kids having “lightbulb” moments where things start to make sense and showing kids that they are loved are some of the greatest things that happen at camp. It is amazing how much a week can impact a child’s or teen’s life. It breathes life into Jesus’ words in Matthew 19:14, where He says, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” The faith of a child is truly remarkable and it makes the work of a camp counselor worthwhile. Spending that time with them reminds you that kids are sinners (all the parents said “Amen”), and that they need Jesus just as much as you do.
As July begins, there are a few things that we can do to “train up children in the way they should go.” If you have children, or children that aren’t yours but that you love, think about sending them to camp. Reach out to the church if you want to send a kid to camp because that is something that we who don’t have children can do. We can help get kids to camp. But remember, camp isn’t the end of our responsibility to train children. We are called to “diligently train” them. That means day in and day out, we show them Christ through our words and actions. We pray for them, and we listen to them when they need help. Bible camp is a great place for kids to learn about Christ, but the home and their home church community should daily remind them of the love of Christ and what they learned at Bible camp.
In Christ,
J. Scott Pierson
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