Story of God

Our theme at English Camp this year is Stories.  The purpose behind this theme is for students to see that everyone has a story, but ultimately we are all part of a much bigger story--the story of God.  At the end of the week, we will be asking students to think about where they fit into this story.  

The Story of God will be divided into 12 scenes, which we will cover over the next seven days.  Here are the stories we will be covering each day so that you know more specifically how to pray for us as we discuss these important stories with our friends.

Day 1:

Today!  We'll be giving the overall introduction.

Day 2:

Scene 1 - Beginnings (Genesis 1)

Scene 2 - First Humans (Genesis 2)

Day 3:

Scene 3 - Separation (Genesis 3)

Scene 4 - Flood (Genesis 6-9)

Day 4:

Scene 5 - Promise (Genesis 12-21)

Scene 6 - Exchange (Genesis 22)

Day 5:

Scene 7 - Deliverance (Genesis 37-50, Exodus)

Scene 8 - Kings and Prophets

Day 6:

Scene 9 - The Birth of Jesus

Scene 10 - The Life of Jesus

Day 7:

Scene 11 - The Death and Resurrection of Jesus

Scene 12 - The Church

There are so many reasons that I am really excited about the theme this year.  First, the way the gospel is being presented will be very effective in the postmodern mindset of the emerging generation (especially here in Czech).  Second, this approach will give the students a much larger picture of why Jesus came and died for us and why we absolutely need to trust in him.  Their questions will build on each other, and a sense of anticipation will build throughout the week.  I also love how our story ends with the church, and how God desires to use them as a part of his kingdom here on earth.  Finally, I love the questions that we're asking them at the end of the week:

Do you have a desire to join in this amazing story?

...to live life in the ways of God, to accept Jesus as your sacrifice?

...to be blessed and be a blessing to others?

God is offering you the best and only possible way to really live.

Will you choose his ways or your own?

Please pray for the students as they hear these stories.  Pray that anticipation will build in the hearts of students all week.  Pray that they would see and understand clearly at the end of the week that Jesus is the ultimate answer to their questions.  Pray for our teachers and discussion leaders.  We have the unique challenge of discussing only what is in our story and stories we have already told.  This means that we will not be jumping ahead, and sometimes that can be difficult--especially when you know that this story points directly at Jesus!  We want the students to discover this for themselves throughout the week in these stories, and we're excited to see what happens when they do.

The students will be arriving in about five hours!  Thanks so much for your prayers and support!

Blessings,

Jeremy