CAMP MEETING 2024

ADVENTIST YOUTH MINISTRIES

I WILL GO: LEADING LIKE JESUS
MARK 10:43-45

MONDAY

1. Spiritual Growth and Personal Devotion

"Cultivate the habit of talking with the Saviour when you are alone, when you are walking, and
when you are busy with your daily labor." (Messages to Young People, p. 409)

Scriptural wisdom tells us to make God’s kingdom and His righteousness priority in our lives.
Matthew 6:33 is our constant guide. Jesus calls us with a promise to “Seek the

Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need
(Matthew 6:33, NLT).” that means living in a constant state of prayerful communication with Him
under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Yes, we need specific times for private prayer and also
times for prayer with our friends. But then there is the need also for constant communion with
God as we move through the day. For us this is a state of mind, a worldview that God is always
present and active in our lives, communicating with us, influencing our thoughts, and guiding
our steps. It is an intentional approach to all things— home life and family dynamics, ministry
and service to the church and community, and career and professional pursuits. This
intentionality contributes to our spiritual development and helps maintain balance in my life.

Specifically, this requires daily devotional activities which usually begin each day with a brief
private reading of a passage of scripture, sometimes just a significant verse or two for reflection.
"The Bible is God's voice speaking to us, just as surely as though we could hear it with our ears.
If we realized this, with what awe we would open God's Word, and with what earnestness we
would search its precepts!" (My Life Today, p. 283)

Importance of Daily Bible Study and Prayer

Daily Bible study and prayer are foundational practices for spiritual growth and personal
devotion within our faith. These practices offer numerous benefits:

Deepening Understanding of God's Word: Regular engagement with the Bible allows

Us to gain a deeper understanding of God’s teachings, promises, and expectations. It helps us to

see the broader narrative of God’s plan for humanity. “The Bible is God’s voice speaking to us,
just as surely as though we could hear it with our ears. If we realized this,

with what awe we would open God’s word, and with what earnestness we would search its
precepts! The reading and contemplation of the Scriptures would be regarded as an audience
with the Infinite One.” – Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 6, p. 393.

1
Spiritual Nourishment: Just as the body needs food, the soul requires spiritual nourishment. The
Bible is considered spiritual food, providing guidance, comfort, and inspiration. Prayer acts as a
channel for communicating with God, bringing the believer into a closer relationship with Him.
“It is the first and highest duty of every rational being to learn from

the Scriptures what is truth, and then to walk in the light and encourage others to follow his
example.” – Great Controversy, p. 598

Strengthening Faith: Consistent Bible study and prayer build and strengthen faith.

Encountering biblical stories of faith, miracles, and God’s intervention in human affairs reinforces
the our trust in God’s power and promises.

Moral and Ethical Guidance: The Bible offers moral and ethical guidance that helps us to navigate
the complexities of life. Through prayer, individuals seek wisdom and discernment to apply these
principles in their daily lives.

Personal Reflection and Growth: These practices provide a space for personal reflection and
growth. They encourage self-examination and the pursuit of personal holiness and character
development.

Developing a Personal Relationship with Jesus

A personal relationship with Jesus is central to our Christian faith and especially emphasized in
our Adventist tradition. This relationship is characterized by:

Intimacy and Communication: Through prayer, we communicate with Jesus, share our joy,
sorrows, and needs, while also listening for His guidance. This two-way communication fosters
a sense of closeness and our reliance on Christ.

Experiencing God's Love: A personal relationship with Jesus allows us to experience His love and
grace firsthand. This relationship is transformative, offering forgiveness, peace, and a sense of
purpose.

Living in His Presence: Developing a personal relationship with Jesus means living in His
presence daily. This includes seeking to emulate His character, following His teachings, and
striving to reflect His love in interactions with others.

Empowerment for Service: Jesus' relationship with His followers empowers them for service.
Understanding His mission and passion for humanity inspires believers to engage in acts of
kindness, evangelism, and social justice.

Understanding and Living the Principles of the Seventh-day Adventist Church

The principles of the Seventh-day Adventist faith are grounded in the Bible and emphasize a
holistic approach to spirituality, health, and community. Key principles include:

2
Sabbath Observance: Observing the Sabbath from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset is a core
practice. It is a time for rest, worship, and family, reflecting the creation week and God’s
commandment to keep the Sabbath holy.

Health and Wellness: we emphasize a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet (often
vegetarian), exercise, and abstaining from substances harmful to the body (such as alcohol,
tobacco, and unclean meats). This principle is based on the belief that the body is the temple of
the Holy Spirit.

Second Coming of Christ: The imminent return of Jesus Christ is our central belief. This
eschatological focus encourages believers to live with an eternal perspective, prioritizing spiritual
readiness and moral living.

Mission and Evangelism: We are committed to sharing the gospel and the unique messages of
the Adventist faith, including the health message and the prophetic insights from the books of
Daniel and Revelation.

Community and Service: There is a strong emphasis on community and service. This includes
involvement in local church activities, outreach programs, and global humanitarian efforts
through organizations like the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA).

In the modern world, where distractions and secular influences are pervasive, maintaining a
consistent practice of Bible study, prayer, and personal relationship with Jesus can be challenging.
However, it remains a crucial endeavor for those seeking spiritual depth and connection. The
principles of our faith, with their emphasis on health, community, and mission, offer a
comprehensive approach to living a balanced and fulfilling life.

Ultimately, spiritual growth and personal devotion are about nurturing an ongoing, dynamic
relationship with the divine, which in turn transforms individuals and communities, bringing
about positive change and a deeper understanding of life's purpose and meaning.

3
TUESDAY

2. Youth and Health

Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and
walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou that for all these
things God will bring thee into judgment. Ecclesiastes 11:9.

According to the United Nations, there are 1.8 billion young people between the ages of ten and
twenty-four in the world. They estimate this is the largest youth population that ever existed.
Sadly, many of these young people live in risky environments and are often led to engage in at-
risk behaviors that may ruin their health and shorten their lives. About one in

ten of the world’s youth live in conflict zones, and twenty-four million of them are out of school.
Political instability, broken homes, poverty, and limited leadership opportunities have led to an
increasing isolation of youth in societies and faith communities worldwide. Satan was the first
rebel in the universe, and ever since his expulsion from heaven he has been seeking to make every
member of the human family an apostate from God, even as he is himself. He laid his plans to
ruin man, and through the unlawful indulgence of appetite, led him to transgress the
commandments of God. He tempted Adam and Eve to partake of the forbidden fruit, and so
accomplished their fall, and their expulsion from Eden. How many

say, “If I had been in Adam’s place, I would never have transgressed on so simple a test.” But
you who make this boast have a grand opportunity of showing your strength of purpose, your
fidelity to principle under trial…. Does God see no sin in your life?

Mental health problems are usually the result of a combination of many factors, including family
environment, biology, personality, spirituality, and challenging community contexts, including
poverty and violence. Increasingly, the impacts of traumatic events such as childhood abuse,
interpersonal violence, or natural disasters are being recognized as major causes of mental health
problems.

Scripture Roots

Mental health care is rooted in Scripture:

Isaiah described part of the mission of the coming Messiah ‘to bind up the brokenhearted’ (Isa
61:1).

Jeremiah wrote of the Messiah: ‘I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them
comfort and joy instead of sorrow’ (Jer 31:13).

In the New Testament, we see that, ‘Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in
their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and
sickness’ (Matt 9:35).

4
Ellen White has much to say about the connection between the mind and the body.

Listen to what she said:

“The relation that exists between the mind and the body is very intimate. When

one is affected, the other sympathizes. The condition of the mind affects the health to a far greater
degree than many realize. Many of the diseases from which men

suffer are the result of mental depression. Grief, anxiety, discontent, remorse, guilt, distrust, all
tend to break down the life forces and to invite decay and death. . .

In the treatment of the sick the effect of mental influence should not be overlooked. Rightly used,
this influence affords one of the most effective agencies for combating disease.”

Adventist Fundamental Belief #7 Nature of Humanity

The Adventists believe in the wholeness of man and women as spelled out in the Fundamental
Belief #7 Nature of Humanity.

“Human beings are made in the image of God as “an indivisible unity of body, mind, and spirit.”
Consequently, “we believe in a ‘ministry of healing’ by which

we can be restored to wholeness. Our concept of ‘whole’ involves ‘the whole person’: spiritual,
physical, mental, and social—as we do not exist in isolation.”

Therefore, we must treat the physical, social, spiritual as well as the mental aspect of illness.
Unfortunately, the lack of attention to this important issue both by the church and secular society
has left thousands of people with mental health problems stigmatized, judged as spiritually
deficient, and sometimes, in the case of major mental illness, locked up and even chained in
institutions where they are exposed to poor living conditions, sexual and physical abuse, and
neglect.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

• 21.4 percent of youth 13-18 will experience a severe mental disorder at some point during their
lifetime.

World Health Organization

• Depression is one of the leading causes of disability. Globally, it is estimated that 5.0% of adults
suffer from depression (264 million).

• Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15-29-year-olds. People with severe mental
health conditions die prematurely – as much as two decades early – due to preventable physical
conditions.

What is Our Adventist Mission? Is it just doing the following?

5
 Preaching?

Discipleship?

Baptism?

What about Mental Health? Those with mental health problems have poorer health care,
diminished human rights, and higher mortality. They comprise one of the largest mission fields
for the church worldwide.

Why the Lack of Attention?

• Stigmatize mental illness as a result of personal sin.

• Focus on care of the soul and neglect the health of the mind.

• Does not accept reality that members do have mental illness.

• Good Christians shouldn’t have so much suffering from illness.

• Christians need to pray more and have more faith.

• Illnesses and disabilities don’t fit in to mainstream theologies. The Church—A Healing Presence
in Jesus’ Name

Lowell Cooper, retired Vice-President of the General Conference of SDA urged the church to take
mental health issues seriously.

“So, let us not be afraid to talk about it. Let us acknowledge the presence of mental health issues
in our circle of acquaintances and in the Church. Let us talk about it publicly—but not with jokes.”

But the flip side of that realization can lead us to believe that there is nothing significant the faith
community can offer to a person living with mental illness. This is a misperception! In reality, the
church is tasked with caring for the whole person - body, mind, and soul - and that means we
must recognize and care for a person with an illness. The church can speak into the soul and
personhood of the individual in ways that medical professionals cannot.

What Can the Church Do?

1. Preach sermons about mental health problems like any other health issue.

2. Educate & raise awareness in your congregation by inviting mental health professionals to
speak about mental illness.

Dr Ed Stetzer, Executive Director of Wheaton College’s Billy Graham Center, urges pastors to
speak openly about mental health problems as one would about any other health issue and to
educate their congregations. Stetzer has coined the phrase, ‘sermons stop stigma’.

6
It is essential we continue to communicate that mental health is a high priority and work together
to address it.

• Addressing issues of mental health and trauma may be one of the most urgent, emerging
priorities within the wholistic mission of the global church.

Remember, the Apostle Paul strongly urge us:

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

“And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be
patient with them all.”

1 Thessalonians 5:14

7
WEDNESDAY

The Guide To Making Good Daily Habits And Breaking Bad Ones

What is a habit?

To find the meaning of habits, let’s think about what they do. Habits always serve some kind of
biological, spiritual, or practical purpose.

So what is a habit then? A habit is formed when you consistently meet an important need with a
chosen behavior. Let’s break this down into an example of a good habit and a bad habit.

Bad habit example: picking your nose.

The important needs are mostly keeping your nose clean and calming nerves. The chosen
behavior is inserting your finger into your nose. Do this consistently and you have a habit.

Good habit example: complimenting your friends dress code.

Again, there are plenty of important needs like survival, the need to not sleep on the couch, and
others, but let’s just say the need is to foster a loving relationship. The chosen behavior is finding
kind words to describe the way your husband or wife chose to dress. Repeat this before work, on
every date, or when they’re leaving the house, and you’ve got a good habit.

So, why are good habits hard to make?

There are many reasons bad habits are so hard to break and good habits are hard to make.
Chemicals, biological processes, environmental contributors, and brain science studies can each
explain some reasons. All of that is important—but let’s keep it simple. Habits are hard to break
because, as we just learned above, they’re meeting an important need.

An unhealthy identity creates unwise habits. Unwise habits reinforce an unhealthy identity.

Even the worst of our habits are somehow in response to a real need in our lives. If you can get
to the very root of a habit, you’ll often find an identity issue. Our pastor, Dr. Roscoe

Shields, Jr., says, “An unhealthy identity creates unwise habits. Unwise habits reinforce an
unhealthy identity.”

So what can we do about our habits? Instead of jumping into a bunch of “dos” we need to slow
down and address the “who” issues. Maybe you haven’t fully forgiven someone.

Maybe you have some long-term pain. Maybe you were terribly mistreated or abused. Maybe
you were never taught certain things. Maybe you’re telling yourself you hate running, or you’ll
always be addicted or overweight. Whatever it is, there’s a real identity battle that creates real
needs in your life. Remember, even the bad habit you want to replace is somehow giving you a
reward. It’s probably not a good reward, but it’s a reward. Because of this relationship between

8
identity, need, habit, and reward, you can’t just stop a bad habit, you have to address the identity
issues as you replace bad habits with good ones.

What does the Bible say about habits?

This short section has no chance at summing up what the Bible offers on this topic, but let’s look
at five key themes you’ll find throughout the Bible.

Isolation is a bad habit. Hebrews 10:24-25 makes it plain that neglecting to be part of a community
of faith is not just the lack of a habit; it’s the presence of a habit. The original

Greek word used for “habit” here is éthos which implies something that’s become a custom, that
may even be prescribed by law. This lines up with the idea that habits serve a purpose— they’re
a prescription for something. Good habits, like becoming a part of a faith

community, are good medicine. Bad habits, like isolating ourselves when we’re struggling, only
make us sicker.

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving
up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the
more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV

Good daily habits are from God. Habits can be really good because the idea came from God. The
very rhythm of God’s creation story in Genesis 1 and 2 is full of good daily habits. God followed
healthy, life-giving patterns each day. Just in this one story, God illustrated habits of excellence,
persistence, asking others for help (Adam named the animals; God said it isn’t good for man to
be alone and created Eve), stopping to celebrate what you’ve accomplished (God saw that His
work was good each day), and taking a day each week just

to rest. As you read the Bible, continue looking for good habits throughout, and you’ll realize
they’re a gift from God. Actually, 2 Timothy 1:7 spells out that it was God who gave us the gift of
self-control.

… for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 ESV

Temptation isn’t from God. To the extent that good habits are from God, temptation that leads to
bad habits is not from Him.

Whenever you feel tempted to do something bad, you should not say, “God is tempting me.” Evil
cannot tempt God, and God himself does not tempt anyone. James 1:13 ERV

Bad habits are bad masters. We tend to start bad habits out of a desire for personal freedom. We
want to do whatever we want. If I want to roam the halls looking for

something sweet, then I’m going to do it! But what happens? We end up with less freedom,
mastered by sugar—or something else.

9
“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to
do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything. 1 Corinthians 6:12 NIV

There is a way out. What Charles Duhigg refers to as the “habit loop” can feel endless and
impossible to escape. We all know what it’s like to feel stuck in a habit, making the same

mistakes over and over. It can feel like there’s no way out. But God provides a way out. This

doesn’t mean you won’t have to do any work, but it does mean that He is good and worth
following out of the habit loop.

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he
will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also
provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV

Okay, but how do I start good daily habits?

How do we make good habits? There’s not a one-size equation for making and breaking habits,
but the most important variables are humility, honesty, and and asking for help.

You’ll need humility to admit you can’t solve things on your own. You’ll need the honesty to tell
God and others the depths of what you’re up against. Finally, you’re going to need to accept help
from God, from others, and from guides like this. You can’t keep doing what

you’re doing and expect good habits to magically form themselves. You’re going to have to accept
and act on outside help. Speaking of help, there’s a lot of really helpful information and ideas in
the books above, but here’s a simple acronym to help you get rid of bad habits and start good
daily habits.

There’s not a one-size equation for making and breaking habits, but the most consistent variables
are humility, honesty, and and asking for help.

Healthy Identity

Many bad habits are there to cover or cope with something unhealthy in your identity. Porn
addiction is not just about sexual need. Alcoholism, comfort eating, and even bingeing on
entertainment is often a way to cope with something deeper. Constantly checking your

phone is not just because there’s always super interesting information on your phone. As you
begin to break a bad habit and replace it with a good one, it’s time also to open up about pain,
confusion, or anger with people you trust. Let’s dig deep enough not only to replace the old
habitual behavior, but also to address whatever identity issues the old habit was trying to solve
or soothe. Pastor Roscoe Shields, Jr. often says, “When you know who

you are, you’ll know what to do.” It’s time to heal up open wounds by acknowledging them,
forgiving, and believing what God says about us. But, you may not be able to see these wounds
alone. Which leads us to the next step.

10
Ask for Help

You’ll have no problem keeping your bad habit on your own; breaking it is going to require
others. Actually, trying to do stuff on your own is a habit worth breaking in and of itself! You
might be able to knock out two habits in one. Ask some close friends, family, or even coworkers
you trust to check in with you and ask you how you’re doing. Maybe you need to join a specific
recovery support group, a Life Group, or get into a good church. A good rule of thumb is: The
more personally destructive the habit, the more people you’ll need help from.

Be Kind to Yourself

Making good daily habits is not a perfection zone. On the day that you slip up, be kind to

yourself. Don’t give into negative self-talk and self-hatred. Take this as an opportunity to dig a
little deeper into whatever the bigger issue is. Spend some more time healing up and asking for
help. Think of it as an opportunity for growth, deeper healing, and another chance to reinforce a
good daily habit that stands up to all sorts of difficulty. Just like when you get a cold and your
immune system gets stronger, this is an opportunity for the self-control that God gave you to
grow and get stronger.

Investigate and Make Changes

This step is part of finding healing for your identity, but it takes it to another level. You may have
thought you got to the bottom of your eating, spending, procrastinating, bingeing, or whatever.
You identified the bad habits. You dug deeper to find some pain, started forgiving, began healing,
and you developed a new habit to replace the old one. But maybe something still seems off.
Maybe you feel like a joyless robot, just trying to get through life. Maybe you feel like you’ve only
solved problems at the surface. Maybe the drinking stopped but you’ve gone to something else
negative to cope. Maybe the old habit just won’t give

and the new one just won’t set in. It’s time to investigate and make changes. Remember to keep
being kind to yourself and asking for help through this process.

As you investigate, you might not have any changes to make just yet. Don’t change what’s
working. Do keep repeating what is! Only make changes to your new habits that propel you
toward health, growth, and a meaningful life connected to God and others.

Trust the God-Process

Habits tend to get a bad rap, but they’re actually a process God created. Let’s call them a God-
process. You should trust that God is in the process of working something new and beautiful in
your life as you discover healthy identity, ask for help, be kind to yourself, investigate, and trust
His process. Processes like developing good daily habits are not

something we make up to avoid needing God’s help—they exist because of His help. When we
trust and obey God with our good daily habits they become God-processes. Without

11
God’s help, all of our best efforts can become a self-salvation project—the worst kind of habit
there is.

Small Wins Every Day

Small disciplines done consistently lead to big results over time.

In his book Atomic Habits James Clear argues relentlessly for the power of small, daily wins.

He challenges us to become one percent better each day. Pastor Shields says, “Small

disciplines done consistently lead to big results over time.” If you want to run a marathon one
day, create an identity goal to enjoy running and a small keystone habit of running at least one
minute each day for the first week of your habit. Make your new habit easy and obvious. Allow
yourself to grow in strength and discipline incrementally—one day at a time.

You mentioned Keystone habits—what are those? Sleep at least eight hours a night.

Eliminate soda and follow the 8X8 water rule of drinking at least eight, eight-ounce glasses of
water each day.

Eat at least one meal together with your family or close friends each day. Attend a local church
weekly, and participate by giving and serving there. Exercise at least three days a week for at
least 20 minutes.

Declare some truths about yourself every day.

If you’re married, hold hands with your spouse every day. Verbally encourage at least one person
every day.

How do I keep my new habits?

Okay, we get it. You can’t just stop old habits. You need new, incremental, meaningful habits to
replace them. But how do I keep those new habits? Well, you’ve actually just read many of the
answers to this question.

We need to realize what a habit actually is, and we need to decide which habits we want to
change.

A habit is formed when you consistently meet an important need with a chosen behavior. Write
your answers to these questions: What behaviors am I regularly choosing that I don’t want to
choose anymore? What triggers those behaviors? What important needs am I trying to meet with
those behaviors? What new habits do I want to replace those behaviors with?

We need to acknowledge unmet needs, and we need a healthy identity.

The more difficult the habit is to break, the more likely it’s tied to something deeper that needs
healing. This is going to require humility, honesty, and hunger for change. Bring trusted people

12
into your life. Talk to a counselor, a pastor, a healthy friend, and people you love about areas
where you may need healing. Use tools like Words to Live By to invite God into these places so
you can replace lies and negative self-talk with the truth of God’s Word.

Your new H.A.B.I.T.S will take time.

In addition to discovering healthy identity and asking for help, you need to be kind to yourself
when you experience setbacks, investigate whether or not your new habits are getting to the root
of things, and trust the processes and small wins that God is using to renew and reshape you over
time.

Find a good companion Bible Plan and book as you get started.

Whether it’s one of the books we mentioned above, the new Habits Bible Plan, or something very
specific to the habits you’re looking to make and break, you’re going to need some daily help and
reminders. Bible Plans are awesome because they go everywhere your phone goes and keep you
in the Bible. Books are helpful because they can take longer to finish and can become a long-term
companion to your habit-making-and-breaking journey.

Identify which keystone habits you need to make or tweak.

You have habits that set you up either to succeed or to fail in your other habits. This is where
good daily habits come in. Things like waking up with enough time for a healthy morning
routine, reading the Bible daily, connecting with God through prayer, speaking the truth to
yourself, exercising, and others.

We believe in you. There’s a God in heaven who loves you. And there are people around you
who care about you.

5. Social Issues and Christian Ethics

Addressing contemporary social issues from a biblical perspective (e.g., social justice,
environmental stewardship).

Navigating relationships and maintaining Christian values. Understanding and dealing with
peer pressure and secular influences.

6. Adventist Heritage and Prophecy

History and significance of the Seventh-day Adventist Church

Understanding Bible prophecy and its relevance today. Role of the youth in the church's mission
and future.

13
THURSDAY

7. Technology and Media Literacy

Using Technology and Social Media Responsibly

"All our inventions and improvements will perish with the using. They will never pass to the
immortal shore. But the influence of every act, the influence of every word, is going forward to
immortalize that soul who has given his life to bless humanity. Every individual exerts an
influence in society." Ellen G.W.

In today's digital age, technology and social media are powerful tools that have transformed the
way we communicate, learn, and interact with the world. Responsible use of these tools involves
several key principles:

Privacy and Security: Protecting personal information is paramount. Users should understand
privacy settings, recognize phishing attempts, and use strong, unique passwords for their
accounts. Regularly updating software to protect against security vulnerabilities is also crucial.

Critical Thinking and Verification: With the proliferation of information, not all of it is accurate
or reliable. It is essential to verify sources, cross-check facts, and be skeptical of sensational
headlines. This helps prevent the spread of misinformation and fosters a more informed online
community.

Digital Footprint Awareness: Everything posted online can potentially be permanent. Users
should be mindful of the content they share and the implications it could have on their personal
and professional lives. This includes understanding the long-term impact of their digital actions
and interactions.

Creating Positive and Uplifting Content

The internet can be a space for positivity and support. By creating and sharing content that is
uplifting and encouraging, individuals can contribute to a healthier online environment. Here are
some ways to achieve this:

Sharing Inspirational Stories: Highlighting personal achievements, acts of kindness, or stories of

overcoming adversity can inspire others and promote a sense of community and resilience.

Educational and Informative Content: Providing valuable information, whether through

tutorials, educational posts, or informative articles, helps others learn and grow. This content can
empower people by expanding their knowledge and skills.

Engaging in Positive Interactions: Responding to others with kindness and respect, even in
disagreement, fosters a more respectful and constructive dialogue online. Complimenting,
supporting, and encouraging others can make social media a more welcoming place.

Navigating the Digital World with a Christian Mindset

14
For Christians, navigating the digital world involves integrating faith principles with online
behavior. Here are some guidelines:

Reflecting Christian Values: Posting and sharing content that reflects Christian values such as
love, honesty, and humility. Avoiding content that promotes negativity, division, or harm aligns
with living out one's faith online.

Being a Witness: Using social media as a platform to share our faith and encourage others in their
spiritual journey. This can be done through sharing Bible verses, faith-based articles, or personal
testimonies.

Practicing Discernment: Being mindful of the content consumed and shared. This involves
avoiding media that contradicts our Christian teachings and being selective about the voices and
influences one allows into their digital space.

Promoting Justice and Compassion: Advocating for social justice, supporting charitable causes,
and showing compassion online. We can use our digital presence to highlight issues of injustice
and mobilize support for those in need in our surrounding.

Maintaining Balance: Ensuring that technology and social media use does not interfere with Our
personal relationships, spiritual practices, or our overall well-being. Setting boundaries, such as
limiting screen time and prioritizing offline interactions, helps maintain a healthy balance.

By combining these approaches, we can use technology and social media in ways that are
responsible, positive, and aligned with our values. This not only enhances our own digital
experience but also contributes to a more uplifting and ethical online community around us.

15
FRIDAY

8. Career and Education

"True education means more than the pursuit of a certain course of study. It means more than a
preparation for the life that now is. It has to do with the whole being, and with the whole period
of existence possible to man. It is the harmonious development of the physical, the mental, and
the spiritual powers. It prepares the student for the joy of service in this world and for the higher
joy of wider service in the world to come."

Prioritizing Time and Energy: Balancing academic pursuits with spiritual growth involves
prioritizing time and energy in a way that neither aspect is neglected. This means setting aside
regular time for prayer, Bible study, and worship even amidst a busy academic schedule.
Establishing a routine that includes spiritual disciplines can help maintain this balance.

Integrating Faith into Academics: Another way to balance these pursuits is by integrating faith
into academic life. This can be done by viewing one's studies as a form of worship and service to
God, seeking His guidance in academic decisions, and maintaining integrity in all academic
endeavors. Finding Christian groups or fellowship on campus can also provide support and
encouragement.

Stress Management: Spiritual practices like prayer and meditation can be effective tools for
managing stress. Leaning on God's strength during challenging times can provide peace and
perspective, helping to keep academic pressures in check.

He will direct their paths.

Evaluating Career Choices: When evaluating career options, consider whether the profession
reflects Christian values such as integrity, service, compassion, and justice. Careers that allow for
ethical practices, opportunities to serve others, and the ability to witness one's

Choosing a Career Path that Aligns with Christian Values

Seeking God’s Guidance: Choosing a career path that aligns with Christian values starts with
seeking God’s guidance through prayer and scripture. Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages believers to
trust in the Lord with all their heart and acknowledge Him in all their ways, promising that faith
can be particularly fulfilling.

Consulting Wise Counsel: Seeking advice from mentors, pastors, and other trusted Christian
advisors can provide valuable insight and discernment in making career choices. Their
experiences and wisdom can help in understanding how different careers might align with one's
faith and values.

Preparing for the Future with Faith and Trust in God

16
Trusting in God’s Plan: Preparing for the future involves trusting in God’s plan, as stated in
Jeremiah 29:11, which assures believers that God has plans to prosper them and not to harm them,
plans to give them hope and a future. This trust alleviates anxiety about the future and
encourages a reliance on God’s provision and timing.

Developing Skills and Talents: Faithfully developing the skills and talents God has given is
another way to prepare for the future. This includes pursuing education and training diligently,
being open to learning and growth, and using one’s gifts for God’s glory.

Financial Stewardship: Practicing good financial stewardship, such as budgeting, saving, and
giving, reflects trust in God’s provision and prepares for future uncertainties. It also aligns with
biblical principles of managing resources wisely.

Community and Support: Building and maintaining a supportive Christian community provides
encouragement and accountability, which is crucial in both personal and professional
development. Being part of a faith community can offer practical help and spiritual support
during transitional periods and challenges.

Conclusion

Balancing academic pursuits with spiritual growth, choosing a career that aligns with Christian
values, and preparing for the future with faith are all interconnected aspects of living a faithful
Christian life. By prioritizing spiritual growth, seeking God’s guidance in

career decisions, and trusting in His plan, believers can navigate these areas with confidence and
peace. This holistic approach ensures that every aspect of life, including education and career, is
integrated with one’s faith and commitment to God.

17