Worship Camp Equipping kids to Authentically Worship God How can kids learn to authentically worship God? Create a worship camp framework with effective activities, games, and lessons that bring glory to God’s worth.

Introduction Engaging in authentic worship is what we were designed to do. It is the very purpose of our existence. The world we live in has significantly distorted this calling “to worship God.” We see many examples in scripture of the results when people engage in authentic worship: they are changed. Are you ready for that change in your students? In your own life? If we want to help children or adults to engage in authentic worship, then we must model the practice ourselves. Is this the model our student’s see: Psalm 29:2 · we are genuine in our focus on God’s worth Ascribe to the LORD the · we recognize our own depravity in comparison · we respond with authentic commitment glory due His Name; Worship the LORD in the

Ascribed Glory and Intrinsic Glory

Ascribed

splendor of His holiness.

Intrinsic

Worship Songs vs. Songs of Commitment and Response

Worship

Majesty, worship His Majesty Unto Jesus, be all glory, power, and praise Majesty, Kingdom authority, Flow from His throne, unto His own, His anthem reign So exalt, lift up on high the Name of Jesus Magnify, come glorify, Christ Jesus the King Majesty, worship His majesty Jesus who died, now glorified, King of all Kings

Commitment & Response

I love you Lord And I lift my voice To worship you O, my soul, rejoice Take joy, my King In what you hear May it be a sweet, sweet, song In your ear Other Examples of God-focused songs!

Worthy is the Lamb, Darlene Zschech All The Heavens, Reuben Morgan Savior, Ross Parsley Yahweh, Ross Parsley Majesty of Heaven, Chris Tomlin

Names of God:

“Where do you put the but?” Activity

Two Containers

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A Strong Tower

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Adonai Lord

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Coming King

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El Elyon, The Most High

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El Kana, Jealous God

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El Roi, The God Who Sees

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El Shaddai, God Almighty

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Elohim Strong Creator

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Father

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Helper

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Jehova-Rohi, The Lord My Shepherd

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Jehovah-El Emeth, The Lord God of Truth

Whole Heart

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Jehovah-Jireh, The Lord Will Provide

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Jehovah-Maginnenu, The Lord Our Defense

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Jehovah-Or, The Lord is Light

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Jehovah-Sabaoth, The Lord of Hosts

Stories of Worship in the Bible

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Jehovah-Shalom, The Lord is Peace

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Worshiping _______ gods · The Golden Calf ·

the ______ God

(Exodus 32:1-4) The Prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:26)

Jehovah-Shammah, The Lord is There

Worshiping •

Judge of the Whole Earth

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Lamb of God

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Messiah, Christ

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Overcomer

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Salvation in no other Name

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Savior

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Yahweh, I AM, Self-Existent, Unchanging

Worshiping the ______ Way · Nadab and Abihu · ·

(Leviticus 10:1-3) 70 from Beth Shemesh (1 Samuel 6: 13-16, 1920; Numbers 4:20) Uzzah (2 Samuel 6:1-7; Exodus 25:10-22)

We should follow the good examples in God’s Word to Worship the True God in the Right W ay with the Right Attitude!

Worshiping with the _________ Attitude · Cain (Genesis 4:3-7) · King Saul (1 Samuel 13:8-14)

Worshiping the ______ Way

Worshiping with the ___________ Attitude · Abel (Genesis 4:4) · Job (Job 42:1-6) · King David (2 Samuel · · · · ·

6:13-14, 21-22) Isaiah (Isaiah 6:1-8) Mary (Luke 10:38-42) Stephen (Acts 7:54-56) Paul and Silas (Acts 16:22-25) The Four Living Creatures (Revelation 4:6b-11)

The Worship Camp A sample schedule for about 50 kids: Group 1 (ages 5-7), Group 2 (ages 8-12)

Group 1 9:00 AM

1. Begin with worship through singing choosing songs appropriate for the kid’s age, culture, and language. These songs should focus only on God, not on the way we feel when we sing to God. 2. Review the Main Memory Verse: 3. Introduce the day’s Theme (Group 1 will focus on a different, simple theme, but they can still join for this). 4. Tell the theme Bible Story. 5. Pray together and dismiss for Games or Crafts.

Group 2

Morning Large Group

10:30 AM 11:15 AM

Morning Large Group

Games

Crafts

Small Group

12:00 PM

Lunch

1:00 PM

1. Review the day’s theme and main Bible Story 2. Review the main Memory Verse 3. Sing together with songs that give attention only to God

Games

Crafts 1:45 PM 2:15 PM

Afternoon Large Group

Small Group

Crafts, Games, and Small Groups (Group 1)

Afternoon Large Group

In the middle porting of the day, it will be best to separate the kids into groups that are age appropriate. For the younger 3:00 PM Dismiss group, focus on only one attribute of God for the whole week. For example, teach the kids about how God is the Creator God and we can see His work all around us. Each of the games, crafts, and small group times can help the young kids worship God through His creation without worshiping His creation. The pace can move faster, giving lots of opportunities for the kids to run around, have fun, as well as spending special time in smaller groups with a teacher or helper showing love to them and highlighting the Biblical truths of the lesson. For the older Group, expect to have more in-depth discussions where the day’s theme is fully expanded.

Crafts, Games, and Small Groups (Group 2) Use Kathleen Chapman’s book for great ideas for all ages to engage kids in creative “craft” activities that become a worship based experience for the kids. Here are a few of my favorites: Picture Collages (WA8), Instruments (WA13), Nature (WA14), Bookmarks (WA21), Clay Creations (WA22), Word Mural (WA30). Games encourage social interaction and increase a child’s ability to think and stay connected. Alternate from outdoor team games (with competition and exercise) to indoor circle games (with entertaining group tasks). Small groups provide an opportunity for the students to build authentic relationships with the workers, other students, and God. They are given a place to discuss what they are learning, ask questions, and articulate the work God is doing in their heart. This is also valuable for the workers to gauge the effectiveness of the lessons and speak into the children’s specific situations.

Daily Themes Overview (Group 2) Day 1

Day

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Theme: Worship is God’s Worth

Theme: Worship is Undivided Attention

Theme: Worship is bigger than Obedience

Theme: Worship in Spirit and Truth

Theme: Worship on a wooden cart

Bible Story: Psalm 92

Bible Story: Matthew 14:22-33

Bible Story: Luke 5:111

Bible Story: John 4:19-26

Bible Story: 2 Samuel 6: 1-15; 17-19 (Exodus 25:10-22)

Small Group Focus: Ascribed Glory and Intrinsic Glory

Small Group Focus: Where do you put your but?

Small Group Focus: Whole Heart Activity

Small Group Focus: Stories of Worship in the Bible

Small Group Focus: Two Containers

Other Scripture Passages!

Recommended Books!

Isaiah 43:6-7

Chapman, Kathleen. Teaching Kids Authentic

Ephesians 1:12 Revelation 4:11 1 Kings 8:62-63 Acts 16:25

Worship. 2003.

MacAurthur, John. Worship, The Ultimate

Priority. 2012. Michael, Sally. God’s Names. 2011