By Korey Breutzmann, Director of Programs
Think about the last time you heard a great story. Did it make you laugh? Bring a tear to your eye? Evoke joy or anger, love or sadness?
Each story and every part of our lives is shaped by words—spoken, heard, and read. The greatest story, though, is that of God’s salvation for all of creation.
In the beginning, God spoke words to create light and life. God’s Word came alive in Jesus Christ, the Savior.
We read God’s word in scripture. As we hear the stories in this summer’s Bible study, we will see the many ways in which the story takes an
unexpected turn.
God continues to work to derail our expectations and push us into a new way of thinking and unexpected endings.
Through these stories, we will experience one of the most exciting elements of storytelling.
The PLOT TWIST!
Each day will focus on a different story where individual or cultural expectations take a twist.
Each of those twists is centered on a central idea of what we can learn and take from each story as we navigate the world today. Let’s take a closer
look at each day.
SURPRISE
On the first day, campers will be grounded in God’s salvation story—that throughout scripture and time, God continually works to bring God’s people life through love and the forgiveness of sin.
In the story of Abraham and Sarah, campers will hear about the plot-twisting surprise that God offers Sarah and, through it, learn to look for God’s presence as they are out and about in their daily lives.
CALLING
On the second day, campers will learn how God is at work in their own stories through love and blessing.
Grounded in the story of David, campers will learn about God’s blessing and calling. Even though David was imperfect, God chose and blessed him, just as today God chooses and blesses everyone to lead a life of love using our own unique gifts in the world, even the most unlikely of people.
LISTENING
On the third day, campers will discover how important it is to listen to others’ stories, such as those of their new camp friends.
Jesus validates others’ stories in his encounter with them because they, too, are loved and blessed. Through the biblical characters of Jairus and his daughter, campers will discover how God is at work in everyone, especially those we might least expect.
SERVING
On the fourth day, campers will build on knowing their story and what it means to serve.
When a complete stranger twisted the plot and cared for his neighbor, God’s love changed the world. We find that God can use each of our own gifts to bring love, mercy, and justice to the world.
FOLLOWING
On the final day, campers will find that God’s work in the world is never done, and God is always working to bring life out of death, love out of hate, and order out of chaos.
To round out the week, campers will find themselves in the garden with Mary and Jesus on the first Easter morning, where we see that God’s story is not done yet. By following God’s word to the promise of new life, campers can continue to help write God’s story of love and salvation.
• What is a recent surprise in your life that ended up having a more positive outcome than you could have imagined?
• When was a time that you acted on a call that you were hesitant about? How did it effect your faith life?
• Is there a time in your life where someone truly listened to your needs over their own expectations of you? How did it feel to be heard?
• Talk about a time you served someone else. Was there anything about the experience that surprised you? Brainstorm some ways you and continue to serve others.
• Is it easy to follow Jesus in your daily life? What does it mean to you that God is continuing to help you write your story everyday and that God’s story is never finished?
