January 19 Home Communicator

Each January, the entire 7th grade student body, the 7th grade staff, a few other middle school staff, and parent chaperones spend three days at Winter Camp held at Spring Hill Camps in Evart, Michigan. The purpose of this learning experience is to promote growth in a number of areas: building community among students and staff; teamwork; experiential curriculum; and spiritual formation. The curriculum at Winter Camp centered on outdoor classes such as animal adaptations, winter survival, orienteering and horseback riding along with the additional activities of outdoor games and the indoor climbing wall. In all of these classes, faith walk connections were made.

At camp we challenged the students to grow spiritually through the classes, the devotional messages before each meal, and especially during the worship and praise time led by Mr. Doll the last night we were at camp. The message that God placed on his heart was to challenge the students to hear what God is saying to them and the truths they need to claim and on which to build their relationship with Him.

Daily our students hear so many voices from society that tell them what they should look like, how they should act, what they should think, how they should treat others, what is considered ‘cool and acceptable’, etc., and so many of the messages from these voices are lies. They are Satan’s way of separating us from God. We all, but especially middle schoolers, start to believe these messages as truths because the messages are packaged so well. Mr. Doll emphasized that rather than listening to the world’s messages we need to listen to the one Voice of Truth that tells us a different story. We need to hear what God is saying. He emphasized the three truths that God is telling us through His Word that we should hear, believe, and claim – about who we are in Christ – I am accepted; I am secure; I am significant.

I am accepted. . .

I am secure. . .

I am God’s child ~ John 1:12
As a disciple, I am a friend of Jesus Christ. ~ John 15:15
I have been bought with a price, and I belong to God. ~ I Corinthians 6:19-20 I have been chosen by God and adopted as His child. ~ Ephesians 1:3-8
I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins. ~ Colossians 1:13-14
I am complete in Christ. ~ Colossians 2:9-10

I am assured that God works for my good in all circumstances. ~ Romans 2:8
I am free from any condemnation brought against me, and I cannot be separated from the love of God. ~ Romans 8:31-39
I am confident that God will complete the good work He started in me. ~ Philippians 1:6
I have not been given the spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind. ~ II Timothy 1:7
I am born of God, and the evil one cannot touch me. ~ I John 5:18

I am significant. . .

I am a minister of reconciliation for God. ~ II Corinthians 5:17-21
I am seated with Jesus Christ in the heavenly realm. ~ Ephesians 2:6
I am God’s workmanship. ~ Ephesians 2:10
I may approach God with freedom and confidence. ~ Ephesians 3:12
I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. ~ Philippians 4:13

Parents, this is the message our 7th graders heard at camp and the message we bring to all our middle school students. We pray that they choose to listen to God’s voice and come to truly believe His truths. We continue to covet your prayers as we continue to shepherd our students.

Working together in Him – the Voice of Truth,

Mary Broene
Middle School Principal