Day 1 (Campers arrive) 

Pray:“Father, we are so excited for the campers to arrive! But we are also anxious and worried about camp details, logistics, and how some of the campers might respond to our programs. Help us to soak in your word and your truth as we prepare for what’s ahead today. Help us to really know that your supremacy is your sufficiency for all things. Amen.” 

 

Read:Colossians 1:15-29

 

The Preeminence of Christ

 

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For byhim all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

 

21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creationunder heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

 

Paul's Ministry to the Church

 

24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.

 

Read and Respond: 

 

Start by listing the 14 awesome truths verses 15-20 state about Jesus Christ: 

 

1.     He is the _________  ____  _____ ____________ ______

2.     the firstborn ____  ____   _________________ 

3.     For byhim all things ______ ________, in _______ and on ________, _______ and _________, whether _________ or ___________ or ________ or _________

4.     all things were created ___________ ______ 

5.     and ______  ______. 

6.     And he is ____________  ______  ___________, 

7.     and in him _______  ___________  ________ ______________.

8.     And he is _______   _________  _____ _______  __________, the ______________.

9.     He is the _______________, 

10.  the _______________  ________ _______  __________,

11.  that in ___________________  _____  ____________ ______  _____________. 

12.  For in him all the ________________ _____  __________ was pleased to dwell, 

13.  and through him to _______________  ______  __________ _______  _______, whether on earth or in heaven, 

14.  making ____________  ______  ________ ____________  _______  ________ ___________.

 

These verses may be one of the earliest Christian hymns meant for the worship and praise of Jesus over all creation and his redemption of all things. They are some of the richest Christological verses in the Bible. May they deeply encourage and embolden you. 

 

Jesus is clearly praised as supreme over everything in this hymn. If he is supreme, then he is sufficient for whatever it is you need from him in your life and in this camp. 

 

List a few places where you want Jesus to reign supreme in your life right now. And also list a few places where you want Jesus to reign supreme in your week at camp. 

 

What was once your status? (v 21)

 

And now how are you? (v 22)

 

The hope of the gospel is being proclaimed throughout all creation, even at your camp! And it’s the message of which Paul became a minister and the message which you are now ministering as well. 

 

Read verse 24. This can be an area of confusion for any reader. Know that Paul is not saying that Christ’s death wasn’t sufficient—that would run contrary to this whole letter and to all of Scripture. Rather, what Paul is saying is that futurebelievers and ministers of the gospel, afterthe life, death, and resurrection of Christ would also suffer in their flesh for the sake of the body, the church. This may be true for you in your country of service, or true for those who come to Christ at your camp. Ask the Lord to help you rejoice in your sufferings, as Paul did. 

 

Ministry is according to what? (v 25) Stewardship is carefully managing and overseeing what belongs to another. All that you have belongs to God and is for you to steward for his name’s sake. What gifts, skills, abilities, and relationships can you steward well this week to make the word of God fully known? 

 

What (who) is the hope of glory? (v 27)

 

According to this verse where is the hope of glory? 

 

Like Paul is verse 28, it is him, Christ, you proclaim! It is to proclaim Christ that you toil, like Paul (v 29).

 

And as you toil, like Paul, whose energy are you using and who is powerfully at work in you? (v 29) 

 

Pray:Worship Jesus and praise him for each and every one of the ways he’s described in verses 15-20. As you pray this scripture back to your Savior, allow him to renew in you an awareness that he is supreme and therefore sufficient. Pray that you might rejoice in any suffering today and the rest of the week. Ask God to help you be a careful steward of whatever he gives you today. Rejoice that Christ is in you and he is the hope of glory. Ask him to help you proclaim him with his energy and power.