Community Service • Program

Pre-trip Devotions WH 2024

Pre-Trip Devotion #1

(Note to youth leaders: These devotions are meant to be a starting-off place to help prepare your group for this year’s Group Mission Trip experience. Please feel free to adjust the material to fit your context.)

Supplies Needed                

1 penny per participant

Cereal & milk (bowls and spoons) for snack

Icebreaker: Penny Chinny

Say:  Everybody needs to spread out – at least 3 feet apart from each other. Each person needs a penny (hand out pennies).

This is a simple game. On my signal, balance your penny on your chin. You’ll need to look up at the ceiling and tip your head back. Once the penny is in place, you can’t touch it. You win by being the last person with your penny still balanced on your chin.

The strategy is to get everybody else to drop or lose their pennies, while you’re careful protecting your own.  You cannot touch other players, but you can talk to them and move around the room.

If you drop your penny or touch it you are immediately out of the game. However, the eliminated players can continue to play by trying to get the remaining players to drop their pennies.

Let’s play! Put your pennies on your chin…and go!

(Play until one person remains and crown them the winner!)

Talk about the Game

ASK:  Was there something or someone that caused you to drop your penny?

SAY:  During the game, you were able to influence other players by how you acted and the things you said.  At the same time, other players tried to influence you. 

Life is like that.  There is no way to simply move through your days without being influenced by outside sources, no matter how hard you try to maintain your focus and personal control. 

It can be tricky to navigate your way through it all.  There are positive influences out there, but there are negative influences too.

Reflect

SAY:  You may have heard that the theme for Workcamp this summer is “Influencer.” 

  1. When you hear the word “influencer,” what comes to mind?
  2.  How would you define the word “influence?”
Discuss
  1. What or who influenced your decision to sign up for Week of Hope? Friends? Parents? Something you learned about? Something you heard at church? You went last year and had an amazing time? Something else? Take a minute to share.
  2. What are you hoping will happen while you’re at Week of Hope? Make new friends? Develop new skills? Have fun? Grow spiritually? Become closer to Jesus? Have a great adventure? Something else? Take a minute to share.
Scripture Reading

SAY:  Let’s look at a passage in the Bible. Who would like to read Philippians 4:8-9? Wait for a volunteer and then invite all to listen to God’s Word.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

SAY:  In this passage, Paul encourages us to take ownership of the things that influence our thoughts. He wants us to filter the “input” – wherever it originates – so that we hold onto things that are good and healthy and Christlike.

That is not an easy task today. We are bombarded with words and images that aren’t always positive and beneficial for our spiritual health.

ASK:   Which of these are sources of “input” for you on a regular basis:

SAY:   These are all sources of both good and bad influence. The trick is, use your filter. Choose wisely. Don’t just allow negative images and words to wash over you without having your guard up.    

Proverbs 4:23 says this:

23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. 

Food for Thought

SAY:   We’re going to share a snack now. Since we are just beginning our mission trip preparation, we’re going to have something lots of people eat at the beginning of the day: cereal.

As you prepare your cereal and crunch away, I want to encourage you to think about a few things this week:

Pray

SAY:   Let’s close in prayer.

Loving God, thank you for the world that you created. Sometimes, we get lost in it and forget to guard our hearts. Help us to use our filters and make choices about what kinds of words and images influence our thoughts and actions. We know that you want what is best for us. Thank you for loving us. Amen.

Pre-Trip Devotion #2

Supplies Needed              

Popcorn and candy for a snack

Icebreaker: Popcorn and Candy

SAY:   We need to be sitting in a circle for our opening game.  (Take time to get in a circle)

There are two words you need to know in order to play this game: Popcorn and Candy.

Here’s how the game works –

One person starts by saying “Popcorn” or “Candy.”

If they say “Popcorn” then the turn is passed to the person on the right.

If they say “Candy” then the turn is passed to the person on the left.

Whoever goes next (the person to the left or right), then says “Popcorn” or “Candy” and the turn is passed right or left, depending on which word they choose.

It’ll be a little confusing at first, but the idea is to increase our speed. We’ll practice for a minute…then, we’ll play for real.

Once we’re really playing, you’re out if you say the wrong word, go in the wrong order, or hesitate.

Got it? Let’s play!

Talk about the Game       

ASK:  Did you figure out a strategy for that game, or was it just confusing?

SAY:   That game can be stressful because you have to move fast. You have to keep track of which direction is which, and which word means what. Sometimes things that are supposed to be fun also create stress.

Reflect

SAY:   When you think about Week of Hope, how do you feel? Are you excited about the fun? Or are you stressed about it? Chances are, if it’s your first time going on a mission trip, you’re worried about some things.  Even if you’ve been to Week of Hope before, just getting ready to go can be a source of stress.

Discuss

SAY:   Which of the following things are you worried about when you think about Workcamp this summer?

Scripture

SAY:   Let’s look at our Bible passage. Who would like to read Matthew 6:33-34?

33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

SAY:   Have you ever been super worried about something and your parent or a friend tells you, “Don’t worry! It’ll be ok!”  That isn’t always the most helpful advice. “Don’t worry” is easier said than done, right?

But here’s what you need to know about Week of Hope:

It is absolutely normal to be a bit anxious about what is going to happen when you’re away from home for a week. It’s absolutely OK to look forward with a bit of worry as you anticipate meeting new friends and being challenged in new ways.

As it says in our passage from Matthew today, “tomorrow will worry about itself.” And that’s true. In a matter of weeks or months, you’ll be at Week of Hope. You will be serving on a crew.  You will be challenged in new ways.  Worrying about all of it is natural, but worrying doesn’t make things better or change the fact that you are signed up for a life-changing experience. The days will pass…and you will pack, climb into vehicles, and pull up in front of your lodging facility. It’s just a matter of time. It will happen!

And…it’s going to be OK.  God will be with you through it all. Plus, your adult leaders will have your back every step of the way.

And don’t forget…it’s going to be FUN.

Food for Thought

SAY:   Snack time! Inspired by our game tonight, we’re having POPCORN and CANDY!

As you enjoy the delicious treats, I want to encourage you to think about a few things this week:

Pray

SAY:   Let’s close in prayer

God, we are feeling so many things about our trip to ____________. You know what’s in our hearts. Sometimes we worry so much it just makes us more anxious. Help us to find comfort knowing that you’re with us. Give us the courage to face the unknown. Hold us tight as we grow closer to you through every challenge. It’s going to be OK. Thanks for that, God. Amen

Pre-Trip Devotion #3

Supplies Needed

One battery-operated spotlight/flashlight

Rice Krispies treats for snack

Icebreaker: Searchlight

First rounds, have the batteries removed from the flashlight. Replace batteries for the second set of rounds.

SAY:   We’re going to play a classic hiding game using this flashlight/nightlight (Show them the light – make sure you’ve removed the batteries).

One of you will hide this light. You can hide it anywhere in the building/room. (whatever works best for your situation). You have 1 minute to find a place. After one minute come back here and, everybody else will head out to seek the light.  If you find the light, shout I FOUND THE LIGHT very loudly so everybody knows it’s time to come back here.

We’ll play a few rounds.  Who wants to hide the light first?

Play two rounds of the game

SAY:  Now we’re going to play the game but this time we’ll turn the light on. (Put the batteries in the light) You have to leave it lit as you hide it. You can’t cover it with anything. But you can hide it anywhere in the building.

Who wants to hide it first?

Play two rounds with the light turned on.

Talk about the Game

ASK:   Was hiding it harder or easier when the light was turned on? Was finding it harder or easier when the light was turned on?

SAY:   Obviously, it was easier to find the light when it was turned on, right?  We could play this game in lots of ways to prove just how much LIGHT helps us find things. We could turn off all of the lights in the building and then search for the unlit light. It would be ridiculously hard to find. Then we could leave the whole building dark, and hide the light turned on. It would be even EASIER to find than before. 

Reflect

SAY:   Light is good.

In Genesis, it says:

3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 

Discuss
Scripture

SAY:   Let’s look at our Bible passage. Who would like to read Matthew 5:14-16?

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

SAY:   Jesus said, “You are the light of the world.” YOU. YOU are the LIGHT OF THE WORLD. Think about what that means for each of us.

Step one: God created light.

Step two: God said light was good.

Step three: God created you.

Step four: Jesus said you are the light of the world.

This all goes to say – YOU are the GOODNESS in the world.

When you serve others, when you let your light shine, YOU are the goodness that God creates.

That’s pretty amazing, don’t you think? You might think you’re just one person…insignificant…not capable of great things. But that’s not true. You are God’s goodness in the world.  And when you combine your light with the light of others your goodness multiplies.

SAY:  So as you get ready for Week of Hope, remember that you are part of something good and something big. You will be joining with a mighty force of light this summer to do remarkable things. You will bring light and love and goodness to people who need it. 

What you are getting ready to do this summer is important. It matters. You ARE the light of the world.

Food for Thought

SAY:   You know we love a theme-related snack! We’ve heard that Rice Krispies treats glow under a black light. Full transparency – we haven’t actually tried it. But if you have a black light available, see if it’s true and let us know! Even if it’s not true, enjoy some delicious Rice Krispies treats, right?

And as you snack on your marshmallow goodness, I want to give you a few things to think about:

Pray

SAY:   Let’s close in prayer.

God of light, thank you for putting goodness in our hearts. When we find ourselves in darkness – when we’re confused, or lost, or angry, or hurt – show us the way back to your light and your love. Remind us that our light has power through you.  Energize us to shine so that we can be part of something great and know that we are part of your amazing plan in the world.  Amen

Pre-Trip Devotion #4

Supplies Needed

Lots of paper or plastic cups – 5-10 per participant

Ice cream and toppings for snack (sprinkles, whipped cream, cherries, nuts) plus bowls and spoons

Icebreaker: Flipping Out

SAY:  We need to break into two teams for our opening game. (Break them into teams).  We are going to spread cups all over the room – with no care about how they land. (Put the cups on the floor all around the room. Just casually toss them around so the cups are on their sides, as well as upright and upside down).

When I give you the signal, TEAM 1 will work to put the cups upright, with the opening facing the ceiling.  TEAM 2 will work to put the cups upside down, with the opening facing the floor.

You can’t move the cups from their original location; all you can do is adjust the way they sit. You have two minutes to get as many cups set the way you need them.

Both teams will be working at the same time, so it’s going to get a little crazy.  Be gentle with each other.  No injuries, no property damage, people!

Ready to play? I’m setting the time for 2 minutes…GO!

Play the game for 2 minutes.

SAY:       OK, teams collect the cups that your team “won” (TEAM 1 collects the upright cups, TEAM 2 collects the upside-down cups). Count your cups. Which team won?

Talk about the Game

ASK:  Have you ever tried to do something and it seemed like other people prevented you from making progress? Share your experience.

SAY:   That game was all about things being right side up or upside down.  In life, we tend to think there is a “right” way to do certain things. But sometimes not everybody agrees about what is right. That can create conflict, but it can also bring about change in a good way.

Reflect

Do you consider yourself to be open-minded, or are you unlikely to change how you see the world?

Discuss

There are times when you need to follow the proper order of operations (sounds like math class!). But in many cases, it is healthy and refreshing to try something a new way.  It can help shift your perspective and you might appreciate something in a brand new way.

Keep that in mind as we hear today’s Scripture reading.

Scripture

SAY:  Who would like to read John 13:34-35?

34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

SAY:  Hearing Jesus say that we are to love one another isn’t upside down to us. We hear it all of the time. Loving our neighbors is basic Christianity, right? Jesus 101.

But in that passage, Jesus calls it a new command. That means Jesus was challenging people to look at each other in a new way. This was fresh news, folks.

Before Jesus arrived, people were just living for themselves. They did whatever it took to take care of themselves, without much regard for other people. So when Jesus came on the scene, people were shook. Who was this man who preached about forgiveness and love? Who was this man who spent his time offering compassion, spending time with social outcasts, and healing the sick and lost?

Jesus taught by example.  He wanted his followers to love all people – including their enemies. Jesus turned their perspective upside down.

The end of the passage from John says that people will know we follow Jesus by how we love other people.  They’ll know a Jesus follower not by how many times they go to church, how well they know the Scriptures, or how much they give; a Jesus follower loves people the way Jesus loves people.

Food for Thought

SAY:  Our snack today/tonight is an opportunity to try something upside down. We’ll make ice cream sundaes – ice cream, chocolate sauce, caramel, sprinkles, and a cherry. But before we eat, we’re going to flip them upside down and eat them from the bottom!

SAY:   While you’re getting your sundaes and savoring the cold, creamy magic, I want you to think about a few things:

Pray

SAY:   Let’s close our time with prayer.

Loving God, thank you for turning our world upside down. We know we are called to love our neighbors. Open our hearts to what you have planned. Open our minds to new ideas. Open our arms so that we can embrace all people the way Jesus taught us. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve. May all we say and all we do, honor you.  Amen