Group Mission Trips Resources

Post-Trip Devotions

DEVO 1

Icebreaker: Camp superlatives

Welcome back! We’ve just come back from an amazing time at camp, where we learned how God equips us to face life’s big moments. To start off today, we are going to play Camp Superlatives.

Go around the circle and vote on who is the most likely to fit each of these superlatives the best (feel free to add any that would be unique to your group!):

• Most Care Cards Written
• First One to be awake in the morning
• Last One to be awake in the morning
• Always helping someone else
• Most likely to lose their mission handbook
• Most likely to pray for a stranger
• Most likely to win 9 square
• Most coffee consumed
• Always had the snacks

That was a fun way to look back at some of the memorable moments from camp! Each of those superlatives reminds us of the unique ways we experienced camp and how we each played a part in making it meaningful. But camp wasn’t just about the fun moments, it was about serving others and growing closer to Jesus.

As we step back into our daily routines, we don’t want to just leave camp behind as a fun memory. Instead, we want to take the lessons and tools we received and apply them to our lives.

Let’s review our themes scripture from camp:

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:8 “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

As we go about our lives or step into new opportunities, this scripture reminds us that God’s provision is perfectly timed and perfectly measured for what He calls us to do. The tools we learned at camp are not just for our survival, but so that we may abound in every good work.

Scripture: Matthew 7: 24-25 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.”

Ask and discuss:

• What does this passage tell us about God?
• What does this scripture tell us about ourselves?
• Which tool or tools do you find yourself using the most since camp has ended?

• What are some things that might distract you from staying equipped? How can we keep a firm foundation in Jesus through the distractions?

   

Closing thought: Just like in sports or music, where practice prepares us for big moments, our time at camp was preparing us for how we can live out our faith every day. The steps we learned at camp, E.Q.U.I.P., are not just for a one-time experience, they are tools to help us grow and live out our faith every day.

Pray: Dear God, Thank You for Your endless love. Help us step forward in faith, knowing that Your grace will always be enough. We come before you with open hearts to do Your will, seeking Your guidance, strength, and peace. Remind us that you have equipped us and teach us how to continually follow you better. Help us prioritize you and make you the center of our lives. Amen

DEVO 2

Ice Breaker: Story Builders

How to play:

• 1. Gather your group in a circle and pick someone to start.
  2. Person 1 starts the story by saying a sentence to begin a narrative.
  3. The next person in the circle adds the next sentence to the story.
  4. Each person continues to add one sentence at a time until everyone has gone and you have a complete story.

Ask and Discuss:

• How did it feel to contribute to the story? Was it hard to come up with a sentence or did it come naturally?

Storytelling is an important way to share experiences and ideas with others! The cool thing about following Jesus is that we each have unique stories, but they all play into a greater narrative.

At camp we learned that Paul had an incredible transformation after encountering Jesus in Acts 9. Now let’s read Acts 22:

Scripture: Read Acts 22: 1-21

Ask and discuss:

• Thinking back to what we learned at camp, what do you notice about this story?
• How is it similar to what we learned in Acts 9 at camp? Are there any ways that it is different?

Did you notice that Acts 9 and Acts 22 recount the same story? Acts 9 is a narrative written in third person and Acts 22 is Paul’s personal testimony of the same story. He tells the story of his transformation in his own words, emphasizing his mission to share the love and message of Jesus. We learned on our last day at camp that after we make a decision or improvement in our faith, that the next step is to proclaim. That is exactly what Paul is doing in Acts 22. He is telling his story. It’s a reminder that a transformative encounter with Jesus doesn’t just change our hearts, it sends us out with a new purpose. And not just the purpose we have for ourselves, but the purpose we have from God.

Ask and Discuss:

• Since the last time we met, have you been intentional about implementing a tool that you weren’t already using? What differences have you noticed since?
• What are some stories and experiences from camp that we can proclaim to others?

• Has the acronym EQUIP helped you face any big events or decisions recently?

   

Closing Thought: Paul’s story is just one thread in the grand narrative of the Bible — a story of redemption, grace, and God’s relentless pursuit of us. His transformation reminds us that no encounter with Jesus is insignificant, and every testimony plays a role in God’s greater plan and greater story. As we step forward in faith, may we, like Paul, boldly proclaim the goodness of Christ and share our own stories to impact the people around us.

Pray: God, Thank You for the incredible ways you transform lives. Thank you that you see us and that every testimony is a part of your greater plan. Give us the courage to boldly share our own stories and the good things you have done in our lives, even if it feels uncomfortable or challenging. Amen.