This Week at Day Camp: A Taste of Paradise
This week is one of my favorite weeks of the year—Day Camp! Our littlest ones, ages 4–7 will come for fun and friends and crafts and games. But more than that, they’re learning something big. Something eternal.
Our memory verse will be: “To the one who is victorious I will give the right to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.” Revelation 2:7
Our Bible Experience Rooms walk them through the story of Paradise—how God created a good and perfect world, how sin wrecked it, and how Jesus made a way back for us. They’re hearing about the Paradise of God that’s still to come—the new heavens and new earth where everything sad comes untrue. Where there’s no more tears or pain or goodbyes. Just abundant life forever with Jesus.
They’ll be turning up their imagination and asking questions like, “What was Eden really like?” and “What’s wrong with the old heaven and earth?” And then, they’ll be dreaming about how perfect the Paradise of God will be one day for those who belong to Christ. It’s a deep topic for little hearts—but what better time to begin dreaming of eternity?
Would you join us in praying? We have about 110 children attending this week, along with a faithful group of student and adult volunteers. Please pray that these kids would come to know Jesus and truly begin to hope in forever. And pray for our volunteers, that they would be filled with energy, patience, and joy as they create a safe, fun, and Jesus-centered experience.
And here’s a next step for all of us: spend a few quiet minutes this week asking yourself or maybe journaling, “What’s wrong with the old heaven and earth?” and “What will the new one be like?” Let your heart be stirred. Let your imagination soar. I pray we will all be filled with a greater hope and a greater longing “…to breathe the air of Heaven, where pain is gone and mercy fills the streets…” (Phil Wickham, Hymn of Heaven).
“But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”
—2 Peter 3:13 (ESV)