Trail Life Troop
NC-613
Devotional – God’s Direction
Opening
- Compasses and maps give us directions. God also gives us direction. Let's see how.
- Read, or someone read the Teaching verse. FYI: The memory verse is further down
Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end, it leads to death.
Devotional
Big picture God’s Direction is like a compass.
- Q: What would happen if you followed your compass’ black (or white) arrow instead of the red arrow?
You would be headed in the wrong direction, right? - If you don’t pay close attention to the color of the compass arrows, you may think you are traveling in one direction, but actually traveling in the opposite direction. Illustrate arrows with your compass
- If we think that the black (or white) arrow on this compass points north, we might follow it, thinking we are going in the right direction when we’re not.
- Like the compass example, Proverbs 16:25 tells us that in our daily life a way may “appear” to be the right direction, but actually we are headed in the opposite direction, a bad direction.
- But how, you may ask, do you know if you are going in the right direction or wrong direction? Because a compass only works with maps and orienteering. It doesn’t give you direction in our daily life.
- Proverbs 3:6 says: “In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.”
- You must pay close attention to your compass, know how it works, and trust it to show you the way. In other words, 3 things are needed: Attention, Knowledge, and Trust. You fail one of those, you are lost.
- The Bible is saying like your compass, IF you pay close Attention to God, Know God, and Trust God, THEN you will be able to know the right way to go.
- Attention to God = listening to Him-paying attention to Him, Knowing God = your daily walk with Him-thru spiritual disciplines, and trusting Him = faith and obedience to what He is telling you.
- You fail in any of those 3, like the compass, and you will be lost, appearing on the right way but headed the wrong way. Jesus is the right way.
- The early church was called “The Way” because Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”
- Understanding that Jesus is the way, helps us understand the comparison of Christianity to a compass.
- For there is a wrong way and a right way to live your life. I hope you choose the right way.
Memory Verse #1
Ask if anybody knows it yet and can say it? Read it together 2X Consider having a memory verse pamphlet for kids take home.
Ephesians 6:13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
Topical Questions
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Can you think of another example of the Bible using a path metaphor?
Job 23:11 (“My fee have closely followed his steps”); Mark 1:3 (“‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him’”); Mt 7:13 (“Enter throguh the narrow gate”) -
Why do think the Bible uses navigation and paths as metaphors?
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How is not using your Bible like not using a map?
Closing Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, You guide us just like a compass and map. God, help us to ask You for directions when we are lost and have no hope. Jesus you tell us to come unto You, and you will give us rest. We thank you for your love. Help us to be strong and courageous. Help us to use our new compass skills wisely and we hope and pray we never have to do so in an emergency, but now we are prepared and ready. We thank you for teaching us these useful skills. In Jesus Christ’s name we pray, Amen!
