Sunday
August 27
1. MORE THAN A SOCIAL MEETING
a. What did God intend for spiritual exercise and missionary effort in the camp meetings? Proverbs 22:2.
“In our work we have been perplexed to know how to break through the barriers of worldliness and prejudice, and bring before the people the precious truth which means so much to them. The Lord has instructed us that the camp meeting is one of the most important instrumentalities for the accomplishment of this work.”–Testimonies, vol. 6, pp. 31, 32.
b. Does God intend for this to be a social meeting or is there something more? Acts 17:11.
“Properly conducted, the camp meeting is a school where pastors, elders, and deacons can learn to do more perfect work for the Master. It should be a school where the members of the church, old and young, are given opportunity to learn the way of the Lord more perfectly, a place where believers can receive an education that will help them to help others.”–Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 49.
c. Who should attend the camp meetings and what should be desired? Matthew 5:6; John 7:37.
Monday
August 28
2. REACHING FURTHER
a. What preparation is necessary before a camp meeting? 1 Corinthians 5:8; James 4:8.
“For your soul’s sake, for Christ’s sake, and for the sake of others, work at home. Pray as you are not accustomed to pray. Let the heart break before God. Set your house in order. Prepare your children for the occasion. Teach them that it is not of so much consequence that they appear with fine clothes as that they appear before God with clean hands and pure hearts. Remove every obstacle that may have been in their way–all differences that may have existed between themselves or between you and them. By so doing you will invite the Lord’s presence into your homes, and holy angels will attend you as you go up to the meeting, and their light and presence will press back the darkness of evil angels. Even unbelievers will feel the holy atmosphere as they enter the encampment. Oh, how much is lost by neglecting this important work! You may be pleased with the preaching, you may become animated and revived, but the converting, reforming power of God will not be felt in the heart, and the work will not be so deep, thorough, and lasting as it should be. Let pride be crucified, and the soul be clad with the priceless robe of Christ’s righteousness, and what a meeting will you enjoy. It will be to your soul even as the gate of heaven.”–The Review and Herald, August 15, 1882.
b. What else is necessary in order to have the right spirit in these meetings? Ephesians 4:30–32; Colossians 3:12–17; Exodus 32:29.
“Because this [work of humiliation and heart-searching] preparation is neglected, these yearly meetings have accomplished but little. The ministers are seldom prepared to labor for God. There are many speakers–those who can say sharp, crank things, going out of their way to whip other churches and ridicule their faith–but there are but few earnest laborers for God. These sharp, self-important speakers, profess to have truth in advance of every other people, but their manner of labor and their religious zeal in no way correspond with their profession of faith.”–The Review and Herald, August 15, 1882.
Tuesday
August 29
3. WHAT SHOULD BE INCLUDED?
a. What should be included in the camp meeting itinerary? 2 Timothy 4:2–5; Titus 2:1, 2; 1 Corinthians 2:2.
b. What activities are to be added in addition to the discourses? Deuteronomy 4:10; Mark 6:34.
“In connection with our camp meetings in past years, God’s servants have improved many precious opportunities for instructing our people in practical methods of presenting the saving truths of the third angel’s message to their friends and acquaintances. Many have been taught how to labor as self-supporting missionaries in their home communities. Many have returned home from these annual gatherings to labor with greater zeal and intelligence than hitherto.
“It would be pleasing to God if far more of this practical instruction were given the church members who attend our camp meetings, than has usually been given in years past. Our general workers and our brethren and sisters in every conference should remember that one of the objects of our annual gatherings is that all may gain a knowledge of practical methods of personal missionary work.”–Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 81.
c. What about the youth and children? Titus 2:4, 5; Matthew 19:14.
“At all our camp meetings, work should be done for the children and youth. A children’s meeting or Bible kindergarten should be held daily under the direction of teachers qualified for the work. In simple language, lessons should be given both from the Bible and from nature. Kindergarten methods and object lessons from nature will be of great advantage in interesting the little ones. At some of our camp meetings children’s meetings have been held twice a day. After the morning lesson, on pleasant days, teachers and children would take a long walk, and during the walk, by the banks of a river or in the grassy fields, a halt would be called and a short lesson from nature given. In such lessons as these the children can be taught the parables of Christ. The truth will be fastened in their minds as a nail in a sure place.”–Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 105.
Wednesday
August 30
4. WHERE AND WHAT
a. What does God want to be the center of every sermon given? 1 Corinthians 1:21–25.
b. Where should camp meetings be held and why? Acts 1:8.
“Camp meetings must be held in or near the cities, the workers at one time pitching the tent in one part of the city and the next time in another part. Right at our doors there are heathen who need to hear the warning message. In the large cities of America memorials for God are to be established.”–Evangelism, p. 79.
“The work has been confined to a few centers, until the people in them have become gospel hardened. It is difficult to make an impression on those who have heard so much truth and yet have rejected it. In a few places too much has been expended, while many, many cities have been left unwarned and unworked.”–Ibid., pp. 60, 61.
c. What is necessary in scheduling that we may gain the most benefit from them? 1 Corinthians 14:40; Psalm 127:2; Colossians 2:5.
“Those who labor at camp meetings should frequently engage together in prayer and counsel, that they may labor intelligently. At these meetings there are many things that demand attention. But the ministers should take time to meet together for prayer and counsel every day. You should know that all things are drawing in even lines, ‘that you are standing,’ as the words were spoken to me, ‘shoulder to shoulder, marching right ahead, and not drawing off.’ When the work is carried on in this way, there is unity of heart, and there will be harmony of action. This will be a wonderful means of bringing the blessing of God upon the people.”–Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 50.
Thursday
August 31
5. DON’T FORGET TO FOLLOW-UP
a. Is it enough in any missionary activity to only present the truth? Matthew 28:20.
“The work should not stop when the meetings on the camp ground close. Doctrines have been presented that are new and strange to the people. Those who are convicted and who desire to accept the truth, will have to meet the most determined and subtle opposition. Ministers, friends, and acquaintances will put forth every effort to catch away the seeds of truth sown in the heart. We must not leave the seed to be thus caught away. We must not allow it to wither for want of moisture.”–Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 74.
b. What types of follow-up will be effective in reaching the visitors that come to the camp meeting, and who should do that work? Habbakuk 2:2.
“In following up the interests after a camp meeting, helpers are needed in various lines, and these occasions should be as training schools for workers. Let young men work in connection with experienced laborers who will pray with them and patiently instruct them. Consecrated women should engage in Bible work from house to house. Some of the workers should act as colporteurs, selling our literature and giving judiciously to those who cannot buy.”–Testimonies, vol. 9, pp. 120, 121.
Friday
September 1
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. What is the purpose of the camp meeting, and how can I help to fulfill it?
2. Who should benefit from camp meetings?
3. What types of things should be included in our camp meetings, and how can I be of help?
4. Do we offer different activities to broaden our practical skills in missionary work?
5. How can I help with following up interests after such a meeting?
Receiving the Divine Touch. “Our camp meetings have another object. . . . They are to promote spiritual life among our own people. . . . God has committed to our hands a most sacred work, and we need to meet together to receive instruction, that we may be fitted to perform this work. We need to understand what part we shall individually be called upon to act in building up the cause of God in the earth, in vindicating God’s holy law, and in lifting up the Saviour as ‘the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world’ (John 1:29). We need to meet together and receive the divine touch, that we may understand our work in the home.”–Testimonies, vol. 6, pp. 32, 33.
Developing Character. “We have our convocation meetings yearly, and all who possibly can attend them should feel under obligation to do so. If they neglect to improve the opportunities to obtain a better knowledge of the truth and to become more thoroughly in earnest in their efforts to perfect Christian character, they will be held responsible for the light, and privileges, and blessings which they might have had. Their case is nearly as bad in the sight of God as that of those who attend the meetings but fail to improve by the light and blessings there received.”–The Review and Herald, July 10, 1879.
Teaching Temperance. “In our work more attention should be given to the temperance reform. Every duty that calls for reform involves repentance, faith, and obedience. It means the uplifting of the soul to a new and nobler life. Thus every true reform has its place in the work of the third angel’s message. Especially does the temperance reform demand our attention and support. At our camp meetings we should call attention to this work and make it a living issue. We should present to the people the principles of true temperance and call for signers to the temperance pledge. Careful attention should be given to those who are enslaved by evil habits. We must lead them to the cross of Christ.”–Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 110.