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Deciding for Christ (Camp Emmanuel 2005)

Orthodox Life Summary Sheet

Review the information provided below before executing this session.
Materials for the Lesson:
Icon of the Hospitality of Abraham
Icon of the Last Judgment

Poster board and markers

The children and advisors should be seated facing each other in a circle. Take out the Icon of the Hospitality of Abraham. Spend a few moments reflecting and looking at the icon. Read Chapter 18 of Genesis, inviting the participants to take turns reading. Stop as necessary to comment or take questions about the text. Notes are provided to assist with this.

Once the reading is completed, view the icon once more, noticing the direction of their faces, their dress, color, and hand gestures.

Discussion Questions:
What does it mean to exist, to be?
How does the Holy Trinity exist? What defines and characterizes its mode of existence?
We are made in the image and likeness of God; how and what is our true and full existence?
What does it mean to be in Communion with others?
What is the meaning of life in one sentence? Invite everyone to answer; list responses on poster board.
What is the meaning of the Christian Life? Again, invite everyone to answer; list responses on poster board.

Read the quote from St. Seraphim of Sarov. After reading that passage, read the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31. Morality is a question of being more than doing.

Discussion Questions:
How are you defined?
What is a label?
What is a name?

View the Icon of the Last Judgment, allowing a few moments for reflection. Ask the following:
What is the afterlife like according to the Gospel of Luke? Refer to the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus.
What was the Rich Man's Sin? Allow time for discussion. Discuss also that dogs licked Lazarus' sores.
How might you look at others differently after this discussion?

Orthodox Life Session
Group Leader Information
Begin with a prayer or the following verses."I call heaven and earth to bear witness against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, blessings and cursings; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live. That you may love the Lord your God, and that you may obey His voice, and that you may cleave to Him; for he is your life and the length of your days; that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give to you." Deuteronomy 30:19.
"Thus says the Lord, Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths and see where is the good way, and walk in it and find rest for your souls." Jeremiah 6:16.

The children and advisors should be seated facing each other in a circle. Show them the Icon of the Hospitality of Abraham. Spend a few moments reflecting and looking at the icon. Read Chapter 18 of Genesis, inviting the participants to take turns reading. Stop as necessary to comment or take questions about the text. The following notes are provided to assist in this.

Genesis 18
Verse 1: The Lord: Hebrew uses Yahweh, personal name for God as revealed to Moses.
Note that they speak with one voice.
Verses 16-21, The Lord speaks, saying "the Lord" implying multiple persons.
Abraham talks to Him with piety in verses 22-33, showing that he knew what the visitors were, i.e., the Lord as verse 1 indicates.

Once the reading is completed, again view the icon, noticing the direction of their faces, their dress, color, and hand gestures.

Discussion Questions:
What does it mean to exist, to be?
How does the Holy Trinity exist? What defines and characterizes its mode of existence?
We are made in the image and likeness of God; how and what is our true and full existence?
What does it mean to be in Communion with others?
What is the meaning of life in one sentence? Invite everyone to answer, listing their responses on poster board.
What is the meaning of the Christian Life? Again, invite everyone to answer and list their responses on the poster board.

Read the following quote from St. Seraphim of Sarov.

"The Lord has revealed to me," said the great Elder, "that in your childhood you had a great desire to know the aim of our Christian life, and that you continually asked many great spiritual persons about it."
I must say here that from the age of twelve this thought had constantly troubled me. I had, in fact, approached many clergy about it; but their answers had not satisfied me. This was not known to the Elder.

"But no one," continued Father Seraphim, "has given you a precise answer. They have said to you: 'Go to Church, pray to God, do the commandments of God, do good—that is the aim of the Christian life.' Some were even indignant with you for being occupied with profane curiosity and said to you: 'Do not seek things that are beyond you.' But they did not speak as they should. And now poor Seraphim will explain to you in what this aim really consists.

"Prayer, fasting, vigil and all other Christian activities, however good they may be in themselves, do not constitute the aim of our Christian life, although they serve as the indispensable means of reaching this end. The true aim of our Christian life consists in the acquisition of the Holy Spirit of God. As for fasts, and vigils, and prayer, and almsgiving, and every good deed done for Christ's sake, they are only means of acquiring the Holy Spirit of God. But mark, my son, only the good deed done for Christ's sake brings us the fruits of the Holy Spirit. All that is not done for Christ's sake, even though it be good, brings neither reward in the future life nor the grace of God in this. That is why our Lord Jesus Christ said: He who gathers not with Me scatters (Luke 11:23). Not that a good deed can be called anything but gathering, since even though it is not done for Christ's sake, yet it is good. Scripture says: In every nation he who fears God and works righteousness is acceptable to Him (Acts 10:35). [1]

"As we see from the sacred narrative, the man who works righteousness is so pleasing to God that the Angel of the Lord appeared at the hour of prayer to Cornelius, the God-fearing and righteous centurion, and said: 'Send to Joppa to Simon the Tanner; there shalt thou find Peter and he will tell thee the words of eternal life, whereby thou shalt be saved and all thy house.' Thus the Lord uses all His divine means to give such a man in return for his good works the opportunity not to lose his reward in the future life. But to this end we must begin here with a right faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Who came into the world to save sinners and Who, through our acquiring for ourselves the grace of the Holy Spirit, brings into our hearts the Kingdom of God and opens the way for us to win the blessings of the future life. But the acceptability to God of good deeds not done for Christ's sake is limited to this: the Creator gives the means to make them living (cp Heb. 6:1). It rests with man to make them living or not. That is why the Lord said to the Jews: If you had been blind, you would have no sin. But now you say, We see, and your sin remains on you (Jn. 9:41). If a man like Cornelius enjoys the favour of God for his deeds, though not done for Christ's sake, and then believes in His Son, such deeds will be imputed to him as done for Christ's sake merely for faith in Him. But in the opposite event a man has no right to complain that his good has been no use. It never is, except when it is done for Christ's sake, since good done for Him not only merits a crown of righteousness in the world to come, but also in this present life fills us with the grace of the Holy Spirit. Moreover, as it is said: God gives not the Spirit by measure. The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. (Jn. 3:34-35).

"That's it, your Godliness [2]. In acquiring this Spirit of God consists the true aim of our Christian life, while prayer, vigil, fasting, almsgiving and other good works [3] done for Christ's sake are merely means for acquiring the Spirit of God."

At this time, invite the campers to read aloud the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus.

The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus
"There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at this gate, desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.' But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.' Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.' Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them here them.' And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.'" Luke 16:19-31.

Ask the following questions: How are you defined? What is a label? What is a name?
Note that Lazarus has a name while the rich man does not. To have a name is to have being. Jacob wrestles with an angel, wants his name, yet isn't granted a name. To have a name is to have intimacy and even power with the other.

Note also that dogs licked Lazarus' sores, they acted "kataphysin" (according to nature). Dog licks can help heal wounds; they were trying to help in ways they were able, whereas the Rich Man couldn't be bothered even to acknowledge the being of Lazarus.

"Ο ων," "the existing one," the name used in Greek for YWHW; the opposite of which is "μη ων," meaning literally, "the non-existing one, the negation of existence," another term for evil. Lazarus exists by patiently enduring, the rich man does not fully exist; he leans towards the negation rather than towards living. Choosing is more about "being" than about an abstract moral system. We are created in the image of God to grow according to His Likeness, to choose Him, to be in Communion with Him. On the other hand, to not choose Him is to deny one's self; to negate one's existence.

Discussion Questions:
How does this apply to you as teenagers?
What does it mean to "be"?
What does society say?
What does the Church say?
How do we acquire the Holy Spirit?
How do we live closer to God?

These will determine all our choices. There is only one choice to be made, "to be, or not to be." If one chooses to be, if one chooses life as Scripture says, then there is the way of Christ, Who is the "way, the truth, and the life." If one chooses death, they alone will be responsible. Choosing life is choosing love, fulfillment, and joy. Choosing death and hell is choosing isolation, loneliness, and despair.

Street Wise Session
Group Leader Information
The goal of this session is to create a decision-making model.
After an opening prayer, again invite the children and advisors to sit in a circle facing one another. Begin with a ten minute ice breaker of your choosing. When that is complete, continue the session.

In the Divine Liturgy we say at least four times, "Commemorating our most Holy Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary with all the Saints, let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God." The people respond with, "To You O Lord," giving their "yes." Jesus says, "Let your yes be yes and your no be no." Do we really mean what we say? Take a few moments to discuss what it means to commit to someone or something.

The ancient gladiators use to say when they were in the arena, "We who are about to die salute you!" They did this to honor Caesar. Ask the campers to discuss how people are honored today.

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2. Think "honor God!" Take some time to discuss with the campers, "what honors God, and what dishonors Him, and why?"

At this time read the following passages. Ask the campers to think about "What side of the fence are you on?" as they listen to the following words:
"But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come; For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!" 2 Timothy 3:1-5.

Invite a camper to read 1 Corinthians 13 aloud.

"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13.

John says, "God is Love." Invite another camper to reread 1 Corinthians 13, this time substituting "God" for "Love" throughout the passage (provided below):

"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not God, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not God, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not God, it profits me nothing. God suffers long and is kind; God does not envy; God does not parade Himself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. God never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, God, these three; but the greatest of these is God."

Ask, "Does substituting "God" for "love" change the meaning of this passage? Take a few moments to discuss.

Now substitute "I" for "God" in the same passage, for you are created in the Image of God to grow into His Likeness. You are called to be perfect, as Your Heavenly Father is Perfect.

"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not I, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not I, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not I, it profits me nothing. I suffer long and am kind; I do not envy; I do not parade myself, am not puffed up; do not behave rudely, do not seek my own, am not provoked, think no evil; do not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoice in the truth; bear all things, believe all things, hope all things, endure all things. I never fail. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, I, these three; but the greatest of these is I."

Reflect on this with the group for about ten minutes. This model is useful in preparing for Confession.

As for decision making, there are three criteria for making a decision. First, do you pledge allegiance to Christ? We do from our baptism yet we must pledge our allegiance continually. The second criteria: does this honor God? And lastly, does it come from love? These three criteria make up the "Trinity Decision Making Scheme." Practice it regularly when making any decision.

Close the session with a prayer.