Day 5 at Camp Areté: Lessons on Humility and Faith
Today at Camp Areté, we continued our focus on scripture and spiritual growth with lessons on humility and faith. The day began with an impactful lesson from Pastor Brad, who explored the dangers of a proud heart, drawing wisdom from the story of Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4. This biblical account of Nebuchadnezzar’s years in the wilderness, eating grass like an animal, ultimately led to his humbling and submission to the Creator of the universe. Pastor Brad masterfully connected these lessons to our own lives, reminding us that pride in our achievements can prevent many from accepting the finished work of Jesus Christ and instead relying on their own efforts. He emphasized that even believers can fall into the trap of thinking they can live without obedience to God’s Word.
After lunch, we gathered by the rustic amphitheater on the lakeshore of Chilhowee, nestled in the foothills of the Smokies. There, Jeff delivered a clear and accurate Gospel message from John 3:16. He challenged each camper to examine their hearts and consider whether they had personally placed their faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. Jeff’s words were a powerful reminder of the importance of personal faith and the transformative power of the Gospel available to anyone who believes.
As the day drew to a close, Pastor Dave walked us through the prophecy in Daniel 8, a key eschatological passage outlining a Divine timeline of past and future fulfillment of God’s plans, culminating in everlasting righteousness, anticipating a future fulfillment. This understanding underscores the anticipated judgment of believers at the Bema Seat, emphasizing accountability of each of us, a recompense for what we did, good and bad, and the ultimate establishment of God’s Kingdom.
We had a fun-filled afternoon at Lake Chilhowee, offering the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation. The day started with exhilarating water games, where our campers’ laughter echoed across the lake as they splashed and competed in friendly matches. After a refreshing swim, some of the group set off on a scenic hike around the lake, marveling at the lush greenery and vibrant wildlife visiting Chilhowee’s scenic waterfall. As the sun began to set, everyone gathered by the shore, sharing stories and enjoying each other’s company. The blend of physical activity and serene nature created an unforgettable experience, fostering deep connections and joyful memories.
Camp Areté is more than just a place for fun and fellowship; it’s a place of spiritual growth, challenging all to examine their hearts and deepen their faith. Today’s lessons on humility and faith were a vital part of that journey.
Love all the blog posts. Such rich Biblical teaching and wonderful fellowship!
Thank you for all the pictures as well.
Fun to ‘keep up’ with camp!
Thank you for taking the time to create these daily posts.
Continuing to pray for everyone at camp, as well as for all to have a safe trip back home soon.
Blessed.
Thank you so much for taking the time to blog about each day! And thank you for the fun photos. Feel like we can ‘experience a bit of camp’ this way. We so appreciate the rich Bible teaching and the wonderful fellowship with fellow campers. What a blessing Camp Arete is.
Continuing to pray for the camp leaders, camp counselors, and campers this last day…as well as everyone’s safe return back home soon.
Blessings,
Amy Dupree