To: Scouts and their parents in Troop 642 

From: Mike Mueller 

Date: Jan 5, 2009 

Re: 2009-10 God and Country Class: God and Life high school age Scout program 

I invite you to the upcoming 2009-10 God and Country God and Life program. 

Troop 642 has a very active, long-running God and Country program; you can see many award ribbons on the Scouts’ Class A uniforms at our meetings. The ribbon is worn alongside Scouting’s highest award – the Eagle Award. 

The God and Life course is appropriate for High School age and covers the following key elements:

• Discipleship
• God’s call
• Fellowship
• Response
• Strength
• Willingness

 

The God and Life program includes the following:

• Leading meeting prayers and campout church services.
• Attending ~11 sessions, about twice a month, generally scheduled before our Wednesday troop meetings, start time 6:00pm, or by arrangement with the counselor.
  
  • Reviewing completed lessons
  • Keeping a notebook of completed work, including bible reading notes
  • Taking notes from the required interviews
• Interviewing a past God and Country participant (learning what the award has meant to them) and an ordained minister or staff member from the Scout’s church, or MDPC.
• Learning about the Scout’s home church (or MDPC) discipleship/outreach program(s).
• Memorizing the Apostle’s Creed and the books of the bible (Old and New Testaments)

 

Though the agenda is challenging, plenty of time will be available to complete the assignments. Non-protestant denominations and other faiths are welcome to complete the requirements for their award, under planned supervision, with prior approval. 

The 2009-10 class will finish in January 2010 and the awards presented at a troop meeting just prior to the MDPC Scout Sunday worship services. 

The first meeting will be on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 6:00pm in the Mattingly Scout House and will require a parent to attend along with the Scout.  

So let’s get started, coming together to explore and learn about our awesome God and his church in our world. 

Contact: Mike Mueller 713 449 5201, michael.mueller@bp.com or 1900@troutlily.net )

 

GOD AND LIFE (Grades 9-12) 

Curriculum Goals:

To provide opportunities for young people to:

• Strengthen their relationship with Christ
• Be open to God’s calling in their lives
• Make a plan for daily Bible reading
• Experience the joy of serving others
• Write a statement of commitment

 

General Description

The God and Life curriculum is the final program in the God and Country series. After being introduced to Jesus as their best friend (God and Me), learning how the family is to grow strong in God’s love (God and Family), and studying the church as the body of Christ (God and Church), students in the God and Life program will seek to understand their call to a life of discipleship. The God and Life curriculum will focus on the life of the Apostle Paul as recorded in Acts 9:1-31. This is a brief account that describes how Paul encountered Christ and was changed forever. Five chronological "events" out of this story will be highlighted and used as the focus for the five different sections in this program. Each section will illustrate a key element in learning how to live one's life for Christ:

 

 

Introduction

Samuel is Called by God – 1 Samuel 3:1-10

Section 1: God Calls All Kinds of People

Before his conversion, Paul persecuted Christians. God does not call perfect people. God calls ordinary people and transforms them.

Section 2: God Doesn’t Expect Us to Do It On Our Own

After his conversion, Paul was helped by Ananias and Barnabas. The Christian life needs the help and fellowship of Christian believers.

Section 3: Each of Us Must Make a Personal Response to the Call of God. 
After his encounter with Christ on the Damascus road, Paul was baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit. He responded and accepted God’s call for his life. The Holy Spirit is at work in our lives – we just need to respond!

Section 4: God Gives Strength to Face Adversities.

Paul led a difficult life: many people wanted him dead. God does not promise a life free from difficulty and suffering. On the contrary, the times of difficulty and suffering may strengthen our dependence on God and prepare us for greater service.  God does not guarantee an easy life, but God does promise to be with us.

Section 5: God Can Accomplish Great Things Through Those Who are Willing to Do God's Will.

Because of Paul, the church was strengthened and it grew in numbers. God can use each of us for God’s purposes!   

Eligibility Guidelines 
Youth in grades 9-12 are eligible to participate in the God and Life program. Each participant must have his or her own copy of the student workbook.  

Adult Mentor Program

Parents have the option of enrolling in the God and Life Adult Mentor Program. In this program, the parent is an active learning participant alongside the child. The parent would have lessons and projects to complete in the Mentor Workbook just like the child, and then both parent and child would work on the student curriculum together. The mentor program is designed to provide the adult with additional opportunities to model his or her Christian faith.

 

Materials Available:

#33609 - God and Life Student Workbook - required booklet for each young person 
#33610 - God and Life Counselor Manual - resource guide for the pastor/counselor 
#33605 - God and Life Adult Mentor - optional program for parents if they want to participate in the program alongside their children   

Booklets are available at the SHAC council store.  

Awards

Students must complete all the requirements. The last page in the Student Workbook is the Award Application Form. This form will be submitted to P.R.A.Y. by your counselor (awards are not available in local scout shops).