Drew Boswell

a place for us to share ideas, talk about life, and learn together.

CentriKid Camp 2014

Last week was CentriKid Camp at Norman Park Baptist Conference Center in Norman Park Georgia. Every year I go, it just seems to get better and better. This year was awesome. We had an great staff, wonderful kids, and the spirit of the week was uplifting and happy. I am so thankful to our great and giving parents who gave of their time and talents to make this week possible. With two salvations, several decisions, and fun had by all — God showed up and moved greatly.

For pictures from camp click here.

Click here to check out Valdosta Kids Facebook page.

Mark your calendar for next year’s camp July 20th-24th 2015.

Camp Rock 2014

This past week I had the pleasure of serving on the staff at Camp Rock of Georgia summer camp. We had around 150 kids; we could have had many more but were limited by the number of beds at the 4-H camp where we held the camp. Activities included Bible story, crafts, recreation, swimming, raft building competition, etc. The Wilderness Camp will be open this fall to children and it was also announced that there will be two camps next summer; one for younger children and another for older children. For pictures of camp week click here. To “follow” Camp Rock of Georgia on Facebook click here.

Camp Rock 2014 from Drew Boswell on Vimeo.

Understanding the Value of the Gospel: Matthew 13:44

roadshowIf you have ever seen the PBS television show Antique Roadshow then you may have seen people bringing in various items they have inherited, purchased at a yard sale, or just had in their family for generations, to be evaluated and appraised. The hope of many is that the rusty fork, Snow Baby figurine, or oil painting that hung in Uncle Joe’s bedroom for eighty years is of some value (perhaps great value). In most cases they have no idea the value of what they carry, but they will stand in a line for hours to find out (and to perhaps be on television). They are suspicious that the item has some value, but no idea of how much, and there is lingering hope that their toy, glass vase, or ring will make them rich.

In Matthew 13 Jesus has been presenting a series of parables (ex. “a sower went out into a field,” the mustard seed and leaven) in which he is teaching on the kingdom of heaven. For our purpose, I would like to focus on Matthew 13:44, and how it relates to the discovery of a great treasure and what we should do with it.

Matthew 13:44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”

What is the “kingdom of heaven?” We see this phrase repeated several times in the surrounding text. Jesus is using this phrase in the place of salvation, relationship with God, the gospel, etc. Specifically, it is how Jesus had come to be the way of salvation for mankind. This gospel (good news) that he offers is the only means of salvation and means to restore our broken relationship with God (John 14:6).

The man in the parable is doing something in a field that does not belong to him, and he finds/discovers a treasure. It seems to imply that he is digging, finds the treasure, and then covers it back up. But what is the treasure that he finds? It is something that brings joy because of what it provides, or how it changes one’s life. Whatever was lacking now has been fulfilled. The salvation that Jesus provides gives joy to those that receive it because of it’s great worth.

I. There is recognition of the value of the treasure.

How valuable is the “kingdom of God?” We see that the man sells all that he had in order to obtain the field (where the treasure was re-buried). We can not purchase our own salvation, but we must give up everything in order to be a follower of Jesus (Luke 9:23). It is not an exchange for what we give up has no eternal value. But what we obtain is of eternal value and is priceless. This is faith — giving up of what we hold in our hand to posses something promised in the future (Hebrews 11:1).

II. The treasure is discovered and a decision has to be made.

When the man discovers the treasure he instantly recognizes it value. There is no promise that the treasure will be there tomorrow. What if someone saw him discover it, or hide it? From the text we get a sense of urgency. When we encounter Jesus and His offer of salvation, do we go on with our lives as though it is not there or do we stop and do whatever it takes to obtain this great treasure? It has everything to do with how valuable you determine the treasure to be.

In the Antiques Roadshow program when a woman is told that her great aunt’s desk is worth $200,000 she will jump for joy in excitement. Just yesterday her kid’s were putting stickers on it, and jumping off of it onto the couch. Now all that changes – the desk is worth a lot of money (now). How she treats it changes drastically.   The truth is that it has always been very valuable – it’s just that now the woman understands its’ value. In the parable, the treasure was always in the field, the must just had to discover it.

UnknownIn Matthew, the man in the field understands the treasure’s value, and acts accordingly. Do you know how precious the gospel is to mankind? Whether we understand its’ value does not change it’s true value. The value only changes in our own minds. Isn’t it amazing that for many Christians we see the initial value of the gospel and cry our for salvation, only to become so familiar with grace that its’ value diminishes over time.

So once we discover it, and we understand it’s value, then what?

III. There are steps to take in order to obtain the treasure.

The man in the parable “goes and sells all that he has and buys the field.” One must give up all that he has. There is a purchase of the field but we see from other Scripture that we cannot purchase our salvation. Christ died on the cross in order to pay the sin debt that was owed. We must be willing to walk away from everything to follow Christ (Luke 9:23).

One is not “just saved” as the early Roman Church believed simply because you lived in a particular area, or their family went to a specific church. It is an individual decision everyone must make on their own. Salvation is offered as a gift that one receives or rejects (Romans 9:23). Like the treasure in the field, you have to do something with this treasure.

It is my prayer for you that if you are already a believer that you will ask the Lord to help you have an ever increasing view of salvation. And if you are standing their with the treasure in your hand, that you will do whatever it takes to make sure that it becomes your own (today).

Click here for further information on “what is the gospel?”

 

Things To Consider When Discussing Salvation & Baptism With Children

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2 Timothy 3:14-15 “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”

As a Children’s Pastor it is my highest honor and privilege to sit down and talk to a child about salvation and/or baptism. Most of the time these conversations to do not begin with talking with me, instead it is the culmination of many talks between parents, teachers, and others who have invested time, love, and prayer into the lives of these children.

In the midst of these conversations with parents and children I have noticed several recurring issues regarding salvation and baptism. Often times parents will encounter difficulty in how they explain certain parts of the gospel, or will grow frustrated in how their children seem to be responding (or not responding) to their efforts.

The following are several things to consider when talking with children about the gospel, salvation, and baptism.

1. Concrete v. Abstract Language. It is a physiological development of the mind to move from concrete to abstract understanding of life. In order for a small child to understand the gospel, it has to be explained in a way that is age appropriate for them.

For example, for a five year old when he hears, “ask Jesus into your heart,” he worries if it will hurt to have a tiny man named Jesus living in his chest cavity. He does not understand that this is not what you intended. So consider the age of those you are sharing with and take into account of their age and development levels. Parents shouldn’t worry if their child don’t fully understand the gospel in one sitting. Learning and understanding is cyclical. Tell them, explain it, then do it again, and again, and again. Eventually, it will “click” in their brains and they will understand. But don’t shortcut the process of the understanding moving from their brains to their hearts.

2. Draw pictures. Let them “see” what you are talking about. One of the best tools that I have discovered when talking with children is to draw things out as I am talking. You could also get the children to draw them with you as you are talking.

3. Avoid “Christianese.” Explain your terms as you us them and avoid unnecessarily technical words. Adults tend to use words like “the prayer,” “ask Jesus into your heart,” “reconciliation,” “justification,” “repentance,” etc. If they are saved, what are they saved from? Who is Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Father, etc. Remember that you are talking with children not seminary professors.

4. Separate salvation from baptism. These are two separate events in the life of the believer but children tend to lump them together. There have been many children that I have talked with that say, “I want to be baptized so that I can go to heaven” (or something close to this phrase).

Children tend to confuse and inward decision with an outward expression. “walking the aisle,” or “going forward” is not salvation or a decision to place their faith in Christ. These are outward expressions of a decision that has already been made in the heart.

5. Determine Motive (as best you can). Parents have more insight into their child’s lives than any other person. Children naturally want to please their parents or adults, so it may be helpful to get the opinion of another mature believer who may have a relationship with the child. Also, be aware of events surrounding the child’s life that may influence them (like did they see their friend or sibling baptized last Sunday, and now they want to as well).

When you feel comfortable that the child is seeking to please Christ and no one else, then they are ready to follow in baptism. Of course there are some over zealous parents who are pushing their children to make a decision they are not ready for, but this is where your church family comes in and helps to balance that zeal with wisdom.

6. Ask Open Ended Questions. These types of questions require explanation, not simply yes or no answers.

“Would you like to go to heaven?” verses “How does a person go to heaven?”

8. Avoid Group Decision Making. Ok, everybody let’s “say the prayer.” “Now if you want to go to heaven then raise your hand.” The best way to counsel children with regard to salvation and baptism is one-on-one. There are many unscrupulous mission groups out there that are more concerned about reporting how many children “prayed to receive Christ,” than their actual spiritual development.

You may have a person sharing the gospel from a stage to a large group, but there should be counselors who can speak with those children who would like to discuss salvation further one-on-one.

 

Click here for a discussion of the Baptist concept of “Age of Accountability.”

 

Walking the Dark Path; Proverbs 4:18-19, 27

lwsm_dark-path_1994-test_159Introduction

When I was a young teen I had a group of guys that I camped with regularly. We would often set up camp, wait for darkness to settle like the dew, and then we would set out on an adventure. To be less conspicuous (and because we did not know where we were going), we did not use flashlights. Our goal was to discover things in the darkness. But looking back on these times we honestly did not travel very far and we did not discover very much. We often got frustrated with each other because tree limbs would smack us in the face when the guy in front of us would let it go. And we would all eventually hit our shins on downed tree limbs of stumps. We mistook pain and lack of direction for adventure and freedom. It is only by God’s grace that we didn’t step on a rattle snake.

Solomon uses walking in darkness as a metaphor of life. Having traveled many miles in darkness it hit close to home. I much prefer to travel life on a path that leads somewhere, than in a thick forest that only leads to heartache and being lost.

Wisdom and insight are given as something a father strongly desires for his son/child to value and search for. He then compares those that lack wisdom as being wicked or evil because they value and desire doing harm to others or simply make foolish decisions. In verses 18 &19 this comparison is interrupted with “but the path (life) of the righteous.”

Solomon Teaches His Son

Proverbs 4:18-19, 27

“But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day. 19 The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble . . . 26 Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. 27 Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.”

The author while explaining this concept to his son uses simile. It is a grammatical tool which uses “like or as” in seeking to explain a point by giving a comparison to something else. In this comparison of light and darkness we see:

The path of the righteous is (like)

  • Light of dawn
  • Brighter and brighter
  • Until full day

As the righteous person continues down the path and as time passes he “sees” better and better. (wisdom)

The path/way of the wicked is (like)

  • Deep darkness
  • Stumbling
  • Lack of wisdom (They do not know what they are stumbling over)

Unrighteous people as they continue in their way of life are never able to “see” so they never improve and only continue in darkness. Then in verse 27, because the righteous man can see his path (better and better), he is to ponder as he walks the path before him. He is not to ponder his steps (individual decisions) but the path before him (a way of life). We are told then that all one’s ways will be sure because they have remained on the path and not swerved away toward evil.

One’s ability to correctly choose is rooted in one’s level of wisdom and ability to see. You have to think and see that there are righteous things/actions and that others are evil, and then make a decision. If one chooses the righteous path then they possess wisdom.

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How Do You Obtain Wisdom?

The Bible teaches that we are born into sin and are depraved. We have a sin nature that is bent away from following the Lord. Essentially we are born into darkness. You will always walk in darkness until you die from injuries (from your stumbling around in the darkness of life), or you stumble onto the righteous path. But would you even know it since you lack wisdom and can’t see it for what it is. Then you are destined to stumble back across the righteous path back into the dark forest.

God in His mercy will reveal His path to us if we seek Him. Psalm 25:4-5 “Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. 5 Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.”

Can a person who has no vision, who is walking in darkness, ever get on the path? This is why we were given His Word. Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” When we open it’s pages it’s words become the light for our darkened soul. It gives light for our walk in this life.

When we take our first steps in righteousness we begin to see the first light of the dawn. Psalm 23:3 “He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”

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The Resurrection

Sunrise PathThe account of Jesus’ crucifixion ends with the setting of the sun and darkness of death. But with the dawn comes victory over death and the ability to see the place where Jesus’ body once was laid. The angels said, “He is not here, He is risen.” We have the ability to see the path in this life only because of Jesus’ conquering death and darkness for us, on our behalf. He has provided the only way to escape darkness and understand the light. Without Him, we would be stumbling around in darkness, never knowing that life could be filled with light, love, abundance, and peace. He gives us sight. We can see the sunrise.

Do you know Him today? Can you see the light or do you feel consumed by the darkness? We have all walked the dark path, but things can be different.

John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world,that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

If you want to talk about this further or have questions, please e-mail me at drew@fbcvaldosta.org

 

 

 

 

 

"For by grace you have been saved through faith." Ephesians 2:8

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