The Heart of Christ

What is the heart of Christ? If you could boil it down to a few points, what would they be? I'm sitting in the Camp Utmost lodge, watching groups of jr. highers put together skits based upon some of life stories of Jesus. Yesterday and today is the Jr. High Fall Retreat, and the Heart of Christ is our theme. Last night's speaker, Tyler Harrington of Frenchtown Community Church, spoke on James 1:22:

"But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."

The heart of Christ is to know God's Word, and do it.

This morning, Heather (Tyler's wife) is talking to the students about having the attitude of Christ:

"Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be used for His own advantage. Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, taking on the likeness of men. And when He had come as a man in His external form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death—even to death on a cross." Phil. 2:5-8

They're going to take stories from the life of Christ, discuss the lesson, then create skits about how they can apply this attitude of Christ at home, school, or wherever. The heart of Christ is to have an attitude of humility and servanthood towards others.

I'm not sure what Tyler's got in mind for this afternoon, but these girls and one boy are being challenged, and are rising to the challenge. Last night I talked with "Richard" about what one area he can ask God to help him work on regarding doing what God says. He asked God to help him be less defiant towards his parents. Knowing what's going on at home, this is a great start for him. "Francine" doesn't have a relationship with God, but God's obviously pulling her towards Himself. She has asked me to put together some sort of daily devotional (a verse/chapter to read, and a couple of questions) regarding the messages I've been doing in Ephesians. I'm excited about these things. I wish you could see the skits, pictures of what God is doing in their hearts, proving, too, that He has a sense of humor, because these skits are hilarious.

I'll post more about the crazy shared memories of the retreat probably tomorrow. The camp fire wasn't planned, but learning how to use a lost can of pepper spray had something to do with it.

Addendum: I was talking to "Richard," and he shared the lesson he heard last night from Tyler, which I didn't catch until he reminded me. The heart of Christ is that we work at our relationship with God, not just coast. Likewise, we need to work at our relationships around us. Great insight for a 12 year old.