Romanian Summary 10 - Camp Theme and Bible Study

God gave me a lesson from Colossians in Sunday School before we left for our mission that really worked for morning devotions in Romania.  Don’t you love it when God goes beforehand in HIS preparations?

In order to explain what happens at the point of salvation, I introduced them to Princess Kate, a commoner, who became royalty.  Understanding the process of sanctification was then compared to a princess class, something Kate is required to take two hours every week.

As a follow-up to the morning devotion, I was asked to teach the girls’ Bible study.  This request came without warning.  God was good to give an easy lesson beforehand that could be expanded into an entire Bible study.  The topic was fun to explain to the orphan girls, and it worked!  In fact, the lesson struck such a chord in their hearts that they chose to repeat the lesson as a skit for the big talent show finale! 
That is what I love about God – He really does weave every aspect of our lives together . . . for His glory!  Even while preparing that simple devotion for Romania (not even having assurance that a time slot would actually open up for me to give the devotion), God inserted specific and necessary instructions for me to follow before leaving Atlanta:

1)        Learn about the princess lessons Kate is tutored in
2)        Order a visual of Princess Kate and Prince William
3)        Copy the front cover of People magazine celebrating the Royal Wedding to stick in your bag.
4)        Tie this all into Colossians preparing a brief ten minute version that you can expand if necessary.
5)        And don’t forget to tuck a skirt and that ruffled top into your suitcase  . . . just in case!

   Spiritual Lessons Learned from Colossians

(Using visual aids of Prince William and Princess Kate!)

Colossians 3:10 “…and having put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him.  A renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.”

There is no distinction among those in the body à we all look like Jesus

BUT . . . There is a difference between the BRIDE and the bridesmaid!

A bride prepares herself, separates herself, anticipates the day, and then lives in the GLORY moment!  How sad it would be if the bride did not come adorned!

Princess Kate became royalty in one ceremony; however, she will spend a lifetime learning how to BE royalty…

BEING A FANCY NANCY! . . . Princess Lessons

LESSON ONE:  Greeting Royalty

Royalty always offers the hand first.  Interesting concept! 
We must go out and offer the hand of Christ to the world without expecting them to come to us.

LESSON TWO:  Sitting and Standing

Standing:  “One foot slightly in front of the other, toes out basically third position in ballet…Imagine a wire running from the top of your head, holding you up.”
Sitting is equally testing.  “One must brush the chair with the back of your calves.  After lowering the bottom onto the edge, push back into the seat then place feet to one side.  You may cross the ankles but you must never cross your legs it’s masculine.”
We must sit at the feet of Jesus in a way that allows us to stand for Him.

LESSON THREE:  Walking

For a princess, even walking has a name — The Glide.
“. . . so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might...” Colossians 1:9-10

LESSON FOUR: Table Manners

“At dinner, there are obvious rules:  no mobile phones, no leaning over the table to grab bread. I’m constantly horrified by the way people hold cutlery.  You must never put a finger against the top of your fork to guide it.  And no one of blue blood would ever use their fork as a scoop.  One just presses them onto the back or avoids them.” 

LESSON FIVE: Coat Management

“Although I assume that for Kate a footman will be on hand to help her, it’s a useful skill.  Put in one arm and pull the collar right up to your neck, then when you reach behind, the other sleeve will be in exactly the right place.   Push the coat a little way off your shoulders, and then reach behind you and grasp the cuff of the left sleeve in your right hand. You take it off, bring the coat round to the front, take both cuffs in your left hand, and then reach through the arms to the collar.  It’s simpler than it sounds.”

The Apostle Paul teaches there are things we must put off as Christians and things we must put on:  compassion, kindness, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and love.  When we wear the above, we experience peace.  The process of “putting on Christ” is called sanctification.  The process of sanctification is similar to princess class.
Once we become the bride of Christ, we are now the Bride, and no longer the bridesmaid!  There are things that we must put off:  immorality, impurity, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and greedy desire to have more, covetousness.
“For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them.  But now you also, put them all aside”:  Anger, wrath, malice, wickedness, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.
  

You can click on this link for more information on princess lessons:

How I learned to be a princess!

I was so encouraged by this experience, not because it was me, but THEE!  God really worked and my obedience counted!  His grace was shed on me!