Dear Parents and Middle School Students,

Each year Bethesda sends dozens of students to Inspiration Point Bible Camp to attend their summer Bible camps.  IPBC is a phenomenal camp with an incredible staff.  I have had the opportunity to attend several summer camps and weekend retreats at IPBC and can personally attest to the high quality of the programs and staff.  This is a great opportunity for our students!

In an effort to demonstrate our confidence in the ministry of IPBC and to help families deal with the cost of camp tuition, Bethesda offers a program for students in grades 2-8 to earn camp credit.  Children in grades 2-5 earn credit by memorizing verses through the Wednesday night programs.  For students in grades 6-8, we use a series of Quiet Time Journals.  Through this program, students can earn up to $100 toward the cost of tuition at IPBC!

Why do we use Quiet Time Journals?  Training students to develop healthy habit patterns in life and to equip them to regularly read and reflect on Scripture is an important part of our ministry.  These Quiet Time Journals provide a simple plan which encourages students to regularly read the Bible and respond to what they read.

How does this work?  Each journal covers a period of 2-4 weeks.  Students are invited to read the Bible and answer a set of questions three days each week.  Then they turn the completed journal into the church office on or before the listed Due Date.  (Journals are due the Monday following the last entry.)

What if I don’t complete every entry?  The amount of camp credit awarded to each student is based on the percentage of completed journal entries compared to the total number possible.  This year, the program will run for 18 weeks, so there are a total of 54 journal entries possible.  If a student completes all 54 and turns them in on time, that student earns the full $100 for camp tuition.  If a student completes only 20, that student, having completed 37% of the possible entries, earns $37 for IPBC summer camp tuition.

Can I modify the plan in the journal?  Yes.  The journal is designed with the idea of students completing journals on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, but you may choose any 3 days in the week to complete the journal entries.  Also, the Scripture passages are recommendations.  If the student or his/her family prefers to follow a different reading plan, simply indicate the passage of your choice on the page in the journal and answer the questions according to the new passage.  If you choose your own passage, please read a minimum of 5-10 verses.

Can I complete more than 3 journals a week?  Not for credit.  Of course, the more frequently and consistently we read and study the Bible, the more we can grow in our relationship with and understanding of God.  Students who are ready to read the Bible every day can still use these questions in their daily reading, if they find the questions helpful in processing the message of the passage.  Occasionally, a journal may have an extra credit reading, but no student can earn more than $100 in camp credit.

Do I have to answer every question?  Most of the time.  You are earning camp credit for your effort, so please do your best.  Although not every question easily applies to every passage, these questions are general enough to fit most of the time.  This journal is intended not only for camp credit but as a training tool for studying the Bible.  Answering each question will help you more fully understand and apply the day’s passage.  Writing a question is optional.  If your study leads you to ask a question, please write it down, and I’ll try to lead you to the answer.

What about...?  If you have questions, contact Brian at the church office.