Youth

Leadership Training for Christ

2012 LTC Theme

"Journey of Faith"

Bible Bowl Book:Genesis

2012 Event Dates: April 6th-8th

For Noah, it began when he heard the voice of God and started to build. For Abraham, it began when he decided to move from Ur to Canaan as God commanded. For Moses, it began when he edged closer to a bush that burned but was not consumed. For Samuel, it began when he heard a voice calling his name, “Samuel! Samuel!” For David, it began as he returned from the field to be anointed king. For Peter, it began when he heeded the advice of a stranger who said, “Cast your nets on the other side.” For Paul, it began in the brightness of a blinding light. Each of them proclaimed their faith in God and gave their life over to Him. Yet the Bible does not portray faith as a light switch which when flipped on brings light to a dark room. Instead, the Bible indicates that faith is something quite different--a journey. Indeed, the very first book of the Bible, Genesis, depicts The Journey of Faith.

As with all journeys, our Journey of Faith unfolds over time. Genesis shows us Jacob’s faith influenced by his godly mother, threatened by rivalry with his brother, strengthened as he wrestled with God, and tested when he thought his favorite son was killed. Jacob’s faith didn’t just come to be all at once. His experience, like ours, confirms that faith in God must grow and develop throughout a lifetime. This is why Paul encourages us to grow in our faith (Colossians 1:10).

Our Journey of Faith also features unexpected twists and turns. As we experience life’s ups and downs, we come to know God better. Joseph can attest to this. He could never have foreseen that his path in life would take him through his father’s favor, his brothers’ betrayal, slavery, imprisonment, to the heights of power. Yet through it all Joseph resolutely maintained his faith. While our own experiences are not identical to his, we can all likely say that our faith changes as time goes by. This is why Jesus calls us to stand firm to the end (Mark 13:13).

The Journey of Faith is not one that we make alone.Over and over again the Bible reveals that God journeys with us, encouraging and strengthening us. God encouraged Noah when those around him ridiculed him for building a giant boat. God was with Abraham’s servant when he traveled to a far away land to find a suitable spouse for Isaac. God protected Hagar as she and her son Ishmael fled from their home and faced uncertainty and fear. And God is always with each of us, too (Matthew 28:20).

An ancient proverb says, “The longest journey begins with the first step.” Genesis relates to us powerful, heart-breaking, uplifting stories of people taking steps over the course of their Journey of Faith. As the first book of the Bible, Genesis truly represents the first step in humans’ journey with God. How fitting it is that young people participating in Leadership Training for Christ immerse themselves in Genesis as they continue on their Journey of Faith.

borrowed from the offical LTC web page