Rounding Third and Heading for Home
For Camp Indogan 2017, we have a baseball theme. The thought behind this is that
every American is at least familiar with the game. After all, it is our “national pastime.” A
baseball theme gives us nearly unlimited ideas for analogies, examples and crafts. The leap
from baseball to our spiritual walk should be a short one. Both have achieving “home” as their
ultimate goal. Both require us to play by the rules. Both the game of baseball and our Christian
journey require teamwork. And both require us to cover all the bases before home can be
attained.
The central scripture for our theme is a quote from Jesus Himself:
“Let not your hearts be troubled… In my Father’s house are many rooms… And if I go and
prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, that where I am you may
be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” – John 14: 1-4 (ESV)
Rounding Third and Heading for Home
 Monday – “Batter Up”
This lesson focuses on the idea that we have to get in the game/be involved if we ever want to
make it home.
 Tuesday – “First base; first things first”
This is a lesson on priorities.
 Wednesday – “Second base; second chances”
Today’s class is all about the grace, mercy and forgiveness of God. To spite our best efforts, we
may not always get it right. We have a Savior who sympathizes with that.
 Thursday – “Third base; third day risen”
This is all about the sacrifice of Jesus Christ; His death, burial and resurrection. It is only
through this that we are even offered the hope of home.
 Friday – “Heading for Home”
A look at the glory of heaven and the reward of eternity spent in the presence of God. This is
also a good time to review the week’s study, as most campers are “heading for home” this
day.
The promise of home and the hope of salvation lie at the center of every Christian’s
faith. The following material includes a teacher’s guide for each day’s lesson as well as a daily
hand-out for younger campers, and was developed to bring that hope into view and to
encourage our precious and wonderful youth. It may be used, by the author’s permission, for
instruction at any and all Camp Indogan events.
In His service, Scott Reece.
*Unless otherwise noted, all scriptures are taken from the English Standard Version (ESV).
(Cover)
(Monday)
“Batter Up”
Introduction
Welcome, ice breaker, introduce theme for the week. Wake them up, get them excited!
New faces, old friends… It is great to be back at camp!!
Conversation – How many years attendance? Favorite things about camp?
This week’s theme for camp is “Rounding Third and Heading for Home.”
What do you think of when you hear that? (Baseball)
In our everyday speech we use baseball terms… “Knocked it out of the park,” “Struck out,” “You’re on deck,”
“Not over ‘til the fat lady sings,” etc.
-This week we are going to compare the game of baseball to our Christian walk: (Think of some examples)
 The ultimate goal of both is to make it to home
 We must play by the rules
 Teamwork is required
 We must cover all the bases before we can reach home
Open your Bibles to John 14: 1-4. This is our scripture for the week:
“Let not your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many
rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a
place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the
way to where I am going.” (ESV)
Our ultimate goal: Going home to be with Jesus in the place He prepared for us in His Father’s mansion!
Before we ever get on base in baseball, what must we do? (Get a hit, go to the plate, etc.)
That leads us to today’s lesson:
“Batter Up”
1) Introduction - Just as in baseball, if we ever want to “get to home” in our Christian walk, we must first get in
the game. We must come to the Father through Jesus Christ. Turn back to John 14: 5-7. Once “in the game”
we want to stay there. No one wants to get picked off on first base. It is imperative that we live a life of
faithful service. Turn to 1 Corinthians 15: 56-58.
2) Getting in the game; coming to God through Christ. God’s plan for our salvation:
(Note: If we are teaching younger campers, tread lightly here… No one wants to deal with a mad rush of eight
year olds descending on the lake demanding to be baptized.)
Read and discuss each of the following:
 Hear – Romans 10: 14-17
 Believe – Mark 16: 15-16
 Repent – Acts 2: 22-24, 36-38
 Confess – Romans 10: 8-10
 Be Baptized – Galatians 3: 24-29
3) Staying in the game; living a life of service, one of faithful obedience.
The previous passages instruct us on how to get into Christ and gain access to the Father. Our sacrificial
service from that moment forward keeps us there. Turn to 1 Timothy 4: 11-16.
4) Break into groups and create two lists. 1) Things that can lead us away from Christ that we need to be
aware of, and 2) Things we can do that will keep us involved and active in the Lord’s service.
5) Challenge – Identify and do at least one thing that will put you more “in the game” (active in the Lord’s
service). Examples: a random act of kindness, a Bible study with another camper/campers, a moment of quiet
time in this beautiful setting to reflect upon your own service and in prayer.
(1)
(Monday hand-out)
“Batter Up”
When we hear the words, “Rounding third and heading for home,” what do we think of?
Just like in baseball, when we think about God, we all want to make it home to be with Him.
Where is God’s home, where we all hope to go? _____________________________________
1) Turn in your Bibles to John 14: 1-4. This is our scripture for the week.
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are
many ________________. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a
________________ for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will _________
___________ and will take you to myself, that where I am, you may be _________________.
And you know the __________ to where I am going.”
2) In baseball, when the umpire says, “Batter up,” what do we do? ______________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
3) In baseball, if we want to make it to home, we first have to get in the game. Going to our
heavenly home is the same. What are some things we can do to get involved in God’s service?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
4) How many of you have heard of God’s “plan of salvation?” His word tell us that as we get
older and mature in Him, we need to do the following things:
 ___________________________ - Romans 10: 14-17
 ___________________________ - Mark 16: 15-16
 ___________________________ - Acts 2: 38
 ___________________________ - Romans 10: 8-10
 ___________________________ - Galatians 3: 27
 ___________________________ - 1 Corinthians 15: 58
5) What does it mean to be steadfast? _____________________________________________
6) 1 Timothy 4: 12-13a “Let no one _________________ you for your ________________, but
set the believers an example in ______________________, in _________________________,
in _________________, in __________________, in ____________________. Until I come,
____________________ yourself…”
(1a)
(Tuesday)
“First Base; First Things First”
1) Introduction and review
(Example) Good morning everyone! How did you sleep last night? (Cabin experiences!) What is our
theme for this week? Who can tell me what yesterday’s lesson was about? (“Batter Up” – If we hope to make
it to home, we have to be in the game.) How do we get in the spiritual game that will lead us to home in
heaven? (Hear, believe, repent, confess, and be baptized) How do we stay in the game - heading towards
home? (Continue steadfast) Well, if yesterday was “Batter Up,” are there any guesses on what today’s lesson
is?
2) Class Discussion: First base; first things first
This is a lesson on priorities. Who can define the word priority? (Looking for the importance that we
place on any given thing.) What are some things that have a high priority in our life? Where does God expect,
deserve and demand to be on our list of priorities? Turn to Exodus 20: 1-7. Discuss. Are the “gods” we put
above GOD limited to just idols?
3) Break into groups
Create a list of things that can get in the way of our keeping God at the top of our priorities. Discuss
these as a group. What can we do to keep these thing from becoming too important?
(Note: How about secular events that keep us from attending church/Bible study? Hebrews 10: 24-25)
(Time with cell phone/social media versus time with the Bible? Priorities. Get them to think and discuss.)
4) Priority lessons from the apostle Paul
 Christian fellowship – Romans 1: 8-12.
What is the “spiritual gift that Paul wishes to impart (give) to the Christians in Rome in verse 11?
(Notice the punctuation at the end of verse 11. Paul goes on to explain the nature of this gift in verse 12,
“That is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.”)
Did Paul ever succeed in making it to Rome? (Yes, he went there in chains and spent several years writing,
encouraging and preaching before he was finally beheaded for the cause of Christ.)
That is PRIORITY ONE: GOD!
 God first at all cost – Philippians 1: 18-26 (Written from the Roman prison)
The main thought: They may be able to take Paul’s freedom. They may even be able to take his life. But they
could not take his salvation in Christ unless he allowed them to. Paul refused to allow them to do that because
his service to Christ was never compromised. His priorities were in order.
Along this same line, see and discuss (Phil 3: 8-14, Phil 4: 10-13)
 Even when faced with death – 2 Timothy 4: 6-8 (Written from Roman prison just prior to Paul’s death)
 And it was all so worth it – Romans 8: 12-18, 8: 37-39
5) Challenge
Today and throughout this week, spend some time focusing on your priorities. How do you spend most
of your time? What thoughts are most often on your mind? Do some self-examination; what things, if any,
have become more important than they should be. Consider your priorities. Use this week to make sure God is
where He deserves and demands to be in your life.
(2)
(Tuesday hand-out)
“First Base; First Things First”
1) Today’s lesson, while on first base, is about putting first things first. It is a lesson about
“priorities.” Who knows what that word means; priorities? _____________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
2) Who should be first in our life; our number one priority? ____________________________
3) Open your Bibles to Exodus 20: 1-3. “And ___________ spoke all these words, saying, “I am
the _____________ your __________, who brought you out of the land of _______________,
out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other ___________ before __________.”
4) What does God mean when He says, “You shall have no other gods before me?”
_____________________________________________________________________________
5) God wants to be first in our life; our number one priority. He wants us to do our very best to
serve Him, but sometimes things can get in the way of us being our very best. Can you think of
some of those things? __________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
6) Now, can we think of some things we can do to help us keep God first and help us give Him
our best service? _______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
7) The apostle Paul was very dedicated to God and keeping Him first in his life. Several times
while he was preaching about Jesus, he was arrested, punished and put in prison by evil men
who did not love the Lord. Even then, Paul kept God first in his life. Look at what Paul wrote
while in prison for teaching about Jesus:
Philippians 4: 11-13 – “Not that I am speaking of being in ______________, for I have learned
in whatever situation I am to be ____________________. I know how to be brought _______,
and I know how to _________________. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the
secret of facing ________________ and _______________, abundance and _______________.
I can do ________ _______________ through Him who ______________________ me.”
8) No matter what we are facing, it is always important to keep God first in our life. Read what
Paul said in Romans 8: 18 – “For I consider that the _______________________ of this present
time are not worth ___________________ with the ___________________ that is to be
revealed to us.”
(2a)
(Wednesday)
“Second Base; Second Chances”
1) Introduction and review
(Example) Good morning! Is everyone loving being at camp? What are some of your favorite things or
activities at camp? “Rounding Third and Heading for Home…” Who can tell me what our past two lessons have
been? (Batter Up; get in the game/become involved, First Base; First Things First; priorities) If yesterday was
first base, what do you think today is?
2) Class discussion – Second Base; Second Chances
Wouldn’t it be great if there was no such thing as sin? How easy and wonderful would it be if we were
never tempted? Well, that’s what home is like… there is no sin, sorrow, guilt or remorse in heaven.
Unfortunately, we are not there yet. We are still running the bases and heading for home.
 Not always perfect
We may be working hard to be involved in the Lord’s work (in the game) and we may be doing the best we
can in keeping our priorities in order (first things first), but are we going to get it right all the time, every time?
Fortunately God knows this about us and He is a God of compassion, patience and forgiveness. Don’t get me
wrong, He wants us to strive for perfection, but when we slip up, He provides forgiveness through His Son.
Turn in your Bibles to 1 John 2: 1-6, Romans 3: 21-26
 Christ understands more than we may realize…
Turn to Hebrews 4: 14-16.Because Jesus knows what it is like to live on the earth and face hardship and
temptation, He is able to sympathize with us in our struggle. Because of Him, we can approach the “throne of
grace” with confidence.
3) Break into groups
Have each group create a list of Biblical examples where individuals or nations have received God’s
mercy and been given a second chance. Discuss as a class. (Some examples: Moses, David, Jonah, the people
of Nineveh, the woman at the well, Peter, Paul)
4) What is required of us to receive God’s forgiveness and second chances?
In all the examples of second chances we came up with, two things had to take place before that was
granted. Who can tell me what those are? (Confess and repent) These are two “churchical” words that we
hear very often, but what do they really mean? Confess = Admit. Repent = Do something about it; change.
We have a great example of this in the apostle Paul:
Open your Bibles to Acts 7: 58-8: 3 (the sin), 1 Timothy 1: 12-17 (Paul’s written confession), and Acts 9: 1-22
(the repentance).
5) Challenge
Use this day and this week to spend time in prayer thanking God for the gift of forgiveness. He wants
and deserves our very best, but when we do fall short, it is His greatest desire that we realize our failure and
get back on track. He is faithful and just and His patience and mercy are always available when we strive to live
in Christ.
(3)
(Wednesday hand-out)
“Second Base; Second Chances”
1) Lets review. Monday we talked about “Batter Up,” getting involved in God’s service.
Yesterday we talked about “First Base,” putting first things first and making sure that God is
our number one priority. Today we are on “Second Base” and talking about second chances.
What does that mean to you; Second Chance? _______________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
2) Even when we try our hardest to serve God and be on our best behavior, we sometimes
mess up, don’t we? Thankfully, we have a God who knows how hard it is to always get it right.
God is very patient and forgiving with us. He gives us second chances. Open your Bibles to
Hebrews 4: 14-16 – “Since then we have a great ________________ _________________,
who has passed through the heavens, ___________________ __________________ the Son
of ____________, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is
unable to ______________________ (define) with our weakness, but one who in every
respect has been _______________________ as we are, yet without ___________. Let us then
with confidence draw near to the ___________________ of grace that we may receive
__________________ and find grace to help in time of need.”
3) Can you think of some people in the Bible who were given a second chance? ____________
_____________________________________________________________________________
4) Paul is a great example of someone who was given a second chance. What was Paul’s name
before he was called Paul? ___________________. What did he do before becoming a
Christian that was not pleasing to God? ____________________________________________
Turn to Acts 8: 3 – “But _______________ was ravaging the ________________, and entering
house after house, he dragged off ______________ and _________________ and committed
them to ____________________.”
Paul did some pretty bad things, but God forgave him. He went on to be an apostle of
Jesus.
5) Thankfully, because of Jesus Christ, we can all have second chances just like Paul did. Turn
to Romans 3: 23-24 – “For all have ______________ and fall short of the glory of __________,
and are justified by His ________________ as a gift, through the redemption that is in
____________________ ___________________.”
(3a)
(Thursday)
“Third Base; Third Day Risen”
1) Introduction and review
(Example) Can you believe how quickly time flies by at camp? It seems like we just got here! It seems
like just yesterday we were introducing this year’s theme, now we have already stepped up to the plate, made
it to first, rounded second and today we are heading into third! Let’s review… What have we talked about this
week? (Mon. – get in the game, come to God through Christ and be active in service. Tues. – first things first,
priorities. Wed. – the God of second chances, confession and repentance leading to forgiveness.)
2) Third Base; Third day Risen
Everything we have discussed so far hangs on this very thing. If Jesus had not died, been buried and
risen on the third day, there would be no “game to be played” at all. There would be no coming to the Father
or service to be done in His kingdom. There would be no need to prioritize things for there would be no hope
of salvation. And there would certainly be no second chances without the continually cleansing blood of
Christ. God provided a sacrifice that was precious enough in His sight to cover all our sins once and for all.
Turn to 1 Peter 1: 17-21 – Discuss/define the following words from this passage
 Ransomed – Purchased with a price.
 The precious blood of Christ – Precious to God, precious to us.
 Foreknown from the foundation of the world – God’s divine plan from the very beginning for our
salvation because He loves us.
 Made manifest – Made visible or clearly seen.
*His death on the cross is no doubt significant, but have you ever stopped to think about what it would
mean if Christ had not risen from the grave? He would have been nothing more than a martyr; a man who
simply died for a cause. The fact that He rose makes Him unique among men. It proves that He was and is
indeed the Lamb of God.
3) Break into groups
Create a list of phrases or statements, in your own words, explaining what the death, burial and
resurrection of Jesus Christ mean to you. Share and discuss as a class.
4) “Third day risen” through the eyes of Peter
Read Luke 22: 54-62. Have you ever done something that you have regretted so deeply you would give
just about anything to take it back? Imagine how Peter must have felt. “If only I could do that over again…”
Imagine the anguish he must have felt as Christ was crucified. Imagine him trying to sleep that night after the
death and burial of his Lord, knowing what he had done. Picture him the next day, the Sabbath, unable to visit
the tomb and left alone with his guilt and remorse. Now turn to John 20: 1-10. No wonder Peter was running
to the tomb! The relief and joy he must have felt! We, like Peter, have sinned and fallen short in our service.
The resurrection of Christ should give us all the same hope, joy and desire to set things right that Peter surely
must have felt.
5) Challenge
Resolve to share this wonderful news with someone in your life. Make the commitment to tell
someone outside of Christ (family member, neighbor or friend) about His wonderful love for them and the
price He was willing to pay. It is just too good to keep it to yourself!
(4)
(Thursday hand-out)
“Third Base; Third Day Risen”
1) This week we have talked about “Batter Up;” being active in serving God, “First Base;”
putting first things first and making God our number one priority, “Second Base;” having
second chances because of God’s great love for us. Now, “Third base; Third day risen.” How
did God show us just how much He loves us?
_____________________________________________________________________
2) John 3: 16-17 says “For __________ so loved the world, that He gave His only _______,
that whoever _________________ in Him should not perish but have ____________________
________________. For God did not _____________ His _______________ into the world to
_______________________ the world, but in order that the world might be ______________
through Him.”
3) God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, from heaven to earth be a sacrifice for our sins. What does
the word sacrifice mean? ________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
4) Turn to Luke 23: 32-33 “Two others, who were ______________________, were led away
to be put to __________________ with Him. And when they came to the place that is called
‘The ________________,’ there they _______________________ Him, and the criminals, one
on His _________________ and the other on His __________________.”
5) After Jesus was crucified on the cross, how long was He in the grave? __________________
Then what happened? __________________________________________________________
6) Luke 24: 1-2 says “But on the _______________ day of the week, at early dawn, they went
to the _______________, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the
________________ rolled away from the tomb.”
7) Because God loves us, He sent His Son to die for our sins. To prove that Jesus was His Son,
He raised Him from the dead. Where is Jesus now? ___________________________________
8) Ephesians 1: 19-20 says, “and what is the immeasurable greatness of His _______________
toward us who ________________, according to the greatness of His great _______________
that He worked in _________________ when He ___________________ Him from the dead
and _______________ Him at His right hand in the ____________________ places,”
(4a)
(Friday)
“Heading for Home”
1) Introduction and review
(Example) Can you believe it is already here? It’s our final day in camp! Has everyone had a great
week? What are some of your favorite memories from the week? Let’s review… (Turn back to the key
passages from the week and discuss the previous lessons.)
 Batter Up – Get in the game; be involved in the Lord’s work. 1 Timothy 4: 11-16
 First things first – Make sure we have our priorities in order. Romans 8: 12-18
 Second chances – As we strive to serve God and are willing to confess and repent when we do fall
short, He is faithful and just to forgive us. 1 John 2: 1-6, Hebrews 4: 14-16
 Third day risen – Without the death, burial and resurrection of God’s precious Lamb, His Son, we
would have no hope of salvation. We owe all to our Savior, Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1: 17-21
2) Heading for Home
Turn to Revelation 21: 1-8, 22: 1-5. Imagine living in a mansion prepared by Jesus in a glorious city
prepared by God. Think of how wonderful it will be to live in the presence of God, seeing His face every day for
all eternity. Consider a place where there is never any sadness, sickness, heartache, loss or death. Consider
everything that is perfect and we begin to get a glimpse of heaven.
Look also at 1 Peter 1: 8-9. The outcome of our faith is the salvation of our soul and entrance into our
heavenly home.
3) Final send off
I don’t know if it occurred to you or not, but as we have looked at these lessons in a baseball sense;
stepping up to the plate, rounding each of the bases and heading for home, that in doing so, we have looked
at God’s perfect game plan for our eternal salvation. Think about it… When we come to Him through faithful
obedience in His Son and become active in His service, when He is at the top of our priorities in everything
every day, when we are willing to confess and repent of our short-comings throughout our journey and when
we rely on His grace and mercy as delivered through the death of His Son, then we are well on our way to our
heavenly home. May we all run the bases well, never losing sight of home. And may we run with endurance so
that when we are finally safely across we may hear Him say, “Well done thou good and faithful servant.”
Read together, for a final time, our passage for the week: John 14: 1-4.
4) Final challenge
Take the enthusiasm of camp with you as you are “heading for home.” Strive to grow in faith and
service daily. Encourage those around you. And never lose sight of home.
(5)
(Friday hand-out)
“Heading for Home”
1) Lesson one was called ______________ _______. In this lesson, we talked about getting in
the game. With God, this means that we believe in His promises and obey the things He tells
us to do in His Word. Review 1 Timothy 4: 12
2) Lesson two was “First Base.” In this lesson, we talked about priorities. First base reminds us
to put ____________________ ______________________ _______________________.
Review Exodus 20: 1-3
3) Lesson three was “Second Base.” The lesson of second base reminds us that God wants us
to always try to do our very best, but sometimes we may make mistakes. Second base reminds
us that God gives us ____________________ __________________.
Review Romans 3: 23-24
4) Lesson three was “Third Base.” This lesson taught us that God sent us His Son to be a
sacrifice for our sins. He was crucified on the cross and buried. But third base reminds us that
Jesus was also __________________ ____________ ___________________.
Review Ephesians 1: 19-20
5) Today, we have rounded all the bases. We got involved. We went to first, passed second,
and now, rounding third, we are _________________ _________ __________________.
6) Jesus went back to His home with His Father, God. That is the final home we want to go to
as well. Look one final time at our scripture for the week:
John 14: 1-4 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in ___________; believe also in me. In
my ___________________ house are many _________________. If it were not so, would I
have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and __________________ a
place for you, I will come ___________________ and take you to myself, that where I am you
may be _____________. And you know the way to where I am going.”
(5a)