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The theme of “expeditions”
was chosen for the program title because an expedition is defined as a journey, march, or voyage with a definite purpose.
As Christians move through this life here on Earth, they journey with a definite purpose and destination in mind –
heaven. The Scripture reminds them to be foreigners in this world, setting their eyes on a much better place called heaven.
While they are here on Earth though, they are told to be salt and light to the world around them. The theme of Expeditions
has harmonized the pilgrimage that Christians are making in life with a fun adventure idea. In conjunction with the theme of pilgrims on a journey, Expeditions
found one group of people that truly were foreigners in other countries – missionaries. Great missionaries of the past
serve as guides through each of the children’s books in the program. This emphasis helps to encourage a heart for missions
and missionaries in the lives of the children.
I took the passage of Scripture that first encouraged the exploring idea as the theme verses for the program. Hebrews
11:13-16 –These all died in faith, not having
received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they
were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For
they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And
truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore
God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
The heroes of the faith desired a better country. They set aside the things that could have distracted them and looked
only at their future destination of heaven. They were pilgrims that were just passing through this world and eager to get
to their real home of heaven.
Expeditions was created
to encourage children to explore the Word of God, exemplify the walk of the believer, and expose the way to others. Exploring the Word - (Ps.
119:105) - Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. An expedition is hopeless without a map. The Bible
contains all that we need, and it must serve as our map for life. Our desire is to encourage children to
know and love God’s precious book and allow it to guide their life.
Exemplifying the Walk – (Col. 1:10) - That ye might walk worthy of the Lord
unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing
in the knowledge of God; There are certain things that must be brought on an expedition and other items that must be
left behind. Our desire is to help children to understand the fruit that should be in a Christian’s life and how to
avoid the extra baggage and unneeded items that the world offers. Exposing the Way – (Phil.
2:15) - That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation,
among whom ye shine as lights in the world; When you go on an Expedition, you need to draw a map for all who will go
there in the future. The responsibility is on believers to shine the way and recruit others to come along with them as they
journey toward heaven. We desire to aid and encourage children in reaching lost souls for Jesus Christ. The
Expeditions materials have been designed to encourage the children in all aspects of the Christian life. They
place a strong emphasis on missions, character development, and evangelistic service for the Lord. Throughout each year,
our goal is to see children learn more about missionaries of the past and how
they too can be used of the Lord if they fully surrender their lives to Him.
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