Jesus Was A Camper
Seven Pillars of Presence · Hit the Trail
Sit With Me
Ballpark Five or ten minutes. With this age, that’s a full outing. Truly.
Sit down in the grass together and listen for one sound. That’s the whole thing.
Gather
“Let’s go find a soft spot in the grass and sit down together.”
Go
“Now let’s be so, so quiet. Shhh.
Can you hear something? Point at it!
What was that? Let’s listen for one more.”
While they’re at it
Sit right next to them, not across from them. A three-year-old won’t sit alone — they’ll sit if you’re warm and close and quiet first. When they point, whisper back what it might be. Two or three sounds is a win. Then let them get up.
↯ If they go off-trail
If they’d rather pat the grass or watch an ant, go with it. Sitting still outside next to you is the actual lesson. The listening is a bonus.
Notice
“What did we hear? Can you point again?
Was it a little sound or a big sound?”
Open
“The heavens declare the glory of God.” Psalm 19:1
“The whole sky tells us God is good. Even the quiet.”
Carry
“Tonight before bed, let’s be quiet like this again for one little minute.”
A word for you
You’re not teaching a lesson. You’re teaching them that sitting still outside with you feels safe. That’s enough. That’s everything.