MFC YOUTH: INTAKE CAMP
SESSION:
FREE PRAISE
I. INTRODUCTION: A SHORT STORY
(Note to speaker: This story can be modified to suit your personality/hobbies. Try and make the session
interactive)
I have a very rich uncle, and he loves me very much. One day I was talking to him on the phone and I was
telling him about this awesome football match that was coming up. And guess what? The next day, he
came over to my house and he had a crazy surprise for me – HE BOUGHT ME TICKETS TO THE GAME!!!
So I was super super excited and I hugged him and I said “thank you uncle, you’re the best, I love you so
so much!!”
Ask the audience:
● So what was my response to his amazing action?
I showed him my appreciation through my words and actions.
● Why did I say these things to him?
Because I was grateful for what he did for me!
II. WHY AND HOW DO WE PRAISE?
Through this camp we would have realized all the amazing things that God has done and continues to do
for us. Are we grateful for these things? If yes, how can we show our gratitude to our God? Just as I
showed my gratitude through words and actions, we can do the same with our God.
What are some things that we can say to our God?
(Allow the participants to respond, noting these down (preferably on screen) as you go along. You can
prompt/give suggestions as well)
- Praise you Jesus
- Thank you Jesus
- I love you Jesus
- You’re the best
- You are amazing
- You are awesome
Ask the participants to repeat these shouts of praise.
III. LIFTING OF HANDS
Suppose a thief walks into your house, corners you and points a gun to your head. You are unarmed and
you have no weapon nearby. What would be your response? We would raise our hands. This is a sign of
surrender. Your life is in his hands.
With God too, our life is in His hands. But God doesn’t point a gun at our heads. He doesn’t threaten us
or force us to surrender our lives into His hands. He loves us. We choose to surrender our lives to Him.
And so, we raise our hands, surrendering our lives to Him, asking Him to lead and guide us.
Encourage the participants to raise their hands and shout out their praises
IV. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE PRAISE?
Imagine you’re walking by a room, and you hear your two friends talking about you. They’re talking
about what an amazing friend you are; how kind, funny and cheerful you are; how it’s always great to be
around you. How would that make you feel? Would you want to enter the room? Of course.
When we praise Him, God enters into that place. He builds His throne on our praises (Psalm 22:3) and
dwells among us. Jesus said “When two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” (Matthew
18:20). When we praise and worship God together, He is present.
Encourage participants to praise God. Remind them of God’s presence among them. Encourage them to
close their eyes and lift their hands. Tell them not to worry about who they’re standing next to or what
the other is saying – rather, to focus on God and praise him. This can go on for 1-2 minutes.
V. CONCLUSION
Read Acts 16:25-26 – Paul and Silas were literally in prison. But they praised God, even in the midst of
their suffering, and God worked miracles.
God works mightily in the lives of those who praise Him. Let us praise Him in all circumstances.
