Rise Up: A 14-Day Journey to Prepare for Youth Camp
Devotional Format: Personal Reading + Journaling + Group Huddle Discussion
Day 1: Wake Up
Romans 13:11 (NLT)
"This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our
salvation is nearer now than when we first believed."
"This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our
salvation is nearer now than when we first believed."
Devotional Thought:
God is calling you out of spiritual sleep. Camp isn’t just a trip—it’s an invitation. What would it
look like to wake up spiritually before you even arrive? God wants to speak. He wants to move.
But first, you have to shake off the numbness and get alert.
God is calling you out of spiritual sleep. Camp isn’t just a trip—it’s an invitation. What would it
look like to wake up spiritually before you even arrive? God wants to speak. He wants to move.
But first, you have to shake off the numbness and get alert.
Journal Prompt:
• Where have I been spiritually asleep?
• What are signs I’m drifting instead of rising?
• Where have I been spiritually asleep?
• What are signs I’m drifting instead of rising?
Group Huddle Question:
• What would it look like for you to be fully awake to God right now?
• How can we help each other stay alert in the weeks before camp?
• What would it look like for you to be fully awake to God right now?
• How can we help each other stay alert in the weeks before camp?
Day 2: Lay It Down
Hebrews 12:1 (ESV)
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every
weight, and sin which clings so closely..."
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every
weight, and sin which clings so closely..."
Devotional Thought:
What’s weighing you down? God wants you to rise, but first you have to lay something down.
Sin, shame, bitterness, insecurity—whatever it is, today’s a good day to name it and let it go.
Freedom starts with honesty.
What’s weighing you down? God wants you to rise, but first you have to lay something down.
Sin, shame, bitterness, insecurity—whatever it is, today’s a good day to name it and let it go.
Freedom starts with honesty.
Journal Prompt:
• What “weight” do I feel in my life right now?
• What’s one thing I can surrender before camp?
• What “weight” do I feel in my life right now?
• What’s one thing I can surrender before camp?
Group Huddle Question:
• What holds most teens back from going all in with God?
• How can we create a group culture that helps each other let go of those things?
• What holds most teens back from going all in with God?
• How can we create a group culture that helps each other let go of those things?
Day 3: Listen Up
John 10:27 (ESV)
"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me."
"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me."
Devotional Thought:
Camp will be full of noise—music, friends, fun—but you don’t want to miss God’s voice in the
middle of it. Learning to listen starts now. God speaks through His Word, through leaders, and
through quiet moments in His presence.
Camp will be full of noise—music, friends, fun—but you don’t want to miss God’s voice in the
middle of it. Learning to listen starts now. God speaks through His Word, through leaders, and
through quiet moments in His presence.
Journal Prompt:
• When do I feel closest to God?
• What helps me hear His voice more clearly?
• When do I feel closest to God?
• What helps me hear His voice more clearly?
Group Huddle Question:
• What gets in the way of hearing God?
• How can we help each other tune in to what God might be saying?
• What gets in the way of hearing God?
• How can we help each other tune in to what God might be saying?
Day 4: Step In
Joshua 1:9 (NLT)
"This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord
your God is with you wherever you go."
"This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord
your God is with you wherever you go."
Devotional Thought:
God isn’t calling you to stay safe—He’s calling you to step in. Into boldness. Into risk. Into His
promises. Camp is a chance to leave behind fear and step forward in faith.
God isn’t calling you to stay safe—He’s calling you to step in. Into boldness. Into risk. Into His
promises. Camp is a chance to leave behind fear and step forward in faith.
Journal Prompt:
• What has fear kept me from doing?
• What’s one step of boldness I could take today?
• What has fear kept me from doing?
• What’s one step of boldness I could take today?
Group Huddle Question:
• Why do we sometimes stay comfortable instead of courageous?
• What could courage look like for us going into camp?
• Why do we sometimes stay comfortable instead of courageous?
• What could courage look like for us going into camp?
Day 5: Get Clean
Psalm 24:3–4 (ESV)
"Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean
hands and a pure heart..."
"Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean
hands and a pure heart..."
Devotional Thought:
God’s presence is holy—and He invites us to rise up into that holiness. Getting clean doesn’t
mean being perfect; it means coming honest. Ask God to search your heart and make it right.
God’s presence is holy—and He invites us to rise up into that holiness. Getting clean doesn’t
mean being perfect; it means coming honest. Ask God to search your heart and make it right.
Journal Prompt:
• What do I need to confess to God today?
• Where is God inviting me into purity?
• What do I need to confess to God today?
• Where is God inviting me into purity?
Group Huddle Question:
• Why is honesty so important before camp?
• How can we encourage each other to pursue purity, not shame?
• Why is honesty so important before camp?
• How can we encourage each other to pursue purity, not shame?
Day 6: Speak Life
Proverbs 18:21 (NLT)
"The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences."
"The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences."
Devotional Thought:
Words are powerful. You will either speak life or death over yourself and others. What kind of
atmosphere are you creating with your words?
Words are powerful. You will either speak life or death over yourself and others. What kind of
atmosphere are you creating with your words?
Journal Prompt:
• Have my words lately built others up or torn them down?
• How can I start speaking life more intentionally?
• Have my words lately built others up or torn them down?
• How can I start speaking life more intentionally?
Group Huddle Question:
• What kind of words do we want to be known for as a group?
• How can we help each other shut down gossip and lift up truth?
• What kind of words do we want to be known for as a group?
• How can we help each other shut down gossip and lift up truth?
Day 7: Stay Ready
1 Peter 5:8 (NLT)
"Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion,
looking for someone to devour."
"Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion,
looking for someone to devour."
Devotional Thought:
You’ve come too far to fall asleep spiritually now. The enemy would love to distract, discourage,
or divide before you even get to camp. Stay ready. Stay alert. Stay connected.
You’ve come too far to fall asleep spiritually now. The enemy would love to distract, discourage,
or divide before you even get to camp. Stay ready. Stay alert. Stay connected.
Journal Prompt:
• Where do I feel most vulnerable spiritually?
• What helps me stay strong when I feel weak?
• Where do I feel most vulnerable spiritually?
• What helps me stay strong when I feel weak?
Group Huddle Question:
• What are ways the enemy tries to get into youth groups before camp?
• How can we guard each other?
• What are ways the enemy tries to get into youth groups before camp?
• How can we guard each other?
Day 8: Press In
James 4:8 (ESV)
"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you."
"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you."
Devotional Thought:
God doesn’t hide from those who hunger for Him. The more you press in, the more you’ll find
Him. Camp is powerful when you show up with expectation.
God doesn’t hide from those who hunger for Him. The more you press in, the more you’ll find
Him. Camp is powerful when you show up with expectation.
Journal Prompt:
• What’s one way I can press in to God today?
• Where do I want to grow spiritually this week?
• What’s one way I can press in to God today?
• Where do I want to grow spiritually this week?
Group Huddle Question:
• How can we stir each other’s hunger for God?
• What’s something you’re praying to experience at camp?
• How can we stir each other’s hunger for God?
• What’s something you’re praying to experience at camp?
Day 9: Stand Firm
Ephesians 6:13 (ESV)
"Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day,
and having done all, to stand firm."
"Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day,
and having done all, to stand firm."
Devotional Thought:
It’s easy to rise when everything feels good. But real strength is tested when things get hard. God
wants to raise you up to stand firm—in faith, in truth, and in purity—even when no one else is.
It’s easy to rise when everything feels good. But real strength is tested when things get hard. God
wants to raise you up to stand firm—in faith, in truth, and in purity—even when no one else is.
Journal Prompt:
• Where do I feel the most pressure to compromise?
• What’s one area I need to take a stronger stand in?
• Where do I feel the most pressure to compromise?
• What’s one area I need to take a stronger stand in?
Group Huddle Question:
• What helps you stay strong when you feel spiritually weak?
• How can we support each other in standing firm before and during camp?
• What helps you stay strong when you feel spiritually weak?
• How can we support each other in standing firm before and during camp?
Day 10: Forgive & Release
Colossians 3:13 (NLT)
"Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the
Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others."
"Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the
Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others."
Devotional Thought:
Unforgiveness is heavy—and it’ll hold you back from rising up. Before camp, ask God to show
you anyone you need to forgive. Release them. You’re not letting them off the hook—you’re
letting yourself be free.
Unforgiveness is heavy—and it’ll hold you back from rising up. Before camp, ask God to show
you anyone you need to forgive. Release them. You’re not letting them off the hook—you’re
letting yourself be free.
Journal Prompt:
• Is there anyone I’m still holding something against?
• What would it look like to release that to God?
• Is there anyone I’m still holding something against?
• What would it look like to release that to God?
Group Huddle Question:
• Why is forgiveness a big deal before going to camp?
• How can forgiving others create a better group atmosphere?
• Why is forgiveness a big deal before going to camp?
• How can forgiving others create a better group atmosphere?
Day 11: Rise in Identity
1 Peter 2:9 (ESV)
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession..."
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession..."
Devotional Thought:
You’re not just attending camp—you’re entering as a son or daughter of the King. When
you rise up in your identity, insecurity loses its grip. Walk into camp knowing who you are.
You’re not just attending camp—you’re entering as a son or daughter of the King. When
you rise up in your identity, insecurity loses its grip. Walk into camp knowing who you are.
Journal Prompt:
• Do I truly believe I’m chosen by God?
• What lies about myself do I need to stop believing?
• Do I truly believe I’m chosen by God?
• What lies about myself do I need to stop believing?
Group Huddle Question:
• What’s the difference between confidence and pride in God’s eyes?
• How can we help each other walk boldly in our God-given identity?
• What’s the difference between confidence and pride in God’s eyes?
• How can we help each other walk boldly in our God-given identity?
Day 12: Rise in Unity
Psalm 133:1 (ESV)
"Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!"
"Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!"
Devotional Thought:
Nothing can stop a group that’s unified in love, humility, and purpose. Unity doesn’t mean we’re
all the same—it means we’re moving in the same direction. Before camp, let’s rise as one.
Nothing can stop a group that’s unified in love, humility, and purpose. Unity doesn’t mean we’re
all the same—it means we’re moving in the same direction. Before camp, let’s rise as one.
Journal Prompt:
• Is there anyone in the group I need to make things right with?
• What does unity look like in my actions and words?
• Is there anyone in the group I need to make things right with?
• What does unity look like in my actions and words?
Group Huddle Question:
• What are some unity killers?
• How can we protect unity in our group at camp?
• What are some unity killers?
• How can we protect unity in our group at camp?
Day 13: Rise in Power
Acts 1:8 (NLT)
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my
witnesses..."
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my
witnesses..."
Devotional Thought:
You weren’t made for passive faith. The Holy Spirit fills us with power—to love boldly, pray
fiercely, and live differently. Ask Him to fill you before you even arrive at camp.
You weren’t made for passive faith. The Holy Spirit fills us with power—to love boldly, pray
fiercely, and live differently. Ask Him to fill you before you even arrive at camp.
Journal Prompt:
• What does a Spirit-filled life look like to me?
• Have I asked the Holy Spirit to fill me with His power?
• What does a Spirit-filled life look like to me?
• Have I asked the Holy Spirit to fill me with His power?
Group Huddle Question:
• How can we expect the Holy Spirit to move at camp?
• What does it look like to yield to Him fully?
• How can we expect the Holy Spirit to move at camp?
• What does it look like to yield to Him fully?
Day 14: Rise with Purpose
Esther 4:14 (ESV)
"...And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
"...And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
Devotional Thought:
You’re not going to camp by accident. You’ve been placed in this moment, with these people,
for a reason. Ask God to help you rise—not just for yourself, but for others too.
You’re not going to camp by accident. You’ve been placed in this moment, with these people,
for a reason. Ask God to help you rise—not just for yourself, but for others too.
Journal Prompt:
• Why do I think God has me going to camp this year?
• What kind of person do I want to be when I return?
• Why do I think God has me going to camp this year?
• What kind of person do I want to be when I return?
Group Huddle Question:
• How can we go into camp with purpose instead of just excitement?
• What’s one way you want God to use you this week?
• How can we go into camp with purpose instead of just excitement?
• What’s one way you want God to use you this week?