Twelve Guidelines for Living ...
A Biblical Perspective on the Scout Law

     In 1911, The Official Handbook for Boys was published by the fledgling Boy Scouts of America.  This book presented to Americans an organization with a framework of duty to God and country and a cornerstone of unselfish service to mankind.  Undergirding this organization was to be a firm foundation called the Scout Law.
     In the more than three-quarters of a century since the Official Handbook for Boys went to press, Scouting has kept pace with modern approaches while broadening its scope.  Yet the foundation remains firm, offering to today's youth the same moral guidance espoused in 1911.
     Upon studying the 12 points of the Scout Law, Christians quickly recognize a well-balanced guide for living.  Each of these 12 points finds positive support from the pages of the Holy Bible.  As evidence of this biblical support a sampling of passages is provided.

A Scout is Trustworthy - I Corinthians 4:1-2 (NASV) - "Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.  In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy."

                               II.

A Scout is Loyal - Proverbs 19:22a (RSV) - "What is desired in a man is loyalty."

                              III.

A Scout is Helpful - Matthew 25:35-36 (KJV) - "For I was hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger and ye took me in: Naked and ye clothed me: I was sick and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me." Proverbs (Moffatt) - "Never refuse help to your neighbor, when you can render it."

                               IV.

A Scout is Friendly - John 15:12-13 (NASV) - (Jesus said) "This is my commandment, that you love on another just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends."

                               V.

A Scout is Courteous - I Peter 3:8 (KJV) - "Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion of one another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous."

                               VI.

A Scout is Kind - Ephesians 4:32 (NASV) - "And be kind to on another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other just as God in Christ also has forgiven you."

                              VII.

A Scout is Obedient - Hebrews 13:17a (NASV) - "Obey your leaders and submit to them for they keep watch over your souls, as those who will give account." Ephesians 6:1 (NASV) "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right."

                              VIII.

A Scout is Cheerful - Proverbs 17:22a (RSV) - "A cheerful heart is good medicine."

                               IX.

A Scout is Thrifty ("he does not wantonly destroy property.  He works faithfully, waste nothing and makes the best use of his opportunities.  He saves money so that he may pay his own way, he is generous to those in need and helpful to worthy objects.")* -Proverbs 21:5a (KJV) - "The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness." Romans 12:10-11 (NASV) - "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, persevering in tribulation, devoted in prayer....." Proverbs 28:27 (KJV) - "He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack."

*The Boy Scouts of America, The official Handbook for Boys (New York:Doubleday, Page and Company, 1911), PP. 15-16.

                               X.

A Scout is Brave - II Timothy 1:7 (NASV)"For God has not given us a spirit of timidity but of power and lover and discipline." Joshua 1:6 (Moffatt) - "....be strong and brave ... turning neither to the right not to the left, so that you may succeed wherever you go."

                               XI.

A Scout is Clean - Psalm 51:10 (NASV) "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me."  Psalm 24:3 = "Who may ascend into the hills of the Lord and who may stand in His Holy place?  He who has clan hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted
up his soul to falsehood, and has not sworn deceitfully.  He shall receive a blessing from the Lord and righteousness from God of his salvation."

                              XII.

A Scout is Reverent - Proverbs 19:23 (LB) - "Reverence for God gives life, happiness, and protection from harm."  Psalm 34:9 (Moffatt) - "Revere the Eternal, O ye saints of his, the reverent never want for anything."

     Yes, the Scout Law offers 12 quality guidelines with biblical precedent.  Millions of young people have been positively influenced by this foundation of Scouting. And, as long as young people are led in Scouting adventure by Christians committed to the truths of the Scout Law, America has in store for her a brighter future!

R. Chip Turner
Executive Committee Member
Association of Baptist for
Scouting

INTERFAITH SERVICE
Randy Neufeld 

INVOCATION
Be merciful to me, O God, Be merciful,
for I have taken refuge in You.
In the shadow of Your wings,
will I take refuge
until this time of trouble has gone by.

I will call upon the most high God,
The God who maintains my cause.

He will send from heaven and save me;
He will confound those
who trample upon me;
God will send forth His love
and his faithfulness.  Amen.

HYMN
Oh beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties,
Above the fruited plain.

(Chorus)
America, America. God shed His Grace on thee,
and crown thy good with brotherhood,
From sea to shining sea.

Oh beautiful for patriot dream,
That sees beyond the years,
Thine alabaster cities gleam,
Undimmed by human tears.

(Repeat Chorus)

MEDITATION
Sanctify our campsite with your presence and joy.
By the spirit of affection and service unite our
Scouting families, that they may show your praise
in our land and in all the world.

RESPONSIVE READING
(Psalm 46)

(L)   God is our refuge and strength

(P)   A very present help in trouble

(L)   therefore we will not fear, though the earth be moved

(P)   and though the mountains be toppled into the depths of the sea

(L)   though it's waters rage and foam

(P)   the Lord of hosts is with us

(L)   the God of Jacob is our stronghold

HYMN
Kum Ba Yah my Lord, Kum Ba Yah
Kum Ba Yah my Lord, Kum Ba Yah
Kum Ba Yah my Lord, Kum Ba Yah
Oh, Lord Kum Ba Yah

Someone's crying Lord, Kum Ba Yah
Someone's crying Lord, Kum Ba Yah
Someone's crying Lord, Kum Ba Yah
Oh Lord Kum Ba Yah

Someone's singing Lord, Kum Ba Yah
Someone's singing Lord, Kum Ba Yah
Someone's singing Lord, Kum Ba Yah
Oh Lord Kum Ba Yah

Someone's praying Lord, Kum Ba Yah
Someone's praying Lord, Kum Ba Yah
Someone's praying Lord, Kum Ba Yah
Oh Lord Kum Ba Yah

SERMON

OFFERING FOR WORLD FRIENDSHIP FUND

HYMN
Michael row the boat ashore, Hallelujah
Michael row the boat ashore, Hallelujah
River Jordan is deep and wide, Hallelujah
River Jordan is deep and wide, Hallelujah
River Jordan is chilly and cold, Hallelujah
Chills the body but not the soul, Hallelujah

SCOUTMASTER MINUTE

CLOSING PRAYER

GREAT SPIRIT PRAYER
Oh Great Spirit whose voice in the wind I hear,
And whose breath gives life to all in the world

Hear me

Before you I come, one of your many children
Small and weak am I

Your strength and wisdom I need
Make me walk in beauty
Make my heart respect all You have made
My ears to hear Your voice
Make me wise that I may know all You have taught my people
The lessons You have hidden in every rock
I seek strength, not to be superior to my brother
Make me able to fight my greatest enemy <197> myself
Make me ready to stand before You with clean and straight eyes

When life fades, as the fading sunset, may our spirits stand before You without
shame.

MORNING GRACE
Gracious giver of all good
Thee we than for rest and food
Grant that all we do or say
In Thy service be this day
Amen

NOON GRACE
Father for this noonday meal
We would speak the grace we feel
Health and strength we ask of Thee
Help us Lord to faithful be
Amen

EVENING GRACE
Tireless guardian on our way
Thou hast kept us well this day
While we thank Thee we request
Care continued, pardon, rest
Amen

 NON-DENOMINATIONAL WORSHIP SERVICE FOR WORSHIP IN THE OUTDOORS
Randy Neufeld 

CALL TO WORSHIP  - Psalm 100: 1 - 3

 ``Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the lands. Serve the Lord with  gladness. Come into His presence with singing. Know that the Lord is  God. It is He that made us, and we are His; we are His people, and  the sheep of His pasture.''

OPENING HYMN -`Morning Has Broken''

        Morning has broken like the first morning,
        Blackbird has spoken like the first bird.
        Praise for the singing, Praise for the morning,
        Praise for them, springing, fresh from the word.
        Sweet the rain's new fall, sunlit from heaven,
        Like the first dewfall on the first grass,
        Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden,
        Sprung in completeness where His feet pass.
        Mine is the sunlight, mine is the morning,
        Born of the one light Eden saw play.
        Praise with elation, praise every morning,
        God's recreation of the new day.

RESPONSIVE  READING: - ``Canticle of the Sun''

All:            O most high, almighty, good Lord God, to you belongs
                praise, glory, honor and all blessing.
Leader:         Praised be my Lord God with all his creatures, and
                especially, our brother, the sun, who brings us the day
                and who brings us the night; fair is he,
                and shines with a very great splendor; O Lord, he signifies
                You to us.
Response:       Praise be my Lord for our sister the moon, and for the
                stars, which He has set clear and lovely in the heaven.
Leader:         Praised be my Lord for our brother the wind, and for the
                air and clouds, calms, and all weather by which you uphold life
                in all creatures.
Response:       Praised be my Lord for our sister, water, who is very
                serviceable to us, and humble and precious... and very clean.
Leader:         Praised be my Lord for our brother, fire, through whom you
                give us light in the darkness; he is bright and pleasant
                and very mighty and  strong.
Response:       Praised be my Lord for our mother, the earth, which
                sustains us and keeps us, and brings forth grass and
                diverse fruits and flowers of many colors.
All:            Praise and bless the Lord, and give thanks to Him and serve
                Him with great humility.

SILENT PRAYER

PRAYER

God, sometimes I hold something small in my hand... a piece of moss or a budding twig, and - peering closely at this tiny world - I feel a sudden wonder. Help me to remember that you made these worlds, and countless others, and...in remembering...come closer to you. O God, we thank Thee today for the world in which you have placed us; for the universe whose vastness is revealed in the blue depths of the sky;  whose immensities are lit by shining stars beyond the strength of mind to follow. We thank you for the beauty of our earth, for the sweetness of the flowers, the solemnity of the stars, the sound of streams and swelling seas, for stretching lands and mighty mountains which rest and satisfy the soul, the purity of dawn which calls us to holy dedication, and the peace of the evening which speaks of everlasting rest. Above  all, we thank you for the dignity you have bestowed upon every human being as the crown of your Creation. Give us the grace to let the light of your glory shine through us, in our action, words and thoughts.  Amen.

OFFERING - For the World Friendship Fund

CLOSING HYMN - " This is My Father's World"

        This is my Father's world, and to my listening ears,
        All nature sings, & round me rings the music of the spheres.
        This is my Father's world. I rest me in the thought
        Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas,
        His hand the wonders wrought.
        This is my Father's world. The birds their carols raise.
        The morning light, the lily white, declare the Maker's praise.
        This is my Father's world. He shines in all that's fair;
        In the trusting grass I hear him pass, He speaks to me everywhere.

BENEDICTION -  (sung to the tune: Edelweiss)

        May the Lord, Mighty Lord, bless and keep you forever;
        Grant  us peace, perfect peace, courage in every endeavor.
        Lift up your eyes and see His face, and His grace forever.
        May the Lord, Mighty Lord, Bless and keep you forever.