CAMP Method

The CAMP Method is a Bible study tactic designed by Pastor D.J. Horton. It's purpose is to guide your journaling as you pursue a closer relationship with God through consistently spending time in His Word. Read below for the CAMP method and CAMP resources!

How do I CAMP in God's Word?

CAMP stands for Copy & Comprehend, Apply, Meditate, and Pray.

Choose a reading plan to follow and use the CAMP method to walk through your daily time in God's Word.

C - Copy & Comprehend

First, copy one, two, or three of the verses from the assigned portion you are going to be focusing on for the day. Zeroing in on a few key verses helps you think seriously about truly comprehending the entire passage. Writing them engrains them in your mind. Next, write a few sentences in your journal summarizing your comprehension of the meaning of the entire passage. It is helpful to answer the who, what, when, where, why, and how questions as you look for the main truths of the text. 

Comprehending God’s Word begins with determining what a given passage actually says and what those words actually mean. God’s Word is not written in a secret code. It is meant to be understood according to its original meaning. This does not mean the original meaning is always easy to comprehend, but it does mean that you can understand it if you are willing to put in the effort by asking the right questions as you read the scripture. Questions like: 

  1. What type of literature is this? (Poetry, historical narrative, law, letter, etc.)
  2. Who is the human author? When did he write?
  3. Who was the original audience?
  4. What is the context of the scripture? What was happening in the setting/culture/world of the audience? 

Camping Tip: Use a study Bible instead of a regular Bible along with this journal. Two good options are The ESV Study Bible published by Crossway, and The MacArthur Study Bible published by Thomas Nelson. In a study Bible, the bottom half of every page contains some explanation about each passage. This is super helpful.

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A - Apply

How does this truth apply to my life? Application of the Bible can only happen correctly once we have determined the correct meaning of a particular text. As Christ-followers, we can become misguided when we misapply God’s Word. However, after we do the work of understanding the true meaning of a passage, the applications unlocked can and should be life-altering. These applications can take on all shapes and sizes and can minister to us in unique ways based on our current struggles, dilemmas, or situations.  

Take a moment to write a few sentences or paragraphs describing the application of this passage to your life right now. I encourage you to include “I will…” statements in this section. Starting a sentence with these two words adds a level of commitment to how you will apply what you are learning. It helps move your application from being something that exists merely in your imagination to a place of activation.

M - Meditate 

Most people associate meditation with religions like Buddhism. They picture a monk on a Himalayan mountain sitting in a temple with his legs criss crossed, eyes closed, and perhaps humming in a low pitch. For Christians, mediation could not be more different. Unlike other religions that often see the goal of meditation as an ascent to emptying the mind, God’s people meditate by filling our minds with His Word! Our goal is not to disconnect, but rather to connect more deeply to Christ as we draw near to Him through His Word. After you have understood and applied the truth of the daily passage, you are then ready to sit before the Lord in deep reflection over these truths. There is no writing requirement for this specific section. The only requirement is to be still and let the Holy Spirit speak. 

 

Here are a few suggested steps:

  1. Say a brief prayer asking the Lord to clear and focus your mind.
  2. Quietly re-read the passage a few times.
  3. Dwell on the meaning of the passage. Worship God for what He is teaching. Re-read your complete journal entry.
  4. Mentally connect the meaning and message of the passage to your life specifically. Consider situations, relationships, or decisions this passage directly informs. Re-read your “Apply” journal entry and feel free to add a sentence or two.
  5. Ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate your mind with the truth and the application of the chosen passage.
Meditate on Scripture
Pray
P - Pray 

By this point, you should be looking down at a journal entry of your campsite for the day that is almost complete. The passage has been studied, applied, and meditated on before the Lord. Praying the passage then becomes a natural next step. Writing out your prayer may seem awkward or cumbersome, but it is a beneficial practice. Think through these steps as you write your prayer: recount, recall, repent, request. Recount before the Lord what He has taught you and worship Him for doing so. Recall the steps He has challenged you to take. Repent of any sin His Word has revealed to you. Request His grace to live out what you have learned. In one to three sentences, write down your prayer before the Lord as the last portion of your journal entry.  

That is it! You have camped in God’s Word.

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40: A Discipleship Journey

40: A Discipleship Journey is designed to help you become a more devoted disciple of Jesus and a disciple-maker for Him. In other words, in addition to your pastor, your church, your small group, and your favorite ministry, God wants YOU to fulfill the Great Commission of making disciples. 40 is just a road map to help you. It's 40 weeks throughout the year, five days a week, following the CAMP Method. This resource comes in Part 1 and Part 2 to make up the entire 40 weeks.

CAMP Through The Entire Bible

CAMP Through the Entire Bible is a Bible study resource designed to provide a reading plan and a journaling guide as you pursue a closer relationship with God through consistently spending time in His Word. In this resource, you will go through the entire Bible in 13 weeks using Pastor D.J.’s CAMP method.

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Additional Resources

Looking for more resources? Head on over to our Church at The Mill Resource Library! This directory offers the option to filter resources by resource type, ministry/age, and/or topic, making it easy to find the information you need.

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