Investiture Achievement/Companion/Personal Growth
The Personal Growth section is a requirement for both the Standard Companion and Trail Companion classes.
Requirement 1 |
Be in Grade 6 or its equivalent. |
The Companion level has been designed to be within reach of a person in the sixth grade or higher. It should be challenging, yet achievable for a child at this point in his or her formal education.
Requirement 2a |
Develop your daily devotional life by studying the Weekly Devotional Guide (weeks 14 – 26) and the book of Genesis utilizing printed or electronic resources. |
Weekly Devotional Guide
Week 14: HOPE | Week 18: CELEBRATION
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Week 22: DEVOTION
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Week 15: LOVE
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Week 19: PROMISES
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Week 23: DECISIONS
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Week 16" JOY | Week 20: FAITHFULNESS
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Week 24: EXAMPLE
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Week 17 ADVENTURE
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Week 21: CHRISTIANITY | Week 25: LIFE WITH GOD |
Week 26: OBEDIENCE |
Genesis
Requirement 2b |
Journal your thoughts by asking these questions:
You may journal through writing, drawing or electronic process. |
The questions are to be asked in relation to the Bible texts read in Requirement 2a. The point of having the Pathfinder answer these questions is to encourage him think about the text in a way that he may not have before. It is easier than we like to admit to read a long passage and not even think about it. Journaling should help prevent this.
How the journaling is done should be left to the Pathfinder.
Writing
Some people are more comfortable writing things down. This can be done with a pencil (or pen) and paper in a notebook, in a diary, on a word processor, or even on a blog or social network posting.
Drawing
Some children do not like to write and will resist it mightily. For such children, the thought of not being invested in not likely to be an effective motivator. They may prefer to illustrate the concepts instead, and that is a valid way for them to journal their thoughts.
Electronic Process
The Pathfinder may choose to write his journal entries in a word processor, a blog, or a social network. While these may be considered either writing or an "electronic process," there are other options available. For instance, Pathfinders may wish to make an audio or video recording of their thoughts. If they have the equipment, this should be encouraged. If they are not comfortable sharing the material with the club, do not force them to.
Requirement 3a |
Memorize the Pathfinder Pledge & Law. |
The Pathfinder Pledge and Law are listed below. These should be recited during a Pathfinder Club's opening exercises at the beginning of each meeting. By the end of the Pathfinder year, every Pathfinder in regular attendance will know them by heart without any effort on the part of the instructors (or the Pathfinders).
Pathfinder Pledge
Pledge | Meaning |
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By the grace of God | Only as I rely on God to help me can I do His will |
I will be pure, | I will fill my mind with that which is right and true and spend my time in activities that build a strong, clean character. |
I will be kind | I will be considerate and kind, not only to my fellow men, but also to all of God’s creation. |
I will be true | I will be honest and upright in study, work, and play and can always be counted upon to do my very best. |
I will keep the Pathfinder Law | I will seek to understand the meaning of the law and will strive to live up to its spirit, realizing that obedience law is essential in any organization. |
I will be a servant of God | I will pledge myself to God first, last, and best in everything I am called to do. |
and a friend to man. | I will bless others and do to them what I would have them do to me. |
For something different, do the Pledge and Law in sign language.
Pathfinder Law
Every young person should have a code by which to shape his life. For the Adventist youth, the Pledge and Law is that code. These must be learned and their principles put into practice.
The Pathfinder Law is for me to:
Law | Meaning |
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Keep the morning watch | I will have prayer and personal Bible study each day. |
Do my honest part | By the power of God, I will help others and do my duty and my honest share, wherever I may be. |
Care for my body | I will be temperate in all things and strive to reach a high standard of physical fitness |
Keep a level eye | I will not lie, cheat or deceive and will despise dirty talk and evil thinking |
Be courteous and obedient | I will be kind and thoughtful of others, reflecting the love of Jesus in all my associations with others. |
Walk softly in the Sanctuary | In any devotional exercise, I will be quiet, careful, and reverent. |
Keep a song in my heart | I will be cheerful and happy and let the influence of my life be sunshine to others |
Go on God's errands | I will always be ready to share my faith and go about doing good as did Jesus |
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Requirement 4a |
Learn or review the Pathfinder Song. |
The Pathfinder Song should be sung during the opening ceremonies at the beginning of each regular Pathfinder Meeting. By the end of the year, every Pathfinder in regular attendance will know the song without any additional effort on their or on the instructor's part.
The words to the song are below, and a link to the sheet music can be found after that.
Oh, we are the Pathfinders Strong,
The servants of God are we
Faithful as we march along,
In kindness, truth, and purity
A Message to tell to the world
A truth that will set us free!
King Jesus the Savior's coming back
For you, and me!
Oh We Are the Pathfinders Strong Sheet Music with Guitar Chords
Requirement 4b |
Illustrate its meaning. |
Meaning
Before the meaning of the Pathfinder Song can be illustrated, it must be understood.
- Oh we are the Pathfinders Strong
- The Pathfinders are not the General Conference, Division, Union, or local Conference leadership. Yes, those people are Pathfinders, and they contribute greatly to the program, but without the children in the local clubs, there would be no Pathfinders. We are the Pathfinders. And we are strong. As Pathfinders, we make an impact in our church and community. Pathfinders is one of the more visible arms of our church, and without them, many people would not know that a Seventh-day Adventist Church met in their communities.
- The servants of God are we
- Pathfinders seek to do the will of the Creator. We look to Him for guidance and direction by reading His written word in the Bible. When we understand His will, we then seek to do it to the best of our ability.
- Helpful as we march along
- Pathfinders look for opportunities to help others. They put the needs of others ahead of their own, and they do this in every aspect of their lives (not just at Pathfinder meetings).
- In kindness, truth, and purity
- The astute Pathfinder will immediately recognize that this phrase comes directly from the Pathfinder Pledge. Kindness, truth, and purity are central to the Pathfinder mission.
- A message to tell to the world
- Once Pathfinders have the attention of their community, and once that attention is positive, the community will more readily receive from them the good news of the gospel. While the message goes out to the entire world, it does so one community at a time.
- A truth that will set us free
- When the community accepts the message, they will be set free from the bondage of sin.
- King Jesus the Savior's coming back for you and me
- The "good news" is that we can have eternal life in Jesus. When an end is made of sin, those who have placed their faith in Jesus will be freed not only from sin, but from death which is caused by sin. Eternal life!
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