First Baptist Church of La Plata

Keepers of the Faith is a Bible based program. Our church provides a venue by which children are not only provided a vast spectrum of topics as in other “scouting” type organizations, but also where children are taught by parents how God uses many daily activities to grow us as Christians.

As examples:

     In the study of “Tools” the boy’s book says, “But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his share, and his coulter, and his axe, and his mattock” (1 Sam 13:20).  Tools are a part of man’s heritage. He has been fashioning and using tools since “The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it” (Gen 2:15-16).  The book goes on to state, “The ability to use tools is as valuable as any skill a man can have. When a man spends his time on earth, he will probably spend much of it providing and caring for his family. He will need to repair, mend, build, renovate, and maintain many of the physical necessities of life. God’s Word teaches us not to be wasteful. Caring for things the way that we ought often requires us to know how to use tools. Becoming acquainted with these basic tools is just a beginning, but this section will get you on your way. You will soon be at home in any workshop.” The small section of the book then goes on to provide “helpful information” on Screws, Screwdrivers (explanation on the difference between standard and Phillips screwdrivers, Reed or Prince Screwdrivers. Torx screwdrivers), Hammers (explanation on the difference between claw hammers, ball-peen hammers, and sledge hammers), Nuts and Bolts, Wrenches (and the difference between Open-End, Box-End, Combination, Ratchet and Socket Wrenches, Adjustable Wrenches, and Pipe Wrenches), Pliers (description and uses of Standard, Channel Locks or Arc Joint Pliers, Long-nose Pliers, Vise Grips or Locking Pliers, and Diagonal Cutters); “Things to Learn” provides the students with actual “Hands-on” use of these tools and questions to ensure the students understand what they’ve been taught – such as “When should an adjustable wrench not be used?”

     In the girl’s book it states, “And all the women that were wise hearted did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, both of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine linen” (Ex 35:25). It also cites “Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of them that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work” (Exodus 35:35). This section of the books goes on to say, “Creative skills are just that. They are skills which use our creativity! Creative means to create. God is the great Creator. He has created the heavens and the earth, and all that is within them. He has created us, and He has created us in such a manner as to give us the ability to create also. Of course, we do not create the way God creates. When we say that we create, we mean that we make thoughtful unique things out of the things He has given us. The book goes on to provide the same sort of guidance as with the boys that teaches the children how creative skills such as “Candlemaking,” “Ceramics,” Crocheting,” and “Dollmaking.”

     Many of the activities we do together as a group are things that both girls and boys can use and learn together such as “Sign Language,” “First Aid,” "Fire Fighting," “Caring for our animals,” and “Farm Life.”

If this sound like something you might be interested in bringing your children to, getting involved with, or you just want more information, we meet twice a month.  There are activities that you can get involved with even now. Please feel free to call the church office for more information or contact Rick or Bonnie Surfield.