Duty to God (Stories)

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Duty to God - Chaplain's Aide Moment - This term has multiple usages in the Scouting Movement:

  • See Duty to God for other scouting references such as Scouting Religious Awards.

This article is for unit Chaplains and Chaplains Aides with some timely examples of the maining of Duty to God.

Article Objective

Duty to God is an important yet sensitive topic in scouting. It can be a very controversial topic because there are thousands of religious movements and traditions around the world, and many thousands more families that practice their own religious traditions. Yet understanding one's "Duty to God" is the first principle of the Scout Oath.

"The World Movement of Scouting is in a very unique position to help the different peoples and cultures of the world find common ground from among their best traditions and beliefs. By this Scouting can help promote better world citizenship and world peace." [1]

Show Scout Spirit

A scout is expected to at all times, and in all places to show Scout spirit by living the principles of the Scout Promise and Scout Law. Many of these principles are closely connected with doing your Duty to God.

Chaplain's Moment

Below are some "reflection stories" that the Chaplain's Aide can use for his Chaplain's Moment. You can share a brief thought or start a more indepth campfire discussion:

The Good Samaritan

Story of the Good Samaritan explains how to live the divine commandment "To Love your Neighbor as Yourself":

Lift Where You Stand

Every person stands at a unique place and has an important task that only he can perform.

As they stood around the piano, uncertain of what to do next, a good friend of mine, Brother Hanno Luschin, spoke up. He said, “Brethren, stand close together and lift where you stand.” It seemed too simple. Nevertheless, each lifted where he stood, and the piano rose from the ground and moved into the cultural hall as if on its own power. That was the answer to the challenge. They merely needed to stand close together and lift where they stood. I have often thought of Brother Luschin’s simple idea and have been impressed by its profound truth. Tonight I would like to expand on that simple concept, “lift where you stand.”

Baden-Powell Quotes

Bp1.jpg

Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell OM, GCMG, GCVO, KCB (22 February 1857 ; 8 January 1941), also known as B-P, was a Lieutenant-General in the British Army, writer, and founder of the Scouting movement.

Quote #1 from scouting founder - Lord Baden-Powell

Happiness doesn't come from being rich, nor merely from being successful in your career, nor by self-indulgence. One step towards happiness is to make yourself healthy and strong while you are a boy so that you can be useful and so you can enjoy life when you are a man.

Quote #2:

One of the first duties of a Scout is obedience to authority. He must obey his orders in the first place and put his own amusement or desires in the second.

Quote #3:

Life would pall if it were all sugar; salt is bitter if taken by itself; but when tasted as part of the dish, it savours the meat. Difficulties are the salt of life.

Quote #4:

Nature study will show you how full of beautiful and wonderful things God has made the world for you to enjoy. Be contented with what you have got and make the best of it. Look on the bright side of things instead of the gloomy one.

Quote #5:

One of the powerful temptations is that of the cinema palace (Today: Google, Netflix, YouTube, Video Games, etc, etc). The cinema has undoubtedly an enormous attraction for boys, and people are constantly cudgelling their brains how to stop it. But it is one of those things which would be very difficult to stop even if it were altogether desirable.

Quote #6:

Scoutcraft is a means through which the veriest hooligan can be brought to higher thought and to the elements of faith in God; and, coupled with the Scout's obligation to do a good turn every day, it gives the base of Duty to God and to Neighbour on which the parent or pastor can build with greater ease the form of belief that is desired.


More Resources

  1. Light of the Word
  2. Faith in God to overcome Trials
  3. Ignore God offensive?
  4. Ruth
  5. Feed my Sheep
  6. Come Follow Me
  7. Prayer - Ask of God
  8. Family Prayer
  9. Love at Home hymn
  10. Family History - Genealogy Merit Badge
  11. Psalms - Good Shepherd
  12. I believe different from you but don't hate you
  13. Duty to learn truth
  14. Know God - John 17:3

References

  1. [Original statement from article author, Bryce R Hall, 2018, posted here on 01-Sept-2018]