Light Camp for the Next Generation (1 Samuel 2:18–21)
Light Camp for the Next Generation (1 Samuel 2:18–21) 9/6/2026
Beginning this week, schools are starting a new academic year, and our church is beginning Summit School and Summit Preschool. As parents and church leaders, what kind of prayers and support should we provide? There is something that only we can do- the “Light Camp.”
Why is this Light Camp so important? Because the darkness in the world is growing deeper and deeper (Isaiaj 60:2; 2 Timothy 3:1).
Why does the Bible speak about this darkness? It tells us that this darkness was already present when the visible world was created (Genesis 1:2). This was not simply a condition in which there was no physical light. Before the visible world was created, there had already been a spiritual fall in the spiritual realm that was created first. There were spiritual forces at work in that fall. They were the fallen spirits, those who followed the one whom we call Satan and the devil. They are called “the power of darkness” (Luke 22:53) and “the rulers of the darkness of this world” and “spiritual forces of evil” (Ephesians 6:12).
They fell and were cast down to the earth (Revelation 12:9), and they were the ones who tempted and brought down Adam and Eve, the first human beings (Genesis 3:1–5). They are the ones who corrupt the world, who kill and destroy human lives, and who carry out evil works (John 10:10). Why do evil things continue to happen in the world? Why do works of darkness continue in individual lives? We send our children to school hoping that they will have a better future, but why are they wounded even there, and why do things happen that we cannot understand? It is because the spirits of darkness are at work there.
This is where the failure of Eli the priest’s sons, described so vividly in 1 Samuel 2, began. They did not merely commit evil deeds. The Bible says that they despised the sacrifice (worship) of the Lord (1 Samuel 2:17). This was what Satan himself had first done (Ezekiel 28:14–15).
The hell to which these spirits of darkness will go is described both as the lake of fire that never goes out (Revelation 20:10) and as a place of eternal darkness (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 1:13). Hannah also described those who had afflicted her as being sent into the depths of darkness (1 Samuel 2:9).
- God did not want us to live in this darkness or remain in a place of eternal darkness.
1) Therefore, He sent His Son as the Christ, and He is called the Light of mankind (John 1:4). Yet people did not understand that Light. Instead, they blocked and opposed the Light. However, in every age there were those who recognized Him as the Light of their lives and received Him. Who were they? They became children of God (John 1:12), and they are called children of light (Ephesians 5:8). I am not the light itself; I am one who possesses the Light.
2) How does the Bible describe salvation? It is the state in which I receive Christ, escape from all sin, curses, and destiny, and become a child of God. How does the Bible describe this more specifically? It says that we have been delivered from the hand of Satan (Luke 1:71) and transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God’s Son (Colossaisn 1:13). Therefore, we have become citizens of the kingdom of God and people who are to enjoy the blessings of that kingdom (Ephesians 1:3–5). There is no reason for us to live under oppression any longer (Acts 10:38). Enjoying this blessing is the true life of faith.
3) It does not stop there. We have become people who can stand against and overcome the powers of darkness with this power of the light.
① The powers of darkness are covering this world. This is an age in which darkness covers the church, darkness covers the field, and dragging the next generation in the darkness. God has called us to save these three fields (1 Peter 2:9).
② God has actually given us authority and power. We are those who possess the authority of Christ. This is why the Bible calls us “a royal priesthood.” When we pray with that authority, power is revealed. It is “Heavenly Power”, the power of heaven that overcomes the ruler of the kingdom of the air. It is “Thronely Power”, the power of the throne that saves and conquers the world. It is “Eternally Power”, the eternal power that saves the future. We must help our next generation possess and enjoy these blessings as they go to school, enter the workplace, and move into their future.
- Therefore, what we must concentrate on is this Camp of Light. This is something that schools cannot do.
What kind of light is the light of Christ? It is the light of creation, the light of life, and the light of blessing. No matter what, darkness can never overcome light. This is why we and our next generation can rise again even if we stumble and fall for a moment (Proverbs 24:16). We must begin with three light camps in the home. The church helps families do this. A camp is something we can do together. Samuel was sent to the temple and trained there (v. 18), but his mother Hannah continually supported and helped him (v. 19).
1) The First Camp — Training to understand and enjoy this Light
① Do not be deceived by circumstances or present realities. First understand and enjoy Christ, who has come into me as the Light (Isaiah 60:1). We must help the next generation know and enjoy the fact that in Christ they are children of light. This must become their imprint, root, and nature.
② The light that I enjoy is transmitted to others. From this comes true education in the home, as well as true evangelism and missions (Isaiah 60:3–7). At this time, I begin to see the work God has prepared for me to do and the path I need to take. I come to understand my mission.
2) The Second Camp — From this point, the darkness within me begins to be healed. Parents must be healed first.
① There is certainly darkness within us. It may come from family-line problems, hereditary problems, or problems experienced during the process of growing up. These problems may appear even in childhood—ADHD, depression, loneliness, or difficulty controlling anger. God has allowed us to see these things in advance so that they can be healed. Healing takes place when we look to and enjoy Christ, who is the Light. Nothing can destroy me or my next generation. Do not despair. Even if it is an incurable disease, everything changes when the light of God shines upon us. Pray that the power and blessing of that Light will come upon us. Then we begin to see the bartizan of the throne, the blessings, and the guidesigns that God has prepared.
② Through me, as I enjoy this blessing, other people will also be healed. Those who understand what healing is and have personally experienced it become witnesses who can bring healing to others and save them. There is healing of the heart, healing of the thoughts, healing of habits, healing of diseases, and a fundamental healing that underlies every kind of healing. That is spiritual healing. This is why God chose and raised us up. “To open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God” (Acts 26:18).
3) The Third Camp — From here arise disciples who are willing to stake their lives on the gospel and be used by God
① In the midst of desperate suffering, Hannah staked her life on the covenant, prayed with her life on the line, and entrusted Samuel to God with her whole life. Hannah was a disciple of her age, and through that disciple, another disciple, her son Samuel, arose. Through Samuel, who was dedicated in this way, God saved Israel and raised up another disciple, David.
② After Hannah gave Samuel to God, she received even more children.
“The Lord visited Hannah” (v. 21). The Hebrew word translated “visited” is paqad (פָּקַד). It carries meanings such as “to visit,” “to remember with personal concern,” and “to take account and repay.” In English, the expression conveys the idea that the Lord showed Hannah great grace. The Lord also promised His disciples that if they lost anything because they staked their lives on the gospel, they would receive a hundredfold (Mark 10:29–30). We live only once. Our lives will one day stand before God. May we become people who are willing to stake our lives on the gospel.
Conclusion – Begin the Light Camp within yourself. In this age when darkness fills the three fields, God will raise us and our next generation as witnesses of the Light.
9.6.26 Light Camp for the Next Generation