Investiture Achievement/Friend/Personal Growth
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| Friend/Personal Growth |
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Requirement 1 |
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Be in Grade 5 or its equivalent.
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The Friend level has been designed to be within reach of a person in the fifth grade or higher. It should be challenging, yet achievable for a child at this point in his or her formal education.
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Requirement 2a |
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Develop your daily devotional life by studying the Weekly Devotional Guide (weeks 1 – 13) and the book of Matthew utilizing printed or electronic resources.
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Weekly Devotional Guide
The purpose of this requirement is to have the Pathfinder connect with God each day and help establish lifelong personal devotions. It is not to be done in a marathon sit down and read-as-much-as-you-can event. By reading the weekly devotional guide (thirteen weeks for Friend, Companion, Explorer, and Ranger, and 26 weeks for Voyager and Guide), the Pathfinder should gain a broader view of the Bible. They can use their Bibles, computers, or other electronic or audio devices to complete this requirement. The best way to approach the reading is by establishing a habit of reading the Bible every day (i.e., keep the morning watch!)
In addition to the topical studies: Friends are introduced to our friend Jesus through the stories of Matthew. Companions learn about the origins of the world through Genesis. Explorers explore the early church in Acts. Rangers return to the story of Jesus in John. Voyagers experience salvation as explained by Paul in Romans. Guides cover prophecy and end time events in Revelation.
| Week 1: IDENITY | Week 5: DEPRESSION | Week 9: REBELLION |
| Week 2: SELF-ESTEEM | Week 6: COURAGE | Week 10: STANDARDS |
| Week 3: SELF-CONTROL | Week 7: LONELINESS | Week 11: SIN |
| Week 4: TRY AGAIN? | Week 8: FEAR | Week 12: CHARACTER |
| Week 13: TEMPTATION |
Matthew
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Requirement 2b |
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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.
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Requirement 3 |
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Memorize the Pathfinder Pledge & Law.
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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 4 |
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Learn the Pathfinder Song.
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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
Trail Friend 
There are no additional requirements in this section for the Advanced Ribbon.
