Challenges

Pathfinder ministry has always served to challenge young people to be the best they can be. And we encourage Pathfinders to become mature in all areas of their lives:

Spiritually

Mentally

Emotionally

Physically

Look through the list of challenges, pick which ones you think will help you grow the most and go for it! The challenges are grouped into SEVEN Categories.

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Activities

Participants are challenged to pick at least ONE activity from each of the SEVEN CATEGORIES during the year. A Pathfinder could choose to do more than one challenge a month if they feel they have the ability to.

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Goal

The goal is that during the year, a Pathfinder would accomplish one level in one month and then challenge themselves to achieve the next level in the next month. The idea is to be able to see and track growth.

Choose your category prayerfully and challenge yourself to grow!

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Day

Each day in 2022 is an opportunity to advance.

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Month

Each month after finishing one level, you are encouraged to pick another level or a new category.

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Year

Daily commit to completing your monthly goals. And in December (2022), when you look back, you will be amazed at how you have grown.

JOURNAL

Download the journal to see challenges
and track your growth or click on the categories below.

CATEGORY I - Spiritual Life Development – Bible Study & Prayer

Read Your Bible

Level 1 – 7 minutes each day for a month

Level 2 – 7 minutes each morning / evening for a month

Level 3 – 17 minutes each morning / evening for a month

Level 4 – 37 minutes each morning / evening for a month

Advanced – 70 days to read the entire NT

Prayer

Level 1 – Every hour you’re awake, pray for at least seven seconds. Do this each day for a month.

Level 2 – 7 minutes each day for a month

Level 3 – 7 minutes each morning / 7 minutes each evening for a month

Level 4 – 17 minutes each morning / 17 minutes each evening for a month

Advanced – Pray without ceasing (train your brain to stay connected to God all day)

Read Your Bible & Pray

Level 1 – 7 minutes each morning for a month

Level 2 – 7 minutes each morning and evening for a month

Level 3 – 17 minutes each morning and evening for a month

Level 4 – 37 minutes each morning and evening for a month

Advanced – Spend 70 minutes in Bible Study/Prayer each day for a month

Memorize Scripture

Level 1 – 7 verses in a month

Level 2 – 7 verses each week for a month

Level 3 – 7 Old Testament / 7 New Testament verses each week for a month

Level 4 – 70 verses in a month

Advanced – Chapters in a month

Write your OWN challenge

IDEAS:

1. Read a chapter from Proverbs every day for a month (pick a key verse to memorize)	2. Read a chapter from the book of Psalms every day for a month (pick a key verse to memorize)
3. Read through one (or all) of the gospels – the books that teach us how Jesus lived (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John)	4. Read through the book of Acts paying special attention to the work of the Holy Spirit in the early church
5. Read through the many Epistles (letters) in the New Testament (many books end in the letters “ians”-example “Galat”ians”)	6. Pick verses that relate to something you need to challenge, encourage, and inspire
7. Choose 7 verses that help you explain a truth about God from the Bible, then memorize those verses	8. Choose 7 verses that show why we believe a certain doctrine, memorize the verses, and share them with a friend
9. Pray about your life, the things on your heart/mind; talk to God like you talk to your best friend; open your heart	10. Pray with others (friends, family members) for specific things and see what God will do (pray with 7 people in a week?!)

CATEGORY II - Spiritual Life Development Challenges – Part II

Journaling

Level 1 – 7 minutes writing down your feelings/prayers/thoughts each day

Level 2 – 17 minutes writing down your feelings/prayers/thoughts each day

Level 3 – 37 minutes writing down your feelings/prayers/thoughts each day

Level 4 – 70 minutes writing down your feelings/prayers/thoughts each day

Media Fast — No TV, Internet, Texting, Screen Time or Radio/Music

Level 1 – 70 minutes each day with no media for a month

Level 2 – 7 hours each day with no media for a month (while awake ☺)

Level 3 – 7 days with no media in a month

Level 4 – No media for a month (except for screen time for class as necessary; be a good student)

Meditation

Level 1 – 7 minutes each day meditating / reflecting on a Bible verse(s)

Level 2 – 17 minutes each day meditating / reflecting on a Bible verse(s)

Level 3 – 37 minutes each day meditating / reflecting on a Bible verse(s)

Level 4 – 70 minutes each day and evening meditating/reflecting on a Bible verse(s). Ask God to reveal to you how you can put into practice the verse(s) you’re meditating on.

Read any writings from Ellen G. White. Many books are available online for free at www.whiteestate.org.

Level 1 – Read 7 paragraphs each day for a month

Level 2 – Read 7 pages each day for a month

Level 3 – Read 17 pages each day for a month

Level 4 – Read 70 minutes each day for a month

Read other Christian books/writers

Level 1 – Read 7 pages each day for a month

Level 2 – Read 17 pages each day for a month

Level 3 – Read 37 pages each day for a month

Level 4 – Read 70 minutes each day for a month

CATEGORY III - Health Challenges - Exercise

Cycling Level 1 – 7 minutes each day for a month Level 2 – 17 minutes each day for a month Level 3 – 37 minutes each day for a month Level 4 – 70 minutes, at least three times a week for a month
	Play Level 1 – 70 minutes of play each week for a month Level 2 – 70 minutes at least three times each week for a month Level 3 – 70 minutes at least five times each week for a month Level 4 – 70 hours of play in a month
Push-Ups Level 1 – Do 7 push-ups in the morning and 7 in the evening for a month Level 2 – Do 17 push-ups in the morning and 17 in the evening for a month Level 3 – Do 37 push-ups in the morning and 37 in the evening for a month Level 4 – Do 70 push-ups in the morning and 70 in the evening for a month Advanced – See if you can do 70 push-ups in 70 seconds
	Sit-Ups Level 1 – Do 7 sit-ups in the morning and 7 at night Level 2 – Do 17 sit-ups in the morning and 17 at night Level 3 – Do 37 sit-ups in the morning and 37 at night Level 4 – Do 70 sit-ups in the morning and 70 at night Advanced – See if you can do 70 sit-ups in 70 seconds
Sports Level 1 – 70 minutes of sports each week for a month Level 2 – 70 minutes at least three times each week for a month Level 3 – 70 minutes at least five times each week for a month Level 4 – 70 hours of sports in a month
	Swimming Level 1 – Swim 7 laps each week for a month Level 2 – Swim 17 laps each week for a month Level 3 – Swim 27 laps each week for a month Level 4 – Swim a total of 7 hours in a month
Walking/Running Level 1 – Walk / Run 7 minutes each day for a month Level 2 – Walk / Run 17 minutes each day for a month Level 3 – Walk / Run 37 minutes each day for a month Level 4 – Walk / Run 70 minutes a day at least 5 times a week for a month

CATEGORY IV - Health Challenges - Nutrition

Fruits and Vegetables Level 1 – 7 servings of fruits / vegetables each week for a month Level 2 – 17 servings of fruits / vegetables each week for a month (FYI – 21 meals in a week) Level 3 – 37 servings of fruits / vegetables each week for a month Level 4 – Choose healthy snacks (only fruits and vegetables – no sweets/processed foods) for a month
	Vegetarianism Level 1 – 7 days of a non-red meat diet (one week) Level 2 – 7 days of a vegetarian (no meat) diet (one week) Level 3 – 17 days of a vegetarian diet (no meat) in a month Level 4 – One month of a vegetarian diet
Veganism (no animal products) Level 1 – 1 day of a vegan diet each week for a month Level 2 – 7 days of a vegan diet in a month and evening for a month Level 3 – 17 days of a vegan diet in a month Level 4 – One month of a vegan diet
	Water Level 1 – Start each day with a glass of water as soon as you wake up Level 2 – Start and end each day with a glass of water Level 3 – Drink at least 7 glasses of water each day for a month Level 4 – Drinking only water for a month (still eating)
Food Fast Please only take this challenge AFTER talking with your parents (maybe even your doctor?) about this. The purpose of a food fast is to remind yourself that you rely on God for strength (not just food). And it is meant to give your body a break and make your mind more clear to better connect with God. Level 1 – Skip one meal in a week, drink natural juices instead of eating food Level 2 – Skip one meal, one day a week, each week for a month Level 3 – Skip two meals, one day a week, each week for a month Level 4 – Skip all three meals, one day a week, each week, for a month NOTE: If you are new to fasting, Skip solid foods for two days each week – drink only natural fruit juices – for a month

CATEGORY V - Ministry Challenges

Bible Studies Level 1 – Help someone give a Bible study once a month Level 2 – Start your own Bible study with someone, meet at least once a month Level 3 – Take someone with you to watch as you give a Bible study, help them start their own study with someone else Level 4 – Give 7 Bible studies in a quarter (3 months) and take a friend with you to train them
	Church Involvement – volunteer in a ministry at your church or other churches Level 1 – 17 minutes each week for a month Level 2 – 37 minutes each week for a month Level 3 – 70 minutes each week for a month Level 4 – 7 hours every month and recruit a friend to get involved too
Door-to-Door (go with an adult) Level 1 – Make 7 door contacts each week for a month Level 2 – Make 17 door contacts each week for a month Level 3 – Make 37 door contacts each week for a month Level 4 – Organize a team of youth to knock on every door in a neighborhood or around your church
	Evangelism Involvement – Create your own project or work with your Club Level 1 – 17 minutes each week for a month Level 2 – 37 minutes each week for a month Level 3 – 70 minutes each week for a month Level 4 – Create an event with your Club, invite all your friends, pray for 70 guests
Literature Distribution Level 1 – 7 pieces of literature each week in a month Level 2 – 17 pieces of literature each week in a month Level 3 – 37 pieces of literature each week in a month Level 4 – Organize a team of youth to hand out literature at an event/neighborhood
	Small Group Bible Studies Level 1 – Be part of a small group Bible study twice a month Level 2 – Be part of a small group Bible study each week for a month Level 3 – Help lead out in a small group Bible study twice a month Level 4 – Lead a small group Bible study each week for a month and train a co-leader

CATEGORY VI – Outreach Challenges

Community Service – Volunteer your services to help others in need

Level 1 – 17 minutes each week for a month

Level 2 – 37 minutes each week for a month

Level 3 – 70 minutes each week for a month

Level 4 – Recruit some friends to get involved with you to do 70 hours (combined) in a month

Visit Missing Members – Work with Pastor, Youth Leader, Club Director to find out who is missing

Level 1 – 7 visits in a month

Level 2 – 17 visits in a month

Level 3 – 27 visits in a month

Level 4 – Get your friends to join you/create teams to make 70 visits in a month

Fundraising for ministries

Level 1 – Raise $7 a week for a month

Level 2 – Raise $70 in a month

Level 3 – Raise $700 in a month

Level 4 – Raise $7000 in a month (amazing!)

Invitations to Church

Level 1 – Make 7 invites to friends to attend an event/group/service in a week

Level 2 – Invite 7 friends to attend an event/group/service each week for a week

Level 3 – Invite 17 friends to attend an event/group/service each week for a month

Level 4 – Create an event; get your whole Club to invite their friends; pray for 70 to attend

Random Acts of Kindness, with friends or solo

Level 1 – Do a Random Act of Kindness 7 times in a month

Level 2 – Do a Random Act of Kindness 17 times in a month

Level 3 – Do a Random Act of Kindness 37 times in a month (more than 1 a day!)

Level 4 – Create Teams of Pathfinders to do 70 Random Acts of Kindness in a month

CATEGORY VII – Additional Outreach Challenges

Text Friends Bible Verses

Level 1 – Text 7 friends one Bible verse in a month

Level 2 – Text 7 friends one Bible verse daily for a week

Level 3 – Text 7 friends and 7 adults one Bible verse daily for a week

Level 4 – Text 7 friends one Bible verse daily for a month

Post Spiritual / Encouraging Social Media Posts (Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter, TikTok, etc.)

Level 1 – Post a spiritual/encouraging post on your social media

Level 2 – Post one spiritual/encouraging post on your social media every day / 7 days in a row

Level 3 – Post 17 spiritual/encouraging posts on social media in a month

Level 4 – Post 70 spiritual/encouraging posts on social media in a quarter (3 months). Pray for God to use the posts to help your social network to be inspired to consider Jesus!

Make Videos with a Spiritual Lesson and Share Them

Level 1 – Make one video with a spiritual lesson and share it by text/social media

Level 2 – Make 7 videos with a spiritual lesson and share it by text/social media

Level 3 – Make 17 videos with a spiritual lesson and share it by text/social media

Level 4 – Make 27 videos with a spiritual lesson and share it by text/social media (almost one a day!)