Vanguard Leadership Academy: April Apprentice Inspirements

Watch these two videos (15 minutes each) by Audrey Rindlisbacher. Choose one or more character traits or habits from the Ten Booms that you plan to improve in yourself. Teach someone else what you learned about the Ten Booms. Come ready to share your plan to improve yourself, and whom you taught about the Ten Booms.

Watch this video of excerpts from Corrie Ten Boom herself. Find a quiet place to pray, ponder, and write in your journal about how this message applies to you. If you feel comfortable sharing how you’re going to (or did) apply this message, share it with the class.

Notice how fleas turned from a trial to a blessing for Corrie. Take some time to ponder and write a list of some of your most challenging trials. What blessings have you been able to see in them so far? Please write them. Find or write a poem, song, or some other way to express how sometimes our most challenging trials can become some of our greatest blessings. Come to class ready to present the song or poem, etc. and what you’ve learned about trials turning into blessings.

Choose three of the following questions to ponder and write about in a quiet place:

Which character(s) are you most like? Explain.
What are some of the behaviors Corrie's father exhibited toward Corrie that remind you of the way your Heavenly Father treats and cares for you?
How do you think the training Corrie received from her parents prepared her for her experiences during the war?
Corrie and her relatives frequently had to decide whether or not they would lie to the Germans, even though the Ten Booms believed lying was a sin. What do you think about the choices they made? What would you have done in their situation and why?
Even when Corrie's mother was no longer able to reach out to people physically, she still managed to encourage her neighbors. How could you use your gifts and talents, however big or small, to help and encourage others?
How did Corrie's suffering alter her view of God and the Bible?
Do you think you could have forgiven the German soldier like Corrie did?

(Sister Edwards just added two more inspirement options below)

Do a character sketch on Corrie, Betsie, or Father Ten Boom. Include character traits, specific examples, and ways you want to be like him or her. Create a specific plan of action to help you become more like this hero or heroine. You can use a T-chart, a mind map brainstorm, a list, a journal entry, a poem, etc. Really put thought into this, and prayer about how you can become more like one of these Christlike people.

Watch "The One Way Door," the movie that was referenced in the Epilogue of The Hiding Place. The three video clips are only 10-11 minutes each. Think about how courageously and selflessly Corrie Ten Boom fulfilled the great work God had for her, even into her old age. Ponder how God guided her, gave her experiences and education and parents who helped prepare her for her challenges and mission. Remember some of the simple yet powerful lessons from her father like the suitcase being too heavy to carry, that dying in behalf of saving others would be the greatest honor for his family, and how he insisted his children learn German and English as children. Ponder how these and other things prepared Corrie. Find a quiet place to pray and ponder what great works God may have in store for you. Brainstorm ideas what you think these might include. Don't worry; you don't have to know right now, but it can be fun and inspiring to write a list of ideas that make you feel excited to contribute to God's children. In your list I hope you include to be a wonderful mother or father, wife or husband, and contributing member of your church. Look at your list of possibilities, and write another list of education, talents, gifts, challenges, parents, and other things God has given you to prepare you for both your challenges and your mission(s) in life.