Welcome to the Royal Quest!

Hear ye, brave adventurers!
Thou hast completed a leg of the King’s grand Quest — well done, noble travelers!

Thou hast completed a noble trial set forth by the Kingdom’s wisest puzzle masters! As thou didst labor to fit each piece in its rightful place, so too dost life’s many bonds require careful tending. For oftentimes, friendships, families, and matters of the heart can seem a riddle most perplexing.

Know this, dear adventurers: relationships are wondrous gifts bestowed by the King Himself. Yet none shall ever fit aright until thy bond with the true King—Christ Jesus—is set in its rightful place. When He reigneth first in thy heart, all other pieces shall find their peace.

For He hath said:

Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing. 

As thou journeyest onward, take time to ponder these matters with thy company:

• Why do you think Jesus needs to be in the center of our relationships for them to bear fruit? 

   

Hear ye, brave adventurers! Thou hast completed at a cunning trial of wit — well done, noble travelers!

Before thee was a tangle of letters, a riddle formed from the very words of an Apostle, as thou labored to unscramble Romans 16:17, know that this puzzle was no mere pastime: it calleth thee to both sober discernment and humble charity. For the apostle warneth of those who sow division, and yet we are ever warned to guard our own hearts from pride and quickness to cut off a brother or sister. 

Hearken to the Scripture set before thee:

“I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.” Romans 16:17

Ponder, then, these words of ye Apostle, for unkindness and tribalism are at odds with our true King’s heart. 

As thou journeyest onward, take time to ponder these matters with thy company:

• Does your allegiance to your political views lead you to divide from other brothers or sisters in Christ? 

• How does Jesus’ kingship affect the weight we allow worldly powers to have in our lives?

Hear ye, brave adventurers!

Thou hast completed a leg of the King’s grand Quest — well done, noble travelers!

Thou hast proven thy cunning minds and keen wits, crafting a work most splendid. Verily, thy talents, skills, and abilities are treasures bestowed by the gracious hand of our true Lord. Yet take heed, brave ones—such gifts, when lauded by men, can become a snare most subtle. For achievement and the praise it bringeth are like a sweet draught that doth cloud the soul.

When we let our triumphs sit upon the throne of our hearts, we dethrone the rightful King. Therefore, let every gift, every skill, and every triumph be laid before His Majesty in humble service.

Hearken now to the words of the Apostle Paul,

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24

As thou journeyest onward, take time to ponder these matters with thy company:

• How can achievement take the place of God? 

• How can you use your abilities to serve the Lord, rather than yourself? 

Hear ye, brave adventurers!
Thou hast completed a leg of the King’s grand Quest — well done, noble travelers!

Thy skill in navigation hath served thee with great honor. With steady minds and careful hands, thou didst chart thy course and set thy steps aright. Truly, wisdom in the ways of direction is a noble pursuit. Yet, take heed, for those who ever seek to steer their own course may find themselves adrift.

In service to the true King, it is not thou who commandeth the path, but the Lord Himself who guideth the way. To grasp too tightly the reins of one’s journey is to forget the hand that leads.

Therefore, incline thine ear to the words of thy brother James,

 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.  Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:13-15

As thou journeyest onward, take time to ponder these matters with thy company:

• Are you the type of person who likes to be in control? If so, why?

• What do you think it looks like to submit your plans to King Jesus’ will? 

   

Hear ye, brave adventurers!

Thou hast completed a leg of the King’s grand Quest — well done, noble travelers!

Truly, thy craftsmanship is of the highest order—works fit for the courts of kings! Yet take care, noble ones, that such words of praise do not swell thy hearts with pride. For pride is a cunning deceiver, a serpent robed in splendor, and many a soul hath it brought to ruin.

Remember the men of old who sought to raise a tower unto the heavens, that their own name might endure forever. Their labor was mighty, yet their hearts strayed from the true King.

To serve the rightful Lord of all, thou must walk the humble path, even as He, our gracious King, humbled Himself for thee. 

 “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.  For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. (Matthew 16:23-25) 

As thou journeyest onward, take time to ponder these matters with thy company:

• What are some things that you find it easy to take pride in? What makes your name great?

• What does it look like to take up a cross like Jesus, and what does this command teach us about pride?