Pledge & Law

Meaning: Only as I rely on God to help me can I do His will.

Further: This means that the Pathfinder will rely on God for the strength, courage, and determination to keep the Pathfinder Pledge. 

Meaning: I will fill my mind with that which is right and true and spend my time in activities that build a strong, clean character.

Further: The Pathfinder will avoid those things which lead into temptation, and seek to fill himself with heavenly thoughts rather than worldly pleasures (see Philippians 4:8). This means the Pathfinder will avoid such things as dirty jokes, pornography, lewd or crude entertainment, and gossip. Being pure is the same thing as being holy - set aside for a special purpose. The Sabbath is holy because it has been set aside as a special day for us to spend with our Creator. We do not pollute the Sabbath with thoughts of work and toil. Samuel was set aside as pure from before his birth. As a Nazarite, he did not pollute his life with wine (or any grape products). A Pathfinder will set himself aside for the Lord and not pollute his life with impure things. 

Meaning: I will be considerate and kind, not only to my fellow men, but also to all of God’s creation.

Further: The Pathfinder will place the needs of others above the needs of the self. This means holding doors open for others, allowing others to go first in line, taking the smallest cookie, etc. It means relieving the suffering of others, including not only people, but animals as well. It means making friends with new kids and making them feel welcome and part of the group. 

Meaning: I will be honest and upright in study, work, and play and can always be counted upon to do my very best.

Further: Being true means "practicing what you preach." That means that our actions are not in contradictions with our professed ideals. We do what we say. This was the charge Jesus laid against the Pharisees. They would say one thing, but do something else.

"For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness." (Matthew 23:27 NKJV)

Meaning: I will seek to understand the meaning of the law and will strive to live up to its spirit, realizing that obedience to law is essential in any organization.

Further: The Pathfinder will adopt the Pathfinder Law as a way of life. It will be observed and respected at all times, not just during Pathfinder meetings and events. 

Meaning: I will pledge myself to God first, last, and best in everything I am called to do.

Further: The Pathfinder will make Jesus the Master of his life. A servant does not do what he himself wishes, but rather does as his master commands. To be a servant of God means setting aside one's own will and seeking the will of God. When people think they are serving themselves, they are really serving Satan. 

Meaning: I will bless others and do to them what I would have them do to me.

Further: The Pathfinder will seek to help others. A properly-functioning Pathfinder Club will engage in community service on a regular basis. The purpose of this community service is to help our fellow men. The service is not limited to the members of the Pathfinder Club or even to the members of the church. It is to serve the community outside the church. 

Meaning: I will have prayer and personal Bible study each day.

Further: This means that the Pathfinder will devote time to studying the Bible every day. Taking time for devotional study as the first thing in the morning sets the course and tone for the day. However, more important than the time of the study is the study itself. 

Meaning: By the power of God, I will help others and do my duty and my honest share, wherever I may be.

Further: The Pathfinder will perform every task to the best of his or her ability. The Pathfinder will follow the spirit of the law rather than just the letter of the law. This is especially true as it applies to IA or Honor requirements.

Meaning: I will be temperate in all things and strive to reach a high standard of physical fitness.

Further: Because the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19), the Pathfinder will always strive to take the best care of it. This means that the Pathfinder will get plenty of exercise, maintain a healthy diet, and avoid drugs, tobacco, and alcohol.

Meaning: I will not lie, cheat or deceive and will despise dirty talk and evil thinking.

Further: The Pathfinder will always tell the truth so that he may look others straight in the eye without a downcast face. If a Pathfinder makes a mistake, he admits it and seeks to correct it rather than trying to hide it from others.

Meaning: I will be kind and thoughtful of others, reflecting the love of Jesus in all my associations with others.

Further on be courteous: The Pathfinder will treat others courteously. This includes people of all ages, young and old, as well as animals.

Further on be obedient: The Pathfinder will obey those who are placed in authority over him. This includes parents, Pathfinder leaders, and teachers. However, the Pathfinder must always obey God first.

Meaning: In any devotional exercise, I will be quiet, careful, and reverent.

Further: The Pathfinder will treat the church sanctuary as a holy place, because that is what it is. A Pathfinder knows that the sanctuary is not a place for horseplay, joking around, or running. It is a place where people come to worship the Lord.

Meaning: I will be cheerful and happy and let the influence of my life be sunshine to others.

Further: The Pathfinder will remain cheerful even when circumstances dictate otherwise. A useful model of this behavior is that of Paul and Silas in Acts 16:25-34. The result of their cheerfulness was the salvation of an entire household.

Meaning: I will always be ready to share my faith and go about doing good as did Jesus.

Further: The Pathfinder will seek to do the Lord's will. If he is called to cut grass for an elderly person, he will rush to do this. If he is asked to read the scriptures during the worship service, he will answer "yes." The Pathfinder will remember the words of Isaiah when he said, "Here I am, send me!" (Isaiah 6:8)