What To Do On A Personal Retreat
What To Do On A Personal Retreat
Jesus said to his disciples, Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest. (Mk. 6:31b)
Yesterday I received a call from an old friend who told me he desired to go on a ‘personal retreat.’ He said he wanted to take about a week alone with God. With the pressures of business, he felt burned out and in need of spiritual refreshment. So he asked if I could suggest how he might approach such a retreat. This is what I came up with. Perhaps it is something you can use.
#1 Write down your objective(s) for the retreat.
It might, for example, center around Philippians 3:7-14 or something to that effect.
#2 Take along the following books (and/or others of your choice) from which to selectively read:
a hymn book, a Bible, a blank book for journaling;
The Bondage Breaker by Neil Anderson
The Discipline of Grace by Jerry Bridges
Christian Classics and Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster
The Return of the Prodigal Son and The Ways of the Heart by Henri J. M. Nouwen
My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Sanders
Knowing God by J. I. Packer
The Christian’s Secret to a Happy Life by Hanna Whitehall Smith
The Saving Life of Christ by Ian Thomas
#3 Read and meditate selectively from these Scriptures (and/or others of your choice):
Psalm 23, 37, 42, 46, 51, 100,103, 139
Proverbs 1-3; 5; 6:20-35
Isaiah 40; 52:12-53
Matthew 5 – 7
Luke 15:11-32
John 1, 3,4:1-42; 8:1-12; 10; 13; 15; 18-21
Romans 7:15 – 8:39;12
1 Corinthians 13
Ephesians 1;
Philippians 2,3
Hebrews 1, 11, 12
Rev. 1:12-18; 20-22
#4 Work out an un-rushed schedule that insures ample time to walk, sleep, pray, sit in solitude or just do nothing.
#5 Intersperse
the activities of #4 (above) with times for meditation on selected
Scriptures and selected readings from the recommended books.
Go slowly! Don’t be in a rush! Don’t
try to cover too much material. As you read, underline, ponder,
journal, pray, worship, sing and listen to/for the voice of God. Invite Him into the deepest recesses of your heart.
#6 Toward the completion of your retreat:
Review your journaling. Summarize what you have learned about Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Father, Yourself.
Write out a mission statement for your life. Keep it simple, short, and achievable.
Write out an application:
- What has God revealed to you that you need to change or modify?
- What specific (measurable) steps do you need to take? When? Put it on the calendar.
- To whom will you be accountable in following through with your application? When?
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Ó2003 R. Dwight Hill. Unlimited permission to copy without altering text or profiting is granted subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.
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