Encounter at Illinois State University / ISU

Fall Retreat – Session 3 – Saturday PM

Fall Retreat – Session 2 – Saturday AM

Fall Retreat – Session 1 – Friday PM

In one of their first interactions, Jesus decides to give Simon an entirely new name.  Jesus doesn’t just see the man in front of him; he sees what that man has yet to become.  What future version of us might Jesus see when he looks at us? (Jn 1:35-42, Matt 17:1-6, Matt 16:13-18, Rev 2:17b, Matt 16:18, Matt 16:24-25, Jn 3:30)

Jesus’ Temptation – In Luke 4, we see Jesus “led” into the wilderness where he’ll be tempted. What do we learn about the nature of temptation in this passage, and how do we overcome temptation in our own lives?   { Luke 4:1-13}

A bizarre moment with Jesus at a dinner party with Simon the Pharisee rewrites our understanding of love and grace.  Knowing we are loved and forgiven allows us to respond in real worship.   (Luke 7:35-50, Lk 5:12, Lk 7:6, Matt 22:35-40, Deut 6:4-9, I Jn 4:19, Luke 15:1-30, Jer 31:3)

What do the prophet Isaiah and Mary, mother of Jesus, have in common? They both respond to a huge interruption with a resounding yes. How do we respond when God invites us into a life of purpose and partnership but comes with a cost?   (Isaiah 6:1-8, Luke 1:26-38)

At the end of the Lord’s prayer, we find a short section that comes from I Chronicles.  We are reminded that focusing on God’s kingdom and character puts our prayer requests in their proper context. (Matt 6:5-13, I Chron 29:11, Luke 11:1-2, Ps 24:1, James 5:15, I Jn 5:14, 2 Peter 1:3-5)

Satan plays a large role in our temptation, so what can we do about it? God gives us all we need to stand under grace when facing temptation.   (Matthew 6:13, 1 Corinthians 10:12-14)

Every day offers us new invitations from the Lord.  Will we take them?   (Acts 2:36-47)

As we understand how much we are forgiven, it compels us to forgive others.   (Mat 18:21-35, Matt 6:12, 1 Jn 1:8-9, Eph 4:32, Mrk 11:25, Col 3:13, 1 Cor 11:27-32)

God’s provision often looks different than what we expect, but it changes us and draws us closer in relationship to Him.

Acknowledging the holiness of God comes early in Jesus’ pattern of prayer.  How can it be that our God is both holy and familiar?   (Matt 6:9, Jn 8:12, Jn 12:35, James 1:17, I Jn 1:5, Ex 3:13, Is 6:1-8, Heb 4:16, Rom 8:3-4, Phil 3:9, Matt 5:48, Eph 5:8-9, Ex 34:35)

God as family – Jesus teaches us to pray intimately. We pray to one who knows us, loves us, and calls us family.   (Matt 6:9)

For millenia, Jesus’ followers have followed his example of prayer in Matthew 6.  What are the promises and boundaries that Jesus gives us for the prayer-filled life?   (Matt 6:5-13, Ex 30:7-8, Ps 141:2, Luke 1:8-10, Rev 5:8, I Chron 29:11, James 1:5, Ps 116:1-2, Ps 145:18, Ps 22:1, Matt 27:46, James 5:15, I Jn 5:14, Daniel 3:15-18, I Thess 5:16-18, Luke 11:5-13, Luke 18:1-8, Luke 18:9-15, I...

Jesus knew what His mission was on this earth and invites us into that same work.  Our God is painting a beautiful picture of redemption and has handed us the paintbrush to paint with Him.   (Rev 21:2-5a, Luke 19:10, Jn 10:10, Jn 8:31-32, Mk 10:45, Jn 18:37, Jn 6:38, Jn 12:46, Mk 2:17, Rom 12:1, 2 Cor 5:17, I Cor 13:12, James 1:17, Matt 6:10, Ps 107:2-3, Rom 12:1, Rom 8:28, Eph 4:1)

Grace leads us into authentic community with others who follow Jesus.  When struggling, our tendency to avoid vulnerability with others is often the very thing that keeps us from finding healing. (Acts 2:42-47, Gal 3:28, Heb 10:24-25, Matt 16:18, I Peter 2:9, Col 3:12-13, Gal 6:2, James 5:16a)

Winter Retreat 2023 – Session 4 – Sunday AM

Winter Retreat 2023 – Session 3 – Saturday PM

Winter Retreat – Women’s Session – Saturday PM

Winter Retreat 2023 – Men’s Session – Saturday AM

Winter Retreat 2023 – Session 2 – Saturday AM

Winter Retreat 2023 – Session 1 – Friday PM

God calls us sons and daughters.  He calls us His spouse and friend.  Our God desires to intimately know us, and grace urges us to seek that out. The Christian life is much larger than just knowing more about God.  It is a journey to knowing Him. (Jn 19:14-15, Jn 17:3, Matt 7:22, Rom 8:15, Matt 23:37, Rev 19:19, Jn 15:15, Phil 3:10, I Cor 13:12, Deut 31:6, Matt 28:20, Jn 14:26, Is 41:10, Ps 23:4,...

Grace, our great motive in the Christian life, will always lead us toward God’s truth.  Because God created us and knows us, He also knows what’s best for us.  A growing follower of Jesus begins to accept and practice the truth God reveals. (Gen 1:27, Rom 7:18-25, 2 Cor 5:17, Isaiah 55:8-9, Psalm 119, Proverbs 14:12, 2 Tim 3:16, Heb 4:12, Prov 24:16)