Personal Reflection and Prayer Booklets Bethel Retreat House May 16, 2008   

Most of the materials in the booklets are from WBT/SIL, written by Evelyn C. Davis

Come Unto Me was developed by V. Easter.

Here at Bethel you have an opportunity to be alone with the Lord for prayer and reflection and seeking His face. We offer several different types of prayer and reflection opportunities, which you can do alone or with a group. Some are designed for a half day to a full day, and others are for two or three days. Of course, the shorter ones can be extended according to your needs or interest. Groups doing the retreats normally begin with worship and singing, then there is an overview of the topic the group has chosen. With each topic, there are handouts, with Bible verses for reference and thought questions for personal application.

At the house, there is time for individual reflection and prayer, as well as the option of praying with someone else or continuing with your reflection. For groups, there is a time together for closure, with an opportunity to share. (This can be arranged for individuals as well.)

Here is a description of the prayer and reflection topics: After reading through the descriptions, please request the retreat booklet you would like to start with. The booklets are for use at the retreat house. Please write your responses in your own notebook or journal.

Short Retreat Booklets

A SPIRITUAL INVENTORY AND SPIRITUAL MARKERS –

It is helpful to identify spiritual markers in our lives—times when we have encountered God’s call or his direction. Then when we face new options and/or decisions, we can review our spiritual markers to be reminded of the context of the activity of God in our lives—hisperspective for our past, present, and future.

PERSONAL WORSHIP

These guidelines (with scriptures) focus on the following steps: worship; attentiveness; approach the throne; submit to God; confession and forgiveness; prayer for protection; guidance and direction; petitions for yourself and others; special needs; put on Christ and commit the day to him; walk in triumph, freedom, and safety.

FINDING A RHYTHM OF REST

We struggle with trying to find time for a ‘Sabbath’—a time to take our hands from the plow, let our work lay fallow, and let God and others take care of things. However, it is finding that balance point at which, having rested, we do our work with greater ease and joy, and bring healing and delight to our endeavors. Jesus found special times to be with the Father, and to pray—may we learn how to follow his example.

LIFE TASKS: STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY

There are six life tasks that adults encounter, with a different emphasis on each during various decades of life. These materials describe all six, and you will focus on, and pray about, the one(s) that you choose. The tasks are: The Self, Identity (who am I?); Relationships, Intimacy (who will be with me?); Work, Accomplishment (what will I do?); Health, Wholeness, Freedom (can I achieve balance?); Faith, Spiritual Vitality (will my journey be meaningful?); and Commitment, Contribution (can I make a difference?).

OUR TIME OF NEED

We want to move forward, grow in grace, and deepen intimacy with the Lord. We look to God to give us new ideas, better solutions to persistent problems, creative responses to difficult situations, and innovative ways to break the horns of dilemmas. What are you currently dealing with? Areas of need are listed (with related Bible verses), and you will choose which area(s) to focus on, and pray about. Examples are: seeking direction; unmet needs; struggling with relinquishment; disappointments, discouragements, mistakes and sins; going through a barren time; carrying a heavy burden or going through a time of testing; health issues; praying for a lost family member or friend.

PRAYER AREAS AND ISSUES

This topic focuses on specific prayer areas and issues such as bearing fruit; Bible study and prayer; finances; future direction and decisions; health concerns, home and family; relationships; rest and renewal; restoration of life and ministry; seeking the Lord’s power, strength, and wisdom; service; and submission to him. There are related Bible verses, questions for reflection, and short readings.

COME UNTO ME

This retreat is designed for you to be still and listen to God, drawing near to Him and receiving from Him what He wants to speak to your heart. There are some questions to think about and reflect upon, scriptures to read and meditate on.

THE SERVANT LEADER

Jesus demonstrated the fact that a leader is called to be a servant. The materials describe what leaders must do to follow Jesus’ example. First there must be a servant heart—leadership character, then a servant head—leadership methods, next servant hands—leadership behavior, and most important, servant habits—leadership commitment and renewal. This time of reflection focuses on all four, with thought questions and scripture references.

Longer Retreat Booklets

These short retreats are typically offered to groups over a two or three day period or even longer. These can be also done by an individual on their own.

LIFE PASSAGES AND THE MISS. EXPERIENCE

How do our missionary experiences impact the usual life passages? And how can we find the necessary joy and strength to sustain us? Topics include the adult life cycle and change; the stages of miss. life; faith development issues; and life span tasks. There are worksheets for each decade of life, missionary vignettes, and appropriate articles. A set of guidelines for leading the retreat will be included with the manual.

NEW TESTAMENT IMAGES OF ADULT GROWTH AND CHANGE

What can we discover about the adult learning process from Biblical images? They have important implications for the ways we discover aspects of spiritual truth, and how our faith can develop and grow. The six images are: New Wine (Matthew 9:17 NASB), The Blowing Wind (John 3:8 RSV), The Body (Romans 12:5 ESV), The Grain of Wheat (John 12:24 NASB), The Bread and Cup (1 Corinthians 11:23b–26 RSV)

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