Frontline just returned from their winter retreat at Springhill Camps. The theme for the weekend was Thrive. It was a very challenging but inspiring theme. The weekend was separated into four sessions that surrounded this theme:
Session One: Thrive
Psalm 1:1-3 “How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.
The theme for the weekend was laid out in this session and these verses from Psalm 1 are what directed our conversation throughout the weekend.
Session Two: Community
One of the most important things to teenagers is their friends and community. The speaker challenged us by asking if the people we surround ourselves with are leading us to death? It is important to surround ourselves with people who are speaking truth into our lives. Who care more about their relationship with you than their friendship with you. They know your weaknesses but accept you anyways; and they aren’t afraid to call you out. You need to surround yourself with a community that will help you thrive; otherwise they are leading you to death.
Session Three: Source
This was a challenging session. “What is your source?” was the main question. God is inviting you to let him be your source for life. Here’s the catch, it is dangerous and it is not easy! There are two main reasons why we don’t commit to Christ. The first is fear and the second is control. Our culture tells us that you can be in control of your own life and can call the shots. So this idea of surrendering to God is very counter cultural. Meanwhile we are making empty pursuits to fill the voids in our lives. God can fill all of our deepest needs but we need to stop pursuing our idols and pledge allegiance to Christ. The tough questions we had to ask ourselves were: what are our idols? And when all else is gone will that idol save us? We were invited then to allow God to speak to us and start a little “heart surgery.”
Session Four: Fruit
Coming to the end of the retreat they wanted us to think about what it means to go back home, to our schools, churches, etc and be a person who bears fruit. Once again we were faced with some challenges as part of getting to that point where we bear fruit is dealing with some of the baggage we are carrying. Clint challenged us to look in our bags and deal with what’s in there. Much of what we are carrying is rooted in unforgiveness. He was very blunt and told us that it is critical that we deal with this because if we don’t it will lead us to death. We have a mission; we’ve been chosen to bring the Kingdom of God to this earth, so we need to be rooted and thriving in Him.
Ask the students about the retreat and to share with you what God laid on their hearts. It was a challenging but fruitful weekend and I am excited to see how God will continue to challenge and work in the lives of our Frontline students.
Session One: Thrive
Psalm 1:1-3 “How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.
The theme for the weekend was laid out in this session and these verses from Psalm 1 are what directed our conversation throughout the weekend.
Session Two: Community
One of the most important things to teenagers is their friends and community. The speaker challenged us by asking if the people we surround ourselves with are leading us to death? It is important to surround ourselves with people who are speaking truth into our lives. Who care more about their relationship with you than their friendship with you. They know your weaknesses but accept you anyways; and they aren’t afraid to call you out. You need to surround yourself with a community that will help you thrive; otherwise they are leading you to death.
Session Three: Source
This was a challenging session. “What is your source?” was the main question. God is inviting you to let him be your source for life. Here’s the catch, it is dangerous and it is not easy! There are two main reasons why we don’t commit to Christ. The first is fear and the second is control. Our culture tells us that you can be in control of your own life and can call the shots. So this idea of surrendering to God is very counter cultural. Meanwhile we are making empty pursuits to fill the voids in our lives. God can fill all of our deepest needs but we need to stop pursuing our idols and pledge allegiance to Christ. The tough questions we had to ask ourselves were: what are our idols? And when all else is gone will that idol save us? We were invited then to allow God to speak to us and start a little “heart surgery.”
Session Four: Fruit
Coming to the end of the retreat they wanted us to think about what it means to go back home, to our schools, churches, etc and be a person who bears fruit. Once again we were faced with some challenges as part of getting to that point where we bear fruit is dealing with some of the baggage we are carrying. Clint challenged us to look in our bags and deal with what’s in there. Much of what we are carrying is rooted in unforgiveness. He was very blunt and told us that it is critical that we deal with this because if we don’t it will lead us to death. We have a mission; we’ve been chosen to bring the Kingdom of God to this earth, so we need to be rooted and thriving in Him.
Ask the students about the retreat and to share with you what God laid on their hearts. It was a challenging but fruitful weekend and I am excited to see how God will continue to challenge and work in the lives of our Frontline students.
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