Graduate Passion Retreat Booklet

Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. - Psalm 125:1

Graduate Passion Retreat April 3-5, 2009

Welcome to the 2009 St. Mark’s Graduate Passion Retreat! In order to maintain the spirit of the retreat, we need to make sure everyone is on the same page with what we expect from each other. Basically there are two main goals to this retreat, in no particular order, and that is, to take a good dose of reviving spiritual goodness and to have a good old time with each other. So with that in mind, we ask that each of us takes a look at the following list of expectations and keep them in mind for the days we spend together: 1. Let's go: We are so glad that you made it here in time for the first talk. 2. Are we there yet?: We ask that everyone stick around till the very end. Nobody likes those who sneak out of something early! The retreat will conclude at 2:00 pm on Sunday. 3. Sticking together: We want to do everything together in one unity at the retreat. Therefore, when it is time for a talk or discussion or Liturgy, we ask that you be there on time. Everyone should participate in all the sessions of the retreat. And relax free time is a given at these retreats. The schedule has been planned carefully as to give enough time for talks, free time, and meals: other people have worried about this stuff so you don't have to! 4. Rise and shine, sunshine: Just so there are no surprises: everyone will be up and participating by 8:00 am each morning. And if you're not a morning person, you will be for this weekend. Remember we don't want to waste time!!!! P.S. We are adults, so there is no curfew. The only rule is that the common areas of the retreat center be cleared on both nights by 11 PM. Fair? 5. Check Out: Check out of guest rooms must be by 10 AM on Sunday. All personal belongings must be out of the rooms and all keys must be handed in to the front desk by that time. We recommend you check out before liturgy on Sunday. Anyone checking out late will be AUTOMATICALLY

charged $75 for each hour they are late.

Retreat Schedule Friday 6:00 PM – Gather at Church 6:00 PM – Registration Opens 9:00 PM – Praise & Worship & Sharing 10:00 PM – Songs and Introduction 10:30 PM – Talk 1 11:30 PM – Good Night Saturday 8:00 AM – Agpeya Prayer 8:30 AM – Breakfast 9:30 AM – Songs/Talk 2 11:00 AM – Quiet Time 12:30 PM – Lunch 2:00 PM – Songs/Talk 3 3:00 PM – Prayer Meeting 4:00 PM – Free Time 5:30 PM – Dinner 7:00 PM – Songs/Talk 4 8:30 PM – Quiet Time 9:30 PM – Asheya & Tasbeha 11:30 PM – Good Night Sunday 7:30 AM – Morning Raising of Incense 8:00 AM – Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM – CHECK OUT or automatically incur late fee 11:00 AM – Talk 5 Q&A with Bishop David 12:30 PM – Lunch 2:00 PM – Wrap Up and Depart

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Can I Trust God? TGIF Retreat – Part 1 “Why did I come forth from the womb to see labor and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame?” Jeremiah 20:18

TRUSTING GOD MAKES ME ____________________

Theme verse: “Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.” Psalm 125:1

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BELIEVE? – see John 4:46-54 1. ______________________, based on ______________________________

2. ______________________, based on ______________________________

3. ______________________, based on ______________________________

_____________________God ≠ _____________________God

Book to Read: Hinds’ Feet on High Places “The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills.” Habakkuk 3:19 ________________________ IS THE ONLY PATH TO THE HIGH PLACES

“Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.” Matthew 13:58

__________________________________ IS THE ONLY PATH TO TRUST “The believer does not enter into an argument with God about His doing, but accepts all things and confidence in God's wisdom and love.” H.H. Pope Shenouda III Are you ready to trust Him up the mountain? “Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Mark 9:23 “Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.” Psalm 125:1

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Is God in Control? TGIF Retreat – Part 2 “Because God does not act as we think He should, we conclude that He cannot act as we think He would” THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD God the Pantocrator = _____________________ “It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, who stretches out the heavens like a curtain” Isaiah 40:22 “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name.” Psalm 147:3-4 “…He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light…” 1 Timothy 6:15-16

Working Definition: At _________________________ and in _____________________________ , my life is ____________ in the _____________________________.

“He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” Psalm 121:3-4 “Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:29-31 His sovereignty is always __________________, but it is not always _______________________. See Acts 12 “I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the LORD, do all these things.” Isaiah 45:7

“Who is he who speaks and it comes to pass, when the Lord has not commanded it? Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that woe and well-being proceed?” Lamentations 3:37

TRUSTING GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY MEANS KNOWING THAT: 1. THE ______________________________ OF MY LIFE ARE NOT ________________________ “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.” Genesis 50:20 “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, my enemies and foes, they stumbled and fell.” Psalm 27:1-2

2. EVEN THE ____________ THAT COMES IS HELD FIRMLY IN THE _________________________ OF GOD “Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his Anointed One… The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. Then he rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath.” Psalm 2:1-5

3. GOD IS PERSONALLY WRITING MY ________________________ BY HIS SOVEREIGN HAND “But Susanna cried aloud: "O eternal God, you know what is hidden and are aware of all things before they come to be.” Daniel 13:42 “The Lord heard her prayer. As she was being led to execution, God stirred up the holy spirit of a young boy named Daniel.” Daniel 13:45-46

TRUSTING GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY MEANS ___________________________________ AS FROM GOD

“Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.” Psalm 125:1

Quiet Time #1 Trusting God in Full (TGIF) Passion Retreat 2009 What were some of your expectations before coming to this retreat? What has God been saying to you during the first two talks? Have some of your expectations changed?

Imagine you are telling a friend about your relationship with God. Describe how you know Him. Describe Him. Describe your interactions with Him and what He says to you. Write this description below.

Trusting God in Full requires knowing Him deeply, intimately, and personally. Read back through the description you wrote above, would you call your relationship with Him deep? Intimate? Personal? If not, what are some ways that you can begin to deepen your relationship with Him?

Ask yourself, what is preventing you from saying yes to this statement: Can I trust God? Be honest with yourself, is it an inconsistent relationship with Him? Fear of the path He will take you on? Lack of confidence in Him? Trusting the path (tangibles) more than Him? Dig deep and explore your heart and mind, write your thoughts here or in your journal.

Meditate on the words of Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding. What do these words mean to you?

Spend a few moments meditating on the theme verse for this retreat: Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever (Psalm 125:1). What is the personal message that God is giving you from this verse?

Place all that is preventing you from saying yes to trusting God into prayer, ask God to meet you in these fears and struggles that you may begin the journey to trusting Him in full.

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Is He With Me or Against Me? TGIF Retreat – Part 3 I know He’s in control; but if so, then why is He… KEY ISSUE = TRUSTING THAT GOD IS ________________ “The LORD is good to all” Psalm 145:9 “Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” Psalm 107:1 WHAT IS ‘GOOD’? Our definition of goodness: ________________________________ Truth: GOD IS ______________________________ “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.” Mark 10:18

Working definition: God is _______________________ working for ________________________ and for _______________________. “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32 “But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.” 1 Peter 5:10 “till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” Ephesians 4:13

WHY IS IT SO HARD TO ACCEPT HIS GOODNESS? His Goodness means that I should ____________________________________ and _____________________whatever comes to me, trusting that it is good. “So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food…” Genesis 3:6 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

And even if it isn't Good, God will _________________________________________ See 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

TRUSTING GOD FOR WHO YOU ARE “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:13-16 God made me _____________________________ because He knows that is ____________________ for me. “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him… “Then he said, “Lord, I believe!” And he worshiped Him.” John 9:3, 38 Is God’s glory worth your weakness? Is your perfection worth your weakness?

FINDING GOD’S GOODNESS FOR MYSELF Trust in the ______________________, despite what you see in the __________________ “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.” Job 1:21-22 “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.” Job 2:10

“Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” Psalm 34:8

“Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.” Psalm 125:1

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Choosing to Trust God TGIF Retreat – Part 4

Analogy of Credit Score. Raising the trust depends on __________ dealings with me, assuming that __________ His work in my life. Trusting God is: • _____________ • _____________ not a feeling • _____________ HOW TO GROW IN TRUSTING GOD? 1. _____________________ ALWAYS FOR ALL THINGS (EPH 5:20) Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Psalms 118:1 • Recite the verse! And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 Why is God asking us to give thanks before we understand? o To __________ our relationship with Him o To have ________________ understanding •

"ALWAYS" means: o Good and _________ o Big and _________

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Giving Thanks = _____________ o Second hose Psalm 135 (136) Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Oh, give thanks to the God of gods! For His mercy endures forever. Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords! For His mercy endures forever: Psalms 136:1-3

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Giving Thanks = ________________ o “Putting your money where your mouth is." Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this," Says the Lord of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. Malachi 3:10 o Growing in Trust = Giving _____________ o Growing in Trust = Giving _____________ o No giving = No __________ o I choose to give because I choose to grow in trust Giving thanks by __________________

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Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. Isaiah 46:9 2. _____________________ WITHOUT CEASING (1 TH 5:17) "Without me you can do nothing" Jn 15:5 • Efficient Vs. Effective Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me." Psalm 50:15 "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!" Mark 9:24 TRUST IS ALL ABOUT ________________________! 3. KEEP WATCH OVER ____________________ THOUGHTS When the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" Luke 18:8 Keep your heart (thoughts) with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23 How to counterattack thoughts? 1. Label them 2. Do not answer them 3. If too late, offer repentance 4. Go to God with your confusions 5. Never stop your spiritual routine 4. TRUSTING AND ACTING _________________ •

Our responsibility to pray, also to ____________

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Acting wisely involves seeking godly_________

Quiet Time #2 Trusting God in Full (TGIF) Passion Retreat 2009 What has God been saying to you during the last two talks? What message is He personally trying to send you this weekend?

What part of your life journey (past, present or future) do you feel is outside of God’s control? Be honest with yourself, although we may intellectually know that nothing is outside of God’s control, the devil plants seeds of doubt in our hearts and we find ourselves believing that we just don’t trust God in a certain area. Is it a relationship? An incident in your life that you just can’t understand? A death or disease of a loved one? Find what areas of your life you have not surrendered control to God and write them down here.

Now think about the part of your life journey (past and present) that you feel has been inside of God’s control? What areas of your life has God worked in and how? Why is it easy to trust God with these aspects of your life, but not in the aspects you listed above?

Meditate on Christ’s words in John 14:1, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.” Now write or say a prayer of surrender for these specifically that you may lay them at the feet of the Cross during this Lenten journey.

Psalm 118: 8-9 says, “It is better to trust in the Lord, then to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord, then to put confidence in princes.” Trusting in God is a choice we have to make. Who or what are you currently placing your trust in – work, family, friends? Are you willing to make that choice to trust in God instead?

Trusting in God is not easy, and there will be pitfalls and struggles along the way. Spend some time in prayer and write down a plan for how you will trust in God. Don’t use the generic answers of prayer and giving thanks – write down how specifically you will begin Trusting God in Full.