Our Purpose
What is A Study Retreat PDF Print E-mail
Written by Beth Ladd   
Monday, 11 January 2010 20:47

biblestudy “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need  to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

~ 2 Timothy 2:15 ~

“A readiness to believe every promise implicitly,
to obey every command unhesitatingly,
to stand perfect and complete in all the will of God, is the only true spirit of Bible study.”
                                                ~ Andrew Murray

A Study Retreat is intended for individuals who seek extra time to invest in studying God’s Word and sharing with others to enrich their spiritual journeys and experience Christian growth. The format for a study retreat moves between solitude, reflection, study, and group sharing of insights with other study retreat members. It is in the interaction between the individual study and group reflection and sharing experience that will enrich and deepen our understanding of the Scriptures and encourage our spiritual growth. 

 

Elements of a Study Retreat
  • Direction from a mentor or spiritual teacher study
  • Study of a selected theme or Biblical topic                           
  • Journaling/writing
  • Solitude/personal study time
  • Group Reflection and Sharing
  • Hiking/Walking/Nature appreciation
  • Participation in group learning
  • Meal conversations with retreat participants

 

Solo Study in Solitude

 

This retreat has been designed for individual studying and reflection in silence. Cell phones are prohibited or must remain on silent.  Please feel free to bring your own study tools to assist you in your study times.  Several concordances, Bible dictionaries and study resources will be available, but not enough for everyone to use at the same time.  Your own Bible, Strong’s concordance, Vine’s etc. & other writing materials will be important to bring.  If you bring music, we encourage the use of personal CD headsets/IPODS for the consideration of the other retreat participants.  We have several CD headsets & worship tapes available for the weekend.           

                                                                      

Group Reflection and Discussion 

Scheduled group sharing times about what we study will prove invaluable for each retreat participant.  Often it is only in discussion or even debate that we fully realize the meaning of something or its significance in our lives. Others may have a different insight that we lack.  Group reflection, thinking and discussing will enhance our understanding and transformation process. Remember:  We come to God’s Word to be transformed not to only amass information.  The difference between Study and Devotion:
  • In study a priority is placed on interpretation - what it means.
  • In devotion the emphasis is on application - what it means for me.
The two go together - we seek to understand in order to discover life transforming truth.

 

Benefits of Bible Study Retreats“One of the great benefits of consistent Bible study—there’s always something new to share, some insight you’ve crabbed out of the harbor that needs just a little boiling and seasoning.  I like what Dr. Howard Hendricks used to tell his students when they’d give him some new observation about a verse. He told us, “I shout, froth at the mouth, and fairly need to be led away.”  I think a little of that can happen to the student of the Word who will feed regularly on a “stuff-yourself-to-the-gills” diet of the Bible.  You will get to the point where you not only see God in everything, but you can’t see anything but God wherever you go!”  ~ Mark Littleton, Delighted by Discipline: Reaping the Rewards of Spiritual Commitment, 1990. 

 

I shout, froth at the mouth, and fairly need to be led away!  --Howard Hendricks

Thy Word - Maranatha Singers
(click to listen)

For more study resources please visit the Study Resources page.
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 07 April 2010 18:02 )