Encounter at Illinois State University / ISU

Jesus tells us that the greatest commandment is to love God with our entire selves.  That sounds great, but what does loving God actually look like?

(Matt 22:34-40, Deut 6:5, Lev 19:18, Eph 2:10, I Jn 4:7-10, Jer 31:3, Rom 5:8, Jn 3:16, I Jn 4:19, Gal 2:20, Ps 116:1-2, Jn 14:7, Jn 10:27, James 1:22)

The Kingdom of heaven runs by different rules.  Those who humble themselves, God will exalt.  When we look at the extreme way Christ humbled himself, we begin to understand why the name of Jesus is lifted higher than any other.

(Phil 2:7-11, Eph 1:21, Heb 1:4, Phil 2:9, John 7:15, John 8:28, Matt 20:16, Matt 16:25, Matt 23:12, James 4:10, Mark 15:16-20, Rev 1:13-14, Rev 4:9-11, Acts 4:12)

Sometimes Scripture can feel like a great jumble of stories, history, and rules.  In the last week of Jesus’ life, he gives us 2 simple instructions that will become the north star of our lives.

(Matt 22:34-40, Deut 6:4-6, Lev 19:18, Jn 13:1-20, I Jn 4:20-21, Rom 13:10, Gal 5:14, James 2:15-16, I Jn 3:16-18)

The disciples each want to be “the greatest,” but Jesus turns the idea of greatest on its head. And in doing so, helps us understand just how backwards the Kingdom economy really is.

David refuses to take Saul’s life, even when he has every political reason to do so.  As followers of Jesus, how do we deal with evil people in authority?

(I Sam 26:1-11, Jn 18:36, Jn 19:11, Jn 6:15, I Sam 8:10, I Peter 2:13-17, Acts 4:18-20, Matt 5:40-44, Rom 12:9-21)

David and Jonathan develop a deep, meaningful friendship together.  Their friendship reveals Christ’s love for us and shows us how to develop intentional friendships ourselves.  We were not created to live life alone.

(I Sam 19:1-7, I Sam 20:30-35, I Sam 20:42, Luke 6:32-36, I Sam 23:15-16, Jn 15:12-13, Is 53:5, John 15:12-13, I Jn 2:1, Rom 5:8, Luke 23:34, John 17:26, John 15:15, Rev 21:2, Acts 2:42-47)

Psalm 96

“Sing to the Lord a new song,” the psalm begins, most likely written by David. Why a new one? Everything we do is an act of worship. New songs, then, should be flowing out of us. Our stories of who God is are always new, because He is always doing new things.

Winter Retreat 2022 – Session 4 – Sunday AM

Winter Retreat 2022 – Session 3 – Saturday PM

Winter Retreat 2022 – Session 2 – Saturday AM