Retreat-in-a-Bag - Ingredients for a Great Retreat

Archive for Ingredients for a Great Retreat

An Array of Bookmark Remembrances

Posted by Debby on August 31, 2010

In our “Retreat-in-a-Bag” book series, we suggest making a bookmark for your events, particularly your retreats. These bookmarks include the event, guest speaker, date and location, as well as the theme, theme verse and artwork. I know I’m not the only one of our ladies who has a collection of these bookmarks, each one bringing back retreat memories. Some bookmarks represent retreats that were turning points and milestones in my walk with the Lord; others remind me of a special skit or quiet time study; others remind me of special people or places, a special teaching or afterglow. Just about all remind me of elements of the retreat theme that applied to my life.

So many times in the Bible, God tells us to “remember” what God did. God used a pile of stones in the Old Testament to be a reminder to His people; He used bread and wine in the New Testament. He wants his people to remember the great things He has done! “…Consider what great things He has done for you! (I Sam. 12:24)

Posted in: Ingredients for a Great Retreat, Retreat and Event Planning, Retreat Remembrances

A Shelf of Remembrance

Posted by Debby on July 24, 2010

These are snapshots of my “shelf of remembrance.” What are these little objects adorning my shelf? They are small remembrance gifts which were given out at various women’s retreats and events over the years. Each one is a special reminder of the theme for the specific event or retreat. They are simple and very inexpensive, but precious reminders none the less of those special times with the Lord. Most of the time, the theme of the retreat and even the theme verse are noted somewhere on the remembrance. Other remembrances not sitting on my shelf have included magnets and bookmarks, and they can be found elsewhere in my house!

Women love being pampered at retreats, and taking away a little remembrance is just one of the ways that we try to make the retreats special for them. Sometimes the gifts are something small that we have purchased; more often, it is something that requires some crafting and/or assembly. Our hope is that our little gift will be something that will bring back special memories of the retreat.

Posted in: Ingredients for a Great Retreat, Little Things Make a Big Difference!, Retreat and Event Planning

Scheduling a Quiet Time

Posted by Debby on June 15, 2010

At every retreat, we schedule an hour of “quiet time” for our ladies. We ask that the ladies make this a sacred and quiet time alone with the Lord–no other entertainment or fellowship allowed. Often, we schedule it after lunch. In order to give them some direction, we give the ladies a Bible study that is related to the theme. The Bible study is written with the understanding that perhaps there will be women who have never really done a Bible study on their own, as well as those who are experienced students of the Bible. The point of this time is to guide the women in reading the Word and to ask questions that will cause them to reflect on how God is speaking to them. It would be tragic if a woman attended a retreat and was so busy interacting with others that she spent no time seeking the Lord on her own.

Posted in: Ingredients for a Great Retreat, Retreat and Event Planning