Hilltop Urban Church Annual Retreat ~ April 22 – 24, 2016 “Forks in the Road: Guidance for the Journey”

Session 1 “The Ultimate Journey”

Journey… An act of traveling from one place to another, usually taking a rather long time (

“A Fork in the Road” A metaphor, based on a literal expression, for a deciding moment in life or history when a major choice of options is required. (

Brainstorm: “Forks in the Road” Family Children Work Health Relationships Moving Crises

Believing…Saying, “Yes!” For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him. (John 3:16-17 ESV)

Triad: My Spiritual Journey Where have I been? Where am I at currently? Am I hearing God’s voice? If yes, what is He saying? If no, what needs to change?

Session 2 “Season of Crying Out”

God Hears Our Cry Moses Esther John, the Baptizer

Table Time 1.Where am I from? 2.Who are my people? 3.What am I like as a person? 4.What was my assignment? 5.Who gave me the assignment? 6.How did I hear God’s voice? 7.What was the result of my story?

Knowing JESUS 1.Where am I from? 2.Who are my people? 3.What am I like as a person? 4.What was my assignment? 5.Who gave me the assignment? 6.How did I hear God’s voice? 7.What was the result of my story?

JESUS…Our Ultimate Deliverer

Who am i? (Casting Crowns) That the LORD of all the earth would care to know my name. He would care to feel my hurt. That the bright and morning star would choose to light the way for my ever wandering heart. That the eyes that see my sin would look on me with love. That the voice that clamed the sea would callout through the rain, and calm the storm in me.

Session 3 “Why do you call Me, Lord, Lord?”

Lord: The Meaning A person who has authority, control, or power over others; a master, chief, or ruler (

Becoming a Lord Buy a title (price may vary) Become notorious for evading the law Inherited—passed through generations To be Selected By conquest, acclamation or otherwise

House Built on Rock

Storms of Life

House Built on Sand

Storms of Life

Making JESUS…Lord A process Choosing Good vs. His Very Best Daily Surrender to His will & way Faith—believing without seeing Praying “no mater what it takes” prayers

My Home Is On the Rock My home is on the Rock, the everlasting Rock. I do not fear when storms are near; My home is on the Rock! (John Oatman, Jr.)

Session 4 “Trust ME”

Making JESUS…Lord A process Choosing Good vs. His Very Best Daily Surrender to His will & way Faith—believing without seeing Praying “no mater what it takes” prayers

Song: “I’ll Trust you, LORD” (Donnie McClurkin) I know that faith is easy when everything is going well. But, can you still believe in Me when your life’s a living hell? And when all the things around you seem to quickly fade away; There’s just one thing I really want to know…

Song: “I’ll Trust you, LORD” (Donnie McClurkin) Will you let go? (I’ll trust You, LORD) Will you stand on My Word? (I’ll trust You, LORD) Against all odds will you believe what I have said? (I’ll trust You, LORD) What seems impossible…will you believe? (I’ll trust You, LORD) Every promise that I made will you receive? (Yes, I will trust You, LORD!)

Song: “I’ll Trust you, LORD” (Donnie McClurkin) What if it hurts? (I’ll trust You, LORD) What if you cry? (I’ll trust You, LORD) What if it doesn’t work the first time that you try? (I’ll trust You, LORD) What if you call My name…and don’t feel Me near? (I’ll trust You, LORD) Will you still believe in Me, or will you fear? (Yes, I will trust You, LORD!)

Believe To have confidence in the truth, the existence, or the reliability of something, although without absolute proof that one is right in doing so. (

Total Surrender Deciding ahead of time—in advance—that I’ll give it to You…all Yours. ~ Eddy Hall