Fourth Day/ Next Steps A Pilgrimage 1

WHAT IS THE FOURTH DAY OR NEXT STEPS Term comes from Cursillo, Emmaus, Tres Dias, Via de Cristo Weekend events in these movements are 3 days in length Term means: the next day; from this time forward; from now on. The Rest of Your Life

WHERE ARE YOU GOING ON YOUR PILGRIMAGE? Pilgrimage: A journey to a sacred place Fourth Day: From this moment on WHERE ARE YOU GOING ON YOUR PILGRIMAGE?

When did you begin your pilgrimage? When were you aware you were on a pilgrimage? Are you on the same road or did you turn or veer off? Responding to God’s call, while sincere, is not a once and for all event. God’s will is usually revealed gradually or slowly and includes new beginnings and new calls to a deeper level of commitment

GOD PROBABLY STARTED SPEAKING TO YOU THROUGH: Parents Friends Situations Pastors Sunday School Teachers BUT LIFE HAPPENS: Marriage High School Child rearing College Career Relationships Seeking pleasure Shelving or crowding out God

DURING THE WEEKEND: Give your heart to God Give your mind to God Choosing priorities, realizing that God loves you, realizing that a whole community of people will travel with you, responding to God’s love through faith Give your mind to God Read the Bible, Spiritual Classics, devotionals, discover spiritual gifts, journaling, attend seminars (Women of Faith, Promisekeepers, etc), History, World Give your hands and feet to God Get involved at church, join a or Group Reunion/Next Steps group, join mission group, get involved in community

Being the hands and feet of Christ is discussed in the final three talks of both movements: Sanctifying Grace God Empowers You Perseverance Priesthood of All Believers Fourth Day Next Steps IT’S THAT IMPORTANT !

THE FOURTH DAY/NEXT STEPS FOLLOW-UP MEETING Follow-up to weekend experience Pilgrims/Butterflies, sponsors, team members Fellowship, singing and prayer Supports pilgrims/butterflies through initial phase their 4th Day Provides opportunity for forming new group reunions and next steps groups Impress upon pilgrims the value and importance of continued commitment

GROUP REUNIONS/NEXT STEPS “…one of the chief values of the Emmaus/Chrysalis Movement…a way of persevering in the life of grace…” Key means of sustaining the Emmaus/Chrysalis experience Introduced and modeled on the weekend 2 to 6 persons meet weekly for about an hour - WEEKLY Use the Fourth Day Card Open to anyone Make-up: Men/men; women/women; adult/youth; couples/couples; etc.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Should team members/board members be required to be in a Group Reunion or Next Steps? What is the relationship between the Group Reunion/Next Steps and other small group formats? Is the Group Reunion/Next Steps better? Why do we follow the Group Reunion/Next Steps Card?

EFFECTIVE GROUP REUNION/ NEXT STEPS QUALITIES Commitment to God & personal journey Respect confidentiality Practice their disciplines – “Walk their Talk” Uphold one another in prayer Become spiritual friends Plan discipleship Focus on the Service Card Hold each other accountable Retreat with one another; do mission projects together

INEFFECTIVE QUALITIES Lack of Confidentiality Aimlessness Alterations Anemia Superficiality Isolationism

GATHERINGS & R.U.S.H. To make the Christian Community visible To encourage one another To inspire one another to make profound changes in our own lives & in the environments in which we live To maintain relationships with other pilgrims or butterflies To develop new leaders in the Chrysalis and Emmaus communities

COMPONENTS OF A GATHERING OR R.U.S.H. Singing Prayer Small Group Sharing/Floating Group Reunions Fourth Day/Next Steps Witness (3 – 5 minutes) Clergy Response Holy Communion Agape Community Education

GATHERING & R.U.S.H. SUGGESTIONS: Scholarship campaigns for participants or team fees Clergy Appreciation Homecoming Theme Spring Fling Theme Introduction to Emmaus or Chrysalis – “Make a Friend, Be A Friend, Bring a Friend to a Gathering!” Wear De Colores clothes and have a prize drawing for everyone who participates

ADDITIONAL FEATURES OF GATHERINGS & R.U.S.H. Community and guests come together May be combined with Candlelight (If so, no guests) Smaller local Gatherings monthly, with larger group scheduled quarterly, annually, or biannually Gatherings are open to everyone Openness helps eliminate idea that Emmaus and Chrysalis are “Secret Societies” Avenue to keep the flame of Christ alive Provides encouragement in our daily lives.

THE FOURTH DAY/ NEXT STEPS ATTITUDE Servanthood Discipline Humility Obedience Remind yourself that you are God’s instrument, that in you and through you, the eyes and hearts of others will be opened.

FROM EMMAUS TALK #15 – FOURTH DAY: “These three days have had only one purpose: to prepare you for your Fourth Day, your walk with the Lord every day from now on.” FROM CHRYSALIS TALK #15 – NEXT STEPS: “The experiences of these three days may change the history of the world or may fade into obscurity and insignificance. It all depends, not on what happened these three days, but on what you do with it during your next steps.”

QUESTIONS?

Fourth Day Leaders Embodying Christ Vision: Fourth Day Leaders Embodying Christ Mission: Empowering Leaders through Emmaus ands Chrysalis to be the Hands and Feet of Christ

What are our strongest and weakest areas In Fourth Day? Are we a true Fourth Day Community, or are we living for the Third Day? What are our strongest and weakest areas In Fourth Day? Tips for powerful Gatherings/R.U.S.H.