1. Annual Family Retreat May 2010

2. John has just finished grade 9, his averages were excellent. John has just finished grade 9, his averages were excellent. His parents were so happy for his great achievement. His parents were so happy for his great achievement. His dad bought him a cell phone (the latest iphone in the market) His dad bought him a cell phone (the latest iphone in the market)

3. Dad also bough him a plan with plenty of minutes and txt messaging Dad also bough him a plan with plenty of minutes and txt messaging John was so happy with his high end phone, he decided to take it with him everywhere he goes John was so happy with his high end phone, he decided to take it with him everywhere he goes The next day John went to church to attend choir practice from 6-7pm The next day John went to church to attend choir practice from 6-7pm

4. At 7.05pm, Dad called John on his cell phone to arrange picking him up, but there was no answer. At 7.05pm, Dad called John on his cell phone to arrange picking him up, but there was no answer. Dad tried again few more times…still no answer Dad tried again few more times…still no answer “I will try to send him a text message” Dad said… There was no answer back for the text message “I will try to send him a text message” Dad said… There was no answer back for the text message

5. “WHAT’S WRONG?” Dad exclaimed “WHAT’S WRONG?” Dad exclaimed Can you help John's dad find out where is the problem? Can you help John's dad find out where is the problem? When dad went to church to pick John up, he found out that John’s cell phone was turned off. When dad went to church to pick John up, he found out that John’s cell phone was turned off. That is how John could not receive neither the calls nor the messages of his dad That is how John could not receive neither the calls nor the messages of his dad

6. The father is a symbol of God, who gave us a very precious gift (the Bible was symbolized by the iphone) The father is a symbol of God, who gave us a very precious gift (the Bible was symbolized by the iphone) John is a symbol of each one of us who received the precious gift (the Bible) to communicate with God John is a symbol of each one of us who received the precious gift (the Bible) to communicate with God

7. Is your precious gift turned on or off? Is your precious gift turned on or off? Do you open and read your bible diligently every day to receive God’s voice Do you open and read your bible diligently every day to receive God’s voice If not, Today is the time to start. If not, Today is the time to start.

9. The Word of God Hebrews 4:12 Hebrews 4:12 12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. God’s word is living God’s word is living

10. The Word of God Mathew 4:4 Mathew 4:4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. God’s word gives life. God’s word gives life.

11. The Word of God Psalm 119:105 Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. Prov. 6:23 Prov. 6:23 23 For the commandment is a lamp, And the law a light; Reproofs of instruction are the way of life 23 For the commandment is a lamp, And the law a light; Reproofs of instruction are the way of life God’s word guides my way. God’s word guides my way.

12. The Word of God Ezekiel 3: 3 Ezekiel 3: 3 3 And He said to me, “Son of man, feed your belly, and fill your stomach with this scroll that I give you.” So I ate, and it was in my mouth like honey in sweetness. 3 And He said to me, “Son of man, feed your belly, and fill your stomach with this scroll that I give you.” So I ate, and it was in my mouth like honey in sweetness. God’s word is a spiritual food God’s word is a spiritual food

13. The Word of God Jeremiah 15:16 Jeremiah 15:16 16 Your words were found, and I ate them, And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart 16 Your words were found, and I ate them, And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart God’s word gives joy to my life and rejoices my heart.

14. The Word of God Ephesus 6: 17 Ephesus 6: 17 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; Mathew 4: 4,7,10 Mathew 4: 4,7,10 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone 7 Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the LORD your God. 7 Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the LORD your God.. 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, [d] Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”. 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, [d] Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”d Victory over the devil. Victory over the devil.

15. The Word of God Acts 20:32 Acts 20:32 32 “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified 32 “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. God’s word is important for my spiritual build up. God’s word is important for my spiritual build up.

17. The Word of God Is living Is living It gives life. It gives life. It guides my way. It guides my way. A spiritual food A spiritual food It rejoices my heart. It rejoices my heart. Victory over the devil. Victory over the devil. God’s word builds me up spiritually. God’s word builds me up spiritually.

20. 1- Set a regular time everyday and choose an appropriate place to read The Word of God. 1- Set a regular time everyday and choose an appropriate place to read The Word of God. 2- Start with a prayer that God may guide you by His Holy Spirit to understand what you read 2- Start with a prayer that God may guide you by His Holy Spirit to understand what you read 3- Quality or quantity. 3- Quality or quantity. 4- Read in sequence. 4- Read in sequence.

21. 5- Memorize 1 verse of each chapter. 5- Memorize 1 verse of each chapter. 6- Use a commentary book for the difficult verses and words. 6- Use a commentary book for the difficult verses and words. 7- Read an introduction to each book of the bible before you start it to understand the background of the text. 7- Read an introduction to each book of the bible before you start it to understand the background of the text.

22. 8-Compare different Bible versions of the same or different languages (if applicable) 8-Compare different Bible versions of the same or different languages (if applicable) 9- Search for the Key Verses, The Promises, and take note of Verses that are difficult to understand 9- Search for the Key Verses, The Promises, and take note of Verses that are difficult to understand 10- Make a conclusion at the end of your reading session of what you read and what does it mean to you 10- Make a conclusion at the end of your reading session of what you read and what does it mean to you

31. The Pentateuch: 1 st 5 books of the bible Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Written By Moses Written By Moses

32. The Historical Books Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1st and 2nd Samuel, 1st and 2nd Kings, 1st and 2nd Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther.

33. The Poetic and Wisdom books Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon.

34. The Major Prophets include Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel. The reason behind calling them Major Prophets? These books were declared "major" because of the amount of text, and not because they were considered more important than the "minor" prophetic books.

35. The Minor Prophets Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi

37. The Deuterocanon books The Deuterocanon books Also called the 2 nd canonical books, Also called the 2 nd canonical books, was removed by the Protestants. was removed by the Protestants. It includes history and poetic books: It includes history and poetic books: Tobit, Judith, 1+2 Maccabees, Wisdom, Sirach and Baruch Tobit, Judith, 1+2 Maccabees, Wisdom, Sirach and Baruch

45. The Holy Gospels: The Holy Gospels: The Gospels According To St. Mathew, St. Mark, St. Luke, St. John The Gospels According To St. Mathew, St. Mark, St. Luke, St. John The life story of our Lord Jesus Christ, His birth, His deeds, His miracles, His teachings, His Divinity, His salvation, His death and His resurrection The life story of our Lord Jesus Christ, His birth, His deeds, His miracles, His teachings, His Divinity, His salvation, His death and His resurrection

46. The book of Acts: The book of Acts: Acts tells the story of the beginning of the church, the works (Acts) of The Holy Spirit and the apostles. Acts tells the story of the beginning of the church, the works (Acts) of The Holy Spirit and the apostles. I also explains how the Christian faith spread to the whole world I also explains how the Christian faith spread to the whole world

47. The Pauline Epistles (Letters): The Pauline Epistles (Letters): Were written by St. Paul Were written by St. Paul Contain education about Christ salvation, The Christian Life and Faith Contain education about Christ salvation, The Christian Life and Faith 9 letters to cities (churches): 9 letters to cities (churches): Romans, 1 st & 2nd Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 st &2 nd Thessalonians Romans, 1 st & 2nd Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 st &2 nd Thessalonians 4 letters to persons: 4 letters to persons: 1 st &2 nd Timothy, Titus, Philemon 1 st &2 nd Timothy, Titus, Philemon 1 letter to group of people: 1 letter to group of people: Hebrews Hebrews

48. The Catholic Epistles: The Catholic Epistles: Were written by 4 disciples Were written by 4 disciples Contain teachings of the Christian life and faith Contain teachings of the Christian life and faith The Epistle of St. James The Epistle of St. James 1 st &2 nd Epistle of St. Peter 1 st &2 nd Epistle of St. Peter 1 st &2 nd &3 rd Epistles of St. John 1 st &2 nd &3 rd Epistles of St. John The Epistle of St. Jude The Epistle of St. Jude

49. The Book of Revelation: The Book of Revelation: Were written by St. John Were written by St. John St. John wrote this epistle to tell people about a vision he had of Jesus, Heaven and Things that will happen in the future St. John wrote this epistle to tell people about a vision he had of Jesus, Heaven and Things that will happen in the future

50. Bible Activity Time