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Retreat Ideas Archive

Crazy Campfire Discussion Starters

  • The Seven Wonders of the World is a list that includes famous landmarks like the Taj Mahal and the Great Wall of China.  What locations are the “seven wonders” of your hometown?

  • What are the qualities of a good leader? A good team player?  Who do you know that is a good leader or team player?

  • If you could paint the White House any color, what color would you choose?  

  • How would the world be different if God was not just?

  • Would you rather walk on the moon or win a gold medal at the Olympics?

  • What is the funniest thing you’ve ever heard a child say?

  • Which miracle would you like to see more: Elijah mocking the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel or Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead?

  • How many animals can you name that begin with the letter C?

  • Imagine that a computer engineer is building a robot just for you.  What are the top five tasks you would want the robot to complete for you?

  • Choose a member of your cabin/family/group.  What Biblical figure does that person remind you of?  Why?

  • Why do you think God chose fire as the torment that accompanies separation from Him in hell?

  • Share a unique family tradition from holiday, birthday, or anniversary celebrations.

  • What method would you use to prevent Humpty Dumpty from smashing?

  • Do you think Mary, the mother of Jesus, was popular when she was a teenager?

  • In your group, who has lived in the most US states?

  • Which of the four seasons has the best smells?

  • Re-tell a funny, heartwarming, or inspirational story you heard from a relative.

  • What is your favorite comfort food?

  • How do you think Noah fit giraffes on the ark?


Making the Most of our Inspirational Scripture Trail

Our inspirational Scripture Trail has been designed to allow you space for personal reflection and growth.  Your journey to realizing a deeper faith in the Lord may involve:

Meditation

Meditate on the beauty of the Lord’s creation around you, focusing on the intricate details of each part of nature.  Meditate on a passage of Scripture that proclaims the Lord’s greatness like Isaiah 40:12-31. Meditate on a Biblical figure like Caleb, who at 85 years old still eagerly anticipated being used by the Lord. Meditate on the names of God (“the God who sees me,” “the Lord will provide,” etc.) and the ways He has shown Himself to be each name in your life’s path.

Prayer

Pray intentionally through the ins and outs of one issue.  Maybe you’ll pray through your family tree or through the rooms in your home or office building.  Pray through regions of a world map.  Pray through each of the pros and cons of a decision you must make.  Pray through the alphabet by thanking the Lord for one blessing that begins with each letter.  Pray for each person you will interact with in the coming week and for the wisdom, strength, and boldness to share God’s love in words and actions with each of them.

Journaling

Journal about your experience as one of the Lord’s “jars of clay.” (2 Corinthians 4:7-9)  How as the Lord shown himself to be powerful in your weaknesses?  List some ways that hiking is similar to spiritual growth.  At what point in your “spiritual hike” are you right now?  Explore your pilgrimage with the grace of God.  How can David’s passionate prayer of confession in Psalm 51, Jonah’s repentance in Jonah 2, and Peter’s reinstatement in John 21 shed light on your forgiveness?  As you walk, look for a quiet spot along your path where you can reflect on Psalm 62:1. “For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation.”  How does the noise of this world prevent you from sitting in silence before the Lord?

Memorization

Take a copy of a Scripture passage along on your walk.  You might memorize a song of praise from Psalm 100 or verses that inspire wholehearted commitment to the Lord like Deuteronomy 30:19-20.  As you memorize Isaiah 55:8-13, you may begin to connect the natural imagery in these verses to your stunning surroundings.  You might memorize a hymn of the early church about the humility of Jesus in Philippians 2:5-11.  You could commit to memory Jesus’ explanation of salvation to Nicodemus in John 3:16-21. 

Song

As you walk, sing one or several verses of a favorite hymn or worship song, reflecting on the meaning of each word and phrase.  Don’t hesitate to sing these choruses repeatedly, making connections between your experiences and the lyrics.  Be Thou My Vision is a fitting choice for a walk in the woods. “Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart; Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art. Thou my best Thought, by day or by night, Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.” Imagine the confusion and desperation you would feel if you were to take today’s walk in the woods without any light!  Reflect on both the close-up and long-distance vision that the Lord has given you throughout your life’s journey.

 

Top Ten Retreat Activities at Montrose Bible Conference

10. Appreciate the peaceful mountain surroundings during a swim or boat ride on the lake.

9. Race to the top of our indoor climbing wall.

8. Slip and slide your way down our snow tubing slope.

7. Take a dip in the heated outdoor pool.

6. Experience the thrill of a vigorous paintball match.

5. Enjoy a delicious dinner in The Tea Room with a menu of your selection.

4. Fly through the air on our 35’ giant swing.

3. Zip down hills on a mountain board, an all-terrain skateboard.

2. Outwit the twists and turns of our geocaching treasure hunt.

1. Set aside time for spiritual reflection on our inspirational Scripture Trail.


Finding Rest

Meetings, appointments, chores, conference calls, and to-do lists fill our lives.  Our responsibilities and obligations blur one day into the next until the frenzy sends us reeling toward a stress-induced breaking point.

How we long for rest!  For a time when our schedule slows to a more manageable pace. For a time when the urgent no longer drowns out the important.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”  Matthew 11:28

The offer is clear.  The remedy for our whirlwind is found in Christ alone.

At Montrose Bible Conference, we offer you an opportunity to step away from your daily grind, to walk toward the One who offers true rest.

Reinvigorate your body and soul with the relaxation of a weekend focusing on the eternal.  Prayer walk through the endless mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania.  Release endorphins as you sing the praises of the Almighty.  Admire the beauty of His creation.  Thank the Lord for a mouthwatering meal that you didn’t prepare AND don’t need to clean up!  Allow us to manage the details of your stay while you concentrate on drawing closer to the Prince of Peace.

women's retreat

Theme
Unfailing -- Rising above stress, difficulties, and turmoil of life

Food
Ocean/seafood theme (Fish tacos, parmesan-crusted tilapia, seafood bisque, etc.)

Song
Oceans/Where Feet May Fail (Hillsong United)

Bible Verse
"You rule over the surging sea;
When its waves mount up, you still them."
Psalm 89:9 (NIV)

Breakout Sessions

  • Mani/pedis with salt scrub
  • How to rise above the difficulties of life
  • Practical stress management techniques

Montrose Bible Conference // 218 Locust Street, Montrose, PA 18801 // Phone 570-278-1001 // Toll Free 1-800-598-5030 // Contact Us