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Is the flourishing life possible today?
About the Retreat
This world can be a challenging place to live. Between the busyness of life, the craziness of our culture, and the obstacles we each face, it can be easy at times to feel overwhelmed and stressed. We may try to push through and do things in our own strength, but in the end, it isn’t enough.
How can we grow in our faith when so much in this world seeks to distract us? How do we live a flourishing life?
There is an answer! It is found in a precious passage in John 15 where Jesus creates one of the most beautiful metaphors for the believer’s life intertwined with His own: the vine and the branches. This tethering of our lives in the Savior produces a purpose and meaning for life that supersedes all else.
During our time together, we will discover what it means to abide in Jesus, how to avoid counterfeit vines, the loving purpose of the Father’s pruning, and the transforming difference that takes place in our lives when we abide in the True Vine.
In John 15, Jesus creates one of the most beautiful metaphors for the believer’s life intertwined with His own: the vine and the branches.
Would you like to learn more? Click the button, fill out the form, and request a call with Kristen.
Planning Support
Not sure how to structure your event? We can help you! There are many things that go into creating a well-rounded event in addition to the teaching segments. We can provide guidance as to what to include during the retreat time, what segments of time are most ideal, and what will lend itself to a bonding and fellowship-filled time for your ladies’ group. We even have a closing activity that will help solidify the concepts taught during the retreat, reminding the ladies of what they learned as they go home.
- See a Sample Schedule
- Check out Ideas for Breakout Sessions
- Receive Promotional Graphics
Ask about our “Planning Your Retreat” PDF.
Session One
In John 15, Jesus shares a wonderful image of the true vine and its branches, a metaphor for the fruitful Christian life. But in today’s whirlwind of obligations, challenges, and conflict, is the flourishing life still possible?
Let’s take a moment to slow down as we delve into the Scriptures to discover what it means to abide in Jesus and the transforming difference it makes in our lives.
Whether in trials or triumphs, a constant connection with Jesus is critical to a life well lived. So let’s align our hearts with the Father’s and get real about how we as Christian women can better abide in the vine.
Session Two
Amidst the many things in this world that compete for our attention, it is all to easy to be distracted from the goal of remaining in the vine and living the flourishing life that the Father desires for us. Counterfeit vines surround us and can often entangle our priorities.
In this session, we will talk about the threats that most distract us from the abundant life in Christ and find out how the Lord wants us to confront and overcome these obstacles.
Session Three
One of the most captivating elements of Jesus’ illustration in John 15 lies in the depiction of the Father as the Gardener, intimately involved in tending to the branches. This profound image unveils the comforting truth that the Creator of the universe is intricately engaged in the details of our lives.
And while this is a glorious thought, the art of pruning is not always a comfortable process. Yet it serves a higher purpose: increased fruitfulness. We will look at living the fruitful life and explore how the fruits of joy and love add to the richness of our journeys.
Breakout Sessions
Breakout sessions are a wonderful opportunity to encourage community among your attendees. It is a chance to let the women connect, share and support one another. During this time, women are able to attend particular topic-based sessions, selecting for themselves the one or two that applies to where they are in their life or spiritual journey. While each group is led by a facilitator, there is a predominant focus on discussion and sharing, rather than on teaching alone. Let the women of your church encourage, grow, and learn from one another during this special time.
Closing Activity
Without giving anything away, we like to close with an activity that will help solidify what we learned during the weekend and send your attendees home with a visual illustration of the value of abiding in the true vine, Jesus.
Read John 15:1-17
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
What Others are Saying
★★★★★
I was so glad I was able to attend the retreat. It was such a time of refreshment and encouragement for me. I was again reminded that the Creator of the universe wants to have a personal, intimate relationship with me, and I do that by spending time abiding in His presence. The regular sessions, along with the breakout sessions, had so much practical advice on bearing fruit as we abide in the vine! It really challenged me to allow the Master Gardner to prune me so that I can become more like Jesus and to become more fruitful. Thank you, again for everything!
★★★★★
I loved it! I especially loved the stories Kristen tells – they help to cement things into my mind. The most encouraging thing to me was the vulnerability of the other women in the groups. It’s helpful to hear what other people struggle with and nice to know I’m not alone. The encouragement to abide in Him by being in the Word everyday was helpful too. I loved everything from start to finish!
★★★★★
Kristen was the perfect speaker for a mom’s weekend. She knew her audience and executed beautifully each session. I love that she dug into Scripture while being relevant and relatable.
★★★★★
I’m so thankful for the Abiding in the Vine retreat. Using Kristen’s teaching, the Lord filled my spirit with rest and peace which is what I needed and desired. The quote “Jesus is worth everything you’re afraid of losing” stuck with me. I pray I will lose the fear/worry, which is a counterfeit vine I long to lay at the feet of the Lord. Thank you for a time of refreshment, fellowship and God-honoring teaching.
★★★★★
Thankful for a “meatier” theme for our retreat! Kristen did an amazing job! God really used her!
★★★★★
I left the retreat so encouraged and refreshed in my faith! Every session was so good.
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