Journey Retreat
Second Talk - Day Two, morning

9:00 AM Second Talk: Fellowship

Opening song:

'I’ve never known what brought me here, as if somebody held my hand.
It seems I’ve hardly had to steer, my course was planned.
Destiny – it guides us all, by its hand we rise and fall,
But only for a moment, time enough to catch our breath again.

And we’re just another piece of the puzzle, just another part of the plan
How one life touches the other, it’s so hard to understand.
S till we walk this road together, we try to go as far as we can.
We have waited for this moment in time, ever since the world began.

Takin’ in the times gone by, we wonder how it all began.
We never know, but still we try to understand.
Even though the seasons change, the reason shall remain the same
It’s love that keeps us holdin’ on till we can see the sun again.

And we’re just another piece of the puzzle, just another part of the plan
And we have waited for this moment in time, ever since the world began.
And I stand alone, a man of stone, against the drivin’ rain
And the night – it’s got your number, and the wind will crash your name.
And you send your dues, win or lose, as if it’s all the same,
But hope still burns eternal, by the keeper of the flame.

And we’re just another piece of the puzzle, just another part of the plan
How one life touches the other, it’s so hard to understand.
Still we walk this road together, we try to go as far as we can.
We have waited for this moment in time, ever since the world began.

 

Last night we compared life to a journey. We said that we are free to choose the way we live our lives. No one can force us to be someone we’re not or to do something we really don’t want to do. We are the captains of our life’s ship and, like all captains, we can decide where our life’s journey will take us.

We also spent some time thinking about and writing to some of the important people who have helped us during our journey, those who have been our “crew.” They’ve encouraged us, challenged us, guided us, and when the waters were rough, they’ve even rescued us.

Mention a person who has helped you during a tough time in your life. Why were you thankful for their presence?

Without the presence of others, our journey through life would be impossible. While each of us is free to determine where our journey will lead, each of us still depends on others in many ways. That’s why Saint Paul writes in one of his Epistle to the Romans, “For as in one body there are many members, and all the members have different functions, so we, though many are one body and members of one another.” We belong to one another. Look around the room at one another.

Without the presence of others, our journey through life would be impossible. While each of us is free to determine where our journey will lead, each of us still depends on others in many ways. That’s why Saint Paul writes in one of his Epistle to the Romans, “For as in one body there are many members, and all the members have different functions, so we, though many are one body and members of one another.” We belong to one another. Look around the room at one another. (Pause as the candidates do this.) Each of us is separate and distinct, different and unique. None of us look alike, think alike, talk alike, or act alike. (Point out some of the differences you observe in the candidates.) In many ways we’re like pieces to a puzzle. No two pieces are alike, yet each piece is important and necessary if the puzzle is to be completed. In the same way, each of us is important to making our group complete. When we admit that we rely on others, we share together in fellowship.

Mention someone upon whom you rely in your life. How do you rely on this person? How do you belong to one another?

I need fellowship in my life. When we made the maps of our lives last night we discovered that from time to time we were stuck on islands. That’s when we needed others the most. As a great poet once wrote, “No man is an island.” It is impossible to live without others.

Fellowship, like friendship, works both ways. I am needed by others.

Give an example of someone who relies on your presence in their lives.

On the night before He was crucified, Jesus Christ prayed that we would be united one another in fellowship. He said, “Father, may they become one, even as you and I are one.” He prayed that we would never forget how much we need each other as we journey through life.

Close your eyes for a moment and picture a person you rely on. Think of the many times you’ve spent with that person, the many times he or she has helped you or cared for you. Think of the many ways you and this special person are members of one another. (Pause) Before we close, let’s pray for these people and thank God for the fellowship we share with them.

The speaker should begin by mentioning a person for whom he or she wishes to pray. For example, “I want to thank God for my dad. No matter how many times I fall during my journey through life, he’s always there to pick me up.” Invite the candidates to mention those for whom they wish to pray. When all are finished, the leader should invite everyone to join hands and recite the Lord’s prayer, which reminds us that we are truly members of one another.

Closing song

Small Group Session 2

Begin by saying:

"During the talk we prayed for those whom we rely upon for fellowship, for those whom we need and count on to always be there for us. There are also many, many people who need us and count on us to be there for them."

Mention someone who relies on you. Ask each candidate to do the same.

Sometimes we forget just how much people need us for fellowship. It’s easy for us to forget that others are hurting or having problems. Think of someone you know who needs you at this point of his or her life. Perhaps it’s one of your parents, a brother or sister, a friend, or maybe even someone you don’t know that well but who just might need you to tell them that they’re noticed and cared for. (Pass out paper and envelopes.) Write that person a letter telling them that they can count on you to be there now and in other times of need.

Allow fifteen minutes. As each candidate completes his or her letter, have him or her write the name of the person to whom it was written, as well as their own name, on the envelope, and collect them.

10:15 AM Break

		Department of Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministry Orthodox Church in America PO Box 675 Syosset, NY 11791 http://yya.oca.org yyacm@oca.org The Hub | Back to top