New to JF Men? Check out jfmen.org for videos and content from Base Camp events and other helpful resources. Like us on Facebook (Johnson Ferry Men) and Twitter (@jfbcmen) to stay up to date on events and helpful tools for men. Contact Us Email us at men@jfbc.org or call 678.784.5210 if you have questions or if we can help you in your journey with God in any way. Strong Rock Camp Cleveland, GA March 10-12, 2017 VENTURES FOCUS - COURAGE For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 NAME: 20
QUIET TIME ABIDING STRONG FEAR NOT ISAIAH 43:1-2, 5 Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior... Fear not, for I am with you. FINAL CHALLENGE: Is there something in your life that you have or need to surrender to Him this weekend? Is there a fear that you need to present to Him this weekend? Come to the sunrise communion and spend time in prayer laying it all down before your Father in heaven. 2 19
GROUP DEBRIEF ABIDING STRONG Participant s Guide Important Tips for the Weekend: Cabins and group assignments are provided at check-in. We will ask that you keep your smartphone in your car or the cabin unless you need it for emergency purposes. There will be breaks in the day where you can take a 30 second walk to the cabin and check it if you need to. Let your spouse know and check in during the breaks. Detox for the weekend. Supplies you will need: Sleeping quarters are cabins that hold 16 20 men. You will need a sleeping bag or bed linens as well as a pillow. Bring headphones or earplugs because there is usually a snorer. If you have serious concerns with sharing sleep space, let us know as soon as possible. Dress is casual, but bring warm clothes to hang out outside. Bring a camp chair or ENO for fire time at night or to use during your quiet times. There will be a fire going down by the lake during quiet times and at night if the weather cooperates. There will be long periods of time in the woods. Be comfortable. Dress accordingly as well. There will be a 2 hour break for outdoor activities. You can hike, fish, shoot skeet, shoot bows, play Frisbee in the field, hang out, or take a nap. If you want to fish, bring your own equipment. Bows and guns/shells/skeet will be provided (waiver required, but you can sign before activity). Skeet will be 10 clays per guy, and we can probably get up to 30 guys through. Bring a physical copy of your Bible. Why? We will spend a lot of time in the Word, and smartphones are way too distracting during important quiet times during the weekend. Don t use your smartphone as you bible for the weekend. Extra bibles will be available if you need one. Drinks, coffee, and all meals will be provided. GROUP PRAYER REQUESTS: 18 Camp Rules: No alcohol allowed on the camp grounds. If you need to smoke, there will be a designated spot outside. Don t jump in a lake. I love that I feel the need to tell you that in early March. One lookout deck is over the lake for the Blob jump, but the water is only 5ft deep under it. It might be your last cannonball so don t jump off the deck. Leave the camp like you found it. 3
Camp Strong Rock ABOUT Strong Rock s mission is to inspire abundant and purposeful living in those who camp with them. The camp has been running summer camps since 2005. The camp was started by James and Corie Himstedt and Larry and Norma Adams. Strong Rock is guided by Christian leadership and the principles given by Jesus Christ. They believe that every person has been created with an essential need for acceptance, challenge, self-discovery, and unconditional love. Every part of Strong Rock was designed to meet those needs. GPS Enter 1 Henderson Road, Cleveland, GA. This will direct you to a destination directly across the street from Camp Strong Rock. DIRECTIONS SESSION 4 OUR FUTURE WITH GOD Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches. Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God. 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 (From East Cobb) Go NORTH on 400 until it narrows to two lanes; it will become Long Branch Road Continue NORTH to next light at the top of the hill Turn RIGHT toward Cleveland onto Highway 115 WHITEPINE LODGE We will be meeting at the Lodge for our sessions, group time and meal time. The sessions and group time will be downstairs. Meals will be served upstairs. Check-in and parking will be at the Lodge. CABINS Sleeping quarters will be cabins that hold from 16 20 people each. You will receive your cabin assignment at check-in. Bring a sleeping bag and pillow for the bunks. 4 17
QUIET TIME 3 Activities PRAYER & SOLITUDE WITH GOD Would you say that you are primarily seeking to use God to achieve some other desire, or is your primary desire God himself? Think about the difference in your own life. Outline the things in your life that you need to surrender to Him. Write down anything that you feel He is telling you as you lay those things down. Psalms 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Has your prayer life in the past been marked by communication or communion? If you embrace a life with God, what will change about your prayer life? Check out Appendix A in With for ideas. Psalms 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Spend time in prayer and meditating on God s Word. Spend time in silence just in His presence communing with Him. 16 Relax and Get Outside SKEET SHOOTING Up to 25 guys can go and shoot 2 rounds of 10 skeet. Strong Rock guides will help and throw. Must sign a waiver to attend this activity. Guns and shells will be provided. FISHING We are allowed to fish in Laurel Lake. Bring your own equipment to fish. It is catch-andrelease only. ARCHERY Archery Range is on property as well. Strong Rock guides will help with equipment. Bows and arrows provided. Must sign a waiver to attend this activity. FRISBEE Discs will be available to play ultimate Frisbee or Frisbee golf. The field is next to the Lodge. Golfers will have to make up the course as they go. HIKING / HANGING OUT It s your time you can take a nap, hang with the guys, or whatever you need to do to relax. There are also two hiking trails on the map on the next page. 5
SESSION 3 WHAT DOES LIFE WITH GOD LOOK LIKE? Doodle Space: Finish this drawing during Session 3: Christ did not die to forgive sinners who go on treasuring anything above seeing and savoring God. And people who would be happy in heaven if Christ were not there, will not be there. The gospel is not a way to get people to heaven; it is a way to get people to God. It s a way of overcoming every obstacle to everlasting joy in God. If we don t want God above all things, we have not been converted by the gospel. John Piper 6 15
QUIET TIME 2 TIME WITH GOD Which of the four postures best describes how you currently relate to God? You can combine/create you own as well. Doodle your own drawing here: Look in Appendix B at the questions for each of posture (pages 188-191). What challenges you the most as you review these questions? GROUP DEBRIEF: 14 7
Guest Speaker Worship Leader SKYE JETHANI Skye is an author, speaker, consultant and ordained pastor. He also serves as the co-host of the popular Phil Vischer Podcast, a weekly show that blends astute cultural and theological insights with comical conversation. For 11 years, Skye served in Christianity Today (CT), as both the managing & senior editor of Leadership Journal, and the Director of Mission Advancement. He was also the senior producer of This Is Our City, a multi-year, multi-city project telling the stories of Christians working for the common good of their communities. Skye is a sought-after consultant for groups facing challenges at the intersection of faith and culture like The Lausanne Movement, The White House Office of Faith- Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, and theinterfaith Youth Core. Apart from CT s magazines and websites, Skye has also written for The Washington Post s On Faith column, Relevant, ChurchLeaders.com, and he is a regular contributor to The Huffington Post. Books written: The Divine Commodity: Discovering a Faith Beyond Consumer Christianity (2009), WITH: Reimagining the Way You Relate to God (2011), and Futureville (2014). SPENCER ROTH Spencer grew up in Austin, Texas. After High School he attended Texas A&M University for two years before taking an internship at The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama. After His internship he was the Worship Director at Hutto Bible Church in the Austin area for 5 years. He recently took the position of Associate Minister of Worship & Arts at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church. He is married to Peyton, and they are expecting Baby Boy #1 in July. He enjoys watching and playing football/basketball and trying new restaurants with his wife. He is currently finishing his degree at Leavell College. 8 SESSION 2 FOUR POSTURES TOWARD GOD 13
THE PRODIGAL SON STORY LUKE 15:11-32 Which son do you identify with best? QUIET TIME PRODIGAL PERSPECTIVE One son pursued self-discovery, attempting to find and fulfill himself. He gravely disrespected his father in the process. The other son shows conformity to his father s house, but maybe not for the right reasons. He disrespected his father when he questioned his grace and love for his lost son. Both sons undervalued their father s presence. Regardless of which story you identify with, how have you underestimated the value of your Father s presence in your life? [Additional reading option: John 15 As a disciple of Christ, write down what encourages and challenges you as your read the chapter.] Talk to Him about that this morning. Ask Him to give you a better perspective on how to be present and engaged with Him. Pray for your group today as well. 12 The Agenda Friday, March 10th 5:00-6:30 pm Check-in at Mountain House 6:30-7:30 pm Dinner w/ Retreat Group - Big Talk Intro 7:30-10:00 pm Session 1 - Abide / Story Tellers 10:00 - until Bonfire & Games (optional) 10:00 pm Lights Out at Cabins Friday Notes: You will receive your group and cabin number at Check In. Earplugs will be available for those that need them for sleeping. Respect those who are sleeping after 10:00 in all cabins. Dinners are with your group; all other meals are flexible.. Saturday, March 11th 6:00-9:30 am Quiet Time (coffee available at MH) 8:30-9:30 am Breakfast 9:30-11:00 am Session 2-4 Postures Toward God 11:00-12:00 noon Quiet Time 2 - Time WITH God (Take Bible/With) 12:00-12:30 pm Group Debrief 12:30-1:30 pm Lunch 1:30-3:00 pm Session 3 - What does life WITH God look like? 3:00-4:00 pm Quiet Time 3 - Prayer and Solitude WITH God 4:00-6:00 pm Free Time (activity options on page 5) 6:00-7:00 pm Dinner with Group - Big Talk Time 7:00-8:30 pm Session 4 - Our Future WITH God 8:30 - until Final Debrief & Prayer Time with Group 9:30 pm - until Bonfire & Games (optional) 10:00 pm Lights out in Cabins Saturday Notes: There is time at the end of the day so that you can finish the drill don t finish your thoughts later go home with a game plan. Use other men on trip to discuss. Sunday, March 12th (REMEMBER SPRING FORWARD TIME CHANGE) 6:00-8:30 am Abiding Strong QT & Sunrise Communion 6:30-9:00 am Breakfast & Depart for Church Sunday Morning: From 6:00 8:00 am, coffee and breakfast will be ready. Spend some time on your final assignment during your Quiet Time. Finish strong! Once you finish eating, come down to the lake for a sunrise communion and prayer before you depart. 9
SESSION 1 ABIDE GROUP TIME STORY TELLERS ABIDE? A Abide in Me, and [see that] I [abide] in you John 15:4 FRUIT? Alignment of of your life with God. First in (Heart), then in (Soul), and then in (Might). The most important thing in your life is not what you ; it s who you. That s what you will take into eternity. Dallas Willard ABIDE GRAPH: you abide in Me, My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. John 15:7 Our failure to hear His voice when we want to is due to the fact that we do not in general want to hear it, that we want it only when we think we need it. Dallas Willard Abide in Him. Never remove from your consecration to His honor and glory. Never dream of being your own master. Be not the servant of men, but abide in Christ. Let him be the object, as well as the source, of your existence. Oh, if you get there, and stop there in perpetual communion with your Lord, you will soon realize a joy, a delight, a power in prayer, such as you never knew before. Charles Spurgeon The Vinedresser is by His and its. 10 Story 3 Talk about your personal motivations for obedience. Is it purely relational and responsive WITH Jesus s love for you? We all struggle with areas of selfishness or maybe just areas of maturity? What would help you natural- Story 1 Tell your story in 3-5 minutes. From biggest God moments to the biggest enigmas/ failures in your life. What has the pruning process looked like for you. Lay it out there. Story 2 Talk about a reliance moment when you put your hands up to God. Why did you do that in that moment? Show the men where you were on our Abide graph at that moment. (1-2 minutes) ly respond to Christ in trust, hope, and relational obedience? (1-2 minutes) 11