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Senior High School RetreatFriday March 1st-Sunday March 3rdName:

2 Corinthians 4: 7“We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God,not from ourselves.”

Table of Contents:Session 1: Three Main QuestionsSession 2: Stand StrongSession 3: A Lutheran ApproachSession 4: What is the Gospel?Session 5: Restoration10,000 ReasonsBroken VesselsBuild My LifeGoodness of GodGraves Into GardensMy Lighthouse Sinking Deep1357911121314151617

Session 1: Three Main QuestionsNotes:1.Therefore, since we have this ministry, by the mercy ofGod, we do not lose heart. 2. We renounce and reject all shameful deeds andunderhanded methods; we do not use deception, nor dowe trick others or distort the word of God. On thecontrary, by setting forth the truth plainly, we commendourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 3. And even if the Good News we preach is hidden behinda veil, it is hidden to those who are perishing.4. In their case, the god of this world has blinded theminds of unbelievers to keep them from seeing theglorious light of the Good News. the glory of Jesus Christ,who is the image of God. 1

2“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’swomb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful areyour works; my soul knows it very well.”Psalm 139Clay Pot Metaphor:What are the 3 spheres of brokenness?Question 1: Who Am I?Who does God say I am?Question 2: What is my purpose?What purpose does God give me?Question 3: Where do I belong?Where does God say I belong?How does Satan challenge these beliefs in my life?

5. For the Good News we proclaim is not ourselves, butJesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants forJesus' sake. 6 For God, who said “Let light shine out of darkness,” madehis light shine in our hearts to give us the light of theknowledge of God's glory, which is displayed in the face ofJesus Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in earthen containers as jars ofclay to show that this all-surpassing power andextraordinary greatness is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard-pressed on every side but not crushed;perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but notdestroyed. Session 2: Stand StrongNotes:3

4Clay Pot Metaphor:All the things we do in our lives flow from our foundation, which is set in Jesus Christ!“The Bible is not reliable, it has been translated too many times and wedo not know what the original document said...”Homer’s the Illiad was written in ____________.There are __________ manuscripts we still have today.Old Testament has around _______________ manuscripts.New Testament has around _______________ manuscripts.The Bible has a ______ % accuracy, and _______% variations. What does the accuracy of Homer’s The Illiad and the Biblemanuscripts tell us? Where do we put our most valuable items in our houses today? Who would expect someone to hide the most valuable treasure, in afragile, small, clay jar? God ___________ us so that can stand strong!

10 We are always carrying around in our body the deathof Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed inour body. 11 For we who are alive are constantly being given over todeath for Jesus' sake, so that his life may also be revealedin our mortal body. (ESV). We live under constant danger of death because we serveJesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dyingbodies (NLT).12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you(ESV). So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted ineternal life for you (NLT).Session 3: What is a LutheranApproach?Notes:5

6Clay Pot Metaphor:Where do Lutherans come from?What are the 5 Solas?There are many different denominations,but all should believe in the death and resurrection of the son of God, Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of sins! Baptism CommunionExtra Thoughts/Comments/Questions Sinner and Saint!“We carry aroundthe death of Jesus sothat we also carryaround the hope of theresurrection!!”

13 We continue to preach because we have the same kindof faith the psalmist had when he said, “I believed: so Ihave spoken.” We also believe, and so we speak.14 We know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus fromthe dead will also raise us with Jesus and bring us withyou into His presence. 15 All this hardship is for your benefit, so that graceextends to more and more people, so that it causesthanksgiving to overflow, so God receives more and moreglory. 16 Therefore, we do not lose heart, and we never give up!Though our bodies are wasting away, our inner selvesand our spirits are being renewed day by day. 17 For our present and momentary troubles are preparingfor us an eternal weight of glory far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what isunseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what isunseen is eternal.Session 4: What is the Gospel We Preach?Notes:7

8Clay Pot Metaphor:Parable of the Prodigal Son... did you learn anything new?What do you think heaven will be like?What is the gospel we preach?What is a metaphor you can use to tell people about Christianity? (Canbe one we have talked about or you an come up with one on your own). “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for.The conviction of things not yet seen.”Hebrews 11:1

1.Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have thisministry, we do not lose heart. 2. Rather we have renounced secret and shameful ways; wedo not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. Onthe contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly, we commendourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 3. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those whoare perishing.4. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelieversso that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displaysthe glory of Christ, who is the image of God.Session 5: ReflectionNotes:9

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live,but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, Ilive by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gavehimself for me." Galatians 2:2010

10,000 Reasons ChorusBless the Lord, Oh my soul. Oh, my soul.Worship his holy name. Sing like never before, Oh my soul. Verse 1The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning.It’s time to sing your song again.Whatever may pass and whatever lies before meLet me be singing when the evening comesVerse 2You’re rich in love and you’re slow to anger Your name is great and your heart is kindFor all your goodness, I will keep on singing.Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find Verse 3And on that day when my strength is failing.The end draws near and my time has come.Still, my soul will sing your praise unending.Ten thousand years and then forever more.Outro x3I’ll worship your holy name 11

Broken Vessels Verse 1All these pieces, Broken and scatteredIn mercy gathered, Mended and wholeEmpty-handed, But not forsakenI've been set free, I've been set free ChorusAmazing graceHow sweet the soundThat saved a wretch like me, oohI once was lostBut now I am foundWas blind but now I seeOh, I can see You nowOh, I can see the love in Your eyesLaying Yourself downRaising up the broken to lifeVerse 2'You take our failure, You take our weaknessYou set Your treasure, In jars of claySo take this heart Lord, I'll be Your vesselThe world to see, Your life in me, oh12

Build My Life Verse 1Worthy of every song we could ever singWorthy of all the praise we could ever bringWorthy of every breath we could ever breatheWe live for You, oh, we live for YouJesus, the Name above every other nameJesus, the only One who could ever saveWorthy of every breath we could ever breatheWe live for You, we live for YouChorusHoly, there is no one like YouThere is none beside YouOpen up my eyes in wonderAnd show me who You areAnd fill me with Your heartAnd lead me in Your love to those around meVerse 1 again and then ChorusBridge x2And I will build my life upon Your loveIt is a firm foundationAnd I will put my trust in You aloneAnd I will not be shaken13

Verse 1I love you Lord, For your mercy never fails meAll my days, I’ve been held in your handsFrom the moment that I wake upUntil I lay my head Oh I will sing, of the goodness, of GodChorusCause all my life you have been faithfulAnd all my life you have been so, so goodWith every breath that I am ableOh I will sing, of the goodness, of GodVerse 2I love your voice You have led me through the fireIn darkest night, you were close like no otherI’ve known you as a Father, I’ve known you as a friendAnd I will sing, of the goodness, of God.Bridge Cause your goodness is running after,It’s running after meYour goodness is running after,It’s running after meWith my life laid down, I’m surrendered nowI give you everythingCause your goodness us running afterIt’s running after meGoodness of God14

Graves Into GardensVerse 1I searched the world but it couldn't fill meMan's empty praise and treasures that fadeAre never enoughThen You came along and put me back togetherAnd every desire is now satisfiedHere in Your love ChorusThere's nothing better than You (x4)Verse 2 'I'm not afraid to show You my weaknessMy failures and flaws, Lord You've seen 'em allAnd You still call me friendCause the God of the mountainsIs the God of the valleyThere's not a place Your mercy and graceWon't find me againBridge You turn mourning to dancingYou give beauty for ashesYou turn shame into gloryYou're the only one who canYou turn graves into gardenYou turn bones into armiesYou turn seas into highwaysYou're the only one who can (x2)15

My LighthouseVerse 1In my wrestling and in my doubtsIn my failures You won't walk outYour great love will lead me throughYou are the peace in my troubled sea (x2)Verse 2In the silence, You won't let goIn the questions, Your truth will holdYour great love will lead me throughYou are the peace in my troubled sea (x2)ChorusMy Lighthouse, my lighthouseShining in the darkness, I will follow YouMy Lighthouse, my lighthouseI will trust the promise,You will carry me safe to shore Verse 3 'I won't fear what tomorrow bringsWith each morning, I'll rise and singMy God's love will lead me throughYou are the peace in my troubled seaBridge x3 Fire before us, You're the brightestYou will lead us through the storms16

Sinking Deep Verse 1Standing here in Your presenceIn a grace so relentlessI am won by perfect loveWrapped within the arms of heavenIn a peace that lasts foreverSinking deep in mercy's seaChorus I'm wide awake drawing closeStirred by graceAnd all my heart is YoursAll fear removedI breathe You in, I lean into Your loveOh, Your loveVerse 2When I'm lost You pursue meLift my head to see Your gloryLord of all so beautifulHere in You I find shelterCaptivated by the splendorOf Your face my secret placeBridge x2Your love so deep is washing over meYour face is all I seek, You are my everythingJesus Christ, You are my one desireLord hear my only cry to know You all my life17

Scripture ContemplationsRead Isaiah 45 Notice verses 5-10.What is God saying here to His people, the people of Israel?How does this add to our clay pot metaphor so far? Other thoughts and prayers from this text:“Woe to those who quarrel with their Maker... Doesthe clay say to the potter, ‘What are you making?’Does your work say, ‘The potter has no hands’?

Scripture ContemplationsRead Jeremiah 18:1-17Notice verses 1-11What is God saying here to His people, the people of Israel?An easy way to think about law and gospel isThe law is what God requiresThe gospel is what God providesWhat is the law in this passage? What is the gospel in this passage?Is God being unfair? Why does God seem harsh and violent? Isn’t Hesupposed to be a loving God?“Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret- itleads only to evil. For those who are evil will bedestroyed, but those who hope in the LORD will inheritthe land.” Psalm 37: 8-9

“You are the light of the world. A town builton a hill cannot be hidden... let your lightshine before others, that they may see yourgood deeds and glorify your Father inheaven."Scripture Contemplations Isaiah 64: 8-98 And yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We all are formed by your hand.9 Don’t be so angry with us, Lord. Please don’t remember our sins forever.Look at us, we pray, and see that we are all your people.John 8: 1212 Again, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of theworld. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but willhave the light of life.”We are God’s people! We have the hope and confidence inour Savior Jesus Christ, that He is the Son of God, and Hedid die and rise again for the forgiveness of our sins. Jesusputs His light, and the truth inside of us, so we are no longera slave to sin, but free to serve God and serve others, as Hefirst served us and loved us.