Recently, we had a ladies retreat visit with an excellent idea for the peaceful walk around the pond at Oasis Christian Center and Retreat. They printed scriptures that matched their ladies retreat theme of “A Time Out For Restoration” and tied them to the lamp posts around the pond. Then as each lady walked around the pond, they would pause and read the Bible verse attached to the post. During that time, the ladies were encouraged to reflect and let that verse resonate for a moment then walk to the next light post and repeat the process.

We have 17 light posts around the primary walk and thought this was such a great idea that you may want to use it for your next event at Oasis Christian Center and Retreat.

The verses used for the “A Time Our For Restoration” prayer walk were:

• Song of Songs 2:8-15
• Psalm 121
• Psalm 3:1-5
• Psalm 1:1-3
• Jeremiah 17:7-8
• Isaiah 55:10-11
• Isaiah 55:12-13
• Isaiah 35:1-7
• Isaiah 51:1-3
• Isaiah 58:9-11
• Zechariah 8:11-13
• Hosea 14:5-7
• Song of Songs 2:1-4
• Psalm 19:1-6
• Isaiah 43:1-4
• Zephaniah 3:17-20
• Psalm 23

Looking for a great online resource to look all of these Bible verses up? Try YouVersion!

Your Turn

What prayer walk theme would you use?

Purpose

This is a good activity for getting a group to think about what they can do with their own resources. It can generate a lot of fun and laughter as well as provide some useful learning. In using this exercise it is important to be sensitive to local culture and tradition.

Step-by-step guide:

1. Ask the group to form two lines with an equal number of people in each line.
2. Explain they are going to use anything they have on them to make the longest possible line (shoe laces, belts, over-shirts, jackets, etc.)
3. Each person must be in contact with another person either by means of a part of the body or an article of clothing.
4. The team that wins is the one that forms the longest line.

Questions:

• To what lengths were people prepared to go to make the line as long as possible?
• What were the barriers to people sharing what they had?
• What does this exercise teach us about using our own resources?

Key Learning points:

• It can surprise us when we see what we can achieve only using what we have.
• Sometimes challenging situations produce natural leaders.
• Once people have a clear vision of what is needed they become motivated and energized.
• Challenging situations can produce creativity. For example, people may decide to lie down on the ground to make the line longer or find creative uses for their clothes and accessories.
• For some people this exercise may be uncomfortable. Sometimes, giving up our resources for the common good can be challenging and uncomfortable too.

What to expect at the end of this stage?

• Positive energy over identifying needs to be addressed
• Formation of a church core group to undertake practical tasks
• Recognition that the church has plenty of resources within its own membership and community
• The church has confidence in its own abilities to meet community needs
• The church undertakes some new practical projects and initiatives
• Celebrating what we have

Tips:

1. If it doesn’t come up in discussion, you may like to remind the church that their resources include knowledge, time and prayer.
2. Once all the objects have been put down in the shape of a cross, play some music or sing a song to allow people to reflect on the range of resources, gifts and talents.

Question for you.

What fun and interesting participation games have you played at a retreat?

Looking for a fun team activity for your next youth group or men’s retreat?

If so, we recommend Ntense Sports based out of Bowling Green, KY. Their paintball field combined with our retreat facility will be a guaranteed hit for your event!

These guys are great!

What Ntense Sports includes:

• A very large paintball field with obstacles.
• Plenty of paintballs for you to unleash on the opposing team.
• Paintball guns with refillable air canisters.
• Safety masks because you never know when you will get shot in the face! (Yep, that happens in the video above.)

The great thing about adding paintball to your event is that it promotes team play while bringing out the warrior in each of us!

How you can reserve Ntense Sports for your next event.

• Reserve by phone 270-796-4120
• Learn more on the Ntense Sports website

Be sure to tell them Andy from Oasis Christian Center and Retreat sent you! Who knows they may give you a discount.

Want more video?

If you would like to watch more videos of a youth group playing paintball, follow this link to see footage of a middle school youth retreat playing at Oasis Christian Center this Fall.

Do you have a paintball story? We would love to hear it in the comments below!