Lesson 1
A GREAT DECISION
You have just made a great decision! You may have attended a meeting where you responded to a call to receive Christ, or you may have attended a meeting in a home or business and met Christ there. Perhaps a friend prayed with you to receive Christ. However you came to this decision, it was the right one! The decision to follow Christ is the greatest and most life-changing decision that you will ever make.
What does it all mean?
Today you stand in a very different place than where you stood before you decided to follow Jesus Christ. Things have now changed! God sees you differently, and you probably see God differently. Let’s think about what has happened to you. “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this.’ While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
You were a sinner!
Whether you were a “good person” or a “bad person” really doesn’t matter. All of us have still sinned. (Have you ever told a lie?) Sinning makes us sinners! Being a sinner means that you have failed to do what God requires of you in order to be in right relationship with Him. In other words, you have failed to fulfill God’s law. “. . . For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Sin includes those things you do that are not acceptable to God, as well as your natural tendency to walk in disobedience to God.
As a sinner, you cannot please God.
“As it is written.’ ‘There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away; they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not one’ “(Romans 3:10). Most of us live our lives without even considering what God may expect from us. But even if you arc trying to live right, you soon find that no matter how hard YOU try to please God, without Christ it is impossible.
You see, you were dead in your sin!
Even though God loved you, you were separated from Him. Because God is totally good and perfect, He will not allow sin in His presence. So until you met Christ, you were not able to enter into God’s presence. But now, because of His shed blood, Christ has become your passage to the Father.
Ephesians 2:2 says that you formerly ‘followed the ways of this world” In the past, you lived for the world and its attractions—under the direct influence of Satan! This influence is obvious among those who still live apart from Christ. The spirit of rebellion (doing things YOUR way) controlled your life through strong desires of lust and greed. This spirit cannot and will not ever gain God’s approval. So every person under this influence must come to Christ! That’s you and me!
Because God loves you so much ...
He will still deal with your heart through the influence of the Holy Spirit, no matter how hard-hearted you become. When something happens to you that leaves you desperate, empty, and in need of God, He is there to draw you to Himself by inviting you to know His Son, Jesus.
If you refuse God’s love ...
If you refuse to accept God’s love and offer of eternal life through Jesus Christ, then you remain in your sin and continue to be separated from God. If you die separated from God, you are condemned to an eternity without God in a place the Bible calls hell.
Ephesians 2:1-3 says, “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the aiç the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.”
What must I do to be saved?
Good question! We often see people performing their religious duties with the hope of gaining God’s approval. We have already discovered, however, that “doing good” cannot please God. By itself, the act of responding to the preacher’s call after a sermon does not save us either.
If I can’t earn it, and the preacher can’t save me, what can I do?
Another great question! Let’s look at God’s clear answer: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). You are saved by grace—favor that God gives you. It is undeserved, unearned, and given freely. Grace comes to you through faith. Faith is being totally convinced that something is true. In this case, it means having the assurance that Christ paid for your sins.
When you firmly believe that it is through Christ alone that you have salvation (not by anything you have done), you have “saving faith”! Before you have this faith, you experience no grace or favor with God. Ephesians 2:12 says, “Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ... without hope and without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:12).
Because of faith in Christ, you now have grace and are in God’s favor! Now you can enter God’s presence boldly, knowing that you have received mercy and forgiveness. God accepts you now through the work of Christ.
Now what is expected from me?
“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:1-3).
With God’s help through the power of the Holy Spirit, you are expected to “live a life worthy” of God’s salvation, reflecting your new relationship with God. Your new life should be different from your old life.
Some of this will be reflected in changes in your attitude. As you walk with Christ, you will learn humility, love, patience, and many other virtues (positive Christ-like attitudes) that will help you to please God. As you are learning these virtues and walking in unity with other Christians, you will continue to have confidence that you are a child of God.
But you will also experience changes in what is really important to you. The Bible says “For we are God’s handiwork, created for good works in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:10) Over time, you will discover that nothing is more fun or fulfilling than doing the special tasks that he has planned for you upon this Earth.
Questions
1. How did God see your life before your decision to receive Christ?
2. What did you do to become a Christian?
3. What one thing caused you to see your need for Christ?
4. How has your life changed since receiving Christ?
5. If you died right now, would you go to heaven? Why?
Lesson 2
WATER BAPTISM
As a new Christian, it is very important to take steps that help you to identify with Christ in every area of your life. One of the first steps a new Christian should take is to be water baptized. In the New Testament, this was the most powerful way that new believers identified with Christ. Baptism is an act of worship through which believers express their faith and commitment to the Lord. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit...” (Matthew 28:19).
What does it mean?
The word baptism means “the process of immersion or submersion,” or “to be fully wet.” In the Scriptures, we read that the Ethiopian eunuch was immersed by Philip. ..... Then both Phillip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him” (Acts 8:38). In baptism, the immersion of the believer symbolizes his death to sin and his resurrection to the new life he now has in Christ. The believer outwardly affirms the inward commitment he has made to Jesus Christ as the Lord of his life. In effect, by being baptized, you are saying “My old life is over. I died, but now I am alive again because of Jesus.” It is important that we truly understand and let the people around us know that now our life belongs to Christ.
All Christians need to be water baptized. Jesus stressed its importance through His own example. Even though He was without sin, He submitted Himself to baptism. “Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John...” (Matthew 3:13-16). It is not necessary for you to be water baptized in order for you to be a Christian. The Bible says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves; it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). However, baptism is an important step in the life of the new believer. It is a decision of the will and an act of obedience in following Christ.
An identity with Christ
Your entrance into the water during baptism identifies you with Christ’s death on the cross and His burial in the tomb. When you come out of
the water, you identify with His resurrection from the dead. Jesus freely chose to die in your place, so you must willingly enter into the waters of baptism to rise in newness of life.
The Bible says, “Or don‘t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father we too may live a new life. If we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection” (Romans 6:3-5).
A reference point
You can look back to your water baptism as the moment when you publicly declared your faith in Christ. This reference point will always remind you that you began your Christian life with a clear conscience before God. “And this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. . .“ (I Peter 3:21).
A new nature
Water baptism confirms the fact that your old sin nature has been crucified and that you have put on a new, godly nature. You have made a new commitment to serve Jesus, and you have separated yourself from your old sinful lifestyle.
When should you be water baptized?
After you repent—That means after you turn away from sin and decide to follow Jesus.
After you believe—That means after you completely trust in Christ’s death and resurrection for your salvation.
Who can baptize?
According to Scripture, any believer in Christ can baptize you in water. It may be your pastor, another cell leader, or whomever your leaders feel is the right person. If you’ve accepted Christ and have truly turned toward Him, you will need to follow Him in water baptism. Talk to the person who has been helping you (your cell leader, personal pastor, or friend) and ask him to help you arrange the right time to be water baptized. This may happen before, or immediately after the Encounter Weekend.
Questions
1. What does water baptism mean to you?
2. Why is water baptism a benefit to you?
3. When will you be baptized?
Lesson 3
RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
Now that you are a child of God and have taken the step of being water baptized, what’s next? You know you have a relationship with God as your Father, but do you really know what that means? As a son or daughter of God, you have the awesome privilege of actually getting to have communion with Him. That word simply means “common-union”. You are now very closely united with God in a unique relationship. You get to be a part of what God is doing, to share in His work here on the earth. It implies a close, intimate fellowship with the very God of the universe! Pretty mind-boggling, isn’t it?
God wants to have fellowship with you!
The all-powerful God of the universe desires to have a close, intimate relationship with you. He wants to be involved in all aspects of your life, and He wants you to willingly share your life with Him. He even made you in His image so that He could have fellowship with you. Because of His great love for you, He sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in you so that you could always have communion with Him (John 14:16-17).
Many Scriptures tell us how much God longs to have true intimacy with us. You might want to read some of them, such as Exodus 25:22, John 14:20-23, Revelation 3:20, and many more. But the point of all these verses is the fact that our God is so personal and interested in us that He wants to have an ongoing, vibrant relationship with us.
What is communion with God?
When the Bible talks about having communion with God, it is generally referring to the idea of a partnership. In other words, it is a reciprocal relationship between you and God. You give to Him, and He gives to you. He gives to you, and you give to Him. And so the relationship goes. Communion is not a one-sided relationship. By its very nature, it involves active sharing and give-and-take between the parties involved.
This is similar to what goes on in a healthy marriage. Each partner shares his life with the other. Each looks for ways to bless the other, to encourage, and to build up. And in the relationship, love is the motivating factor. You share with one another and partner together because you love each other, not because you “have to.” It’s not some kind of legalistic relationship, but one based on your love and commitment to each other.
When you have true communion with someone, you are interested in what interests him and vice versa. It’s the same in your relationship with God. If you desire communion with Him, you will want to involve yourself in those things that interest Him, and He in turn will involve Himself in your life (Matthew 6:33). Look below and see what kinds of things God wants you to be involved with:
Making disciples (Matthew 28:19-20)
Working in the harvest (I Corinthians 3:9)
Praying diligently and persistently (I Thessalonians 5:17)
Supporting the work of the Lord (Malachi 3:10, Galatians 6:6)
Maintaining a simple, heartfelt relationship with Him (Micah 6:8)
As you involve yourself in the Father’s business, He becomes involved in your affairs. Look at some of the things He does for you when you delight yourself in Him:
Provides for all your needs (Philippians 4:19)
Rewards you for your sacrifice (Mark 10:29)
Heals your body (Isaiah 53:4)
Forgives all your sins (Psalm 103:3)
Sets you free from the enemy (Luke 4:18-19)
Protects you (Proverbs 2:8)
Comforts you (II Corinthians 1:3-4)
Fights for you (Joshua 23:10-11)
Helps you in your weakness (Romans 8:26)
Gives you guidance and wisdom (James 1:5)
Fills you with peace (Isaiah 26:3)
Can I lose my relationship and communion with God?
In the beginning, God created man to have unbroken, intimate communion with Him. Man, however, through his disobedience in the Garden of Eden, forfeited his right to communion with God. But our gracious God provided a way for that communion to be restored when He sent His son Jesus to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. You are born into God’s kingdom when you decide to follow Jesus, but you will not be able to sustain your new life in Him unless you learn how to have communion with Him. This is why it is so important to know what things can destroy your communion. A few are listed below:
Willfully continuing in sin—None of us is perfect, and we will all do something wrong from time to time. But the Holy Spirit will convict you of sin. That’s a “knowing” in your heart that you have done wrong. When the Holy Spirit convicts you, it is your responsibility as a child of God to respond. Quickly confess your wrongdoing, turn from it, and believe that you have received the Father’s forgiveness (I John 1:9). Then go on joyfully serving your God. However, if you willfully refuse to repent or if you make a conscious choice to continue in sin, you will break your fellowship with the Lord.
Harboring unforgiveness—A refusal to forgive those who have hurt you can also hinder your ability to have communion with God. The Scriptures are clear in commanding us to forgive (Matthew 6:14-15, 18:21-22; Colossians 3:13). Forgiveness is a decision you make to release someone who has sinned against you. It is not based on emotion, but rather is a conscious decision of your will to extend to others the same forgiveness that God extended to you. Refusing to forgive will lead to bitterness and destruction in your life, as well as cutting off your fellowship with God.
Being overly involved in the affairs of the world—Although you have to live in this world, you are not to be part of it (John 17:6). As a Christian, you must guard your heart and the things that pull at you for attention. If you spend all your time in worldly pursuits and pleasures, seeking only to entertain yourself and others, you will soon notice a distance between you and God. Your mind and heart will become dull to the things of God, and you won’t be aware of His presence in your life. If you find that God seems far away and you can’t hear His voice, check yourself and see if maybe you have let yourself become too involved in earthly pleasures.
What can I do to maintain communion with God?
There are many things you can do to make sure you keep the channel open between yourself and God. Just a few of them are listed below:
Meditate on God and all He has done—Psalm 63:6, 143:5
Make prayer a regular part of your life—I Thessalonians 5:17
Cultivate an attitude of gratitude—Philippians 4:4
Maintain fellowship with other believers—Hebrews 10:25
Participate in the Lord’s Supper—I Corinthians 10:16
Communion with God is the greatest privilege of the believer. As you grow in your ability to spend time with Him, you will find yourself craving communion with Him more and more. You will move beyond a narrow, legalistic view of God into a knowledge of Him as Father and Friend. You will be forever changed from “glory to glory” as you revel in the awesome presence of a loving Heavenly Father who longs to have communion with you. So make a commitment today to learn how to draw near to God in that secret place where sweet communion awaits.
Questions
1. What does it mean to have communion with God?
2. What are the three things that block fellowship with God?
3. List some of the ways to keep intimate communion with the Father.
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Lesson 4
THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
The purpose of this chapter is to help give you a clear and thorough understanding of the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Carefully read the Scripture references that teach about this experience. Any questions you have can be answered by your teacher.
What is the baptism in the Holy Spirit?
The baptism in the Holy Spirit is the fulfillment of Jesus’ words concerning the “promise of the Father” (Luke 24:49). It is a baptism not with water, but with God’s power! Jesus Christ gives us the Baptism in the Holy Spirit in order to have us manifest the kingdom of God in power through practical demonstration in your life. The Holy Spirit gives you the power to witness effectively, to resist sin and the devil, and to be all that God intended you to be in His kingdom.
The phrase baptism with the Holy Spirit means to be immersed in a relationship with the Holy Spirit. It is a distinct and separate act of God from being “baptized into Christ” (Galatians 3:27,1 Corinthians 12:13), which refers to your “born again” experience into the Body of Christ. The Holy Spirit baptizes you into Christ when you are born again, but Jesus baptizes you in the Holy Spirit. When this occurs, you are totally filled and surrounded by God.
What is speaking in tongues?
In Acts 2:1-4 on the Day of Pentecost, the followers of Christ were baptized with the Holy Spirit, receiving the fulfillment of Jesus’ command to wait in Jerusalem for this experience (Acts 1:4). When they were filled with the Holy Spirit, they began to speak in tongues. These tongues were not a language that they had learned, but a Spirit inspired language that came directly from God Himself. Tongues is a language from God to God (I Corinthians 14:2,4; Jude 20). Speaking in tongues strengthens the believer and is a physical evidence that someone has received the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
How does someone speak in tongues?
Many have raised questions about how someone speaks in tongues. First, you must understand that it is the Spirit of God that “gives the utterance.” In other words, the Holy Spirit gives you the words to say. You must speak them, but He is faithful to give them. Just as your mind tells you what to say when you want to speak, the Holy Spirit will also give you the words to say. However, you must be the one to speak the words.
When you speak, your voice box, tongue, lungs, and mouth all work together to form words. When this happens, the very words that you want to speak come out. The same things happen when you speak in tongues. Without your having to think about it, the Holy Spirit directs all your speaking faculties to speak the words of the Spirit. You will speak, but it is He who will tell you what to say.
In John 7:38-39, Jesus tells the disciples, “He that believes on Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water” The Greek word for belly is defined as “the innermost part of a man; the soul; the heart as the seat of thought, feeling, and choice.” Imagine what Jesus meant when He said that out of your belly, rivers of living water would flow. The baptism in the Holy Spirit is a biblical experience that fulfills the desire that Jesus had for every believer to receive the power of God in his life.
Here are some things to remember:
If you are saved, you have the person of the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 3:16, Romans 8:9).
The gift of the Holy Spirit is a promise for all who ask (Luke 11:11—13).
Any believer may receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Joel 2:28-29).
The Holy Spirit gives power to witness (Acts 1:8).
The Holy Spirit helps us to pray (Romans 8:26).
A person may be water baptized and saved but not yet be baptized in the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:14-16).
Speaking in tongues is a sign, or evidence, of the baptism in the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:44-46).
Some believers may receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit before they are baptized in water (Acts 10:46-48).
The word baptize means “to put under” or “to cover.” When a person is baptized in the Holy Spirit, he is totally immersed, or enveloped, in the Spirit of God.
Speaking in tongues is an experience that is common to all the New Testament examples of receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit. When you speak in tongues, you speak to God and at the same time build up your inner man.
How to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit
This experience will certainly change your life! You may want to ask the Lord now to baptize you in the Holy Spirit. This may happen for you during the Encounter Weekend. Ask your cell leader, friend, or pastor to pray with you to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
Steps to receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit
1. Remove all barriers. Sin, unforgiveness, doctrinal hang-ups, pride, or any unclean thing in you may block you from receiving. Confess your sin and renounce anything from your past that would hinder you from receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
2. Request. Jesus said that all we had to do is ask and we would receive. Tell the Lord that you want to be baptized in the Holy
Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues.
3. Receive. Reach out by faith and take hold of this gift that God freely gives to all those who believe in Him. Don’t analyze it with your mind but allow your spirit to receive this gift. Worship the Lord, and keep your mind on Him.
4. Release. By faith, stop praying in English (or your native language) and begin speaking in tongues. You may at first have
only a few words, but go ahead and speak those in faith, and others will follow. As you yield your tongue to the Spirit, you will begin to feel a wonderful release of worship. Peace and joy, two fruits of the Spirit, will flood you with a new sense of the presence of God. You will never be the same!
Don’t allow your enemy, the devil, to confuse you later about your new experience in the Lord. He will certainly come to plant doubt in your mind and may tell you that it wasn’t God, but only you, praying in tongues. Remember: He is the father of lies!
Grow in what God has given you, and allow your prayer language to develop as you use it in your daily prayer life. We recommend that you pray in tongues daily during a portion of your prayer time.
When you have experienced the Holy Spirit’s baptism, be sure to share this new experience with your cell leader. He or she will celebrate with you in this new experience and continue to encourage you in your walk with God.
Questions
1. Have you received the baptism in the Holy Spirit since becoming a Christian?
2. If you have already received this baptism, give an example of how your prayer language is building your faith.
3. Describe how the power of the Holy Spirit has already affected your life.
4. If you have NOT yet received the baptism in the Holy Spirit, describe what you expect God to do during the encounter weekend?
Lesson 5
THE IMPORTANCE OF ENCOUNTERING GOD
You are now to the point in your new life in Christ where you are ready to encounter God in a very special way. You have made a decision to follow Him; you may have already taken the important step of being water-baptized; you are learning how to commune with the Father; and you have been instructed in the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Now it’s time to prepare yourself for a life-changing experience that we call the Encounter Retreat.
What is an Encounter?
An Encounter is a divine appointment with God. It is a specific time in your life when God “shows up” on your behalf. It is marked by His presence, His power, and His deliverance. When you encounter God, you are forever changed by the experience.
The Scriptures abound with many instances of individuals who had their own special encounters with God. Consider Jacob, who after wrestling with the angel at Peniel said, “I have seen God face to face” (Genesis 32:30). After that experience, Jacob’s very name was changed, noting the transforming power of his encounter, and he forever after walked with a limp as a reminder of the night he wrestled with the angel of the Lord. In the New Testament, person after person was radically changed as each came into contact with Jesus. Because of encountering Him, sick bodies were healed, tormented minds were set free, blind eyes were opened, and even the dead raised to life. There is truly no end to what can happen when a person encounters God.
Although God is the one who initiates the encounter, deciding the “when, where, and how” of it, you have an important part to play in the process. Your role is to make yourself available to God and to be willing to cooperate with Him in whatever He wishes to do in your life. Your attitude must be one of surrender, acknowledging Him as the potter who has the right to do with you whatever He chooses. If you will entrust yourself to Him, take the step of going on an Encounter, and maintain an open heart, you will have your own uniquely special experience with God. And just like all the people in the Bible, you will never be the same!
What are some barriers that might prevent me from having an encounter with God?
When you go on an Encounter, you must first prepare your heart so that you will be in the optimal position to receive everything that God has for you. Many things will pull at you and try to distract you from your purpose, but decide ahead of time that nothing will stop you from having your encounter with God. Listed below are a few of the things that you might need to deal with:
Personal relationships—Sometimes those we love most, such as our families and friends, are our greatest hindrance in following God. You must determine to follow your Savior, no matter what (Matthew 16:24-25). You must give Him free rein to change you and mold you into His image without worrying about what others will think of you. You must put Him first, before all others (Mark 3:31-35, 10:29-30). When you go on your Encounter, therefore, lay aside all thoughts of those you are leaving at home. The Lord will take care of them as you turn your face towards Him. If you bring the problems of home or relationships with you into your Encounter, you will be distracted from what God wants to do in you.
Personal plans and ambition—Are you going on this Encounter with an agenda of your own? Do you want God to work in your life, but only in certain areas and ways? Are you trying to dictate to God what to do and how to do it? To truly encounter the Lord, you must lay aside preconceived ideas of what God may or may not do. You have to die to yourself (John 12:24) and be open and transparent before Him. If you will do this, God will move in powerfully and accomplish the work He wants to do.
Personal possessions—The things you own can mean too much to you. Every good thing you have was given to you by God (James 1:17), however, and He is more than able to take care of your things while you are away on an Encounter. The Word of God is clear. If you seek Him and His kingdom, He will take care of you and provide for your needs (Matthew 6:33). Nothing is so valuable as to be of more worth than encountering the living God.
What are the effects of an Encounter?
The effects of an Encounter are many and varied, depending on what God specifically does in your heart. You may experience a freedom that you’ve never known before, a new confidence in God’s love for you, a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit, and boundless joy in the goodness of God. But whatever happens, we find that, in particular, many people experience the following changes:
Repentance—(Psalm 51:3-4)—At the Encounter, most people will come face-to-face with their own sinfulness and need for forgiveness. All of us have sinned and need to periodically examine our hearts for any areas that are not pleasing to God. The Encounter provides the perfect time and place to get right with God in any way you need to. The repentance will be characterized by a change in life and attitude, not just by sorrow or emotional feelings of regret.
New direction—(Matthew 4:18-20)—When Peter and Andrew, ordinary fishermen, encountered Jesus, their lives took a drastic new direction. They left behind all the old and familiar and launched out into the deep waters of following the Lord. It can be the same for you. The Encounter is an opportunity for you to start on a new course, no matter what your past has been like.
Transformed character (Genesis 32:1-8, 27-28)——When Jacob had an encounter with the Lord, his relationship with his brother Esau changed. Even his very name changed. You will be forever changed in your innermost being if you will allow the Lord to have His way with you at the Encounter.
Renewed love (John 21: 14-19)——In the New Testament, Peter boldly declared that he was willing to follow the Lord even to death, but as the story unfolds, He denies the Lord three times. Then after Jesus’ resurrection, Peter was restored and given a place of authority. He was given a second chance to prove Himself, and prove Himself he did as mightily evidenced in the book of Acts. God will give you a second chance, too. If you let Him have His way with you on the Encounter, you will find yourself falling in love with Him all over again, and you will be able to walk with the fire of your “first love” into the new path He has for you.
Questions
1. Why is it so important for everyone to go on an Encounter?
2. Name someone from the Bible who encountered God, and describe his experience.
3. What change do you hope to experience on your Encounter?
Lesson 6
PREPARATION FOR YOUR ENCOUNTER
The last chapter will tell you exactly what you need to do to get ready for your Encounter Weekend. Read it carefully, and be sure to ask any remaining questions you may have. Above all, prepare your heart to receive. YOU ARE ABOUT TO ENCOUNTER GOD!
What practical preparations should I make to get ready for my Encounter Weekend?
In the days preceding your Encounter, you will, of course, take care of those ordinary things that we all have to deal with. You will want to make sure that you leave your families on the right note. Leave your home in order, with all details taken care of. It is important that family members understand where you are going and why and are prepared to take care of themselves in your absence.
Ladies, see that your children will have proper supervision while you are gone. Clean the house and do the laundry. Make sure your husband and children have something to eat. You want to do whatever you can to make it easy for them while you are gone. Husbands, if you are the one going on the Encounter, leave your homes in order, too. Fill the car with gas, mow the grass, and tend to those little things that you’ve been meaning to get around to. The main idea is to leave home on a good note, with no room for the devil to plant a seed of resentment in your loved ones because you did not provide for them before leaving.
Most importantly, do not leave home angry with a family member. Resolve any problems before going on your Encounter so that you will be free to concentrate on what the Lord wants to do in you. You want to do everything within your power to make sure that you arrive at the retreat center free of worry, anxiety, or unresolved issues concerning your family.
Another point to make here deals with your employment. Make all arrangements at work sufficiently in advance. If you need to leave early, get permission. Be honest and upfront with your employer about where you are going and why. Most people are happy to work with you. If you have a difficult employer, don’t yield to the temptation to use deceit or manipulation to get what you want. Trust God to make a way for you at the right time in the right way as you conduct yourself in the right manner.
What things should I bring to the Encounter?
What you take on your Encounter will depend on the particular facilities where you stay. You will be told ahead of time what you will need. Generally speaking, you will want to bring your Bible, pen and paper, personal toiletries, casual clothing, and comfortable shoes.
Even more important than what you bring is what not to bring. It is best to leave at home such things as Walkmans, games, cell phones, beepers, or anything else that might distract you from the purpose of the Encounter. Remember: You are not there for the purpose of entertainment. You have a divine appointment, and don’t let anything distract you from that purpose.
How do I prepare myself spiritually for the Encounter?
Even more important than the physical preparations you make are the spiritual ones necessary to ensure that you have a good Encounter. The most important thing you can do to get yourself ready is to consciously develop an attitude of openness and transparency before the Lord. In the days leading up to the Encounter, make a deliberate step of surrender to the Lord and whatever He wants to do. Ask the Holy Spirit to remove preconceived ideas from your mind and to enable you to go as an empty vessel waiting to be filled. Allow the Lord to stir up an expectancy in you that you will indeed encounter Him on your weekend.
What is deliverance, and will I experience it on the Encounter?
When we use the word deliverance, we are referring to action undertaken by God on our behalf to set us free from something. There are many examples in the New Testament where Jesus delivered people from the power of the devil. Some involved those who were literally demon-possessed (Luke 8:26-36), while others involved those who were oppressed with sickness, disease, or troubles (Matthew 9:20- 22). But whatever the condition, a person who had been bound by some torment was totally liberated when he encountered the mighty power of God.
Many people today have a mistaken idea concerning deliverance. Their view of it has been formed by movies and books that sensationalize graphic aspects of the process. Consequently, these people have become fearful even at the mention of the word deliverance. What they fail to realize is the end result of deliverance: a life set free to love and serve the living God.
When you go on your Encounter, you probably will experience deliverance of some kind. Everyone has areas of his life that need a freeing touch from the Lord. For most people, it is a quiet, internal thing, but some people do have more observable reactions. You can take confidence in the fact that those ministering to you on the Encounter have been trained and have experience in seeing the captives set free. No matter what happens, if you keep your heart fixed on Jesus and His purpose for you, you will not be distracted by what goes on around you.
As your Encounter Weekend unfolds, you will be taught the reasons why people become bound, the causes of curses and how to break them, the need for forgiveness to obtain deliverance, the role of rebellion and wrong words in bringing destruction, and many other such things. Your leaders will pray with and for you, and you will experience the freeing touch of the Lord in your life. So, get ready! You are indeed about to ENCOUNTER GOD!
Questions
1. How should you prepare yourself for your Encounter Weekend?
2. What is deliverance, and why is it necessary?
3. What steps will you take to get ready for your Encounter?
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