Most people treat spiritual growth like a big juicy apple when they should be treating it like an onion.
Rather than working their way towards God’s design for their life one layer at a time, they take big bites and often lose interest after just a few mouthfuls.
The purpose of my Living by Design retreats is to equip women to embrace God’s beautiful design for their lives.
The purpose of @sarahekoontz Living by Design Retreats is to inspire women embrace God's design.Over the course of three days, we peel off our old selves, layer by layer, and learn how to put on our new self, “created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness (Eph. 4:24).”
I had the privilege of speaking at two Living by Design Retreats this fall, and was so blessed when Nancy Johnson offered to video all four sessions of the 2017 Salem EFC Women’s Retreat at Inspiration Point in MN.
**Nancy, I’m so sorry I can’t stand in one place on the stage. I have this terrible habit of walking out of the shot. Thank you for trying to keep up with me!
Photos of the Salem EFC 2017 Women’s Retreat provided by Brooke Spaulding.
I finally got around to editing the video footage, and am excited to share these four powerful video excerpts with you over the next few weeks.
Understanding God’s design has brought so much freedom and joy to my life, and I cannot wait to share these rich biblical truths with you.
Are you weary and worn? Let's journey to the living waters together.If you are weary and worn, tired of rushing through life and in desperate need of rest and refreshment, you are going to love these short (20-30 minute) video lessons!
I’ve also included a mp3 audio file if you’d rather download the teaching to your mobile device and listen on the go. {Click here to download the mp3 file}
Living by Design Retreat – Session 1
Key Truth: To better understand God’s design for our lives, we must first define and break down the parts that together make us whole and complete.
Key Verse: 1 Thessalonians 5:23, “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely. And may your spirit, soul, and body be kept sound and blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Breakdown of God’s Design
Body – Earth Suit
Body is made up of senses, habits, biological needs and drives
Soul – Mind, Will & Emotions
Soul gives conscious awareness of what is happening around us, feelings to show us what is happening within us, and will to make decisions based on what is best for us. Soul is the root of our personality and self-awareness. Our feeler, thinker, and doer.
Spirit- Man’s original purpose was to reflect the image of God (Genesis 1:27)
- Adam and Eve were created spiritually alive
- They had a choice in the garden: my way vs. god’s way – what did they choose?
- What were the consequences? Spiritual death.
- Now man is born spiritually dead
- Through the Holy Spirit, Christians have an umbilical cord – access to God and everything we need, but we must retrain our body and soul to rely on God not self.
Before we were made spiritually alive (when we received the free gift of salvation), we developed coping mechanisms – now we have the tall order of redesigning our lives according to God’s truth!
Romans 12:2 (Phillips) – With eyes wide open to the mercies of God, I beg you, my brothers, as an act of intelligent worship, to give him your bodies, as a living sacrifice, consecrated to him and acceptable by him. Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold, but let God re-mold your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all his demands and moves towards the goal of true maturity.
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Join Us Next Week for Another Video
Today’s lesson is just the first installment of four Living by Design video teachings.
Here is an overview of the topics we will be covering in upcoming weeks:
Session 2: Body + Soul – The 10 Secrets of Healthful Living (Now Available)
Session 3: Soul + Spirit – The Lost Art of Restful Living (Now Available)
Session 4: Embracing an Eternal Perspective (Now Available)
I would love to be a part of your next women’s event!
I would consider it an honor and a privilege to partner with your ministry, church, or small group.
Visit my Speaker Page to learn more about my personal testimony, most requested topics, speaking experience, and testimonials from people who have been impacted by my speaking ministry, or e-mail me our team to check availability & fees.
